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Books

Spreading the wise words of women

5 Durangoans self-publish stories that support, inspire

Sometimes it is the little things in life that lead to big changes. These small choices create a paradigm shift in one’s world. Little things like deciding to go to a conference in California and choosing not to fly but to carpool to Gallup, N.M., and then take a 14-hour train ride to get there. This situation allowed 30 women plenty of time to move around, meet and visit with fellow travelers, sharing stories.

In the fall of 2011, those women from Durango made those choices. Now five of them have formed a limited partnership called Stories of Women and are launching a collaborative venture in the form of a book called Ignited Hearts Inspiring Hope. This group wanted to help women share their voices and inspirational stories. The five women are: Felicia Hubbell, Allison James, Eva Montane, Carla Marie Toth and Sally Zabriskie. Their wide-ranging vocations include nursing, writing, landscape design, acupuncture and energy therapy.

This team came to the following conclusions: Everyone has a story to tell, and ordinary people can inspire us. Even more, their stories can help others deal with conflict and adversity, and ultimately are reminders to live fully in the moment. These editors originally used word of mouth that they were looking for inspirational stories from women that could be shared with others. The search spread beyond friends and families to social media.

The group received 80 stories from authors around the world; 43 ended up in the book. These five women selected and edited the stories. The selected authors range in age from late 20s to 70s. This project took two and a half years, and the journey was an education in collaboration and the world of self-publication.

Hubbell, James, Montane, Toth and Zabriskie were touched by these stories and their wide-ranging topics. The book is arranged into seven sections: Awakening, Grace, Forgiveness, Trust, Gratitude, Acceptance and Love. The stories are records of women sharing what is near to their hearts and touch all areas of life, health, relationships and work. There are many stories that make you cry, such as “The Father,” by Katie Morrissey. Others make you laugh and cry such as “Lemon Drop,” by Janis Pease. All stories ring true, and the authors draw readers into an important period of their lives, sharing not only the big “a-ha” moments but the subtler, nuanced moments that can change a life’s direction.

The editors share their hopes for the book: “We want to reach a wide audience and have it in Hallmark stores, hospital gift shops, airports, just everywhere.”

The book will be available on Amazon’s Kindle soon. The group believes its book helps readers gain strength and the ability to cope with adversity while also being uplifting and motivating.

“It would make a great gift for Mother’s Day,” Zabriskie said.

sierrapoco@yahoo.com. Leslie Doran is a Durango freelance reviewer.

If you go

Ignited Hearts Inspiring Hope book launch, 5 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Open Shutter Art Gallery, 735 Main Ave. A photography show featuring 14 artists who responded to the group’s call for submissions for the book’s cover art. It will be on display until May 8.



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