My Life, My Death, My Wishes – the book!
In April I soft launched my new book, My Life, My Death, My Wishes. I say soft launch because I’ve self-published and, as with most things I do as a self-employed woman of a certain age, I have moments when I think I need to be a bit quieter and ‘stay in my own lane’. Nonsense of course!
Gently does it
So, the book came out without a big marketing campaign and little fanfare. I ordered a smallish batch of author copies to get me started. In the back of my mind expecting to find typos, (despite the extensive editing and proofreading) which I did, several! And also afraid people wouldn’t buy it! Which the have and it’s been very well received
Having self-published, its available on print to order on (whispers) Amazon. But being a bit ‘technically challenged” I couldn’t work out how to set up pre-ordering from there and thereby start getting reviews. . It also means that, when I do find an error, I can upload a corrected version and buyers will receive a more typo free edition. This makes those first couple of batches I’ve acquired as (potentially) fairly valuable should I become rich and famous!!!
Where to buy it
I also encourage people to buy directly from me. For several reasons:-
- Firstly, commission taken by Amazon is substantial, not as much as a publisher would but still.
- I can package it up and send it to you personally
- I can devalue it for you by scribbling a personal note in the front cover!
- As I’m paying less in costs, I can afford to make a donation for each unit sold, to a grief charity, this, year I’m sending donations to SOBS. (Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide)
- From October, when I become President of the AOIC I will send it to my chosen charity for my year, UK Men’s Shed
The book is available to buy with via Amazon or directly from me via this link https://subscribepage.io/thebook.
Why to buy it
The book, My Life, My Death, My Wishes is an easy to navigate, comprehensive guide for adults of any age, aimed at empowering, enlightening and guiding them through all things dying, death, funerals and grief. My mission being to break down the taboos of talking about death and facilitate autonomy, choice and authenticity in how we choose to plan and experience, dying, death, funerals and grief.
The industrialisation of our end of life and death have resulted in us losing touch with the essence of life and dying and grieving being an intrinsic part of that. The shying away from the mechanics and the processing of death mean that families often end up on the conveyor belt of what is ‘expected’, ‘traditional’ or assumed to be essential.
The fact is we don’t know what we don’t know.
The book offers choice and freedom, enables conversation, provides food for thought and ultimately enables families to pre plan and articulate their fears, wishes and put plans in place that meet their needs and the needs of those grieving their absence.
Name dropping
In the book I am fortunate to include poems with the kind permission of the authors. This includes poems from Pam Ayres, Sean Hughes and Donna Ashworth. It also includes quotes from many inspirational individuals from the field of funerals, and health. Including the magnificent Kathryn Mannix, Author of With The End in Mind .
I mention this because I had the good fortune to meet Kathryn and deliver a copy to her in person when she spoke at Bristol University. Her talk Dying for Beginners was followed with a book signing at which we had a quick chat and exchanged books! Foolishly I was too embarrassed to ask for a photo with her and our books. The same was not true when I had the fortune to personally deliver a copy to Donna Ashworth, after she spoke at the Hay Festival..
In addition, I was delighted to be invited onto BBC Radio Wales to be their expert guest during their Advice Hour on 7th May. I actually went to the studio, had a full tour of BBC Wales building, and then sat in the studio alongside presenter, Behnaz Akhgar as the session went out live. It was a great opportunity, not only to talk about the book, but to raise awareness of the roles of Independent Celebrants, how they differ from Humanist Celebrants and what it means to be a doula.
What’s next?
I have since begun to contact local independent bookstore to both stock the book and allow me the opportunity to talk about it or read from it. The first such event was at my most local independent bookshop, “Books At The Dragon’s Garden” , which was a huge success. If you would like to talk to me about the book o any of my services, please feel free to reach out. Likewise if you would like me to come and talk to a group about anything to do with legacy planning, death, dying, funerals, or celebrations of life.
The book is available to buy with via Amazon or directly from me via this link https://subscribepage.io/thebook.
To book me to attend/speak at your event – Death Café, WI meeting, Men’s Shed, Community Group or Book Shop please email or text me info@bernib.co.uk 07526928232
