What is Creative Non-Fiction?

Creative non-fiction? You ask. Non-fiction is boring stuff like medical journals and business magazines. Creative non-fiction must be an oxymoron!

Wrong. Well, maybe not all wrong.

Non fiction -though valuable- is sometimes boring. But creative non-fiction is different. Non-fiction simply means that whatever you're reading is true. Creative non-fiction is what you'll find in publications such as the Chicken Soup and Cup of Comfort anthologies as well as the True magazines.

I can hear you now...there's no way those stories are true! Maybe, maybe not. There's an old saying that truth is sometimes stranger than fiction, so who knows?

In a previous article in Funds For Writers Newsletter, author Dorothy Baughman who writes for the True markets says that the point is to "write a story that other women can relate to, the same tales you hear in the beauty shop or when women get together. Put a woman in an emotional situation with a conflict or problem then follow through with the solution. It doesn't have to involve love all the time. It just needs to emotionally relate to women." (used with permission from Funds For Writers © 2004 and Dorothy Baughman)

Creative non-fiction is defined as "a hybrid of literature and nonfiction." In the simplest of terms, anytime you write non-fiction (truth) using the elements of fiction you are penning creative non-fiction. It is also an idiom used for articles, essays, devotionals and web content. Though based on truth, these items are written in an engaging manner that not only enlighten, but also entertains. Journalists and literary works are another common use of creative non-fiction.

A web search revealed over 7,000,000 links to information on creative non-fiction. Two that I found the most interesting were Iolani School where you can take courses for creative non-fiction and Creative Non-Fiction the journal devoted exclusively to the creative non-fiction genre.

Some other forms of creative non-fiction are Vocational Biographies. These are "career biographies" in which a person is interviewed and portrayed in their professional position, but is written in an entertaining as well as educational style. The purpose of a career biography is to enlighten young people on the variety of careers available and educate them on the schooling they need to obtain and maintain the career of their choice. For info on Vocational Biographies, visit their site @ www.vocbio.com.

Adams Media is the publisher of the Cup of Comfort anthologies as well as The Rocking Chair Reader, Small Miracles and others. Their website: http://www.adamsmedia.com

Cup of Comfort series (similar to Chicken Soup) pays $500 for the "grand prize" story in each volume and $100 for each story published (upon publication) + complimentary copy.

Adams Media newest project titled Chick Ink wants stories about women with tattoos, pays $100 for each story accepted plus 1 complimentary copy of book.

Other creative non-fiction markets and pay schedule:

Guidepost Magazine Full-length manuscripts (750-1500 words): $250 - $500, occasionally higher. Shorter manuscripts (250- 750 words): $100 - $250. Short features and fillers (under 250 words): $25 - $100.

Angels on Earth Magazine For full-length manuscripts (1500 words): $100 - $400, and is made when the story is approved and scheduled for publication. For quotes, anecdotes to use as fillers, and material for our short features (50 - 250 words): $25 - $100

God Allows U-Turns Pays $30 honorarium upon publication (plus 1 copy of book), By-line and short bio.

God's Way Books Stories run 750 - 1200 words (1200 preferred) Pays $50 one time for non-exclusive book rights, 1 complimentary copy of book + 25 word byline.

Tales from the Front Porch Anthologies; Buys first NA rights, acceptance notice within 2 months. Payment between $25-$75 upon publication (depending on length) no payment for letters, quotes or tips.

The Sun Magazine Publishes essays, interviews, fiction and poetry. Purchase one-time rights. Pays from $300 to $1,250 for essays and interviews, $300 to $750 for fiction, and $50 to $250 for poetry, the amount being determined by length and quality (less for very short works). Contributors receive a complimentary one-year subscription to The Sun. Accepts some reprints as long as author holds rights.

For information on writing for the True magazines, visit http://www.truesonline.com

To find out more on the Chicken Soup anthologies, visit their website @ http://www.chickensoup.com.

For information on Vocational Biographies, visit http://www.vocbio.com