Book Writing Committee
At the 2023 Heroin Anonymous World Service Conference, the Conference recommended that Heroin Anonymous World Services create a Book Writing Committee. This committee will submit a draft of a Heroin Anonymous book to the 2025 H.A. World Service Conference. The book survey results from 2022 showed a strong interest in personal stories from H.A. members, and the Book Writing Committee is now soliciting story submissions from the fellowship that communicate our experience, strength, and hope.
To help as many heroin addicts as possible, the committee is asking for story submissions that cover a broad range of experiences with heroin and recovery. A collection of these stories will be selected by the Book Writing Committee to appear in a potential Heroin Anonymous book, to be made available to H.A. members and to the public. It is our sincere hope that this book will help heroin addicts to identify and find recovery in Heroin Anonymous.
Any member of Heroin Anonymous who wants to submit their personal story is now welcome to do so. There is a section below that outlines how to submit your story via e-mail, online portal or mail.
Submitting your story does not guarantee it will be included in a potential H.A. book, but all stories will be given equal consideration. All stories have value and will be considered regardless of writing style, spelling, and grammar. No compensation will be given for stories, whether they are accepted or not. Your story may be edited by the committee for grammar, clarity, length, to preserve anonymity, and to observe the spirit of our 12 Traditions. Please note that a committee member may contact you to follow up on your submission.
We are looking for stories that could help the heroin addict who still suffers to identify and learn more about the 12 Steps and Heroin Anonymous. The chosen stories could describe your background and experience with heroin but also explain how you discovered Heroin Anonymous, your experience with the fellowship and the Steps, and what you have done to stay sober and carry the message.
The committee is looking for your personal stories — that means we are not looking for works of fiction, poems, song lyrics, artwork, photographs, or stories that are primarily about someone other than you.
(If you know someone whose story would be valuable to include, please contact the committee so that we can invite them to submit a story.) Stories must be original works and not borrowed from other sources. Please remember that your story might be published and therefore made available to the public. Therefore, be mindful when disclosing personal details about yourself or others in order to maintain anonymity. At this time, we can only accept stories written in English. Please submit one story per person.
There is no word limit, but the recommended word count is 1,500-3,500 words. Handwritten stories should be five to six pages. Stories may be edited by the committee for length and clarity after submission.
You may suggest a title for your story, but you are not required to. The Book Writing Committee may use a suggested title or select an alternative one.
The deadline to submit your story is November 1, 2024.
Once you’ve written your story, please put it into a text document in 12-point font. Manuscripts should be double spaced. Handwritten manuscripts will also be accepted and can be delivered by mail. The first page of your submission should include your name, address (if submitting by mail), email address, and phone number. We will not be returning manuscripts or providing feedback.
Submit through online portal: Click Here to Submit Online
Submit through e-mail: story@heroinanonymous.org
Please include the following information:
Postal Mail Submissions:
You can mail your story to:
H.A. World Service, Inc.
Please include the following information:
How to Contact the Committee: nonaddictadvisor@heroinanonymous.org
The anonymity of all authors will be honored whether their story is selected for potential publication or not.
Thank you to everyone who’s participating in this process!