Today dear readers I am extremely honoured to be on the blog tour for Mainstream: An Anthology of Stories from the Edges (Published 1st July 2021) edited by Justin David and Nathan Evans. A big thank you to the publishers Inkandescent for sending me a copy to read and review, always appreciated.
About Inkandescent
Inkandescent is a publishing venture by Justin David and Nathan Evans with a commitment to ideas, subjects and voices underrepresented by mainstream publishing, we hope to discover and celebrate original, diverse and transgressive literature and art, to challenge the status quo.
Mainstream
Mainstream brings thirty authors in from the margins to occupy centre-page. Queer storytellers. Working class wordsmiths. Chroniclers of colour. Writers whose life experiences give unique perspectives on universal challenges, whose voices must be heard. And read:
The anthology is edited by Justin David and Nathan Evans. Justin says, ‘In publishing, it’s often only the voices of a privileged minority that get heard and those of ‘minority’ groups—specifically the working classes, ethnic minorities and the LGBTQ+ community—don’t get the amplification they deserve. We wanted to bring all those underrepresented groups together in one volume in order to pump up the volume’
My Review
Prepare yourself dear reader to experience 30 authors’ stories that give you a unique perspective on the difficulties they are challenged with in life. Each story captivated me with its raw, honest use of imagery. I couldn’t get enough. As soon as I was finished reading one author’s story I was quickly served up another appetising slice. It was hard to resist as the more I read, the hungrier I became.
I loved the beautiful, refreshing look at themes of sexuality, colour, and religion that places you firmly in the narrator’s shoes. You feel every emotion, rush of desire and lust. This book offers a mixture of voices from different backgrounds. These stories need to be told, read and heard. Everyone NEEDS to read this book! It’s just so brilliantly glorious. You feel connected and an overpowering compulsion to rise up and stand proudly next to these brave voices.
I highly approve and support the strong, inspiring message presented throughout this book which is delicately woven into each author’s story. Be who you are, live how you want to live. Don’t wait or even ask for permission anymore. Be the person you were born to be. Yourself. And never ever feel ashamed of who you are. We live in a big wide world, full of billions of protagonists whose voices need to be heard. Who wants to be mainstream when you can be you? It’s fabulous, so embrace it, enjoy it and most importantly of all, live it.
I admired how this book didn’t judge others. It appreciates the differences in the world. And that dear reader is a beautiful and rare thing. The diversity of voices and experiences is vast, taking you to places and into situations you’d never encountered before. At first you are unsure of how to react and feel intrusive amongst such personal experiences. But you soon relax and settle in as each writer has their own distinguished style.
As well as the positions of being open and living freely for who you are, these stories also capture the trauma and horrific ordeals they have had to endure to get there. They are forced to hide their true selves from their family, friends, religion, everyone for fear of being judged and rejected. You witness the transformations these voices undergo throughout this book. You stand in awe at their bravery and determination to be themselves. No one should have to suffer this way but the unfortunate reality is dear reader that it happens, it is happening right now, this very second all over the world. This book brings hope to others who are still unsure of stepping out into the light, they are not and will never be alone.
I give Mainstream: An Anthology of Stories from the Edges a Five out of Five paw rating.
I LOVED LOVED LOVED this book! I honestly couldn’t get enough, it is addictive. I highly recommend this to everyone, I was mesmerised.
We need more books like this in the world, why has it taken so long? Well…probably because society is a mess. Only in recent years has the support for the LGBTQIA+ community grown, yet is still attacked on a daily basics. Why are we as human beings so intent on causing harm to each other, its madness. Enough is enough. It’s taken far too long to get where we are today. We should be free to live in a world where we can be ourselves and not feel ashamed or guilty. Books such as this one open that platform wherein these voices can be heard, read and stand proud as who they are. We NEED more of this!
Don’t forget to follow the rest of the blog tour, dates below, enjoy!
Links
Buy a copy
@InkandescentUK
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