Help to carry the message by contributing your story and experience to Grapevine!
Each month, Grapevine publishes stories on special topics as well as for departments such as Emotional Sobriety, Sponsorship, Newcomers, Youth Enjoying Sobriety, Old-Timers and Home Group. Each issue also includes a story on the Traditions and the Steps. But you are not confined to these topics. The editors are always looking for innovative material, as long as it relates to AA experience and reflects an awareness of AA's singleness of purpose. Click here to submit your story.
Important: Since it takes considerable time to select and edit and produce each issue, if you are writing about a particular month's theme, we will need your stories no later than 5 months before that issue comes out. Read the submission guidelines here.
NOTE: We are always in need of stories of your experience on Steps 4—12 and on every Tradition. Thanks!
Grapevine Editorial Calendar 2024
- JANUARY
Emotional Sobriety (stories due July 15, 2023)
Over time, how have you learned to use the tools of AA to gain serenity and peace? How has your life changed? Share some examples of emotional sobriety in your life today.
- FEBRUARY
Getting Through Tough Times (stories due Aug 15, 2023)
A serious illness, divorce, the death of a loved one, a house fire, loss of a job, bankruptcy…How have you stayed sober through adversity? Tell us how the program and fellowship helped you.
- MARCH
Spanish-Speaking AA Members (stories due Sept. 15, 2023)
This month we celebrate our Spanish-speaking AA members by translating and sharing some of the very best La Vina stories! We’re also looking for stories of those doing service to reach out to our Spanish-speaking members in meetings, districts, areas or at events.
- APRIL
Favorite Big Book Stories (stories due Oct. 15, 2023)
Grapevine celebrates 85 wonderful years of our beloved Big Book! What are your favorite Big Book stories or memories? What are your favorite chapters or passages and why? How did it help you as a newcomer? Feel free to include a photo of your well-worn Big Book!
- MAY
How the Steps Change My Life (stories due Nov. 15, 2023)
Tell us how the Steps have changed your life and enriched your sobriety. Give some examples. What is your favorite Step? Which one surprised you most? Share your stories.
- JUNE
Happy Birthday, Grapevine! (80 Wonderful Years!) (stories due Dec. 15, 2023)
This June, Grapevine turns the big 80! Help us celebrate by sharing your very best memories with Grapevine. Why do you love Grapevine? Was there a story that once helped you? How did being a GV Rep help your sobriety? What did you learn? Share your best Grapevine memories!
- JULY
Annual Prison Issue (stories due Jan. 15, 2024)
Looking for stories of hope about AA in prisons and jails by incarcerated members and by those who bring meetings to them. Did you find AA in prison? What is sobriety like inside? Are you involved in correspondence service or prison sponsorship? We would love to hear your stories.
- AUGUST
Dating & Relationships (stories due Feb. 15, 2024)
Share your experiences learning to date in sobriety. How did it go? What were the challenges? Any sober tips? (Believe me, we all want to know!). Share what you’ve learned about having sober relationships. How is your marriage different in sobriety than when you were drinking?
- SEPTEMBER
Young & Sober (Release of the New GV & LV Apps!) (stories due March 15, 2024)
Did you come into AA at an early age? What was that like? What were the challenges? Do you go to Young People’s AA (YPAA) meetings, dances or conferences? How have they helped you?
- OCTOBER
Cooperation with the Professional Community (CPC) (stories due April 15, 2024)
Have you participated in CPC service (providing doctors, therapists, clergy, lawyers, teachers, parole officers, and other professionals information about AA)? Did a professional help you find your way to AA because of CPC service work? Are you a professional who found out about AA from members doing CPC work?
- NOVEMBER
Classic Grapevine
Our favorite stories from the AA Grapevine Story Archive.
- DECEMBER
Remote Communities (stories due June 15, 2024)
Do you live far from AA meetings? Are you a loner? Stationed far away? Do you have a language or cultural barrier? Are you homebound? Do you use online meetings? Is it difficult to find AA meetings where you live? Tell us how you stay sober. Are you involved in Remote Community service? Sober Holidays! (stories due June 15, 2024) December is a great time of year to reach out to alcoholics and help others. What are the ways you stay sane and grateful during the holidays and New Year’s? How do you navigate holiday parties and family gatherings? Share your best sober holiday stories!
Grapevine Editorial Calendar 2023
- JANUARY
Spiritual Awakenings (stories due July 15, 2022)
Share your personal journey with Step Two. How did you find your Higher Power? Did you struggle with Step Two? What helped you? Tell us your story.
- FEBRUARY
Making Amends (stories due Aug. 15, 2022)
Did you have an interesting Ninth Step experience to share? How did it go? Were there any surprises? Share your experience.
- MARCH
Service Keeps Us Sober! (stories due Sept. 15, 2022)
What’s your favorite kind of AA service? How has service helped you? Share your stories. Have you done service beyond the group? Your story might inspire other AAs to do service too!
- APRIL
AA and Families (stories due Oct. 15, 2022)
Are any other members of your family alcoholic? Are any of them in AA? Did you find out about the program through a family member? Do you go to meetings together? Are your children heavy drinkers? How do you cope? Share your family recovery stories with us.
- MAY
Home Group (stories due Nov. 15, 2022)
Tell us why you love your home group. Why is it important to you? Describe some good times or interesting experiences you’ve had there. Which members helped you along the way? What have you learned there?
- JUNE
Our Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions book (70 Wonderful Years!) (stories due Dec. 15, 2022)
Our beloved “Twelve & Twelve” book turns 70 this year! Tell us the ways this book changed your life and enriched your sobriety. What are your favorite passages and why? Share stories.
- JULY
Prison Issue (stories due Jan. 15, 2023)
We’re looking for stories of hope about AA in prisons and jails by incarcerated members and by those who bring meetings to them. Are you involved in correspondence service or prison sponsorship? We would love to hear your stories.
- AUGUST
AA in the Military (stories due Feb. 15, 2023)
Did you ever serve in the military sober? Were you ever stationed overseas or on a ship while trying to stay sober? What were AA meetings like in the military? What were some of the challenges? Did you find AA while serving? Tell us about being in AA while serving your country.
- SEPTEMBER
Young & Sober (ICYPAA Celebrates 65 Years!) (stories due March 15, 2023)
Did you come into AA at an early age? What was that like? Do you go to Young People’s AA (YPAA) meetings, dances, and Conferences? How have they helped you? Share your experience!
- OCTOBER
Mid-Sobriety Challenges (stories due April 15, 2023)
Share about some challenges you’ve had after 8, 10, 20 years sober. Have you ever nearly relapsed? Did you ever stop going to meetings or disconnect from AA? Have you ever been a dry drunk? How did you get back on track? What helped you may help someone else.
- NOVEMBER
Classic Grapevine
Our favorite stories from the AA Grapevine Story Archive.
- DECEMBER
Remote Communities Experiences (& Staying Sober through the Holidays!) (stories due June 15, 2023)
Do you live far from AA meetings? Are you a loner? Stationed far away? Do you have a language or cultural barrier? Are you homebound? Do you use online meetings? Is it difficult to find AA meetings where you live? Tell us how you stay sober. Are you involved in Remote Community service? Also, December is a great time of year to reach out to alcoholics and help others. What are the ways you stay sane and grateful during the holidays and New Year’s? How do you navigate holiday parties and family gatherings? Share your best sober holiday stories!