Blog Archives
One of the Greatest Acts of Love
In MENtal Health: Take It “Like a Man,” you share stories from men from all walks of life who reveal their experiences with masculinity, trauma, and healing. Why was this an important book for you to publish?
From the moment this project began, I knew it mattered deeply. Writing has always been, to me, one of the greatest acts of love and faith. Love, because authors return to some of their hardest truths in order to share them with others — and faith, because we trust those stories will find the people who need them most.
As a publisher, I’ve worked with hundreds of women telling their stories. But over time, I kept hearing from men who were struggling to find a place where their stories of vulnerability and healing could be told. There’s still so much silence around men’s emotional lives. This book became a way to hold space for that — to say, your voice matters, too.
When we launched the book and I got to tell the authors they were now international bestsellers — in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., the Netherlands, and Brazil — it wasn’t just about the title. It was about seeing men stand taller in their truth.
Can you share with us a little about your process for selecting contributors for this anthology?
The process was both intentional and intuitive. I wanted a group of men (and a few women) who represented a wide range of backgrounds, professions, and perspectives — but who all shared one thing: a willingness to be honest.
We have psychotherapists, musicians, social workers, coaches, fathers, and sons. Each man came forward with a story that felt necessary. As I often say, I don’t chase the writers; I listen for the stories that want to be told.
Many of these authors had never written before. Some were terrified to speak about what they’d been through. But they showed up. They wrote about depression, abuse, sexuality, loss, and the courage it takes to heal.
As one author, Coach Zeke, said:
“I wanted to shine a light in dark places — to make visible the conversations men rarely have about love, connection, and vulnerability.”
That’s exactly what this anthology does.
Did you learn anything surprising about the assumptions surrounding men’s mental health while putting this book together?
Absolutely. What struck me most was how deeply ingrained silence is.
As Dr. Vince Johnson Jr. shared during our call,
“We walk through life saying we’re fine — but are we really? We’re bleeding out, and we just raise our hand and say, ‘I’m okay.’”
That line has stayed with me. It reflects the pressure men still feel to appear strong even when they’re in pain.
I also learned how universal this struggle is — across cultures, professions, and generations. Whether it was Jason Schneider talking about middle-age reflection, Eric Campos sharing his work with LGBTQ youth, or Natalie Goodfellow reflecting on the grief and silence in her small Canadian town — the themes of love, loss, and healing are the same.
We tend to think of men’s mental health as a “niche” issue. It isn’t. It’s a human issue.
What is one thing you hope readers take away from MENtal Health?
I hope readers — men and women alike — walk away knowing that strength and vulnerability are not opposites.
As Dr. Stacey Kevin Frick said so beautifully,
“True strength is trusting yourself enough to be soft, to be courageous, and to live with grace.”
This book is an invitation to talk about things we’ve been told to hide. To understand that healing doesn’t happen in isolation — it happens in community, in shared truth.
If even one reader feels less alone after reading these stories, then the book has done its job.
Author Links: Amazon | Goodreads | Facebook | LinkedIn | Website
**The mental health conversation men desperately need—15 powerful stories that prove healing is possible.
In MENtal Health: Take it “Like a Man”, fifteen authors from diverse backgrounds share their raw, unfiltered journeys through depression, anxiety, PTSD, addiction, and personal transformation. These aren’t just survival stories—they’re blueprints for male mental health recovery and proof that seeking help is the ultimate act of courage.
BREAK THE “MAN UP” MENTALITY
For generations, men have been told to suppress emotions, avoid therapy, and suffer in silence. This groundbreaking men’s mental health book shatters those toxic expectations. Entrepreneurs, fathers, veterans, athletes, and everyday heroes reveal their darkest moments and the breakthroughs that saved their lives.
