Mormon Stories Book Series

[Rosebud]

Hi CUF people. I hope everything is going well over here. I just wanted to stop in to let you all know that John Dehlin is putting together a new Mormon Stories book series. Right now he’s looking for submissions from any kind of Mormon. Indy, LA, SU, Robin and Non Sequitur would all qualify. If you lurk but feel like you have something to say, it might be worth considering this opportunity. This is a chance to get published to paper…….

Book Series: Mormon Stories

For those who want to help support the creation of this series, please join the following forum: http://mormonstories.org/forum/


ABOUT THE BOOK SERIES:

• A mid-tier book publisher has offered to publish a multi-volume series under the “Mormon Stories” brand name.
• Audience for the Series:
• Primary Audience: Traditional, Believing Members of the LDS Church
• Secondary Audience: Mormons of all types (including Ex-Mormons)
• Each book in the series will be a collection of quality personal narratives around a specific theme of relevance to the community. A list of possible book titles include:

Mormon Stories: Why People Leave the Church
Mormon Stories: Constructively Navigating a Faith Crisis
Mormon Stories: Navigating Marriage when One Loses Their Testimony
Mormon Stories. Mormon Feminism
Mormon Stories: Unorthodox Mormonism
Mormon Stories: Finding Joy After Mormonism
Mormon Stories: LGBT Issues
Mormon Stories: Struggling with Historical Issues
Mormon Stories: Struggling with Cultural Issues
Mormon Stories: Real Missionary Life
Mormon Stories: The Temple
Mormon Stories: Stories from Primary
Mormon Stories: Church Discipline
Mormon Stories: Abuse
Mormon Stories: Scouting
Mormon Stories: (....anything that seems relevant to you)

• Each book in the series will stand alone in terms of content, and will not require a sequential reading.
• Any Mormon is welcome to submit a story regardless of membership status, denomination (e.g. LDS, Community of Christ, FLDS, Strangite, etc.), or level of belief or activity.
• The books are intended for a wide audience so their language will be simple and respectful. The objective of the books will not be to convince people to stay in the church, leave the church, believe in the church or not believe in the church.
• The objective of the books will be to present issues, feelings and perspectives in an open, validating and trusting manner in hopes that readers will better understand others and will ultimately have a desire to listen and work together rather than to alienate and label. We are seeking to reach BOTH heads AND hearts w/ this endeavor....but mostly hearts.
• Community members are encouraged to consult the submission guidelines and submit their personal stories for possible inclusion. While it will be impossible for all stories to be published to paper, we will make an effort to publish as many as possible to MormonStories.org.
• All proceeds from the sale of the books will go to the Mormon Stories Foundation.

ABOUT THE FIRST BOOK (August 31st -- 1st Draft Deadline):

• Title: The first book in the series will be called, “Mormon Stories: Why People Leave the LDS Church”
• Primary Audience: The primary audience for this book will be traditional, believing LDS church members...so all essays should be written with this audience squarely in mind.
• Purpose: The purpose of this book is to:
• Build empathy/understanding for those who choose to leave the LDS Church, and to dispel the most common misperceptions.
• Build awareness among LDS church members as to the main issues that often lead to disaffection.
• Help those who are in a position to improve things within the LDS church understand the main issues that drive disaffection
• Topical Coverage: We are hoping that each essay will focus on at least one specific/different theme (e.g. a historical concern, feminism/women's issues, being LGBT, being single, abuse, Prop 8, feeling called by God to do something else, a reworking of your epistemology, etc.) -- though I realize that for most, the issues are multiple and complex. We're just hoping that the Table of Contents will be able to list a general theme, to help pull readers in on individual topics.
• You do not have to be in our out of the church to contribute to this book. If you're out of the church, then you clearly qualify. If you're still in the church -- you can talk about why others leave, or about why you once left, or about why you sometimes really want to leave. We hope to have a really good mix of people out and in the church for this book. We feel that this will help foster additional credibility with existing, believing members.
• Some essays will make this book, other essays will be used in following books: As I mentioned above, we are planning several other books in the Mormon Stories series (e.g. one on historical issues, one on women's/feminist-related stories, one on LGBT-related stories, one on "staying" in the church after losing your faith, etc.)-- so at some point, we will have to decide whether your essay will work best in this first book, or in a follow-up book....but I promise to do my best to make sure that your essay gets published.
• If there's anyone else who you feel would contribute a fitting essay for this collection, please feel free to pass this email on.
• All proceeds from the book will go towards the Mormon Stories foundation -- a 501c3 non-profit I have created with several friend to support Mormons in transition

