How to submit your story to be considered for a Faith Storytellers book

Are you inspired to write a true, first-person story of faith?

Share it with readers by submitting it for consideration for upcoming Faith Storytellers books, which will feature collections of short stories around specific topics or themes.

The best way to know the type of story we're looking for is to join our newsletter.

Please note: We cannot guarantee your story will be published, but there are steps you can take to improve your chances:

Take the "Quiz: What's your storytelling style," which explains how some writers tend to write too much and others too little. You'll be better equipped to self-edit your story if you first understand your natural writing tendencies. Take the quiz online here or find it in the Appendix of our book, “Faith Storytellers: Unleash the Power of Your Story.”
Read Part I to understand the Faith Storyteller Framework and Faith Story Guardrails, which all story submissions must adhere to, including the 700 to 1,200 word limit. For quick reference, you can find them in the Appendix and online at faithstoryteller.org/framework-and-guardrails.
Read previously published faith stories to see by example how other writers applied the framework and guardrails to their stories. It's common for a writer to find a story to draw inspiration from as they write their own story. Find stories online here or in Part II of the “Faith Storytellers” book.
Identify one (and only one) Story Anchor, which is the central point of your story. Your beginning will likely be the opposite of where your story ends. Make sure to include, in first person, what you know now to be true about God that you didn't back then.
Ask a trusted friend to read your story (after you self-edit it and before you submit it). Workshop it by asking them for help identifying which parts need to be clarified or which areas need more detail. You should also ask which scenes are too long or contain details you love that take the reader away from your Story Anchor instead of toward it.
Double-check you've named your emotions in each scene. This is an often-forgotten piece of the framework that is crucial to storytelling, as emotions are the engine that drives your story forward. Naming them allows your reader to quickly understand and relate to your story. You can find a list of emotions and other writing resources at faithstoryteller.org/resources.
Read about our submission process (scroll down to read our FAQ) to answer common questions and understand what to expect. Faith Storytellers do not pay for submissions as we see these books as a ministry that reflects our mission: To lift up and share the story God is writing in the world.

Submit your story here

FAQs: Story Submissions

We accept and consider stories about your personal relationship with the Christian God and
how it has changed over time.   We are open to a variety of story topics, from light-hearted moments to spiritual journeys to miracles to walking through spiritual valleys.
Review topics we’ve previously published here, although we are open to new topics as well.
Stories we accept are structured to have a clear beginning, middle where something changes, and an ending that brings resolution.

We are also looking for a personal statement about your faith at the very end of your story (“What I know to be true about God that I didn’t before is …”)
Once your story is ready to submit, please do so using our online form below.
Stories that deal with trauma, abuse or other hurts and hangups should never disparage another person.
If something happened to you it is real, and it is part of your story. For the purpose of Faith Storytellers, shift the focus from the other person to your relationship with God and how it deepened through the trials.
One way to do this is to describe the impact through a metaphor (a tornado went through my life and left it in shambles) and God’s love (I didn’t think God was there, but when I least expected it, God’s light broke through the storm and I realized I was going to be okay).
Please review our Faith Story Guardrails for more.
We use AP Style except for the Oxford Comma, which is traditionally used in marketing and books publishing but not newspapers. Our goal is consistency and clarity.

We also adapted a church’s writing style guide so that words are used consistently throughout, as that brings a sense of cohesiveness to the stories we publish when read together. Please view the Faith Storytellers Style Guide here to learn more.
We try our best to respond to submissions, but we cannot guarantee a reply or response.
It’s not unusual for us to go a few weeks before responding.   If selected for our next Faith Storytellers book or for publication on our website, we will notify you and will provide more information at that time.
We typically ask writers to edit or revise their stories prior to publication (on average, 2-3 times) depending on their story and how closely they have ahead to our Faith Storytellers Framework and Faith Story Guardrails.
Please note, publication is not guaranteed and we may pass on stories at our discretion for a variety of reasons. In addition, by summiting your story online, you’ve agreed to our submission policies and standards.
No. Because we publish true stories (testimonials), we want you to share your real name with our readers. This builds trust and helps our readers know that what you are sharing is true and really happened.
Yes! We love publishing faith stories from middle school and high school students especially.  Please note that there is a different submission process for children or teens under the age of 18.
You should NOT use the submission form below.
Instead, have your parent or legal guardian reach out to us via our contact page for next steps as they will need to work with you on submitting your story. 
This includes being CCed on all revision and publication emails. If needed, we will schedule a video call with both you and your parent or legal guardian.
In addition, your parent or legal guardian will need to sign our Release of Materials form on your behalf.  
No, Faith Storytellers does not pay writers. This is a passion project and ministry of ours.
However, if you are selected for publication, we do link back to your website or include a mention of your book. On the website this appears at the bottom of each story; in our book it appears in the “bios” section.
Our Materials Release Agreement asks you to grant us the right to use your story.
We do NOT ask to own your story. You own your story.
In order to publish and market your story as part of a Faith Storytellers collection, however, we need your permission, which is why we require writers to sign the agreement.  
Please feel free to read our full Release of Materials Agreement, which is found in the story submission form, and run it by your attorney if you have additional questions
We prefer to publish unique stories that have not yet been published elsewhere. This is for a few reasons:
1. We want to bring our audience a unique story and reading experience that they haven’t read elsewhere.
2. Other publishers may have the rights to your story (we don’t know what agreements you have signed).
In the Materials Release Agreement, we specifically ask that you acknowledge that you have the right to enter into the agreement and do not need permission from a third party to do so.
3. We believe we each have many stories to share about our relationship with God.
If you’re previously published one of your stories, please submit a story that you haven’t shared elsewhere.  
If you aren’t sure where to start in selecting a different story, please review our Faith Storytellers Framework, which will guide you through identifying and crafting a true, first-peson story about your faith.

