We’re massively excited to announce the launch of Survivors Voices Press (SVP) this December! Our survivor-led independent publishing project will amplify the voice and experience of survivors, promoting understanding of trauma and ally-ship with survivors of abuse.
Our mission is to provide a trauma-informed platform for survivors’ work, filling the gap in mainstream publishing and challenging the stigma associated with accounts of abuse.
“I hope this book will give some hope to those children and young people who are struggling with guilt, shame, and the other devastating effects of any kind of abuse.”
Sue Atkinson
We’ll be kicking off a series of publications by survivor authors at our launch with two books, a young adult novel about child sexual abuse and a memoir about rape.
Many of us will know someone who has been raped but what’s it really like? The Reality of rape by Jenny Cooke is a powerful memoir that takes an honest look at Jenny’s experience of living with the impact of rape. It illustrates the ways in which trauma manifests itself at different times through her life. Jenny shares her story in the hope that it will help others to feel less alone and increase awareness of the damage caused by this heinous crime.
Poppy in pieces by Sue Atkinson follows the story of Poppy, a young person who survives very tough times, and reveals the strength we can unexpectedly find within ourselves to refuse to let suffering overwhelm us. Poppy in pieces isn’t an autobiography. Sue was much younger when she was sexually abused, but Poppy’s emotions are like hers – and those of other members of Survivors Voices. The effects of childhood abuse can last into adulthood, and we support each other as we heal.
Sue says: “Childhood is hell for some children, and we could make it better for them if we all talked more about abuse – telling the truth about this horror in our world. I hope this book will give some hope to those children and young people who are struggling with guilt, shame, and the other devastating effects of any kind of abuse.”
You’re invited
Our SVP team of writers, designers and volunteers have been working really hard for the last three years to get ready to launch, and now we’d love you to join us.
We’re bringing survivors and friends from our community together in a cosy London venue on December 7th to launch SVP and celebrate the courage and creativity of our authors. There’ll be a chance to meet the authors and hear extracts for the books; other survivors will be sharing their art, music and writing; peer support will be on hand and there’s free tea and cake!
We need your support
We want to make sure that as many people as possible have the chance to read the powerful words of our amazing authors. We also have three more books we’re preparing to publish next year, and need your help to complete all the work needed to publish.
We’ve started a Crowdfunder for SVP. Every penny donated will help our survivor community; from providing peer support at the launch, to sponsoring a gift book for a survivor who couldn’t otherwise afford it, or paying for a design for our next book. If you’re able to support us, please follow the link below, and be part of this new chapter in our story – making survivors’ words count.