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES: If you are willing to write an essay for this book, here's what I need:

1. I need you to email me ASAP to let me know you will write it
2. I need you to let me know what general theme you will likely cover in your essay
3. I need you to try to get me the essay by August 31st, if possible
4. I need the essay to be between 6 and 10 double-spaced pages.
5. I need the essay to speak to hearts and minds -- with the TBM audience in focus

GENERAL WRITING GUIDELINES: When you are writing your personal narrative, please remember that:

• Your story must be true
• The books and website are intended for a wide audience. It is important to use simple and respectful language.
• Your story needs to be tight. Sometimes, when writing about our own experiences, we have a tendency to be wordy. Try to include only those details that are pertinent to the meaning of your story and to the volume you have selected for its possible inclusion.
• The books will not attempt to convince anyone to believe, disbelieve, stay in or leave Mormonism. Stories that attempt to convert others to any perspective will not be included.
• The books will attempt to engender feelings of tolerance and mutual respect. We will be looking for stories that demonstrate both positive and negative examples of tolerance and respect as well as stories that demonstrate people changing from places of less tolerance and respect to places of more tolerance and respect.
• These books are intended to be informative, personal and emotional. Stories that appeal to an audience both cognitively and emotionally will be the most likely to be selected for publication to paper. Stories that are passionate and human will be selected over stories that are stiff and mechanical.

We are hopeful that this project will allow MS members to have their stories heard, will help solidify positive relationships within the community, will pave the way for better communication between Mormons in different places of belief and disbelief, and will ultimately increase tolerance between Mormons of all kinds.

Every once in a while I really miss the bantering and bashing of this place. I get this weird and sentimental CUF-is-the-best feeling.

[Non Sequitur]

It would be the biggest understatement of my life to say that your return, even if for a moment, makes me happy.

[LA Ute]

Every once in a while I really miss the bantering and bashing of this place. I get this weird and sentimental CUF-is-the-best feeling.

Well, come on back then!

[falafel]

It would be the biggest understatement of my life to say that your return, even if for a moment, makes me happy.

lol

[wuapinmon]

It would be the biggest understatement of my life to say that your return, even if for a moment, makes me happy.

Apparently humor is lost on you. (I thought both posts were funny).

[Non Sequitur]

Apparently humor is lost on you.

I don't get it.

[Rosebud]

Well, come on back then!

Thanks. You guys have got things covered here without me, though.

[HuskyFreeNorthwest]

Right now he’s looking for submissions from any kind of Mormon. Indy, LA, SU, Robin and Non Sequitur would all qualify.

I would have never guessed there are only 5 kinds of Mormons. You're a strange dude Rosey.

[Indy Coug]

Besides, I'm not a "kind of" Mormon.

[Moliere]

Thanks. You guys have got things covered here without me, though.

Rosie doesn't need CUF because of her divine nature as a woman and the fact that she has the ability to bear children.

[Rosebud]

lol.... stop trying to bait me .

[UtahDan]

Besides, I'm not a "kind of" Mormon.

I'm pretty sure one of those "kinds" is defined in part by not recognizing more than one kind.

[UtahDan]

I would have never guessed there are only 5 kinds of Mormons. You're a strange dude Rosey.

Nor that three and a half of those kinds are apostates.

[Rosebud]

It won't bug you guys way too much if I keep you and your lurkers updated, right?

Over the past week or so, many of you have provided us with some very valuable feedback on the design and scope of this first book -- and as a result, we would like to refine the submission guidelines.

Now.....we know that a few of you have already submitted your essays, and that others are probably smack dab in the middle of writing them...but we are pretty confident that these changes will make the writing and editing process easier for everyone (even those of you who have already started or finished your essays) -- and will help us produce a significantly better product in the end. So stick with us if you can.


