Bottomless Bowl of Chicken Soup

“Chicken Soup for the Woman’s Soul.” “Chicken Soup for the Country Soul.” “Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover’s Soul.” With more than 21 warm-and-fuzzy, self-help titles now in bookstores, and many more planned, the chicken soup isn’t running out any time soon.

In five years, the series, which features stories “to open the heart and rekindle the spirit,” has become a cottage industry.

The books tell of a son who helps his mother survive a car crash, a selfless bag lady, a father who is rewarded when he refuses to stop searching for his son in the rubble of an earthquake, and other matters of the heart for young and old.

Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen authored and / or compiled many of the stories, with contributions from well-known writers, celebrities and regular folks who are paid a few hundred dollars for their tales.

The phenomenon began when Florida-based Health Communications Inc. published “Chicken Soup for the Soul” in 1993. The manuscript had previously been rejected by 33 publishers. Millions of volumes have since been sold.

Look for “Chicken Soup for the Couple’s Soul” and “Chicken Soup for the Golfer’s Soul” in the spring.