How Quiet Books Change The World

When I imagine the impact of my work as a book coach, I envision quiet, brave books going out into the world to slip into people’s hands, sneak into their minds, and change their hearts. But how do writers accomplish this?

First, know that story is a profound tool.

When we experience a story, we live it. Our brains don’t know the difference between a story and real life. Our brains think that what is happening in the story is happening to us.

• What’s the primary thing that moved me away from my colonizing, homophobic, transphobic, anti-fat bias, ableist, racist beliefs? Story.

• What can seep into someone’s being without them knowing? Story.

• What can dispel self-hatred and other-hatred softly and gently? Story.

People are banning and burning books because they know the power fiction holds to challenge our biases and increase our empathy.

Perhaps I’m being too idealistic, but if we could get brave stories into the hands of world leaders, I believe things would change. The lines of us versus them would soften. The desire to dominate, oppress, and exterminate would die. The fear that fuels harmful policy would disappear.

You may not have a political platform, you may not be able to attend protests, you may have no money to give, but you do have one thing that only you can offer, and that is your story.

You don’t have to write a political manifesto to change the world. You only need to write bravely so your reader can feel seen and can see others.

I created the Quiet Book Revolution newsletter because I believe in changing the world, one reader at a time.

Do you?