To distill the feedback that we have received so far....here are some of the main themes that are driving the changes:

• Less is more: There seems to be a strong consensus that many of you want the flexibility to write shorter, but more impactful stories (vs. 10 page essays or mini-memoirs).
• Short story-based: Instead of having 20 chapters of people editorializing about the church, or writing mini-memoirs....most of you seem to feel like simple, individual stories would be a much more effective way of getting the point across. Some of the models that have been floated around include the "This I believe" NPR series, and the "This American Life" radio show -- both of which have been highly successful, yet rely on shorter essays that deliver a powerful, emotional message through a simple, specific story (or two)....vs. through comprehensive, editorialized narratives.
• Theme-based chapters: We totally understand that no one leaves the church for a single reason/issue -- but the feedback seems to clearly suggest that the overall book will be much more successful if each chapter's arc is written around a single theme (e.g. a prayer not answered.....a story of abuse.....a story about racism...or feminism.....or Prop 8.... or polygamy, etc.) -- illustrated through a short story or two...with perhaps a bit of framing and maybe a very short conclusion (or simply some questions) at the end.
• Let the book make the case: Consequently, instead of asking each author to individually (and potentially repetitively) make the case for why people leave....why not structure and sequence the book such that the overall book makes the case for why people leave...THROUGH the stories. Make sense?
• Most of all, make sure it's written in a way that TBMs will actually take the time to READ the chapters.

Consequently, here are the revised submission guidelines:

1. Consider writing about one (two at the most) small, limited experience(s) per submission. While the book as a whole will address why people leave the church, it is not necessary for any one individual to address this overarching theme. In other words, the stories you submit do not have to address the full range of your thoughts and experiences on the topic. Instead, they can be short vignettes that describe one particular experience that particularly affected you. In the end, we want your essays to be read...and we think that with our intended audience (TBMs), the more short and engaging/powerful the story is....and the less of an investment that is required to read any single chapter.....the more likely that the chapter will be read and enjoyed. In summary...nothing captures the imagination (of a TBM?) like a well-written short story (just ask Pres. Monson).
2. You do not necessarily need to attempt to force an explanation as to why this one experience caused you to consider leaving the church. We will carefully sequence the shorter stories within a broader context in hopes of conveying the overall message of the book.
3. As your story will not stand alone in the book, you will also not be responsible for asserting conclusions or morals. A short conclusion is fine, but try to let the story make your point and try to avoid being heavy-handed or preachy. Ultimately, we want readers to be able to draw their own conclusions.
4. Your story can be however long you think is appropriate. There is no minimum or maximum length. Just remember -- the shorter it is, the more likely it is that it will be read by many TBMs.
5. While it is important to write simply and respectfully, it is also crucial that you write in whatever language is most natural to you. Your voice will be heard when you share your story your way -- whether it's emotional, or highly logical/analytical -- or both. It takes all types....but most of all, we want authentic stories/voices.
6. At the end of the day, if you write an excellent essay (as judged by our editorial panel).....we’ll likely include it. So feel free to ignore all of the above if you’re really confident in your writing abilities. But do so at your own risk...so to speak. Make sure you REALLY rock as a writer if you try this.
7. New Deadline: What if we make the new deadline September 15th, 2010. Would that make things easier for you?
8. Some incentive ($$$): If necessary, I am happy to pay people something like $50 each (out of my own pocket) if their essay makes it into the final book. I hope that all of you won’t collect on this offer...but for those of you who really could use the extra cash...I’m happy to compensate you for your time. Seriously.

Please spread the word about this call for short stories as far and as wide as you can.....on the forums....to your friends via email....on Facebook...wherever you think we can get more submissions.

Despite these changes, we ask that you please submit any work you may have already completed. Again, everything we get helps us move this project forward. Additionally, this change in direction does not mean that we won’t be printing any longer essays. It only means that we have decided to incorporate more, shorter stories between the longer ones.

I really, truly believe that if we do this right, this book can/will make a strong, penetrating difference in church culture. I plan on following the book up with audio and maybe even video versions of these essays. So please stay tuned on that front as well.

John Dehlin

If you're interested in submitting a story, John is easy to find on fb. Just send him a message and/or request his friendship. Oh, and to John TBM stands for "Traditional, Believing Member."

[Green Monstah]

I think Dehlin is a very sincere man, but I can't determine if he's a good thing or bad thing for Mormonism as a whole. I suppose it's good that he helps others to see value in the LDS Church even if the person no longer believes all its claims, but he's essentially in favor of a non-Mormon theology.