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“This is a book of enormous personal and social significance for a society steeped in conflict and alienation. It is a deeply moving and spiritually uplifting work that you will want to give to family, friends, and colleagues alike."
Donald T. Saposnek, Ph.D.
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Why Submit a Reconciliation Story?
How the Stories Will Be Used
How Stories Will Be Selected for Publication
Submission Guidelines
What Makes a Good Reconciliation Story?
Why Submit a Reconciliation Story?
Laura Davis writes: "Telling people's stories has always been at the core of my work, and I believe it is
what makes my books resonate so deeply with such a wide variety of people. The men and women I have
interviewed, and the stories they have shared, have enriched and deepened my understanding of healing
and reconciliation. I am grateful for their willingness to discuss painful and private aspects of their
lives for the benefit of others.
"Today, I am inviting you to send in your own reconciliation story. Choosing to publicly share your story
means making a decision to use your life experience to serve others. You will have the satisfaction of
knowing that your struggles, successes, insights, and wisdom will inspire others to undertake reconciliation
journeys of their own.
"If I choose to publish your story, you will receive a signed copy of I Thought We'd Never Speak Again as a thank you gift."
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How the Stories Will Be Used:
- Each month, I will choose several stories to publish online. Selected stories will be featured in
"Reconciliation News" and posted on LauraDavis.net each month, and will become part of an ever-growing a
rchive of reconciliation stories at (put actual URL here).
- All stories will be considered as source material for future articles, books, tapes, talks, and
workshops-either as complete stories, short quotes, vignettes, or the seeds for future interviews.
- Because reconciliation stories contain intimate details, not just of your life, but also of someone
else's (like the person you're reconciling with), I am required, for legal reasons, to take the precaution
of changing all of the names when the stories are published. (The only exception to this rule is if your
story has already been published, if your situation has been publicized nationally, or if you can get a
signed release from every person mentioned in your story.)
- As a contributor, you will be identified by a pseudonym. (For consistency, we ask that you submit
your story using real names. Names will be changed upon publication.)
- If you are not already subscribed to "Reconciliation News," you will be given a free subscription,
so you can readily read the featured stories. Of course, you have the option to unsubscribe at any time.
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How Stories Will Be Selected for Publication on the Website:
All reconciliation stories are important and valuable, both to the people who have lived them, and to others
who may be inspired by them. However, the following criteria will be used to choose which stories will be
published.
- Does the story have a clear beginning, middle, and end?
- Is it clear and well written?
- Does it paint a vivid picture?
- Is it emotionally compelling?
- Does it inspire and uplift the reader?
- Does it teach us something concrete about reconciliation?
- Is there something universal in the story that would speak to others who are trying to reconcile difficult relationships?
- Does the story discuss an aspect of reconciliation that hasn't been featured previously?
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Submission Guidelines:
- You are free to submit stories about all kinds of reconciliations: between family members,
friends, colleagues, ex-spouses, former enemies, people separated by cultural, racial, and
ethnic divisions, and crime victims meeting their perpetrators.
- You must be eighteen or older to submit a story.
- Stories should be non-fiction, ranging in length from 300-1200 words.
- Stories should be written in the first person.
- Anonymous submissions will not be considered.
- Story submissions will not be returned, but you will receive an e-mail acknowledgement
that your story has been received.
- The process of writing books takes years, so please be patient. If you story isn't published online,
it may turn up several years from now as an example in a book.
- Story submissions are by email only. Use the form below and paste your story into the box.
- You will need to submit the agreement below in order for your story to be considered. I will also
need your name, address, phone number and email in case I, or a member of my staff, need to contact you.
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What Makes a Good Reconciliation Story?
- It is impossible to tell the whole story of your reconciliation in one to three pages. Choose an aspect
of your story that is particularly compelling: a turning point, a dramatic moment, a struggle you
resolved, an "ah-hah" moment, a meaningful interaction, and focus on that.
- Skip the details about how your estrangement came about or how painful it was; focus instead
on what you did to resolve the situation.
- Rather than telling us what happened, show us. Use lots of sensory detail in your story:
what you saw, heard, smelled, and felt in your body. Make your story vivid, so we feel like we
are right there with you.
- Tell your story in a way that makes us cry, laugh or weep in recognition.
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