Why Write Here, Write Now Isn’t Just About Growing as an Author — It’s About Uplifting Others, Too
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When people ask me why I love the Write Here, Write Now (WH,WN) community, I usually mention the incredible support, motivation, and resources it offers for writers at every stage of their journey.
But there’s another reason — one that’s especially close to my heart, and one I think deserves a spotlight of its own:
The way this community gives back.
Last year, the WH,WN authors came together to create something truly special — After the Rain: A Collection of Short Stories About Life After Loss. It was more than just an anthology. It was a love letter to healing, hope, and human connection.
And the best part? Every single penny of the proceeds went to Hopefull Handbags (www.hopefullhandbags.org), a charity devoted to promoting long-term health, sustainability, and the safety and well-being of survivors of domestic abuse and their children.
Thanks to the passion and dedication of this community, After the Rain became a number-one bestseller in the ‘Women’s Short Stories’ category on Amazon and raised £150 for this vital cause.
And honestly? That is the thing I’m most proud of since joining WH,WN. I’ve hit milestones. I’ve grown. I’ve learned.
But nothing compares to the feeling of using my creativity — my stories — to make a tangible difference in the world. To know that, even in a small way, my words helped someone experiencing something as devastating as domestic abuse… it means everything.
Even more inspiring? This isn’t a one-off. Before founding WH,WN, Karen — our fearless, big-hearted leader — organised other charity anthologies, including one for The Innocence Project (https://innocenceproject.org/) a nonprofit dedicated to freeing the wrongly convicted and advocating for criminal justice reform, and another for Clusterbusters (https://clusterbusters.org/), an organisation that supports people living with cluster headaches through research, education, and outreach.
Giving back has always been part of her DNA.
We’ve even daydreamed together about launching a global creative fund — a way to support authors and artists who can’t afford professional help like editing, covers, or formatting. Because we both believe, deeply, that every voice deserves a platform. Every story deserves the chance to be told.
That belief is why Karen started WH,WN.
It’s also why I founded the Kindred Creativity Club.
To me, these two communities are more than just creative spaces. They’re spiritual sisters — bound by shared values, a fierce love of storytelling, and an unwavering commitment to lifting others up.
And that’s the kind of creative world I want to be part of. One where growth and generosity walk hand in hand.
