SUBMIT YOUR STORY!
Blessed Assurance:
Our Stories, Our Songs

Rev. Dr. Tony Lamair Burks II, editor

ABOUT THE BOOK
Blessed Assurance: Our Stories, Our Songs is a sacred collection of stories from LGBTQ+ individuals and allies within the Black Church and beyond.  Supported by a grant from Pride in the Pews through its Black Church Equality Fellowship, and in-kind contributions from individuals and organizations, this forthcoming anthology will uplift the lived experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals and allies within and around Black faith communities.

​Rooted in faith, resilience, and radical love, this anthology will celebrate testimony as a tool for transformation—honoring the lived experiences of those who have found their way, their worth, and their voice in spiritual spaces.
Through personal storytelling, the book aims to foster healing, deepen understanding, and inspire meaningful change in sacred spaces. The book is slated to be released on September 25, 2025.
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STORY DUE DATE: 
​August 1, 2025


​ABOUT YOUR STORIES
This anthology invites real stories from real people—stories that are deeply personal, sometimes painful, often powerful, and always sacred. Your story may be one of coming out or coming home, of exclusion or embrace, of healing, harm, resistance, or rejoicing.
We welcome a wide range of experiences:
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  • Moments of affirmation or rejection in church spaces

  • Journeys of reconciling faith and identity

  • Stories of advocacy, silence, survival, or celebration

  • Reflections from allies, family, clergy, or lay leaders

Your voice matters. Your story can offer healing and hope to someone still searching for their own blessed assurance.
WAYS TO GET YOUR STORIES WRITTEN
There are many ways to get your stories included in Blessed Assurance: Our Stories, Our Songs.  Even if you don’t think you’re a writer, you’ve got a story to tell! Here are a few ways to get your stories written:

  • Write It!  The most common way to get your story in this book is to write it down.  We encourage you to write it, then read it to someone you trust.  Ask them for their thoughts.  What do they like about your story?  What do they wonder about your story? What’s missing from your story?  Take their comments to heart and revise what you’ve written before submitting your stories to us.

  • Talk It!  Google has a free Speech Recognition add-on so you can talk your stories into a Google Docs document (it only works with the Google Chrome browser, however). While Dragon NaturallySpeaking isn’t free, you can type as fast as you can talk–up to 160 words per minute, three times faster than typing by hand–with up to 99% accuracy. 

  • Tell It! You can schedule a call with the editors to tell us your story.  We will talk with you about co-writing and ghostwriting options for including your story in the book.  There are a limited number of slots available for this option.
WRITING HELP & SUPPORT
Need help writing your story? We’ve got you covered! Join one or more of our upcoming writing retreats to receive support, encouragement, and a safe space to begin or refine your story.
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📅 Thursday, June 26 | 8:00–9:30 PM ET
Virtual Writing Retreat (Zoom)
[Click on this LINK to register]


📅 Sunday, July 13 | 12:00- 1:30 PM ET
In-Person Writing Retreat
Spirit and Truth Sanctuary
[Click on this LINK to register]


📅 Thursday, July 31 | 8:00–9:30 PM ET
Virtual Writing Retreat (Zoom)
[Click on this LINK to register]

​Whether you’re a seasoned writer or putting pen to paper for the first time, we are here to walk with you.
ABOUT THE EDITOR
Rev. Dr. Tony Lamair Burks II is the project lead for Blessed Assurance: Our Stories, Our Songs.  An award-winning educator, ordained minister, and lifelong storyteller, he brings decades of experience in education, leadership, and spiritual care. Dr. Burks serves as a writing coach and has led operations for a publishing house of an education-focused nonprofit. He has guided hundreds in telling their stories—whether through obituaries and dissertations, or memoirs and self-help books. His work centers on truth-telling, legacy-building, and creating spaces where every story is honored as sacred.

HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR STORIES
Click HERE to submit your stories and an optional two-sentence bio.  If we select your story for publication, you will receive one complimentary copy of Blessed Assurance: Our Stories, Our Songs.  You will also be able to purchase additional copies of the book at a discounted price.  ​
STORY DUE DATE:
​August 1, 2025
Our stories are sacred.
Our songs are healing.
This is our testimony.
ABOUT COPYRIGHTS
You, as the author, own the copyrights on your stories. LEADright, as the publisher, will not limit your right to reprint and reuse your stories in any way.

LEADright owns what is is called the “collective work” copyright of Blessed Assurance: Our Stories, Our Songs as a whole. A “collective work” copyright essentially exists to ensure that no one can copy and sell the anthology without the publisher’s permission.

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FOR QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS
Please contact Tony Lamair Burks II by email.
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