WHAT YOU’LL DISCOVER:
✅ Real stories from real men confronting depression, anxiety, and trauma
✅ Practical mental health tools and coping strategies that actually work
✅ Permission to be vulnerable without losing your masculinity
✅ Hope and brotherhood from men who’ve survived and thrived
✅ Cultural insights on supporting men’s emotional wellness in families and workplaces
PERFECT FOR:
• Men struggling with depression, anxiety, or mental health challenges
• Partners, family members, and friends seeking to understand male mental health
• Mental health advocates and professionals
• Anyone passionate about breaking mental health stigma
FEATURING CONTRIBUTIONS FROM:
Eric Campos, Bestselling author Dr. Stacey Kevin Frick, Roje Khalique, Alan James Duro, Federico Soto, Juan Camilo Posada Arenas, Marc Longwith, Jonathan Dubrulle, Jason Schnieder, Steven A Schechter, Joshua Engle, Dr. Vince Johnson Jr, Coach Zeke (Azuka Tuke), Natalie Goodfellow, and Christen E. Bryce.
These stories will challenge everything you thought you knew about strength, vulnerability, and what it truly means to be a man in today’s world.
Get Your Copy Today before the price goes up.
Emotional Weight
Feisty is a powerful anthology featuring essays, memoirs, and poetry by over twenty women who each share their personal struggles with shame, oppression, trauma, and the quest for self-worth. How did you decide what themes this collection would encompass?
The themes emerged organically from a single, powerful question. When we opened submissions, we asked: What does it mean to be feisty in a world that wants you silent or small?
The stories that poured in were raw, courageous, and deeply personal. We didn’t impose themes—we listened for them. Patterns naturally emerged around shame, resilience, healing, and reclamation of power. That’s the beauty of the Brave New Voices series: we trust women to tell the stories that matter most, then we build the container around that truth.
What was the most challenging aspect of curating these voices, and what proved most rewarding?
The greatest challenge was holding the emotional weight of these stories with the care they deserved. As both editor and publisher, I felt a profound responsibility to honor each woman’s individual voice while crafting a cohesive, powerful whole that would amplify their collective impact.
But that challenge became the greatest reward. I witnessed transformation—not just on the page, but in the writers themselves. For many contributors, this marked their first time sharing their story publicly. Watching them stand taller, speak louder, and fully own their truth has been one of the most profound honors of my publishing career.
What do you hope readers will carry with them after experiencing Feisty?
Above all, I hope readers feel less alone in their own struggles. There’s extraordinary strength in vulnerability, and these stories serve as a reminder that we’re all navigating complex, layered lives with courage and imperfection.
I want Feisty to be permission—permission to be louder, bolder, and more unapologetically authentic. In a world that profits from our silence and smallness, choosing to be feisty is a radical act.
The Brave New Voices series seems to be building momentum. What’s next?
Absolutely. Brave New Voices has evolved into something much larger than a book series—it’s become a movement. Our next collection is already in development, and while each book tackles a new theme, the heartbeat remains constant: amplifying voices that have been overlooked, silenced, or dismissed by traditional publishing.
Readers can expect more fierce honesty, diverse perspectives, and the kind of storytelling that doesn’t just entertain—it disrupts the status quo and catalyzes real change. We’re proving that when you give marginalized voices the platform they deserve, magic happens.
Author Links: GoodReads | LinkedIn | Website | Facebook | Instagram | Amazon
If you’re ready to rewrite all the rules and start thriving, just as you are, then Feisty is a must-read!
WARNING: This book is not for everybody. Well-behaved women rarely make history, so, check your good-girl card at the door. There is something even better waiting on the other side, if you dare venture.
Stories to inspire you to new heights of bravery, new depths of vulnerability, and new dimensions of femininity.
What does it mean to be feisty?
This collection of true tales of resistance and persistence in the face of historical oppression from cycle-breaking writers of all walks of life will defy your expectations, validate your experiences, and rally your inner warrior-woman.
Not only that, this book also teaches you how to:
Identify and share your own feisty flickers and acts of brave badassery
Release the “shoulds” and embrace your true desires
Heal from shame and trauma
Accept and embrace your authentic self
Find hope and resilience in any situation
The moment we stop judging our wishes is the moment we become capable of fulfilling them.
