A CROWDFUNDING campaign has been launched to raise £3,000 to fund a new community book of memories of life during the pandemic.
Yesterday’s Diary – An Anthology of Coventry in Lockdown will feature poetry, prose and fiction from 117 people who have been inspired to share their stories.
The collection is a collaboration between bestselling children’s author and Cov kid in exile Cathy Cassidy, the grassroots community creative group Sitting Rooms of Culture and the people of Coventry.
Cathy said people from all backgrounds and occupations had bared their hearts and shared their feelings – from schoolchildren, students, mums and dads to grandparents, the shielding, carers, published poets and complete novices.
“Their words are woven together to create an anthology that is powerful and inspiring – sometimes sad and searingly honest, sometimes warm, humorous and hopeful.
“The best and bravest of Coventry’s resilience and spirit is right here.”
The book came from the Sitting Rooms of Culture’s Coventry Couch Potato Challenge which tasked people with writing a poem or short story inspired by the lockdown.
Cathy collected and collated hundreds of contributions for the book which also features biographies of those featured.
Volunteers gave hundreds of hours of time to help produce the anthology.
Mary Courtney from Sitting Rooms of Culture added it was a boon to have best-selling author Cathy choosing the contents and an award-winning publisher on board.
“We have got some brilliant endorsements and it is beautifully produced.”
Lady Godiva, aka Pru Porretta MBE, described it as ‘a wonderful and inspiring project’.
Each of the 117 contributors and 10 volunteers will receive a complimentary copy and the book will also be sent to the city’s libraries, nursing and care homes.
Coventry businessman Michael Mogan, who supports local good causes, was thanked for contributing £222 towards the book’s creation.
Visit crowdfunder.co.uk/yesterdays-diary-fundraiser to donate.
Copies of the book are available for pre-order and will be sent out on November 28.
It is available at fairacrepress.co.uk and costs £9.99 plus £3 postage and packing.
All profits raised from sales will support creativity and wellbeing in Coventry and the surrounding area, via Sitting Rooms of Culture and the Arty-Folks charity.
