Thank you for your interest in sharing your story for my upcoming book which has the working title Seen Again: A journey to your true self through the light and dark of motherhood. Through story, sharing my learnings and observations, I'm seeking to shine a light on feeling lost/invisible (in the dark) in matrescence and how we move toward feeling found/clear/seen/visible (in the light) and more aligned with our true self.. Of course, we both know it's not that straightforward - it is nuanced, there are shadows, we go between the two, and we hold both the dark and the light at once.

This book is part memoir, part gentle wisdom & guidance, part shared voices - and I’m so honoured to include yours if it feels aligned for you. Your personal experience, told in your own words, will play a key role in helping others feel seen and held on their own journeys. You'll also be creating a legacy for your family, contributing to a movement that values the mother, and upgrading your self image to include Author.

The book will published with an aligned Australian publishing house with a goal publication date of February/March 2026. It will be available as a paperback, an ebook and eventually as an audio book. I'll keep you updated as I know more.

There will be no cost for you to be involved, however, if you choose to join me I would love your help to promote our book so we can reach as many Mums as possible. I'm excited already at the prospect of getting to share its birth into the world with you! I have a celebration in mind...

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This form outlines the details and expectations for your submission. Please read carefully before proceeding.

In up to 800 words, please share about your personal journey through the light and dark of matrescence (the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual transformation a woman goes through when she becomes a mother). Below are a few questions to guide your submission. Your story is unique and deeply valued and doesn’t have to be perfect or polished. It just has to be true for you. There are no judgments or expectations here; every perspective is welcomed with open arms. You might consider the following prompts. Please note that this list is not a template to be followed, nor do you need to cover all of these points, this list is simply to stimulate your thinking and help you with writing ideas.

A time when you felt invisible or disconnected from yourself - like you were lost, disappearing, or no one saw the real you?
What was happening around you at that time - physically, emotionally, relationally?
A time when you felt seen, or even deeply seen.
What did that moment of being seen feel like in your body?
A time when you were in a season of emotional “dark” or “light” or a turning point between the two.
Have you experienced a turning point, no matter how small, between feeling lost and beginning to feel more like yourself again?
Was there a moment you realised you didn’t recognise yourself anymore?
What’s something you used to believe about motherhood or identity that changed after this moment?
What supported you through that time, if anything?
If your experience had a colour, a texture, or a temperature, what would it be?
What or who has been a guiding light for you in motherhood, and why?
What have felt like dark places to you and how did you emerge from them?
What's your perception of the "dark" and the "light" in motherhood?
What have you done in terms of the "work of seeing yourself first" before others, including your children, see you as you truly are in this new season of you.
If someone else was going through what you did, what would you want them to know?

You can write about the light and dark of your matrescence journey as a whole or focus on one experience, one moment, one emotion, or one lesson. Specificity and honesty are more important than polish. There is no right or wrong way to go about this, only your uniqueness and authenticity. If you don't want to write a whole story, I would also love quotes, or snippets, or any short passages that would add other voices to my book, and give you the opportunity to share yours!

First Name *

Last Name *

Email *

So I can stay in touch about edits, updates, and next steps.

What name would you like to be credited as (if included in the book)? *

You can choose your full name, first name only, or remain anonymous.

By ticking the following, I understand: *

I give permission for my story (or an excerpt) to be included in the book, knowing that I will get to approve it before it goes to print.

My work will be professionally edited, ensuring that the essence of my story, and my natural voice, is maintained.

I can commit to providing my submission (up to 800 words) by 5pm Sunday 27th July.

I would like a zoom call with Benita to talk through my ideas and support me with my writing. *

Please type or paste your story (up to 800 words) below. If you're not ready to submit it in this form and you'll email it to [email protected] by 5pm Sunday 27th July instead, please tell me that here. *

See notes in introduction for guidance.

Would you be open to sharing your story on other platforms (e.g. my podcast, Substack, website, social media)? *