Luton woman helps others share their lockdown stories in new anthology

A woman from Luton has created an anthology of poems, journals and stories from women during lockdown.

Dee Bailey, from Luton, is the lead author in the anthology, Life Inna Lockdown 2020 - Behind Closed Doors, which includes poems, journals and stories from 22 women.

They were all written between March and May, during the coronavirus lockdown, some of the women are working on the frontline, and some are battling cancer and bereavements.

Discussing lockdown during a weekly zoom community social group was just the springboard Veronica Ebanks needed to plant the seed with Dee Bailey for Life Inna Lockdown 2020 Behind Closed Doors.

This collective of authors had not planned to capture a snapshot in print in an anthology of personal stories of a global experience.

The book captures a six-week snapshot of these women’s lives through journals, stories, and poetry. What kept them going? Could they see the light at the end of the tunnel? Who

were their support networks?

Each to their own on how they coped but writing this book together has given them a sense of empowerment and support for each other.

Dee, the founder of Simply Deez events - a Luton based community group, said: "I started running weekly zooms on a Thursday as we could meet up and it was very important that as most people had to 'stay home, stay safe, save lives.'

"It did mean a lot of us were left feeling isolated not being able to go about our daily lives which in all honesty, we now understand we took for granted.

"This is a book of hope. Whatever your challenges are you can make it through.

"Each co-author has let the reader into their personal lives. This is a big thing!

"An opportunity arose and 22 women grabbed it. We have now become co-authors known as The Lifeinnalockdown Crew and looking forward to this journey.

"I still run the weekly #lifeinnalockdown zoom meetings. Anyone interested please email [email protected]."

Twenty of the women live in Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire.

This book

A percentage of the royalties will be re-invested back into local community work and various charities.

Published and sponsored by Marcia Spence, CEO of Marcia M Publishing House who recognised that these women had to open their closed doors and tell their stories!

The book, born out of Simply Deez Events and part funding from the National Lottery, is out now and there will be a virtual book launch on Saturday, August 15, from 3pm till 5.30pm, to register your interest, click here.

For more information visit: www.facebook.com/lifeinnalockdown2020.