Call for Stories

CALL FOR STORIES

Unexpected Gifts: Stories of Chance

Have you ever had an encounter that felt too unlikely to be random—yet impossible to explain?

We are seeking true, first-person stories about a specific moment when you encountered a person, place, object, or idea in a way that felt unexpected—and that changed something for you. Whether you’re a beginning or a seasoned writer, this is your chance to finally put your story out there!

This is not a collection of general reflections on fate or philosophy. We are looking for grounded, narrative-driven stories built around a clear, real-life event.

What kind of story fits this anthology?

Your story should center on one key encounter that:

• Happened unexpectedly or by apparent chance

• Felt meaningful, surprising, or difficult to explain

• Led to a shift—internal or external

That shift might include:

• A change in direction (career, relationship, life decision)

• A moment of recognition or clarity

• A reconnection with a part of yourself

• A realization that altered how you see the world

• A small moment that left a lasting emotional imprint

What do we mean by “encounter”?

An encounter can be with:

• A person (stranger, acquaintance, or someone from your past)

• A place (a city, building, landscape you didn’t plan to visit)

• An object (something found, given, or noticed at the right moment)

• An idea (a thought, message, or realization that arrived unexpectedly)

What we are NOT looking for

To keep the collection focused and cohesive, please avoid:

• Abstract essays or philosophical reflections without a central event

• Fictional or embellished stories (this is a nonfiction anthology)

• Stories where nothing meaningfully changes or is at stake

• General “life lessons” without a vivid, specific moment

Tone and approach

Strong submissions will:

• Be specific and concrete (scenes, details, real moments)

• Show what happened, not just what it meant

• Let the meaning emerge through the story rather than explaining it upfront

• Be honest, reflective, and grounded in lived experience

Example

You unexpectedly sit next to a stranger on a delayed train. A casual conversation leads them to mention a job, place, or idea that directly influences a major decision you make weeks later.

Or: You take a wrong turn while traveling and end up somewhere that reconnects you with a forgotten passion.

Submission details

• Length: 1,500–5,000 words

• Language: English (we will only accept work that has already been translated to English)

• Perspective: First person

• Deadline: December 1, 2026

• Selected contributors notified: January 15, 2027

This anthology (part of the Unexpected Gifts series by Storyhouse Works) will include 15–20 carefully curated stories, supported by editorial guidance and a collaborative writing process.

If you’re unsure whether your story fits, ask yourself: Did something unexpected happen—and did it change me in a way that still matters? If yes, we want to hear it.

Still unsure? We’re holding a free informal information session + writing lab on Thursday, Oct. 1st from 12-1 PM. RSVP

Author contribution: €575

Covers production, editorial, and publishing costs. Contributors receive 20 author copies, which can be sold to help recoup the contribution.

TIMELINE

July–Nov 2026: Call for Stories

Oct. 1, 2026: Information Session + Writing Lab, RSVP above if interested

Dec. 1, 2026: Story submission drafts due

Dec. 1, 2026-Jan. 15, 2027: Panel of writers and editors review submissions

Jan. 15, 2027: Selected authors notified (those who aren’t selected will be provided with an online session with other suggested avenues for publication)

Feb-March, 2027: Writing Labs & line-editing

April-May, 2027: Final edits & production

June 2027: Book Released