Your story matters!
Stories connect people.
Now more than ever human connection matters and often this connection is inspired through stories. People are consuming stories at an accelerated rate on You Tube, Netflix, podcasts, TedX videos and books.
Growing up in a family of story tellers, I developed an appreciation for reading and for writing. Writing stories and poems as a child and teenager turned into writing books as an adult. I have been sharing my stories in books since 2009 when my story “Volunteering From The Heart” (about my dog Toby) was published in one of the Chicken Soup for the Soul books. That story led to a publishing deal for my first book, On Toby’s Terms, a publishing contract for two children’s books, and a co-authored personal development book for women. Additionally, I have been featured in 8 collaborative books sharing my story by writing a chapter.
One example of a collaborative book is Voices of the 21st Century, published by WSA Publishing. I contributed a story in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th edition. Alongside 40 incredible females, these books truly have something for everyone. Each edition of this book is a different theme.
Sharing your story through a collaborative book is a great way to start your journey of becoming a published author. That’s how I got my start… Chicken Soup for the Soul is an example of a collaborative book. Some of the benefits are:
- Being part of a community of authors in the book
- Leveraging the marketing that all the authors are doing (when one wins, we all win)
- Becoming a bestselling author is a real possibility
- Generating revenue from selling your book
- Securing media and speaking opportunities and more.
Ending where we began, your story matters. Sharing your message with readers around the globe can make a profound difference in a reader’s life. You just never know how many lives your book, your words and message will touch and transform. When you share your message, you:
- Educate, inform and inspire readers
- Demonstrate that readers are not alone in what they are facing in life
- Create opportunities for people to share, repeat and tell others the stories that matter… maybe that story is yours.
To learn more visit Voicesofthe21stcentury.com.
This article was contributed by Charmaine Hammond.
Charmaine Hammond, CSP, has been in the business of changing lives and raising dreams for more than 25 years through teaching the principles of collaboration, partnership, and sponsorship. As a Certified Speaking Professional and best-selling author, Charmaine shares her unmatched speaking, sponsorship, and entrepreneurial experiences with business owners, nonprofits, authors, and speakers looking to expand the funding and reach of their projects.
