We call ourselves the Lady Bunch. One of our nine members named us after the iconic TV show The Brady Bunch, which introduces its cast members in a rectangular format. As we begin our monthly Zoom meetings, each member pops into view like a Brady kid, and we fit snugly into our triple-line grid.
Here’s the Story . . . is our first compilation of the writing that emerged from our Zoom meetings since 2020 at an online course called “Writing about Your Mom without Guilt,” for the Story Circle Network, an international nonprofit writing organization. Not ready to end our special bond, we continued to meet and share our writing after the course ended. What has emerged is this anthology of forty-two pieces: essays, stories, and poems.
In this book, we didn’t focus on the usual “female” subjects, such as our significant others, children, and jobs. We wrote about the women we had been and the women we wanted to be. Each of us had lived a full and singular life.
Women are capable of generous and congenial support. We lift each other during life’s trials and rejoice in our successes. As such, we think this unique collection will inspire and entertain many, taking readers on a provocative journey.
We are: Amy Baruch, Stephanie Cowell, Linda Aronovsky Cox, Karen Finch, Jane Mylum Gardner, Rhonda Hunt-Del Bene, Katherine Kirkpatrick, Kathleen M. Rodgers, and Andrea Simon.
Here’s the Story . . . is our first compilation of the writing that emerged from our Zoom meetings since 2020 at an online course called “Writing about Your Mom without Guilt,” for the Story Circle Network, an international nonprofit writing organization. Not ready to end our special bond, we continued to meet and share our writing after the course ended. What has emerged is this anthology of forty-two pieces: essays, stories, and poems.
In this book, we didn’t focus on the usual “female” subjects, such as our significant others, children, and jobs. We wrote about the women we had been and the women we wanted to be. Each of us had lived a full and singular life.
Women are capable of generous and congenial support. We lift each other during life’s trials and rejoice in our successes. As such, we think this unique collection will inspire and entertain many, taking readers on a provocative journey.
We are: Amy Baruch, Stephanie Cowell, Linda Aronovsky Cox, Karen Finch, Jane Mylum Gardner, Rhonda Hunt-Del Bene, Katherine Kirkpatrick, Kathleen M. Rodgers, and Andrea Simon.
"Nine Women Writers Find a Place of Their Own" — NextAvenue
"Q&A with Andrea Simon" — Book Q&As With Deborah Kalb
"Lone Star Excerpt: Here's the Story" — Lone Star Literary
“These stories encompass a wide range of lifetime experiences, from childhood memories to adult challenges to literary pursuits to coping with the pandemic. Each story in this collection is told with a refreshing blend of honesty and openness, infused with the author's authentic voice. By delving into their personal challenges, the authors not only invite readers to empathize with their struggles but also encourage them to view their own trials from a fresh perspective. The power of storytelling as a form of healing resonates throughout this heartfelt volume, offering a soothing balm to readers. I highly recommend finding a comfortable spot, putting up your feet, and delving into this eye-opening and powerful collection. These stories provide firsthand insight into the personal growth that can be achieved when taking the risk to share and connect with others through writing.” — Helen (Len) Leatherwood, president and online class coordinator, Story Circle Network
“Here’s the Story . . . Nine Women Write Their Lives is a charming and heartfelt collection of essays, stories, and poems by and about women. The narratives engage the reader on a wide variety of issues yet often come back to themes central to the lived female experience: girlhood memories, struggles with our mothers, the passions that enlist and enliven our imaginations, how we survived the pandemic. Each piece of writing represents a labor of love shared by the contributing authors and sets the reader on a soul-searching path of self-reflection and self-discovery. This is a highly enjoyable and thought-provoking read that celebrates the female experience even amidst stories of pain, loss, and heartbreak.” — Mary Caputi, Ph.D., feminist, professor, and author of Feminism and Power: The Need for Critical Theory
“Here’s the Story is an absolute pleasure to read. This extraordinary essay collection from a remarkable group of writers takes on all aspects of life, the good and bad, mothers included.”—D.Z. Stone, author of No Past Tense: Love and Survival in the Shadow of the Holocaust and A Fairy Tale Unmasked: The Teacher and the Nazi Slaves
“Originating in a class called “Writing about Your Mom without Guilt,” the stories, essays, and poems in this anthology range far beyond the mother-daughter dynamic. Surprising, provocative, exciting, this collection brings together a group of writers whose wisdom shines through. Whether describing Covid-era lockdowns, childhood friendships, or the art of writing, the nine authors’ work will draw you in, envelop you, and make you want to keep reading until the end.” —Deborah Kalb, writer, editor, book blogger, and author of the novel Off to Join the Circus