Order your copy of Feisty NOW!
Bonus: free, easy-to-implement tools to guide you through your personal transformation from each of these remarkable women authors.
For a limited time: download this remarkable book at its temporary introductory price!
FEISTY: Dangerously Amazing Women Using Their Voices & Making An Impact
Feisty is a powerful anthology filled with essays, memoirs, and poetry by over twenty women who each share their personal battles with shame, oppression, trauma, and the search for self-worth. From raw, searing accounts of domestic abuse to triumphant awakenings of creative and spiritual freedom, this book presents a vivid mosaic of female resilience. Each story is deeply personal, yet collectively they echo a shared defiance of being called “too much,” “too loud,” or “too emotional.” Through these narratives, the authors reclaim the word “feisty” as a badge of honor.
What I loved most was the book’s refusal to sugarcoat the truth. The writing is honest, even when it’s uncomfortable. Some passages left me gutted, like Adrienne MacIain’s story of surviving assault or Mimi Rich’s slow unraveling and eventual reclaiming of her life after intimate partner violence. These women don’t pretend to be saints. They tell the truth. Their voices, different in style and rhythm, pulse with pain and fire. The range of experiences is striking, covering motherhood, racism, sexual trauma, divorce, and identity, all of which weave in and out, but each tale feels grounded in something fierce and unbreakable. As a reader, I didn’t just learn about their lives; I felt their rage, their heartbreak, and their quiet victories.
The format of the book offers a vibrant diversity of thought and emotion, allowing each woman to speak in her own way, whether through raw poetry or richly detailed memoir. Every story has its own rhythm and tone, and that variety keeps the reading experience fresh and dynamic. I found myself drawn into some pieces, surprised by others, and always curious about what would come next. These women aren’t telling one tidy story. They’re sharing their own truths, in their own style, and that’s what makes the book feel so alive.
Feisty left me both exhausted and inspired. This isn’t a book you read to escape. It’s a book you read to understand. To witness. To honor. I’d recommend it to anyone who wants to hear what courage actually sounds like, not the polished kind, but the scratchy, trembling, soul-shouting kind. This is for readers who are ready to feel something real, who might be grappling with their own dragons, and who need to hear that they are not alone, and that “too much” might actually be just enough.
Pages: 214 | ASIN : B09Q5923Y6
Windows of Opportunity
How Change Really Happens is a grounded guide to personal transformation that honors the messy, emotional, and non-linear reality of change, with micro-shifts, self-trust, and a healthy dose of tough love. Why was this an important book for you to write?
It was the first time I took what I teach, practice, and live and put it into book form. It was a passion project as well as a vital learning process for me in my personal and professional development. It addresses a common question we all face about how to become the people we desire to be in this life.
What personal experience first sparked your realization that “working harder” wasn’t the answer to change?
As I share in the book, I tried for years with the traditional approach. It failed me over and over. I couldn’t see how a more gentle and strategic, natural approach could be more effective until I gave it a try and saw the results for myself and the countless clients I shared it with.
What advice would you give someone who feels stuck but is skeptical of self-help books?
The Self-help genre has gotten a bit of a sour reputation. I think of it as windows of opportunity to see oneself differently and craft a life you want. If you feel stuck, something has to change. Try something new.
If readers take away just one practice or mindset shift from your book, what do you hope it is?
Microshifts, the small movements towards a goal, get you there just as well and possibly faster without triggering our fear of something new that often causes a backslide. It is a hack I still use whenever I am stepping into new unfamiliar territory.
Author Links: GoodReads | Website | Amazon
…with change.
Is yours holding you back?
With 17-years’ experience and a master’s degree, Sierra Melcher has coached over 1800 people to a better life. The first step is always the same.
Alter their perception of transformation.
Every client comes to her with a false narrative about their life. These stories hold them back. Progress can’t happen until these roadblocks are identified and smashed.
