18/09/2023
If you have not come across Donna Ashworth and her wonderful poetry do take a look. Donna is able to articulate both the joyful and difficult moments in life. Her words are inspiring and I find reading them a good start or end to the day. Her books make great gifts too.
Dear readers,
I have thought long and hard about posting this. It may well put some of you âoffâ me, but then isnât that the struggle for authenticity in a nutshell.
I promised myself when my writing started to âtake offâ that I would not attach my self-worth to it. I have learned the hard way, that attaching your self-worth to something that moves (your weight, a career, a relationship), is a dangerous game (you must stick your self-worth with the strongest glue to your very essence, your âyou-nessâ).
And for the most part, I have achieved this. But of course my soul and my ego argue daily and oftentimes the ego will win; scouring over numbers and possible ways to fail.
You see, I love what I am doing fiercely. I had no clue I could possibly have uncovered this career in my forties. I had no knowledge of what it was like to be able to help heal a world I always felt hopeless about.
And now I feel quite Mama Bear about it.
I could growl at anyone who threatens to remove this child I have found myself loving.
And I want to continue.
Because I have SO MUCH MORE TO SAY.
I donât want fame, fortune or riches (I have EVERYTHING I need already and of that I am certain and solid, no room for shake there, and what a thing to be able to say right? Lucky me? Or is it a simple decision to love what you have - so you have what you love?).
But I didnât realise that the publishing industry was such a tricky one. It is, of course, set up for the success of the successful. And breaking in is not easy.
I want my book to chart well next week, not so I can say âI am a best-sellerâ (I have already achieved that and itâs wonderful - but it doesnât warm me as much as the comments from you all every day - or the messages I receive when I have been able to help someone - especially those in grief and pain).
No, I want this book to chart, so I can be seen as a success by the âindustryâ.
Again, not for the accolades but for the OPEN DOORS.
As of yet, my books are rarely to be found in stores. And quite frankly, the industry is not yet sure of me and my following - I am not a celebrity. How will they trust in me? I am an âinternet authorâ, will this translate in footfall? I have been so very frustrated with the walls I have faced over the last year or so.
And prior to my launch next week, you wonât be seeing me on TV as with some other authors in my category next week (non-fiction hardback). I am not bookable. I donât have a âstoryâ. I am not a name.
And thatâs okay! I never wanted to be âfamousâ for me as a person.
But I do very much want my writing to carry on. I do very much want my next book to happen and the one after that. And the fiction novel I have living in my heart.
So how do I get to the point where I know my books will get into stores, how do I get to a point where I can tour and meet you all, reciting poetry on lovely little stages and raising the roof with our collective joy, pain and imperfection?
Itâs quite simpleâŚI need to sell lots of books.
And I need to chart. And I need this book to be the one that says âyou can rely on herâ. Her books WILL sell.
So, despite my ego screaming ânooooooâ at the bareness of this post, here it is.
If you have ever wanted a book of mine but didnât get around to it, now is the perfect time to join me on this journey.
If I have ever helped you realign your ego and your soul, you can help me now (sharing means just as much as buying, money is an energy and it ebbs and flows for us all but your intention helps.)
If you have ever thought, this lady deserves to have this space, please help me keep it by telling your friends, or buying the book today. If you can.
I don't think I need to reaffirm my lack of care for making money here but just in case, please know, a lot of my profits go to lovely causes. I have always been a âgiverâ. This is not about that for me. I love money like the next person but it doesnât motivate me at all.
This is about what I will leave this world and why I have been through what I have.
This is about getting a place in an industry I feel I belong in now - despite my inner critic telling me Iâm not good enough (we donât let her stop us do we?).
This is about honesty, authenticity and openness. We can all admit to wanting to be successful, it doesnât make us less âgoodâ. The more you achieve, the more you can âgiveâ.
SoâŚ. You can share any link from this page to help me - or you can pre-order from any of the links in my top comment below or from your favourite bookstore (they will get it for you).
I know this book is worth your trust, I know this book will help. I know this book will continue my quest to share hope. So I have nothing to lose in simply asking for your support.
And I thank you, really truly. You got me here. And I wonât be going anywhere. đ¤Š
Donna
Wild Hope â¤ď¸
đŹđ§UK: https://amzn.eu/d/2j0Nquu
đşđ¸US: https://a.co/d/h6FEaTv
đ¨đŚCANADA: https://a.co/d/jgUyWDH
SIGNED EDITION: https://www.waterstones.com/book/wild-hope/donna-ashworth/2928377222192
Please check your local amazon or bookshops online if you are outside these territories - I hope itâs there.
Much love X