“The very point of this fine and heart-rending collection of life stories by nine women who met online [is that] so many of our lives and our families’ experiences are unknown and untold. Read this wonderful collection of voices, then ask yourself what stories you, too, haven’t told yet. We all need this kind of inspiration.” —Ruth Pennebaker, essayist, public radio commentator, and author of the novel Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakthrough
“Here’s the Story . . . Nine Women Write Their Lives was just the tonic I needed! Reading the stories and poetry that shared the lives and seminal moments of this group of women was very much like having deep, funny, and heartbreaking conversations with people who become your friends the more you read. This wonderful collection provided valuable insight into women’s lives and prompted reflection and the emergence of long-buried memories and stories of my own. This book is a treasure.” — Lene Andersen, health and disability advocate, and author of Your Life with Rheumatoid Arthritis: Tools for Managing Treatment, Side Effects and Pain
"Q&A with Andrea Simon" — Book Q&As With Deborah Kalb
"Lone Star Excerpt: Here's the Story" — Lone Star Literary
“These stories encompass a wide range of lifetime experiences, from childhood memories to adult challenges to literary pursuits to coping with the pandemic. Each story in this collection is told with a refreshing blend of honesty and openness, infused with the author's authentic voice. By delving into their personal challenges, the authors not only invite readers to empathize with their struggles but also encourage them to view their own trials from a fresh perspective. The power of storytelling as a form of healing resonates throughout this heartfelt volume, offering a soothing balm to readers. I highly recommend finding a comfortable spot, putting up your feet, and delving into this eye-opening and powerful collection. These stories provide firsthand insight into the personal growth that can be achieved when taking the risk to share and connect with others through writing.” — Helen (Len) Leatherwood, president and online class coordinator, Story Circle Network
“Here’s the Story . . . Nine Women Write Their Lives is a charming and heartfelt collection of essays, stories, and poems by and about women. The narratives engage the reader on a wide variety of issues yet often come back to themes central to the lived female experience: girlhood memories, struggles with our mothers, the passions that enlist and enliven our imaginations, how we survived the pandemic. Each piece of writing represents a labor of love shared by the contributing authors and sets the reader on a soul-searching path of self-reflection and self-discovery. This is a highly enjoyable and thought-provoking read that celebrates the female experience even amidst stories of pain, loss, and heartbreak.” — Mary Caputi, Ph.D., feminist, professor, and author of Feminism and Power: The Need for Critical Theory
“Here’s the Story is an absolute pleasure to read. This extraordinary essay collection from a remarkable group of writers takes on all aspects of life, the good and bad, mothers included.”—D.Z. Stone, author of No Past Tense: Love and Survival in the Shadow of the Holocaust and A Fairy Tale Unmasked: The Teacher and the Nazi Slaves
“Originating in a class called “Writing about Your Mom without Guilt,” the stories, essays, and poems in this anthology range far beyond the mother-daughter dynamic. Surprising, provocative, exciting, this collection brings together a group of writers whose wisdom shines through. Whether describing Covid-era lockdowns, childhood friendships, or the art of writing, the nine authors’ work will draw you in, envelop you, and make you want to keep reading until the end.” —Deborah Kalb, writer, editor, book blogger, and author of the novel Off to Join the Circus
“The very point of this fine and heart-rending collection of life stories by nine women who met online [is that] so many of our lives and our families’ experiences are unknown and untold. Read this wonderful collection of voices, then ask yourself what stories you, too, haven’t told yet. We all need this kind of inspiration.” —Ruth Pennebaker, essayist, public radio commentator, and author of the novel Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakthrough
“Here’s the Story . . . Nine Women Write Their Lives was just the tonic I needed! Reading the stories and poetry that shared the lives and seminal moments of this group of women was very much like having deep, funny, and heartbreaking conversations with people who become your friends the more you read. This wonderful collection provided valuable insight into women’s lives and prompted reflection and the emergence of long-buried memories and stories of my own. This book is a treasure.” — Lene Andersen, health and disability advocate, and author of Your Life with Rheumatoid Arthritis: Tools for Managing Treatment, Side Effects and Pain
Signing Party
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