Each step involves a micro-change.
You’ll learn to:
Accelerate your growth from uncomfortable situations
Cash-in on secret lessons from nature
Find hope with this new perspective
Uncover your greatest strengths
plus much more…
The tools you’ll gain from this book will alter your beliefs and thoughts so that the rest of your life will be an adventure that makes each day a joy.
Bonus- a free downloadable workbook to guide you through your personal transformation.
You’ll adore this self-help book because it is funny, uplifting, and easy-to-read while delivering long-term benefits to get you through these uncertain times.
Get it now.
How Change Really Happens
Sierra Melcher’s How Change Really Happens is part memoir, part pep talk, and part toolbox for personal transformation. It’s a breezy, conversational guide that demystifies the gritty, messy, and often uncomfortable truth about change. Melcher rejects the typical “work harder” narrative and instead offers a gentler path rooted in nature’s rhythms, micro-shifts, and self-trust. She frames change as a natural cycle, messy, emotional, and non-linear, but ultimately beautiful and necessary.
One of the things I loved most is Melcher’s tone. From the first page, it feels like she’s sitting across the table with you, coffee in hand, telling you the truth you didn’t know you needed. She’s real and refreshingly unpretentious. When she recounts the story of checking her baby succulents daily for signs of growth, only to discover that her constant interference was actually hindering their development, I couldn’t help but both laugh and wince. I’ve been that person. That story perfectly illustrates the book’s core message: trust the process, even if you can’t see the results yet.
There’s also a great balance between tough love and compassion. When Melcher shares her own breakdown during pregnancy, walking out of a doula class sobbing and declaring she couldn’t do it anymore, resonated with me. That moment was unrefined and devoid of the overly idealized tone common in many transformation narratives. Yet, it was undeniably authentic. Melcher refers to these pivotal experiences as “break-down-throughs,” a term I had not encountered before but instantly grasped. Genuine growth, as she illustrates, frequently begins in moments of collapse, rather than during periods of order and optimism.
The tools presented in Section Two are well-grounded, pragmatic, and refreshingly attainable. I found it commendable that Melcher does not pressure readers to implement sweeping life changes all at once. Instead, she emphasizes incremental actions, such as mindfully drinking a cup of tea or designating an “untouchable day,” which remain approachable even amidst the demands of daily life. While these practices may not be groundbreaking in isolation, they gain significant impact when paired with the deeper shift in perspective she encourages throughout the text. Ultimately, the focus is not on completing a checklist, but on intentionally shaping a life aligned with one’s evolving sense of self.
How Change Really Happens feels like a friend handing you a flashlight before you step into the cave you’ve been avoiding. It’s warm, wise, and sometimes blunt, but always with heart. I’d recommend this book for anyone feeling stuck, especially folks who are tired of self-help that promises quick fixes or “high-performance” nonsense.
Pages: 118 | ASIN: B085H9LGG9
How Change Really Happens
Sierra Melcher’s How Change Really Happens is part guidebook, part heart-to-heart open discussion, offering readers a warm and honest exploration of personal transformation. Framed around metaphors from nature—trees, butterflies, and lotus flowers—it walks the reader through both the emotional and practical aspects of change. The book is structured in two parts: the first dispels common myths about transformation, and the second offers a “tool belt” of strategies to help you move through life’s messier moments with more grace, awareness, and intention. It’s clear this book was written by someone who not only teaches these lessons but lives them.
I found Melcher’s writing style incredibly approachable. She doesn’t lecture—she chats. Reading this book felt like talking to a wise friend who isn’t afraid to laugh at life’s chaos while still taking your growth seriously. There’s a deep tenderness in how she shares her own stumbles and breakthroughs. I appreciated that vulnerability. And she doesn’t pretend to be a flawless guru either. She reminds you constantly: you’re the expert on your own life. That humility made the whole thing feel more real. The idea of “micro-shifts”—tiny, consistent actions—was a standout for me. It took the overwhelming bigness out of “transformation” and made the process seem manageable.