Story
Submission
Form

Name

First Name

Last Name

Website

Provide a link to your website if you have it.

http://

Age

I am 18 years or older

I am 17 years old or younger (please stop and visit our contact page to ask about our submission process for minors)

Prior publication

I have the right to consent to this agreement without permission from a third party.

Release of Material Agreement

For good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which I acknowledge, I hereby authorize STORYSTRUCK MARKETING, LLC DBA FAITH STORYTELLERS, and its parents, affiliates, subsidiaries, and each of their directors, officers, employees, agents, licensees, successors and assigns (collectively, “FAITH STORYTELLERS”) to use my name, nickname, image, likeness, voice, signature, actual or paraphrased statements, and/or biographical information (collectively, “appearance”) in any manner for promotion, publishing, marketing, licensing, selling, or any other means for the Faith Storytellers (“Campaign”). FAITH STORYTELLERS owns the right to use the specific story, writing, essay, in any materials, including by not limited to: their website, workbooks, videos, class, marketing materials, third-party websites, published works, books, digital media platforms and visual platforms such as video, streaming, recording, television, podcast, radio, or any other means of publication or promotion. FAITH STORYTELLERS has the sole right to print, sell, or use my story without payment to me. FAITH STORYTELLERS has full licensing, use, and ability to copyright my said work for their use, and without further compensation to me. FAITH STORYTELLERS may use my likeness, image, and works in any manner as stated above. I release any images, documents, or recordings provided to FAITH STORYTELLERS to be used in any manner FAITH STORYTELLERS chooses to use said image. I hereby waive any right of inspection or approval of my writing, work, appearance, the recording, the Campaign and/or the uses to which any of them may be put under this Release. I agree that I will not be entitled to any compensation for my services, the rights granted herein or otherwise in connection with this release, recording, publishing, or the Campaign, including, but not limited to, the sale of my work via publication in a book, workbook, video class, or through the resale to a traditional publisher or licensure deal. I represent and warrant that I have the right to enter into this Release, and provide for my content for publishing, recording, dissemination and grant the rights granted herein without permission from any third party. I further represent and warrant that my writings, works, appearance, my content, nor any use thereof will violate or infringe upon the rights of any third party and that neither my appearance or content are previously copywritten, published, or the product of any third-party agreement that would prevent FAITH STORYTELLERS from using it or reselling it. Without limiting the foregoing, I confirm that I am not a party to any agreement or other obligation that in any way restricts my right to enter into this Release and grant the rights granted hereunder. I further represent and warrant that any images I submit in relation to my content or appearance may be used by FAITH STORYTELLERS even if I do not own the copyright to it. I hereby agree not to assert, and expressly waive, any claim of any nature whatsoever against anyone relating to the exercise of the permissions granted hereunder, including, but not limited to, any claim of copyright infringement, defamation, invasion of privacy or any other right, right of publicity, false light, false association or false advertising. Further, I expressly waive any and all right to enjoin the Campaign, and agree that my exclusive remedy for any breach of this Release will be an action at law to recover monetary damages. I consent to the State of Iowa, venue in Polk County for any legal action regarding this agreement. If a party has to seek legal any form of action to enforce this agreement they shall be entitled to attorney’s fees if they are the prevailing party. This Release contains the entire understanding between the parties, and supersedes all prior understanding between them, regarding the subject matter hereof. No waiver of, addition to, or other modification of this Release shall be valid unless in writing and signed by both parties. This Release and all issues related hereto will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Iowa, without regard to its choice of law provisions. I verify that I am over 18 years of age.

I have read and agree to the above statement

Story

Copy and paste your story here.

Bio

Please include a short, 2-3 sentences bio about, which should include: - Your full name - Your city and state (or city and country if you are outside the United States). - The name of your book (if you've published one) - The URL for your website (if you have one) - Your occupation and/or that you are retired - Your family (their names are not required) - What you like to do for fun

How to submit your story to be considered for a Faith Storytellers book

FAQs: Story Submissions

What type of stories does Faith Storytellers look for?

How should I address trauma in my story?

What style (grammar, capitalization, word usage) do you follow?

How does the submission process work?

Do you publish writing under pen names?

Can I submit a story if I am under 18 years old?

Does Faith Storytellers pay for stories?

If I submit my story, who owns the copyright?

I've already published my story elsewhere, can I still submit it?

Story Submission Form

Story
Submission
Form