16 Opportunities To Get Published Without Writing A Book

A while back I wrote about how to get the publicity of being in a book without actually writing a book. Here are 16 opportunities for you.

Dan Poynter has sent me a list of authors currently seeking illustrations, stories, and other material for their books to give them the “human touch”. If your story fits, it may be a way to get the publicity you want for free. 

By the way, if you think your business doesn’t relate to things like “Humorous Divorce Stories” but you do have one, then phrase it like this and make sure the author agrees to include it this way. “Sandy at www.SandySellsStuff.com wasn’t always a successful entrepreneur, but she succeeded in part because she could find the humor even in the midst of a tragic situation…”

Here’s what people are looking for currently….

STORIES REQUESTED:

1. DIVORCE HUMOR STORIES Wanted. There may be nothing more painful than a divorce. But with everything in life sometimes a bit of humor can help heal wounds. I am looking for funny thoughts, memories and more from people that have been divorced. Subjects that are degrading, hateful or abusive to the ex spouse or children are not wanted. Also looking for quick tips to offer a person going through a divorce on how to move on. If you have any questions please feel f.ree to email me at either whitakermk@hotmail.com or thedeckchef@hotmail.com

2. WIDOWS. I am writing about life as a widow. If you have a short story about your life as a widow, please send it to me. Or I have a simple survey which I can email to any interested widow. The survey is anonymous and not intrusive. The project has an uplifting and positive approach to life as a widow. Contact Cen Fox at writer@labyrinth.net.au

3. TEACHERS/TRAINERS.  We’re creating the world’s largest collection of teaching and classroom aids for our teacher-to-teacher marketplace — everything from lesson plans to Powerpoint presentations, Word documents, and online courses.  Materials for all subjects, in all formats, and all grade levels wanted.  Contact the publisher directly at mwerner@InfoSourceLearning.com.

4. WHAT PROBLEMS HAVE YOU HAD ILLUSTRATING YOUR OWN BOOK?
I’m nearing completion on a down to earth & practical how-to illustration book for authors who do their own line drawings & digital photographs. I’d like to hone my material more to solve specific problems that self-publishing authors have run across in their use of media or equipt. I’ve illustrated for 40 yrs & taught many people - but I want to know of your specific problems & frustrations- so that they may be addressed for
others.Marko@erdc.com

5. RE-HABBING HOMES…I am writing about our experience rehabbing a 75 year old house.  Interjecting a 12 year old’s keen observations on such things at contractors…the good, bad and the really ughly!.  Out of the mouths of babes as they say.   The lessons learned, advice before you take the leap of faith.  What the Real Estate Guru’s don’t tell you, even if you ask!  I would be interested in others’ experiences, advice, tongue-in-cheek acceptable.  Let me know if I have permission to use your name and location in the story. Please send stories to nancy@todayfundingsolutions.com or 216-410-3015

6. WHAT DO CHRISTIANS DO THAT OFFENDS YOU?  I’m a Christian author working on a book about the things that Christians do that people find offensive. Please send me your stories, personal or second-hand. Help me suggest to offensive Christians that their techniques and behaviors may be counter-productive.  Please email your funny or horror stories to Bruce@BruceBickel.com.

7. TEACHING YOUR OWN CHILD TO READ? If you have taught your deaf, hard of hearing, or preschool child to read, I’d love to consider your story for inclusion in my upcoming book. If you tried and tried. but it just never “took,” that would be a story I’d like to hear as well. Gwynne Spencer, PO Box 121, Mancos, CO 81328, e-mail onceuponasign@aol.com

8. PLAGIARISM AND COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT. Do you have a personal experience involving plagiarism and/or copyright infringement? If you are willing to share it, I d like to consider it for a book I m writing on the subject. If you have consulted a lawyer on the subject, I’d also like to know how that worked out for you, and the final outcome of your experience. Please send your story to carolynproctor@excite.com.

9. WANTED: YOUR ANGEL STORY from children, teenagers, adults and seniors. Donate your story to the universe for new nonfiction book and see your name in print or remain anonymous. For consideration send your story and contact information to ude2@prodigy.net. Thank you for sharing.

10. ITALIAN WEIGHT LOSS — I’m looking for stories from students, travelers and expatriates who have lost weight during a vacation in Italy, or while traveling or studying there — particularly if you were in Florence or anywhere in Tuscany. Please email Jillhendrickson@aol.com.

11. I’m writing a book based on a popular band.  The book is a “for fans by fans” type of project and it will include fan stories.  In addition to fan stories I hope to include original short stories and poems based on the music. If you have any interest in helping out with this project please email me at:  countrydmb@hotmail.com     Subject: Band Book $5 per book will be going to charity!  I think this could be a fun writing exercise/project that will be both entertaining and for a good cause.

12. SMALL BUSINESS OWNER stories wanted.  In search of stories to include in the sequel book to “Cute Little Store: between the entrepreneurial dream and business reality”.  I’m specifically looking for stories from current or former small business owners relating to 1) why they closed or sold their business 2) how their business continued to run without them due to illness or other disaster and 3) how they managed to run a business while engaged in a separate full time job/career.  Will consider any small business but prefer stories relating to 1) retail and/or 2) that have more
than 1 employee.  Prefer to use real names and business names, but will honor any requests for anonymity.  Please send stories to me at adeena@mignogna.org.  I will follow up with anyone with a story that fit into the book.
-Adeena

13. HOW TO GET INTERVIEWS ON RADIO. Francine Silverman, author of Talk Radio for Authors, is working on her next book, tentatively titled How to Get Interviews on Talk Radio, geared to a more general audience. If you are a radio host and welcome guests and wish to be a part of her book, please email Fran at franalive@optonline.net for the form.

14. DOGS AND CATS—are they really so different? We are used to thinking of dogs as companionable, love slaves to their human masters. But what of the cat? Are we their captors? Do they yearn for escape? Are dogs the clowns,the work animals, the lovable shadows, and cats the disdainful royalty in the human compound? Send us your deepest thoughts and your funniest tales on cats… or on dogs. Tell us your stories of these creatures with whom we share our homes, and our beds.
– Michael Mitchell and Karen Mulhallen, Guest Editors
http://www.descant.ca/submit.html

15. WERE YOU BORN IN 1950? If so, i want to include you in my interviews and survey. Write dorisbloods@earthlink.net.

16. I recently completed a book centered around DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.The next topic I want to write on is Women Telling their Stories (Escaping Domestic Violence).It will only be a few pages needed for each to tell her story. Thank you,
Tresa Smith-Cullins, asertsc@yahoo.com