The book leans heavily into metaphors, and many of them were beautiful. The butterfly one, for instance, is familiar territory in self-help, but Melcher does offer a more nuanced view of it. Her insights about the fear of change, the pushback from others, and the need to sit in discomfort instead of forcing outcomes felt deeply relevant. She doesn’t sugarcoat things. Change is hard. Messy. Sometimes lonely. But she makes you feel okay about that. Like you’re not broken for struggling.
I’d recommend this book to anyone standing at the edge of something new—whether that’s a life transition, a career shift, or an internal reckoning. It’s especially good for folks who are burned out on the hustle culture and looking for a gentler, more sustainable way to grow. If you’ve ever felt stuck but unsure why, or if the idea of transformation feels too big to tackle, this book will meet you exactly where you are and gently nudge you forward.
Pages: 118 | ASIN : B085H9LGG9
Happiness Isn’t a Destination
I Just Want to Be Happy is a Self-Help guide that offers readers practical, fun & relatable strategies to boost mental well-being based on the latest information in neuroscience. Why was this an important book for you to write?
I wrote I Just Want to Be Happy because as a psychologist, I’ve seen firsthand how many people struggle with the belief that happiness is always just out of reach—something they’ll achieve once they get the promotion, find the right relationship, or check off the next big goal. But the truth is, happiness isn’t a destination; it’s something we can cultivate, notice and experience right now.
Most self-help books are not based on any research or evidence at all, so it felt very important to create something that bridged the gap between science and everyday life in a practical and hopefully engaging way.
This book isn’t about vague positivity or unrealistic promises, it’s about real, actionable strategies that anyone can use to shift their mindset, build resilience, and start feeling happier right away. Most importantly, I wanted to create something doable—because improving our mental well-being shouldn’t feel like another overwhelming task on a never-ending to-do list.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
One of the biggest ideas in I Just Want to Be Happy is that happiness isn’t something we passively wait for—it’s something we create through small, intentional choices. Many people believe they’ll be happy when certain external conditions are met, but research shows that our habits, thoughts, and daily actions have a much greater impact on our well-being than we realize.
I also wanted to challenge some common misconceptions about happiness. For example, a lot of people think they have to eliminate all negative emotions to be happy, but that’s simply not true. Happiness and struggle can coexist, and learning how to navigate challenges with resilience and self-compassion is a crucial part of emotional well-being.
Another key idea is that happiness isn’t just a mindset—it’s a whole-body experience influenced by neuroscience. Our brains are wired to focus on threats and negativity, but we can train ourselves to shift our attention and build mental habits that support a more positive, fulfilling life. That’s why I included simple, science-backed strategies that help readers rewire their thinking patterns in a way that feels natural and doable.
Finally, I wanted to make sure this book was practical. The strategies in the book are designed to be fun, flexible, and easy to incorporate into everyday life, so readers can start seeing real changes without feeling like they have to overhaul everything at once. Each chapter is a standalone so that a reader can just pick the book up and start reading wherever they are drawn to at that point in time. Each chapter is divided into action steps of varying levels of difficulty so that wherever you find yourself on a given day in terms of your mood or your motivation, there will be something there for you to incorporate into your day to begin to feel better.
How much research did you undertake for this book, and how much time did it take to put it all together?
Writing I Just Want to Be Happy was a blend of years of professional experience, deep research, and a passion for making science-backed strategies accessible. I’ve spent my career studying and applying concepts from neuroscience, positive psychology, and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), so in many ways, this book is a culmination of knowledge I’ve been gathering for a long time.
For this book specifically, I dove into the latest research on happiness, mindset shifts, and mental well-being—pulling from studies in neuroscience, psychology, and behavioral science. I wanted to make sure that everything I shared was not only backed by evidence but also practical and relatable for everyday life.
