Tea & Toast is a blog devoted to sharing stories of special food times with families and or friends. The experiences are to be fun, thoughtful, and bring joy or peace to the reader. Our aim is to touch the souls of our readers through penned stories and striking photographs that capture life's beautiful journey.
At Tea & Toast, we believe that:
- Sharing is good.
- Kindness is good.
- Conversation is good.
- An ordinary life can be an extraordinary life.
- There are beauty and magic found in simple things.
Tea & Toast is currently seeking submissions from anyone who share these sentiments.
What We Are Looking For
Narratives
We are currently looking for original narratives and poetry that focus on the idea that "life can be a joy when sharing time with friends or family ‘round the table, over tea, coffee or a meal." Submitted work can be about simple pleasures, life lessons learned, slowing down, shared humorous times, Covid etc.
Written submissions can be fiction and non-fiction. Accompanying photography, is great, but not a prerequisite.
Ideal word count is 300 to 1200 words.
Ideas To Get You Started
We are happy to receive general submissions, but in case you need a few ideas to get you started, we are also looking for responses (photographic or written or both) to the following prompts:
Family Stories
We love stories of friends and family having time together around the table. Share with the reader the shenanigans, the funny habits, pet stories, the jokes pulled at the table, etc.
Stories of Self-Care
Most of us have our own habits we turn to when we need to show ourselves a little love and kindness. For me, quiet music & something uplifting or interesting to read and a cup of hot tea. What is it you turn to? What’s your recipe for self-care? (Lists and narratives accepted.)
Small, Random Acts of Kindness
It's been said that you never know what another person might be going through, so it's important to be kind to everyone. A small gesture, such as a flower placed on a car windshield or an anonymous note left for someone to find, can make a huge impact.
Tea & Toast is gathering as many ideas for committing random acts of kindness as possible.
If you have a story to share about the impact an act of kindness has had on you, we'd love to hear it. Something that may come to mind while ruminating over a cup of tea.
Photography
Picture submissions should capture the spirit of Tea & Toast. They should depict simple moments, friends together, feelings of happiness, etc. Photography can be submitted on its own and will be considered for use, please provide high-resolution images if possible.
Submissions:
The goal of Tea & Toast is to publish once a week. Submissions are accepted on an ongoing basis. You do not need to be a professional writer. We reserve the right to edit. We will possibly be sharing these via our blog, social media, and in a print format.
“If you hear a voice within you say, ‘You cannot paint,’ then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced” – Vincent Van Gogh
If you are here and reading this and wondering, can I?
The answer is yes.
All submissions accepted and used in any of the formats mentioned will receive new friends for life.
“Have no fear of perfection, you’ll never reach it” – Salvador Dali
Little Johnny's family had guests for dinner.
The dessert was apple pie. Mom cut the pieces and Little Johnny carried them to the table.
He gave the first piece to Dad, who passed it to a guest.
Little Johnny came in with the second piece and gave it to Dad, who again gave it to a guest.
This was too much for Little Johnny, who said, "It's no use, Dad. The pieces are all the same size."
You get the idea? Send me a note, please. I miss your story.
bruce @ preservecompany.com