1. What inspired you to write this book? I was inspired to write my adults book based on my own personal experience navigating infertility and IVF over many years, and through 10 ivf cycles, to have my two beautiful girls Alice and Ruby. I wanted to write them to make it OK to share and talk about infertility and ivf, with friends, family and colleagues, to help millions of people navigating this emotional and physical journey globally. I was inspired to write my beautifully illustrated children’s book based on a bedtime conversation with my then 5-year-old who asked me, “mummy how did I come into this world?”. I wrote this book to help millions of people globally explain to their children in a creative, engaging and imaginary way, how they were born, particularly via IVF.
2. What exactly is it about — and who is it written for? The infertility struggles that people experience are real and often not spoken about.
Everyone's journey
through infertility is unique and personal, yet the feelings of isolation,
loneliness, grief, and silent suffering are shared among millions of men and
women around the world in their quest to have a healthy baby and start a family
of their very own.
This book provides deep personal insights into my own journey, pre, during and post pregnancy and childbirth, in the hope that it helps give infertility a voice and provides support to millions of people around the world who have, or are, experiencing their own challenging infertility and ivf journey.
The target audience for
the adult’s book is people who have, or are, experiencing infertility, ivf,
endometriosis, multiple miscarriages, grief, trauma, anxiety and depression. It
is also for friends, family and colleagues to educate themselves on what others
might be going through and how they can best support them given the emotional,
physical and financial impact and challenges on men and women navigating this
path, while pursuing a career.
The target audience for the beautifully illustrated children’s book is for parents to explain to their children, typically aged between 5-10 years of age, how they were born via ivf in particular. Based on reviews and feedback the book is also appropriate for kids born naturally, via surrogacy, adoption or donor conception given the relatable themes, illustrations and story-telling to educate and help depict how a child came into this world.
3. What do you hope readers will get out of reading your book? I hope my Sticky Pineapple Book series are useful resources to help people navigating this emotional and physical journey. I hope they are used to educate friends, family and colleagues on what millions of people globally are going through, to help break the stigma and make it OK to talk about in the broader community.
4. How did you decide on your book’s title and cover design? The term Sticky Pineapple holds a special meaning in both books. In ivf circles the pineapple is known as a symbol for infertility and to support women navigating ivf and embryo transfer. Many women wear a pineapple symbol or pin on their clothing when attending appointments.
As writhe up previously in the New York Times, it is about all that one goes through after the diagnosis of infertility including feelings of guilt and not being “enough.” The shape of the pineapple reminds women to stand tall and as if wearing a crown to counter the negative feelings that can affect mind and body.
While not scientifically proven there is also a theory that pineapple (especially the core) contains something called bromelain. Bromelain is an enzyme that helps break down and digest our food. It is known to have both anticoagulant (blood-thinning) and anti-inflammatory properties. There is a theory that these properties might help with embryo implantation
The Sticky Pineapple book designs depict that journey to have my two beautiful girls who are my biggest achievement and inspiration in life. The books are dedicated to them.
5. What advice or words of wisdom do you have for fellow writers – other than run!? If you have a burning desire to write a book about a topic you are passionate about, and fulfil your dreams and ambitions, then what’s stopping you?
6. What trends in the book world do you see -- and where do you think the book publishing industry is heading? I think that many people are looking for help and support to navigate life’s ups and downs through many different channels. Books provide a great way for people of all ages to do this. I think the book publishing industry will continue to grow particularly through access to online channels given the innovation and development of technology and AI assisting speed to market and making it accessible to millions of people globally who wish to write a book.
7. Were there specific experiences in your personal life or career that came in handy when writing this book? I started off my career in journalism and public relations. Definitely having a keen interest, passion and strength for writing, reading and storytelling was helpful in being able to write, self publish and execute my vision for my Sticky Pineapple book series and then market them to the world via thousands of online channels such as Amazon, Booktopia, Waterstones, Barnes and Noble +++ to help millions of others.
8. How would you describe your writing style? Which writers or books is your writing similar to?I pride myself on my ability to really engage with readers and educate them on the emotional and physical rollercoaster of infertility and ivf through my own personal, raw and authentic storytelling. This is based on my own experience over many years and completing 10 cycles of ivf in my forties to eventually have my two beautiful girls. My children’s book is beautifully illustrated and is an educational and engaging story inspired by a much loved children’s book favourite The Very Hungry Caterpillar. I hope that by writing my children’s book Sticky Pineapple And The Little Precious Gems: How I Came Into This World helps break the stigma and normalises the conversation especially with our children and the future generations to come around being born via ivf.
9. What challenges did you overcome in the writing of this book? Dedicating the time in my busy personal and professional life especially with a young family to write, self publish and market them to the world. Within 12 months they have won multiple international awards and I couldn’t be more proud of seeing the delight on my little girls faces and seeing my vision for my books come to life a given they are having such a profound impact on many people’s lives globally.
10. If people can buy or read one book this week or month, why should it be yours? Infertility and ivf affects over 40 million people globally. Over 17 million babies have been born via ivf since the world’s first baby was born in 1978. The numbers of people looking to access ivf treatment is growing globally and the mental health and financial impacts on men and women navigating infertility and ivf is significant. We need to help educate friends, family and colleagues on what millions of people are going through to help break the stigma, support them through their feelings of grief, trauma, shame, anxiety and depression and make it OK to share and talk about.
About The Author: I am a Mum, Executive
Leader and Author of the multi-international award winning Sticky Pineapple
Book series which contains an adults book written about my own personal journey
navigating infertility and ivf over 10 cycles and many years to eventually have
my two beautiful girls. The series also includes a beautifully illustrated,
engaging and imaginative children’s book to help parents explain to their
children born via IVF how they came into this world. Please see: www.stickypineapple.com
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