Friday, January 30, 2009

Friday Round-Up - #34

How are gasoline prices in your area? After a steady downward trend, we're experiencing an upturn. Within the past two weeks, we've gone from a low of $149.9 to $1.77.9. Sigh. I'm returning to my "catch the lowest price strategy." I fill the tank when it's at the 3/4 full mark.

Back to one of our favorite subjects: chocolate! I found a tip on melting my favorite confection. Make sure all your utensils are bone dry. A single drop of water can cause chocolate to "seize." Instead of smooth, silky chocolate, you'll end up with a grainy, lumpy mess.

Chicken Soup for the Soul issued a call for stories on the subject, "Tough Times, Tough People." Because of demand for this book, they've bumped up the deadline to February 28, 2009. Publication is scheduled for June 2009.

They want true stories and poems written in the first person of no more than 1,200 words. Both serious or humorous stories are acceptable. Suggested topics include financial problems and solutions, losing homes and jobs, families pulling together, etc. For the full list, check out the website.

If chosen, your bio will be printed in the book. You will also receive a check for $200.00 and 10 free copies of your book valued at more than $100.00. You'll retain the copyright for your story.

Have a great weekend!

14 comments:

Jessica Nelson said...

That sounds great with Chicken Soup. I really wish I wrote non-fiction short stories. :-(

I hope you have a great weekend.

Terri Tiffany said...

I already sent in my story to Chicken soup! I bet most of us can find a story in us for that one in these tough times. And yes, the gas is rising here. Ugh. I still group my trips out to save. Have a great weekend!

Sarah said...

Thanks for the info. I'll definitely be looking into Chicken Soup for the Soul.

Gas started going back up here, too. It's still below two dollars though. Just think, last summer it was almost five dollars!

Have a great weekend!

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Sarah -

Great new profile pic!

Gas is still under $2.00 here also. I paid $1.75.9 the other day.

Enjoy your weekend!

Blessings,
Susan :)

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Terri -

Good for you! I sent a story in to Cup of Comfort a few days before this came out. The story might have been appropriate for Chicken Soup. Question: Can you do a simultaneous submission for Cup of Comfort and Chicken Soup? While I've been wracking my brain for another idea, nothing seems to be surfacing.

Even with gas prices down, it's still smart to conserve. If demand goes up, the prices will take a quantum leap.

Blessings,
Susan :)

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Jessica -

Have you ever experimented with non-fiction? I started out writing only non-fiction. Now, I do both.

Thanks. I hope you enjoy the weekend also.

Blessings,
Susan :)

Unknown said...

It's so funny that you're blogging about the price of gas easing up because I was just thinking about it yesterday. The upturn is slow and gradual but there is no denying is creeping up. Like you, I'll be keeping an eye on it. :-)

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Sharon -

Thanks for commenting! I managed to get gas last night for myself and late this afternoon for Mom for $1.75.9. After getting Mom gas, we went for pizza. On the way home, the gas had gone up 4 cents.

I've gone back to getting gas whenever I use a quarter of a tank.

Blessings,
Susan :)

Kevin said...

Susan:
Thanks for the tip on "Chicken Soup." I will definitely check it out! I sent them an article about seven years ago; they sent a contract, but never published it. I wonder if I should re-send, or do a new one?
Our gas is around $1.87 or so. I live in Central IL.
Jeanette

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Jeanette -

If they sent you a contract, I'd take another shot at it. They get so many submissions. Maybe this time they'll have enough space for it.

Gotta run. I'm supposed to be writing blog posts. :)

Blessings,
Susan

quietspirit said...

Susan:
My husband and I went out to eat yesterday afternoon. We passed several stations on our way to the restaurant.
One had gas @ $1.87. Two blocks down the street the price was $1.97. (Unleaded Prices)
This really sounds good for the Chicken Soup books.

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Quiet Spirit -

The lowest price around here as of 3:00 P.M. today was $1.79.9. Most of the stations are now in the low-to-mid $1.80's. Ugh.

I wish the deadline on the Chicken Soup story was further out. It's hard to come up with something on such short notice. Are you going to send something to them?

Blessings,
Susan :)

quietspirit said...

Mary:
If I can think of anything that I think they would consider notable. I submitted something to them a long time ago and all I know is they received it. I don't believe they release anything they receive and don't use right away.

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Quiet Spirit -

I had a bit of an idea this morning, and wrote it up. It's a long way from completion. We'll see if it develops.

Blessings,
Susan :)