An Aberdeenshire resident has written off the challenge of 600 other challengers to have her short story featured in a new publication.
Emma Myatt, 43, from Gourdon, took part in the Scottish Book Trust’s Secrets and Confessions story-writing competition, in advance of Book Week Scotland.
Her story, After the Dark Night Comes the Morning, describes her experience with depression, battling cancer and coming out a much stronger woman.
It has been printed in Secrets and Confessions, which features 40 stories from aspiring and published authors.
Miss Myatt said: “I wish I had sought help for depression a long time before I did and I thought to myself: ‘If somebody else reads this and it helps them, that’s really good’.
“I think if I had read something like this 10 years ago, I might have been more encouraged to go to the doctor there and then instead of thinking it was something I could do myself.
“It’s actually a strength to admit that you need help. I just feel like a better person now because I am stronger and I am more confident.”
Discussing the publication, she added: “It does feel a little bit like getting naked in public.
“I’ve been published in a few things, but this will be by far the biggest circulation and it is quite daunting so many people are going to read it.”
The full-time mother and author hopes that by publishing her story, other people will be encouraged to come forward and seek help, and has reminded them: “You don’t have to struggle on your own.”
Another north-east resident to appear in the book is Aberdeen resident Jane Swanson, with her story, Presto Pronto.
Mrs Swanson 54, said: “I’ve been writing for a good few years now as a hobby. I thought it was quite an amusing little story, of the spaghetti bolognese being thrown at the wall.
“My husband and children thought it was very funny and they enjoyed reading about the childhood holidays.”
“I’m an avid reader and a big fan of the Scottish Book Trust, first of all for all the opportunities that they offer to new writers and people who want to take their writing seriously.
“But also for their work in promoting reading in schools and among children and teenagers. I just think its a fantastic organisation.”
The trust is celebrating its fifth year of Book Week Scotland and giving away more than 150,000 free copies of Secrets and Confessions.
Their chief executive, Marc Lambert, added: “This project has given people of all ages living in Scotland the inspiration to write a story or a poem that they have never shared before.
“We received hundreds of submissions from members of the public, sharing beautifully unique, funny and meaningful stories and we are delighted to give away 150,000 free copies of this wonderful book.”
Members of the public can find the work in their local bookshops, libraries, hospitals and train stations.
