Today I have a special treat for you all.

As you know, I'm part of After The Rain: A Collection of Short Stories About Life After Loss, which is a charity anthology featuring members of the Write Here, Write Now Community, with proceeds going to Hopefull Hadbags, a charity that supports survivors of domestic abuse.

The anthology is the brainchild of the Write Here, Write Now creator, Karen Sanders, who has been working her butt off to organize this anthology and raise funds for a very worthwhile cause.

Karen is a very dear friend of mine, and I invited her to the blog to discuss the anthology, how it came about, and what fund-raising for charity means to her.

Hey, thanks for joining me here on my blog to discuss the After the Rain Charity Anthology. First of all, why don’t you tell us a little about yourself and what you do?

Hi! I’m Karen, of Karen Sanders Editing, and I edit and proofread for self-published authors. I’m also the creator of the Write Here, Write Now Community, which helps authors to grow in confidence and writing skills. I live in the North East of England with my fiance, and when I’m not working, I can usually be found in a coffee shop or at live music shows! 

How did the idea of a charity anthology come about?

I wanted to create a group project within the WHWN Community that would encourage some of our newer authors to step out of their comfort zone, and I also really like to raise money for charity. I used to be a fundraiser for Teignbridge and Totnes Cats Protection when I lived in Devon, and I once organised an anthology for them too, so I wanted to do something to bring my two passions together, 

How did you decide on which charity to support?

I heard about Hopefull Handbags UK last year, and I immediately loved what they do. I have many friends who have survived domestic abuse, and knowing how hard it was for them to start afresh, I thought it was an incredible cause to support.

You’ve co-written a story for the anthology with Clare Bentley. Can you tell me a little about the story, and your co-writing process?

Haha, yes! So, we were both struggling to think outside the box for an idea to fit the theme of life after loss, when I randomly had the idea of someone losing a physical thing. Something that used to be important to them and they suddenly desperately wanted to find. I remembered that around the year 2000—and probably even before but that was the time I remember—people started burying time capsules. They would put something of relevance to them, or something they wanted to remember, inside the capsule and bury it somewhere. So I told Clare my idea, and she came up with the additional component of a woman whose son was just leaving home for the first time to go to university and was feeling nostalgic. Those two elements of loss quickly turned into something hilarious! To commiserate the son leaving home, the mum calls her bestie to go out for a few drinks, and they remember the time capsule they buried when they were fifteen. Except… it’s not QUITE where they left it… ;) 

We whipped the story up quite quickly, and just alternated writing chapters. It was super easy to iron out any issues and it all came together brilliantly! 

You also edited the anthology. What other story(ies) stood out to you? Do you have a favourite or a memorable quote?

They are all absolutely fantastic stories and very different too. One thing that stood out to me was that everyone worked really hard not to write what you might think would be the obvious thing to do for the theme. We have a woman going to her first Comic Con at the age of fifty, and a younger woman who befriends an older lady and unearths a fascinating story, and a former couple reuniting in a lift… the variety is spectacular! 

If people are still unsure, why should they buy a copy of the After the Rain Charity Anthology?

Firstly, to support an amazing cause. Nobody who took part in this is making money - every penny is going to Hopefull Handbags UK. Secondly, if you want to discover a brand new or new to you author, our anthology is a brilliant place to do that! Finally, if you just want to be entertained for a few hours with some humour and heart, then this is the book for you! 

Finally, do you have anything else you’d like to share? Perhaps plans for the future, upcoming projects etc. 

We are potentially looking to do another group anthology later in the year, but we need a few things to align first! The Write Here, Write Now Community is constantly expanding with new members, new learning materials, and continuously evolving events, so if you would like to be a part of it, please take a look and see if it’s for you! 

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ANTHOLOGY INFO

After The Rain is a collection of fictional stories written by the Write Here, Write Now Community celebrating life after loss—and not always the most obvious kind.

With a hearty mix of humour and warmth, these short reads will remind you that even in the darkest times, there's always a ray of sunshine ready to break through the clouds.

From finding the courage to start over, discovering happiness in the strangest of ways, or simply learning to rise above life’s challenges, these stories will leave you feeling uplifted, inspired, and entertained.

After The Rain is a limited-time anthology, raising funds for Hopefull Handbags UK.

Featuring stories by Clare Bentley and Kyra Lennon, Clare Dugmore, Toya Richardson, Louise Emerson, Donna Frank, Katie L Smith, TS Arthur, Julie Archer, M.B. Feeney, HL Heidemann, Anna Edwards

https://books2read.com/AfterRainAntho

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HOPEFULL HANDBAGS INFO

At Hopefull Handbags Global Nonprofit, our mission is clear: we work tirelessly on a global scale to promote long-term health, sustainability, and the safety and well-being of survivors of domestic abuse and their children. We believe in inclusivity for everyone, recognizing the unique value of each individual. Our approach is deeply rooted in community engagement, ensuring that we address the real needs of both families and entire communities. Our three pillars guide our mission: “Safety and Sustainability of Survivors and Their Children”, “Self-Defense Empowerment”, “Special Projects for Lasting Impact.”

www.hopefullhandbags.org

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WRITE HERE, WRITE NOW COMMUNITY INFO

The Write Here, Write Now Community is an extension of Karen Sanders Editing - a wonderful community where authors can learn to improve their writing skills, meet other authors, seek advice and support, and SO MUCH MORE!

www.karensandersediting.com/self-study-courses

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KAREN SANDERS INFO

I’m Karen, and over the past ten years, I have edited both fiction and non-fiction work for many publications, including online articles, novels, self-help books, and website content. I have worked with new writers and seasoned professionals, helping them to ready their work to show the world. For the last six years, I have specialised in editing novels for self-published authors. 
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Authors I have worked with include Amazon bestsellers Ker Dukey, Lisa Hobman, Heather MacKinnon, Maya Nicole, and many more.

www.karensandersediting.com