This month, Michelle Gant, Editor of the Engaging Stories series of books, reflects on all the stories that have been shared over the last five years – and how people’s words have made a difference
With the publication of our latest and fourth book in March – ‘More Things I Wish I’d Known’ (of which more later) – I have been reflecting on the stories that have been shared over the last five years, the connections that have been made, and how people’s words have made a difference. In a quiet moment, I decided to do some maths, and I worked out that since we started publishing our collaborative books for charity, we’ve sold 529 copies and raised almost £1,270 through offline and online sales for two important causes – NHS Charities and Women’s Aid.
And 134 people, of all ages from four (at the time; the honour of youngest contributor goes to my daughter) upwards, have taken part. How incredible that all these amazing people have shared their thoughts and ideas and experiences so openly.
Because that’s what I think is so special about these books. It is people from different backgrounds sharing their stories. Sometimes, often, vulnerably so.
And when that happens, when people share these stories that now fill our four books, people can find inspiration or interest or affinity, and we can – as Michelle Obama said – understand each other better.
“When we share our stories, we are reminded of the humanity in each other, and when we take the time to understand each other’s stories, we become more forgiving, more empathetic, and more inclusive,” Michelle Obama
I think that’s pretty awesome. I am so grateful to those amazing 134 people. And if you’d like to take part in a future book…. well, news on that is coming soon. I already have the subject and the title. I just need the contributors. Watch this space for more info….
More Things I Wish I’d Known
It has been a joy to see people buying and talking about More Things I Wish I’d Known. In March, together with two women who are doing brilliant work around empowering women – Gemma Brown and Bridgit Richards – I held a book launch webinar which shared highlights from the new book.
In the session, I tried to summarise just ten things that I learnt in the book:
1. Embrace who you are. Just as you are. Right where you stand.
2. Determine your own version of success.
3. Find and practice your routes to joy.
4. Trust your instincts.
5. If it matters to you, it matters.
6. There’s time, and then there’s what you do with it.
7. You don’t have to have all the answers.
8. There is possibility in uncertainty.
9. It’s never too late. The perfect time is ready when you are.
10. Don’t ignore what burns inside you.
But of course, there’s so much more within those pages that I haven’t even touched on. And a magical thing that’s happening since we published the book is that women are paying it forward and passing copies on to other women. Meaning that we are sharing these stories even further.
Vicki has written a brilliant piece in the book about what the menopause has taught her. Copies of the book have been left in hotel libraries in Lanzarote and Gran Canaria…who knows where else it might end up this summer…
You can buy More Things I Wish I’d Known on amazon.co.uk. Find out about future opportunities to get involved hon engaging stories – our words can make a difference.
Featured images – supplied
Leave a Reply