Illustration from the book
Check Mates
Checker – counter – washer – neat freak – superstitious – perfectionist – over-thinker – worrier
Any of these sound like you? Perhaps a friend or family member? To tell the truth, I think we’re all a little obsessive-compulsive. But just imagine if our quirky little habits and rituals started taking over our lives without us even realising it.
OCD has become a hot topic these days, with celebrities like Justin Timberlake, Cameron Diaz and David Beckham going public with their diagnoses. But a quick Twitter search for ‘OCD’ shows that the disorder is still largely misunderstood and joked about.
For some, OCD can be fought and restrained; for others, it’s an overpowering destructive force. No two sufferers are the same. Each has his/her own unique story to tell.
The book Check Mates, edited by Vrinda Pendred, is a collection of such stories. It is the first ever collection of fiction, poetry and artwork about OCD, by people with OCD – the real experts on the subject. It also marks the launch of Conditional Publications, the only dedicated publishing house for writers with any kind of neurological condition.
What makes Check Mates such compulsive reading (if you’ll excuse the pun!) is that it’s divided into two halves: in ‘Realism’ you get glimpse of what it’s like to live with OCD in day-to-day situations, and in ‘Beyond’ you enter fantasy worlds that drive the absurdity and horror of OCD straight home. Put together by writers and artists from around the world, there’s so much diversity in this book, showcasing a range of emotions, from love to hate, joy to rage, fear and sorrow to hope and optimism. There’s even a little bit of humour! I think everyone will find something to relate to.
What it doesn’t do is shy away from the truth. Every angle is covered, no matter how painful, which makes for a startling and moving read.
If you have OCD, you’re going to find yourself in this book and realise you’re definitely not alone. If you don’t have OCD…you’re probably going to find a little of yourself anyway, because that’s what this book does: it forces us to look at our own neuroses. I think this book is set to crack wide open a few stereotypes that have been flying around for far too long.
And as if that’s not enough, part of the proceeds from the sale of the book will be donated to OCD charities.
Check Mates: A Collection of Fiction, Poetry and Artwork about Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder by People with OCD is coming to Amazon on 11 May 2010. To show my support of this inspirational new book, I am giving away a 4 Part Video series on How to Use Practical Forgiveness to everyone who buys Check Mates on the day of the launch.
AND… In addition to my gift, there are over 30 other wonderful gifts being offered by mind-body-spirit teachers, authors, coaches and healers from around the planet when you purchase Check Mates on May 11th.
AND… Vrinda Pendred, the editor of Check Mates, is giving away an EXTRA special gift of her own: ‘The Passenger’, an unpublished short story about Tourette Syndrome.
To find out how you can buy this book on May 11th, claim your free copy of ‘The Passenger’,
and receive over 30 other gifts, just click HERE
Or copy and paste this link in your browser:
http://conditionalpublications.com/pages/check-mates-launch.html“>http://conditionalpublications.com/pages/check-mates-launch.html
I hope you will join me in celebrating the launch of this unique book, Check Mates, the first ever collection of fiction, poetry and artwork about OCD.
Be sure to sign up for a “launch reminder” HERE, and then mark your diary for May 11th!
