An Anthology
of HOPE

An Anthology of HOPE is our very first project. More will be added as we go! We will also start a Community Corner page, with collaborative projects, soon.

A note from Esther, founder of The ReWrite Initiative Ltd and the Fifty Shades of Gender podcast

The Anthology of HOPE has been a labour of love that was sparked at the end of 2023, after reading a Facebook post from a trans friend (and one of my first podcast guests) about how starting testosterone basically saved their life. It just felt so wholesome, uplifting, inspiring, and empowering, and I thought, everyone in the trans community needs to know about this kind of experience and have access to these kinds of stories! Stories of what can be found on the other side of struggle and hardship. Stories of hope.

I got the idea to collect similar stories with this theme and put them together in a book, which has since expanded to include poetry and art as well. Right now, it is more needed than ever to get these messages in front of people. Trans and non-binary people’s experiences are often dismissed, pathologised, and shared without consent. I want their experiences to be acknowledged, received, celebrated, and to come directly from the source, shared with powerful intent.

There are many experiences and emotions that can give us hope. To me, hope includes grit, defiance, joy… There are books specifically about trans joy (and I’m so glad they exist, they are much needed!) but this book includes the raw and real, too.

First off, I asked my podcast guests to submit something, and then I put out a call for contributions on the podcast itself, and on the podcast website. It started off slowly (much like the podcast) but contributions started coming in more regularly throughout 2025, and I have received over 70 now! I’m currently going through the process of shortlisting them with my editor, liaising with the contributors, to finalise the pieces that will be included.

I’ve been absolutely blown away and deeply moved by the stories, poems, and art I’ve received for this book, and I’m honoured – and determined – to share them with the world.

Once the book is out, there will be a list of contributors on the anthology page, with their bios and contact details.

Please check back soon!