Welcome!
Everything you need to know should be here, but if you can’t find something, please email us your questions.
“Secrets of the Sisterhood: 50 Stories of Love, Truth, and Power, Volume 1” is a compilation-style book that will feature 50 speeches submitted by Speaker Sisterhood members.
We will accept submissions April 1, 2019 – May 15, 2019, and we will announce the accepted speeches in early July.
FAQs:
SUBMISSION QUESTIONS
Is there a submission fee?
No, there is no fee to submit your speech.
Can I submit more than one speech?
You can submit up to three speeches. Please combine them in one document for uploading.
How long does the piece need to be?
Speeches can be between 625-1,000 words. This is the average length of a 5-7 minute speech. No exceptions.
Does it have to be my Love, Truth or Power speech?
No, you can submit any speech you’ve written.
Do I have to be an active member of Speaker Sisterhood to submit?
No, but you need to have been a member at some point. As long as you enrolled as a paying member sometime between December 20, 2016 and today, you are eligible to submit.
Can I submit anonymously?
Yes, but we would love to showcase you and credit your work with your name. But if you’d prefer to remain anonymous, we will still accept it.
How many submissions will make it into the book?
We’re shooting for 50, but it depends on how many submissions we receive.
Will I be paid if I’m chosen?
No, but this is a chance to build your credentials as a published author and contribute to growing our scholarship fund. Fifty percent of all book sales will go into the Gratitude Fund, Speaker Sisterhood’s scholarship fund for women who are unable to pay the fees associated with membership.
Will I have the chance to submit again in the future, or is this my only chance?
Yes, our plan is to publish a new edition of this book every year so we can continue featuring the stories of our Speaker Sisters, but that plan is based on the assumption that this book will be successful. Rather than wait for another year, submit now to ensure this project’s ongoing success! You can submit again for our next book, too.
Who’s reviewing the submissions?
Book submissions will be reviewed by Angela Lussier, Speaker Sisterhood founder, and Lauren Simonds, Speaker Sisterhood member and editor of this book (she also edited “The Secret Life of Speaking Up Prequel” and “Truth Tellers,” the advanced curriculum for Speaker Sisterhood).
How will I know if I’m chosen?
We will email you in early July to let you know if your speech was accepted or not.
When and how do I submit my speech? Are you accepting late submissions?
You can submit between April 1, 2019 and May 15, 2019 at 11:59pm ET. We are not accepting late submissions. Submit here
I don’t have an editor. Will someone edit the speeches?
Yes, Lauren Simonds will copy edit the speeches. She’ll fix grammar, spelling and punctuation mistakes. She will not rewrite or critique the speeches.
DISTRIBUTION AND SALES QUESTIONS
When and where will the book be available?
It will be available at Amazon.com, BarnesAndNoble.com, Lulu.com, at Speaker Sisterhood events and through Speaker Sisterhood special offers. The book goes on sale on Black Friday, November 29, 2019.
How much will it cost?
The book costs $20.00, and 50 percent of each sale goes to the Gratitude Fund, Speaker Sisterhood’s scholarship fund for women who are unable to pay the fees associated with membership.
PUBLISHING AND COPYRIGHT QUESTIONS
Who is publishing the book?
The book will be self-published by Speaker Sisterhood, LLC and printed by Lulu.com.
Who owns the copyright?
The copyright of the book is owned by Speaker Sisterhood, LLC. If your piece is accepted, you will grant Speaker Sisterhood a non-exclusive license to publish your work through written agreement. This means we hold the copyright for this book, but you still own the copyright for your work and can publish it anywhere else you’d like. If your speech is accepted, you will be asked to sign an agreement stating you grant us a non-exclusive license in perpetuity.
What are the rules around submitted material?
- You must have created the work (and therefore you own copyright).
- You are the sole author of the work. If you wrote the material with co-authors, all authors will need to be identified in the agreement and be signatories to it.
- If you have included third party copyrighted material (i.e. created by someone else), you will need to sign off on having the necessary permission from the copyright owner to include their material.
Still have questions? Contact us.
We look forward to reading your submissions!
-Angela & Lauren
Speaker Sisterhood: Discover, Awaken and Create Your Voice 