Last fall I was contacted about contributing an essay for a collaborative print book project; everything about it seemed perfect:
- I've highly regarded the publisher almost as long as I could read (an arm of Guideposts).
- Through this Inspiring Voices project, author Margaret McSweeney compiled over 50 WONDERFUL essays related to motherhood from a diverse group of veteran and new authors.
- And what maybe thrilled me more than anything else, all proceeds from book sales was to help struggling women and children in true need:
- WINGS: to help fund a safe house in the Chicago suburbs, where mothers and their children can flee from domestic violence; and
- Hands of Hope: to help build wells for school children in Uganda
Legacies, lessons and love were the over-arching themes of the collaboration, and, not only did I know I had to say yes, I knew exactly what I was going to write about–something that encompassed all three!
Eight months later I received my copy today…and I'm downright giddy with the end result!! Smack dab in the center of the book, pages 80-82 to be exact, you'll find my essay.
Is it a big surprise its title is A Princess Tale?
As delighted as I am with a single chapter, I cannot image the joy and sense of accomplishment of writing and publishing an entire book! Mother of Pearl: Luminous Lessons and Iridescent Faith would make a lovely gift for the mother, daughter, grandmommy or special lady in your life, and serve as a lovely mama-encouragement for you! And proceeds from your purchase will make a difference in the lives of sweet mamas and children you'll likely never get to meet but who are grateful for strangers who care.
A little bonus I didn't expect was to see my sweet friend and Very Accomplished Grown-up Writer, Holley Gerth, with an acknowledgement on the front page. That made all this tripley sweet.
This seems to be a theme, too, with projects I've joined the past several months; both collaborative and related to motherhood. Before this Mother of Pearl project there was the beautifully written collaboration with another group–you might remember it: The Mother Letters (grab that one for a steal!), brainchild of Seth and Amber Haines.
Sincere thanks to Amy Lathrop for seeking me out and connecting me with Margaret. I'll be forever grateful to her for this beautiful milestone.
(In case you'd like to purchase the book, I've included my Amazon affiliate link below.)
So excited for you! Congrats!!
Headless Mom,
THANK YOU!! Gosh, you were fast–I just clicked publish! 🙂 🙂 🙂
So happy for you!! and proud to call you friend. =)
Sarah!! Ok, so it’s not a BOOK, but it’s in a book and for a writer, that’s a start…right? Thanks for celebrating with me!!
Woo hoo! So fabulous. Giddy with excitement for you!
Jessie Leigh! Jessie Leigh!! Thank you for being excited with me!! 🙂
Congratulations!!! I am doing the happy dance with you my sweet friend! 🙂
Congratulations, Robin! I’m so happy for you, and so proud!
Congrats and welcome!! I am still waiting for my copy of the book. Can’t wait.