About Rae of Hope: Stories from Survivors

Rae of Hope: Stories from Survivors is a collection of real stories, written by real people who have suffered at the hands of bullies. In each story, contributors dig deep into their own painful memories, to vulnerably expose their horrors with the hope that their survival will inspire others to fight.

This collection includes contributions from across Canada, the US and UK. Read stories of bullying survivors, including submissions from Leah Parson’s, whose daughter Rehtaeh was bullied to suicide in 2013 in Nova Scotia; Jenna Nickie, the “Warrior Mom” from Saskatchewan; Evan Wiens, who fought successfully for a gay-straight alliance within a Christian-based school district; and Candace Maxymowich, a budding politician subjected to international online bullying during a civic election campaign also contributed to this project. Also, Gina Dickason, founder of Families Impacted by Bullying shares her daughter Jade’s story for the first time ever.

Along with real stories, Rae of Hope: Stories from Survivors includes vital information that could help readers identify and stop bullying in their home or community.

The book can be purchased at these various locations:

Author’s Website * Emerald Publications * Amazon * Kobo * Barnes & Noble

Thoughts from the Author, Marianne Curtis

Growing up in an abusive home, Amazon bestselling author Marianne Curtis hid her love for writing. Unable to speak about her experiences, she secretly filled pages and pages, documenting the horrors of her childhood, never anticipating that one day she would be sharing that story publicly.

It was not until she had spent nearly fifteen years as a journalist that she began to recognize the value of her experiences. They had taught her patience, kindness and empathy. These experiences helped her gain the trust of others, and in turn allowed her to expose stories in the media that otherwise would have remained hidden away forever.

“I became a reporter by accident. A friend of a friend needed some help at the paper she was working at so she decided to take me under her wing. A year later, she quit and I was named lead writer,” stated Curtis. “I was not formally educated, I learned as I went, but apparently I’ve been gifted with the ability to make people “feel” with my words.”

In 2012, Curtis took things a step further by self-publishing her first book, Finding Gloria. Based on her real life experiences of being adopted, and abused, Curtis candidly shares details about her life as an adoptee, runaway, foster child, being sexually assaulted as a teen and later as a wife; her failed marriages, single parenting, her mother’s mental illness, and most of all, how all the pieces fit.

“I struggled for years, knowing something was out of place, but not knowing what. It was not until I opened up my heart and shared my experiences that I started to recognize patterns in my behaviour, and where they stemmed from. I was finally able to forgive and move forward,” Curtis continued.

Opening oneself up, can either open the door to critics or to other victims. In Curtis’ case, other victims stepped up and shared their sometimes-horrific stories.

“At one time, people mocked me; now people were thanking me for encouraging them, for showing there is life beyond abuse, and sometimes for showing them their lives were not as bad as they assumed,” Curtis stated. “People also began trusting me enough to send me their own personal stories. That was humbling.”

Knowing these stories were useless sitting in her inbox, Curtis asked senders if she could share their stories in a special series.

“Once people started talking, I had to figure out what to do with these stories,” Curtis noted. “That is where Rae of Hope comes in.”

The first edition of Rae of Hope: Stories from Survivors is geared towards sharing the stories of bullying survivors. Subsequent editions will cover the subjects of sexual violence, child abuse, domestic violence, post partum depression and other tough subjects.

“These are all subjects no one really knows how to talk about; everyone recognizes there is a problem but no one knows how to address it. I believe by sharing our stories, we encourage people who are suffering to find help, hope, and eventually let go of the pain and find healing,” Curtis stresses. “By sharing our stories, we take back our power and are no longer victims.”

Curtis admits that she never expected to become a spokesperson, but it is something she takes very seriously.

“I remember a time, when I was very ashamed of my life; not because I was doing things wrong, but because it was ‘not normal’. Now I see where I went wrong and why and since I made those connections, life has been improving greatly. It is now time for me to give back by helping others find their true paths amid the noise we call life.” Curtis concluded. “I hold no bitterness about my life; I realize now that I would not be the person I am today, if I had not experienced what I have in my life. For that, I am eternally grateful.”

About the Author

Marianne Curtis is a well-respected newspaper journalist from southern Manitoba, Canada with nearly twenty years of media, publishing, and freelance writing experience. Her first book, a personal memoir called Finding Gloria hit the bestseller list at McNally Robinson Bookstores in Winnipeg, and on Amazon in Canada, United States and the United Kingdom. Curtis’s other published titles include: Moondust and Madness: a collection of poetry, Behind Whispering Pines, Brian’s Last Ride and A Discreet Betrayal.

In 2013, she received a YWCA Woman of Distinction nod for inspiring others by sharing her story of struggle and survival after recovering from childhood abuse, bullying, and sexual assault.

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