Okay so this is how the stats stack up, were you to be considering have a go at crafting and collating a volume of stories.

The Leatherhead guys ordered 500 books; a 135 page volume of 20 stories. Printing costs £1250 and the typesetting £150. Then there is another £500 to cover the production process, including cover design, isbn nr and the production of a bar code. This makes a total of about £1900

Therefore at a retail price of £6.50 each they need to sell about 300 books to cover their costs, leaving space for a profit of around £1300 if they sell each and every one.

Well achievable for a small and committed group of enthusiasts with a quality product. And that’s not taking into account the fact that nobody goes into a project like this to make money! No. the real benefit is giving a new voice to a community where there may well be none at this moment. The chance to make a massive statement that every story counts.

It’s not the only way, but it is one way.

Anyone up for having a go? steve@storiesfromthestreet.com

If anyone is wondering whether you could actually be part of seeing a set of stories come together where you live then read what Jenny Moore has to say about the seven months it took them from start to finish to have their own book in their hands.

Jenny writes

I think I was provoked at least a year ago about the possibility of seeing a book published about life on the streets here in Leatherhead.  One of the mums I know had written a chapter for Steve’s previous book, and it suddenly seemed possible to talk to Steve about a whole book coming from this town I love.

There were a couple of stories I knew about personally  that really focussed on what the town’s about or should be about and I  thought it would be great to have a book with those sort of stories highlighted. Stories that reflect a little of the gifts and uniqueness of Leatherhead.

So Steve came back and said ” go for it” and suddenly the possibility was real. It took about 4 or 5 months to gather the stories, visiting organisations, meeting people having tea and listening to their journeys. If I’m being honest it would have been great to have shared that side of it a bit more with others. But we had great help from Steve talking it through and he came down to  meet with a group of us at Starbucks and got  the idea out there. A lot of the work had to be done in the day time which meant that some who could have helped were physically unable to take time off work. But we managed it, and gradually the pile of stories built up. It was one of the best parts of the whole process, meeting people, really talking and listening and many moments feeling really grateful that such fantastic people were a part of our town.

A crucial point was having someone to edit the stories as they came in and Paul did a brilliant job. We sat together and looked at them and were able to group them together which  helped identify the  context for the book.  I had deliberately looked at gathering stories across age groups, gender, work social issues and we had a wonderfully diverse yet focussed set of stories which did help as we put together  a format.

Then suddenly the stories were ready to send to Steve and that was the scary point as well. Were they what Stories from the Street had envisaged, would they be ok? But they were and it didn’t seem too long at all before they were with the typesetters then the printers then with us!!

It’s been amazing for me to have been involved with this, I’m so glad we did it and I have watched glimpses of redemption as stories have been written and shared. It’s not the end of the story for any of those who have written but I know everyone feels so proud and glad to have been part of this. A year ago most of those in the book would not have dreamt that they would have written a chapter and had it in print.

It’s awesome!!

So get in touch if Jenny’s story inspires you for where you live. And if you would like a copy of their book, click here to buy. £1 from every online purchase goes to a charity in Leatherhead.

The paparazzi were not there and neither was Simon Cowell. However twenty or so of the men and women off the council estates of North Leatherhead gathered ………..to celebrate their book and their stories.

Against the background noise of the celebrity make belief world of glitz and glamour, we all have constant choices to make as to where we chose to live. Okay we all need an evening of escapism but give me stories of humour and hope, honed in the real world any time.

So this post is dedicated to the stories of the men and women of Leatherhead. Thank you for finding the courage to write. Thank you for not trying to wrap your stories in tinsel and star dust and thank you Jenny Moore for seeing the huge value in those who others might say are……well just ordinary people like you and I.

One town in the UK now has access to something that truly equates to the authentic sound coming out of the place they call home.

Which village, town or city is going to be the next? Just email me steve@storiesfromthestreet.com to begin a conversation. Or buy their book here to see what could be possible where you live. £1 from every online purchase goes to some of the charities of Leatherhead.

“Silence is dangerous because it is an enemy of hope. Why? Because where grief is denied and suffering is kept isolated, unexpressed and unprocessed in a community, we may be sure that hopelessness will follow.

Silence may come because the sufferer lacks the courage or will to speak. But behind that is the long term pressure from above. The rulers of this age crave order above all. They have learned that silence is the way to preserve order, even if that order is unjust and dysfunctional. Where there is no speech about grief and suffering  there can be no hope.”

Wow! If I wanted one phrase that would sum what Sfts is about then this is that. Thanks Jane for posting this comment.

