Second Chances Writing Contest

Each of us has a story to tell, and our stories can provide inspiration to others.  On this site we want to build a world of hope, and share our own stories of “second chances.”

Have you faced some sort of “crash” in your life – an event or life experience that dramatically changed the course you were traveling in your life?  How did you make it through?  How did that give you a “second chance” and what have you done with it?

Share your “second chance” story with us and each month we will select one winner who will receive:

• A limited commemorative copy of Brace For Impact autographed by the passengers who were on Flight 1549 and survived to tell their own “second chances” story.

• Front page publication of your “second chance” story on the Brace For Impact book website.

Your “second chance” story could be just the thing that someone else needs to gain hope, inspire change, and create a new life.  Transformation awaits us all.

Here are some guidelines for Submission

The Words

The literary content of your story should consist of;

• True, non-fiction, original stories

• “Words of Advice” shorts

If you are not the copyright holder and/or do not control the rights to the material you are submitting, please tell us who is. No anonymous or author unknown submissions are accepted.

File Names

It’s important we are able to identify your work as yours by the name of your file. Please use your “save as” or “rename” function of your software to give each file a unique name that reflects the following format:

LastName,FirstName,StoryTitle     e.g. DoeJaneFromNearDeathToNewLife.doc

File Types Accepted

Word processing: Submissions using our online submission form must be MS Word Office .doc file types or txt.

Style

The story-telling style is more inviting and intimate than journalistic writing. We are looking for human-interest, slice-of-life stories that entertain, enlighten, inspire, or motivate.

Stories must be original, non-fiction, and told in first person voice. Central elements can include one or more of the following themes;

• Overcoming obstacles and meeting challenges in life; big and small
• The experience of a synchronistic moment, a moment of “fate,” or something awe-inspiring
• Being the recipient, or the giver, of a random act of kindness and the impact it had
• Life lessons learned (the hard or not-so-hard way) delivered in a non-preachy style
• Making the best of life and maintaining a positive attitude especially in difficult situations
• A detailed account of the event that caused an impact on your life

Word Count

500-1500 words, plus 50 words of biographical information about you.

• More information about “Brace for Impact Book”
• Example of a “second chances” story

FAQs — Frequently Asked Questions

Do you accept previously published material?

Yes, we reprint previously published material as long as the rights are not under exclusive license with another publisher.

What is the prize for my submission if it is published?

If your story is selected as the winner of the month, you will receive an autographed copy of Brace For Impact and your story will be published on our website under the Second Chance Writing Contest section.

Will you notify me if you wish to publish my material?

Yes.  After submitting your story you will receive email notification that we received your entry. If you are a “finalist” and your submission is under consideration for publication you will be notified again by email. We may also request photographs if you wish to have these published as well.

What rights am I giving up for my material to be published?

We need only non-exclusive rights to your material. You retain the copyright and are able to re-sell and market this material elsewhere.

Will my story be edited?

Yes, as our editors select finalists for publication they will often edit stories with an eye toward story arc, readability, balance with other content, and general publisher house-style issues. If needed, the editor will contact you for more information to develop certain areas of your story or clarify issues. An edited copy of your story will be sent to you via email if your story is being considered as a finalist for publication.