As for how long it took, from the initial idea to a finished manuscript, the process spanned several years. Writing, refining, and making sure the book was engaging and actionable took time, but I wanted to create something that felt both research-based and easy to apply—so readers wouldn’t just learn about happiness but actually start experiencing more of it.
What is one thing you hope that readers take away from I Just Want to Be Happy?
If there’s one thing I hope readers take away from I Just Want to Be Happy, it’s that happiness isn’t something you have to wait for—it’s something you can start cultivating right now, exactly where you are. You don’t need a perfect life, a perfect mindset, or perfect circumstances to feel happier. Small shifts in how you think, what you focus on, and how you show up for yourself each day can make a real difference.
I want readers to feel empowered, knowing that they have more control over their happiness than they might have believed. It’s not about chasing some future moment when everything falls into place, it’s about learning how to create joy, meaning, and fulfillment in the present, no matter what challenges life throws your way.
Author Links: Facebook
Organized into a series of engaging, standalone chapters, psychologist Dr. Heidi McKenzie provides a range of techniques suitable for beginning, intermediate, and advanced happiness seekers. Whether it is practicing gratitude, incorporating mindfulness, or fostering social connections, you’ll find immediately actionable steps tailored to your needs. Embrace these science-backed methods to cultivate more joy, reduce stress, and create a life filled with more of what you love and less of what you don’t. Your journey to more happiness starts here.
When I Surrender
Taboo is an anthology that shatters societal silences, offering personal, empowering stories about resilience and the unspoken truths of human experience. What inspired you to curate such a diverse range of stories, and how did you decide which topics to include?
I shared a bit about how the book project came into being in my chapter. My daughter (8 at the time) asked me about menstruation and in the course of the conversation she also asked why the topic is so secret. My answer was that so many important life topics are taboo, and that got me thinking. If we are not discussing the most important parts of life we are doing a disservice to ourselves and one another.
When it comes to how to choose which topics to include I learned long ago to leave it up to fate a bit. I can’t micromanage what people are passionate to write about and share. Rather When I surrender and let people share the most amazing combinations present themselves.
How did you ensure that the contributors felt safe and supported while sharing such vulnerable experiences?
This is an essential part of all writing and even more so in this project. Being vulnerable is terrifying especially in such a public and permanent format as a published book. Learning how to claim our truth and move into a place of courage to share honestly is a fundamental part of how we support people to become authors in the first place. The taboo topics are yet another form of courage and an incredible self acceptance and personal evolution happens as a result.
What was the biggest challenge in assembling Taboo, and how do you hope it will impact societal perceptions of these often-avoided topics?
It is not easy to find people willing to share the most hidden and judged parts of themselves. It required patience and persistence; most great efforts do.
We all came together with the faith and belief that if we could muster the strength to share our truth we could start a ripple effect getting a few more people reading, thinking, feeling, examining and sharing their own taboo stories. Eventually we can open up space for honest sharing where there previously hadn’t been. That is our deepest intention.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
I am personally writing a book on the cyclical creative methodology I teach to the authors in my community. I hope it will be available in Spring of 2025.
We are curating another anthology at the moment examining Men’s Mental Health, another taboo topic, one that deserves a lot more openness and attention. We are really proud of the people we have brought on so far. We hope to have this published in time for Father’s Day.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | LinkedIn | Website
This powerful collection unearths the hidden truths of womanhood, trauma, identity, and survival, revealing the emotional depth and resilience of women from diverse backgrounds. With unflinching honesty, these stories shatter the silence surrounding deeply personal and universal experiences, offering both healing and hope.
Inside this transformative anthology, you will discover:
A diverse lineup of all-female authors united in their courage to challenge taboos.
Unvarnished perspectives and lived realities, offering insight into the complexities of our society.
A call to action to end the silence, inspiring readers to embrace their own truths and join the movement for change.
This book is more than a collection of stories—it’s a declaration that some things should never be silenced. Prepare to connect, reflect, and be moved as these women’s voices echo the unspoken truths we all carry.
LITERARY TITAN 