Anthology book explores journey through pain and out the other side
GOLD COAST, Australia: Six months ago, the 20 people in newly released anthology 'I Fly' had never meet but their stories of overcoming adversity will be the common thread that inspires thousands of readers, especially at a time when things seem so overwhelming.
"I Fly", published by Change Empire Books, touches on stories of ordinary people who have overcome extraordinary life events.
Cathryn Mora, I Fly's publisher, said: "Grief, loss, and pain permeate the lives of us all. Some have endured more than others. Collating and publishing a collection of stories by real people (ie. people who, for the most part, weren't already authors) who've not only survived trauma, tragedy, and adversity, but thrived on the other side."
"'I Fly" features 20 incredible people from all ages, nationalities, backgrounds, and genders. For many of them, it's the first time they have shared these stories with anybody except their closest family and friends. For some, not even then."
"I Fly" was a labour of love, the 20 authors were coached, trained, supported, and encouraged to share their stories with the world.
Cathryn said what inspired them all was the hope that somebody out there facing the same thing would no longer feel alone.
"By sharing stories of pain and adversity, they want to help others not feel so isolated, afraid, and in the dark and to know even in their desperation and darkness, there was hope and light," she said.
"These are true stories written by real people."
The authors hail from Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Africa.
Cathryn said the stories are all beautifully, uniquely, different. "When we first collated the stories into one document and I read them through, I cried," she said.
"In fact, I bawled. I cried because of the sheer and overwhelming injustice in the world – how can anyone survive what some of these people have been through? Then I cried for the bravery of these remarkable authors, and how proud I am of this book."
