Monday 2 September 2013

Jingle Bells Anthology Project #JBAP


This is an idea brought up by members of the Chapter Book Challenge and I like the idea, so I'm making it official.

The idea was to create an anthology of Christmas stories for children. Now, I realize that not everyone celebrates Christmas, and I can't call it Winter Tales because Christmas doesn't fall in Winter in other parts of the world. So we're calling it "Jingle Bells." Not sure what the subtitle will be - "Stories for the holiday spirit," maybe?

This time, as many of us struggled with the 700-word limit on Teapot Tales, there will be a 1,200 word limit (with a 300-word minimum).

Stories should be kid-friendly, but do not necessarily have to be written FOR children. We will be writing these as stories that would be acceptable for 8 to 13 year old children to read.

These stories can be magical, heart-warming and anything in-between. We want people who read these tales to feel that warm, tingly, heart-touching effect from our words. You know, show them your holiday spirit! Make sure they FEEL it!

Stories are preferred, but we will accept some poems.

Artwork will be accepted (black and white/line drawings), but remember, there may be stories that are for Hanukkuh, the Winter Solstice, Yule and Kwanzaa too.

And we will need a cover. (If no one can manage a cover, I'm sure my husband has some artwork that will work.)

As with Teapot Tales, proceeds will go towards the Chapter Book Challenge. The book will be made available in Kindle and print format. For print format, we are going to need to have the edited stories in and ready no later than September 30th October 8th. Otherwise, I cannot guarantee that the print version will be available by Christmas, and I know many of us will want copies to give as gifts.

If you are American, your story will keep its US spellings and colloquialisms. If you are Australian or English, your story will also retain the spellings and colloquialisms for your area. This way, there will be only one version to publish, rather than one for each form.

The Kindle version will maintain the clickable linking format that it had in Teapot Tales, and unless you send me a new bio (or did not contribute to Teapot Tales so I don't already have your bio), your bio from Teapot Tales will be used.

We will need to reach a minimum of 25 stories for this to be a viable idea though.

And there is one big change to this one:

It is not limited to only ChaBooCha members! Anyone who can write an enjoyable story can submit a story.











27 comments:

  1. I would love to be a part of this, if you want me and have thinking cap on! xxx

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    1. Lizzie - Absolutely would love to have you participate!

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  2. LOVE Jingle Bells
    "Chiming in the Holiday Spirit?
    and i will start working on a Christmas story tomorrow!

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  3. Becky, I totally love Christmas and can not pass up this opportunity, so I'm in!

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    1. Woohoo! I am looking forward to seeing what you come up with!

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  4. I'm in Becky, jingle all the way.

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  5. If I do submit something you might want to choose between the US or Canadian because sometimes I use them interchangeably being from the US and now living in Canada.

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    1. I don't think it will be a problem, Dani. I'm a Californian who has been living in the UK for over 11 years now, so I do the same thing.

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  6. Perhaps "Jingle Bells Holiday Tales for Children" Thanks again for allowing me to be a part of this! :)

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    1. Thanks, Ashley. I think we're adding "Tales of Holiday Spirit From Around the World" as the subtitle. :)

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    2. You're so welcome.--Ooo...I like the actual subtitle much better! :D

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  7. It's been interesting to watch all the angst against the word Christmas develop. Thankfully I now live on a part of the world where the word Yuletide (and it's various international spellings, cultures and traditions) is still used..... and... I may have just thought of a Christmas story to contribute :) I am so glad I stumbled upon this post. Thanks.

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  8. I would love to contribute! I will get my writing hat on immediately, thanks for the opportunity!

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  9. Hi Becky...I would love contribute as well! I stumbled upon this through a mutual friend Ashley. How does it work? Where do I submit? I am super excited as I had taken a break from writing while selling our home...so I'm hoping I can meet the deadline of Sept. 30...May I contribute?

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  10. Hi Kelly! You can submit to the anthology through e-mail. Just e-mail Rebecca (at) Fyfe (dot) net. You will also need to send me a bio written in the third person. I would love for you to contribute and I can't wait to read your story! (You can also e-mail me if you have any more questions.)

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  11. Hello, I just saw this... let me think about it and see what I can come up with.. Just not much time.. do you still need things?

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  12. Hello Becky,
    I am interested in the anthology, do you still need stories? Seems like quick turn around.
    Deirdre

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  13. Becky, I am interested... but not much time. What do you think?
    Deirdre

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    1. Hi Deirdre,
      It's not too late. I'd love to see a story from you for the anthology!

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