Hope does come when we realise, through the courageous telling of story, that we are not alone in our experiences. How many of us have drawn strength from the opportunity to identify with someone else’s journey? How many communities have become isolated and without hope because no space has been made for the hidden tale that remains untold. That’s why one woman in Leatherhead took it upon herself to create space for the many voices from the town where she lives. I respect that.

Anyone else want to have a go? Just email me and begin a conversation, steve@storiesfromthestreet.com

Apologies to anyone who has tried to buy from our online shop these last days.Think my mentor (see right) would not have been impressed. No we are not trying to fleece you! There are though discrepancies over the p&p costs which our online guys will be looking at early this week.

Whilst they do that we are also undertaking a further upgrade of the site which will enable you to view the most popular stories so watch this space.

At the same time, anyone interested in a copy of the Leatherhead book and open to a conversation about a volume of stories coming out of your village, town or city then do email me steve@storiesfromthestreet.com I am all ears and completely committed to a journey than began two years ago with the story teller of Damascus.

I am told his endorsement really counts. I hope so cos I walked a long way to get it! -:)

Silence is dangerous.

How do you measure your existence if you are silent for self expression is the juice of life is it not?

So today I am breaking my silence. A new facebook friend of mine posted this quote from Dana Gioia “There are some truths about life that can be expressed only as stories, or songs, or images. Art delights, instructs, consoles. It educates our emotions.”

I am a late comer to the finer aspects of self expression. Head butting my way through life was my strategy. No longer thankfully.

On Monday I travel south to sit on the sidelines of the launch of the Stories from the Street Leatherhead edition. There I will be surrounded by the story tellers and first time writers that have crafted that book. I suspect that most of them would have classified themselves like me. Head butters, duckers and divers, chuffers for whom the world of literature and art belonged to, well others from the other side of the street………………..well no longer. The heady world of the dinner table party is being gate crashed.

I like that!

This week I went for a walk; tentatively, like a new born baby I stepped out of the door and did what I haven’t done now for many months. Yep I walked the several miles into the city centre of Leeds, careful not to stumble. For those who are new to this blog you might not know that stumbling is allowed; just prefer not to if you know what I mean.

So I went to test the ground. Its been a deep nine months for me. Not been as sure-footed as I normally am so it felt good to be out on the road again, flexing some muscles and hearing the sound of my own voice.

Transition; done it so many times. This time however I really think I managed to find a place of stillness in the centre of it all……..eventually. Took me a few months and had to work through some ranting and raving.But yes there is a place that is free from anxious thoughts, out of control…………………fully present, thankful………..and focused on the “now” moment.That’s good.

So today  its okay that the winter months look a little empty. Might not be tomorrow! But right now yes there is space for some new things to rise. Space for the imagination to roam, for creativity to spark and new possibilities conceived.

So you fellow journeymen, my one bit of advice for today, don’t resist these times of transition. There is real gold to be found within.

Take time to look at this. The tale of the terror of the 2nd World War through the eyes of a Ukraine. Incredibly moving. Thanks Martin for the spot.

This week ,after a great two months of work I face an empty week. No work booked in this week, or indeed the weeks after……………… Feels kind of scary. That’s why I picked up on these words hidden away at the foot of an email I received the other day

“You do well when you stay on course, walking steadily on the road revealed. You’re blessed when you follow his directions, doing your best to find him. That’s right—you don’t go off on your own; you walk straight along the road he set……… Oh, that my steps might be steady, keeping to the course you set.”

Must be literally hundreds of thousands of people who feel like me across the UK as Monday morning draws closer. How to earn a living. How to be responsible and wise in the uncertain times we are in. Anyone got the answer for all those like me?

Today I am present however. Not manufacturing problems that don’t yet exist; dwelling in the day that is today. Walking one step at a time along the pathway that is in front of me. Finding a place of rest, amongst the thorns and the thistles.

Actually I come from a good lineage of gardeners. Seriously……………..I do. So I am confident……………..I think.

One step at a time.

This is the third and final taster from the wonderful set of stories to come out of the town of Leatherhead in Surrey. As you may have guessed by now, all is not what it seems in leafy suburbia. It takes great courage to write as honestly as those who have helped shape this living record of life in one town in the south of England. Thank you all and thank you  Sarah.

Sarah’s Story

I was born on mid-summer’s day, 1973 at Queen Charlottes Hospital in Hammersmith. My mother already had a son just a little older than me, but Mum and Dad split up when I was still a baby. We lived in a house in Kingston that had a long wooden staircase. I remember coming down that long wooden staircase one evening. I was three and I’d wet myself and needed some help. But my mother had gone out for a take-away and left me with her boyfriend. My life changed forever that evening. I ended up in hospital and when I came out I was sent to a foster family.

To read more click here