LAG Blog Tour launch

On 14 January 2016 Like a Girl anthology was launched.

LikeAGirl

Why Like a Girl?

Did you know Beatrix Potter, the famed author and illustrator of the much loved Peter Rabbit books, was also a ground-breaking scientist? It’s true (see here). In the past, women’s achievements were often not seen as significant or worthy of attention. Sadder still, even today girls and woman are less likely than boys to be encouraged to learn or to explore the talents and abilities they have been given.

Unicef states:

‘Despite progress in recent years, girls continue to suffer severe disadvantage and exclusion in education systems throughout their lives. An estimated 31 million girls of primary school age and 32 million girls of lower secondary school age were out of school in 2013.’

They go on to say:

‘Providing girls with an education helps break the cycle of poverty: educated women are less likely to marry early and against their will; less likely to die in childbirth; more likely to have healthy babies; and are more likely to send their children to school.’

UNICEF ‘Girl’s Education and Gender Equality, 23 July 2015

In Like a Girl, fourteen authors from around the world have contributed their stories to raise money for PLAN Australia’s support of girl’s education.  Like a Girl is a celebration of the strength and resilience of women, told in a variety of genres and voices, the proceeds of which will help empower girls and women across the globe. It turns the derogatory term ‘like a girl’ on its head, celebrating the contribution girls and women can and have made.

Like a Girl features stories and poems by Jeanette O’Hagan, Avril Sabine, V. Hartman Di Santo, Kathryn Hogan, Mary Grace, Coralyn Swift, Christina Aitken, Mark Taylor, D.L Richardson, Mimi Emmanuel, Erin Yoshikawa, Druscilla Morgan, Michelle John and Mirren Hogan.

They use intelligence, humour, adventure, imagination and deep emotion to explore themes of resilience, determination against odds, empowerment, significant relationships and women’s achievements.

Why Girl’s Education is important to me.

My poem ‘A Long Time Ago’ in the Like a Girl anthology, is drawn from my own school day experiences. I’m glad that, I not only had to the opportunity to finish school and go on to university, but that both my parents encouraged me to learn and to pursue my dreams.

Over the years, I’ve practiced medicine, taught theology, and am currently raising a family and pursuing my love of writing fantasy, poems, social commentary and blogging about life and writing.  The story I wrote for LAG, ‘Lakwi’s Lament’, is situated in the narrative world of the Akrad’s Legacy series (the first book due to be published in 2016). It explores the tension between a girl’s desire to learn and what her family and community expects of her.

JennyMtIsa1965cx300

 Availability

Like a Girl is available from Amazon and other outlets.

Check it out on GoodReads.

Blog Tour

This post is the first step in the Like a Girl Plan anthology blogtour which will include reviews, reflections on the importance of education or women, prizes and giveaways.  (See below). Profits from this engaging anthology go to Plan Australia’s efforts to support and improve girls education.

Blog tour stops include:

Stop 1              24 Jan – Jeanette O’Hagan http://jeanetteohagan.com

Stop 2              25 Jan – Paula Vince http://vincereview.blogspot.com.au/
Stop 3              27 Jan – Mimi Emmanuel https://liveforeverhowto.wordpress.com/
Stop 4              29 Jan – Lynn Fowler  http://christianbookreviews.lynnbfowler.com
Stop 5              1 Feb – Maree Long

Giveaways

Today, I’m giving away a copy of Like a Girl to the person (not involved in anthology) who leaves best comment on the positive impact of girl’s education either personally or in the life of someone connected to them. This competition is open until 1 February, 2016. Winner to be announced on this blog.

I will also be giving away a copy of Another Time Another Place to the first person to sign up to my email Newsletter (see in side bar.)

Three other copies of Like a Girl are on offer through Like a Girl Rafflecopter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Next Exciting Stop

The next step on the Blog Tour is with multi-published, award-winning author of intriguing and thought provoking New Adult inspirational fiction, Paula Vince. I love Paula’s stories and am looking forward to her post on Monday 25 January 2016. You will be able find it here.

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to participate in prizes and giveaways, but more importantly, to be entertained and moved while supporting a worthy cause.

JeanetteLAGnATAP

 Available on Amazon