Everybody Has a Story: New day for reader stories

It’s the end of an era, “Everybody Has a Story” readers. But don’t despair, because it’s the beginning of an even better one.

“Everybody Has a Story” is the column where Columbian readers get to tell their true-life tales. It amazes us to realize it was late 2007 when we started inviting readers to write their own stories and send them in for publication. That means we’ve just begun our 13th lucky year of “Everybody Has a Story”; even with a few missed weeks, we’re now well past our 600th reader story.

Last year, our long-lived Wednesday Neighbors section became the Saturday Community section, which didn’t seem to throw off too many “Everybody Has a Story” writers and readers. Now, an even bigger shift is occurring: Jan. 6 is the The Columbian’s final Monday edition. Some content will be shuffled around.

Sunday remains our biggest edition, and biggest reader, of the week. That’s where “Everybody Has a Story” is headed. Starting Jan. 19 it will run in the Sunday Life section. Sit up and take notice, writers, because your stories will henceforth be part of our most-read weekly edition. More eyeballs on you!

True stories wanted

“Everybody Has a Story” stories can be almost anything. Formative childhood (or grown-up) events, solo or family adventures, tragic losses, hilarious happenings. Serious or silly, big or small, way back when or just this morning — we like it all. Just do us all a favor and remember a few basic guidelines:

• Your story must be true.

• It must be no longer than 1,000 words. Shorter is better. No epics here.

• It must be a coherent tale — not an editorial argument, how-to manual, declaration of faith or patchwork of anecdotes. Is it one solid story, with a beginning, middle and ending.

• Focus on your personal experience. What were you seeing, hearing, thinking, feeling?

• Expect a little kindly editing.

Send your stories to neighbors@columbian.com — yes, that mailbox still exists — and you’ll be hearing from us.

Love stories wanted

We’ve even got a seasonal  assignment for you, writers. We’re planning a Valentine’s Day anthology of reader stories about love, to run Feb. 9 (the Sunday before Valentine’s Day). The gauzy, romantic angle is welcome, of course, but we’re curious about the many other forms of love — all worth celebrating on that very special holiday.

Please keep it as brief as you can, so we can run as many stories as possible. The deadline to submit Valentine’s stories to neighbors@columbian.com is 9 a.m. Jan. 31.