I'm happy to say we're nearing the end of the compiling phase of the project. We are continuing to seek submissions, but we are rounding out the collection. I know that this project will lead to more stories coming out, more guys coming forward. We're giving guys permission to speak out about being abused in their relationships.
This project has been an adventure for me, and a chance to meet a lot of new people. My role as editor has been to seek out stories from all over the world, and we have put together quite a stunning and provocative document on men who have been abused by women. When I began, I had no idea how common these situations are. I now understand more than I ever did about the issue, and I know our readers will too. It's eye-opening and mind-blowing. No one who reads this book will be able to look at the issue in the same way again.
The project has been received with open arms. Everyone I have spoken to has been very positive and supportive. I initially feared that this hot-button issue would polarize and inflame a lot of people. We don't believe that anyone should be abused. We aren't trying to diminish the efforts of the Women's Movement, which has worked hard to bring awareness to violence against women. We have our own battle to fight, and it's going to be an uphill battle, but it has to be fought diligently and sensibly.
Anti-abuse movements gain traction when the victims themselves tell their stories. This is a politically charged issue. But when the victim speaks out, everyone can agree. It's a grand injustice. Men are abused in many ways, and the legal system doesn't do enough to protect them. The stories are brutal and honest. Most men aren't given permission to be honest about what has happened to them. They are ridiculed for it. If the woman is retaliating against a man that has abused her, then I believe she is justified. If the man has been wrongfully abused by a woman, then he needs to speak up about it.
The book is designed to bring new awareness to the issue. We want the stories. The most powerful action men can take is to go public with their story, in a safe and effective format. We publish our stories anonymously, and everyone's information is kept confidential.
Showing posts with label abuse. Show all posts
Showing posts with label abuse. Show all posts
Monday, October 31, 2011
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Week Two: Just the FAQs
We have had stories coming in via email, and many people are wondering how to begin writing. Two words for you: Anything goes.
We want it in your words. We have laid out some sample questions in the "Week One" post. We have met a lot of great people via facebook and craigslist, but guys can post right here to this site as well.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Should I change the names of the people involved?
Generally, yes. For the protection of everyone affected, go ahead and change the names. There may be children whose identities need to be covered. There may be lawyers or officials involved, and no matter how badly you might want to talk publicly about someone who hurt you or mistreated you, you should still find a false name for them. We have also done some minor editorial work to protect the identities of the people involved.
How long should the story be?
Most stories come in the body of an email, or attached as a Word document. We will edit the stories down to 500-2500 words, generally. But it's your story. We want you to be free to write as fully and completely as possible. Don't edit yourself. Your voice needs to be heard, so write what you feel, and don't get too worried about length. A few stories have been too short, too general, and we have asked guys to expand them a bit.
I still have feelings for my ex. I don't want to portray her as a monster.
We have gathered a wide range of stories. Some guys are very angry, of course. We understand that your emotions are complex, and sometimes the ones we love can hurt us the most. Don't worry, we want you to tell your story from your point of view, as truthfully as possible.
Do we get paid for our story?
Unfortunately we are a small operation, and we cannot afford to pay our contributors. Most of our writers have been happy to give us their story. They see it as a therapeutic exercise, a cathartic experience. Moreover, your story has the chance to do a lot of good for a lot of people.
Is there a deadline?
We are hoping to gather our stories between Summer and Fall of 2011. This blog will remain active, and your stories can still be told as the project goes further.
We want it in your words. We have laid out some sample questions in the "Week One" post. We have met a lot of great people via facebook and craigslist, but guys can post right here to this site as well.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Should I change the names of the people involved?
Generally, yes. For the protection of everyone affected, go ahead and change the names. There may be children whose identities need to be covered. There may be lawyers or officials involved, and no matter how badly you might want to talk publicly about someone who hurt you or mistreated you, you should still find a false name for them. We have also done some minor editorial work to protect the identities of the people involved.
How long should the story be?
Most stories come in the body of an email, or attached as a Word document. We will edit the stories down to 500-2500 words, generally. But it's your story. We want you to be free to write as fully and completely as possible. Don't edit yourself. Your voice needs to be heard, so write what you feel, and don't get too worried about length. A few stories have been too short, too general, and we have asked guys to expand them a bit.
I still have feelings for my ex. I don't want to portray her as a monster.
We have gathered a wide range of stories. Some guys are very angry, of course. We understand that your emotions are complex, and sometimes the ones we love can hurt us the most. Don't worry, we want you to tell your story from your point of view, as truthfully as possible.
Do we get paid for our story?
Unfortunately we are a small operation, and we cannot afford to pay our contributors. Most of our writers have been happy to give us their story. They see it as a therapeutic exercise, a cathartic experience. Moreover, your story has the chance to do a lot of good for a lot of people.
Is there a deadline?
We are hoping to gather our stories between Summer and Fall of 2011. This blog will remain active, and your stories can still be told as the project goes further.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)