UNSILENCED INSIGHTS

The genesis of UNSILENCED traces back to a personal discovery made by Beverly Floyd, the founder of InkWell Publishers Inc., and her family in 2021. After the death of their mother's second husband, Beverly and her family unearthed a stash of Polaroid photographs hidden in a locked room. These images revealed a harrowing truth: their mother had endured years of abuse at the hands of her husband. The abuse was likely the actual cause of her brain deterioration, previously attributed to dementia when she passed away in 2006.

Confronted with this revelation, Beverly was engulfed by a whirlwind of emotions—rage toward the man who tormented their mother, guilt for not having seen the signs, shame for the silence that had shrouded their mother's suffering, and profound sorrow for the life she endured. It felt as though she was mourning her mother all over again, grappling with the fact that the truth had remained silent until both their mother and her abuser were beyond the reach of justice.

As a publisher, Beverly believed in the power of storytelling. InkWell had signed author Ololade Akinlabi to publish Ocean of Tears—a true-to-life novel about breaking free from patterns of abuse—a year before discovering the violence her mother endured.  

In her quest to find purpose amidst the pain, Beverly turned to her faith and the platform it provided her through InkWell. Thus, the UNSILENCED campaign was born—a tribute to her mother and a safe space to unsilence the silent voices—including those victorious through death.

UNSILENCED: PROSE AS A PATHWAY is an anthology project that, once realized, will feature the diverse voices and perspectives of seven courageous women ready to share their journeys of survival with the world.

At its core, this project harnesses the power of collective storytelling. By uniting voices, we aim to create a ripple effect that breaks the silence, challenges stigmas, and fosters a community of healing, hope, and empowerment.

Domestic violence is a pattern of abusive behavior in any relationship that is used by one partner to gain or maintain power and control over another intimate partner. 

Domestic violence can be physical, sexual, emotional, economic, psychological, or technological actions or threats of actions or other patterns of coercive behavior that influence another person within an intimate partner relationship. This includes any behaviors that intimidate, manipulate, humiliate, isolate, frighten, terrorize, coerce, threaten, blame, hurt, injure, or wound someone. Learn More.

National Domestic Violence Hotline

Click here to get help

800-799-SAFE (7233)
800-787-3224 (TTY)
Advocates are also available to chat 24/7. 

We believe that the term 'survivor' encompasses not only those who have escaped abusive situations but also those who are currently battling them and the brave souls who have tragically survived through death.

While our anthology project primarily focuses on the stories of women, we also recognize and honor the courage of children and men who are surviving relentless hardships within abusive environments every day. We pay tribute to those whose struggles have ceased yet whose stories have the power to inspire courage and change.

By recognizing the diverse faces of survival, we extend our love and support, acknowledging that survival can vary across contexts and can even transcend life itself. 

We are dedicated to empowering survivors through a holistic support system. 

UNSILENCED: PROSE AS A PATHWAY will offer writing workshops, counseling support, peer groups, and empowerment sessions. The workshops are designed to provide survivors a shared platform to reflect and access resources that can help them reclaim their voices, rebuild their lives, and strengthen their connection to their faith, whatever their faith may be.

National Domestic Violence Hotline

Click here to get help

800-799-SAFE (7233)
800-787-3224 (TTY)
Advocates are also available to chat 24/7. 

We aim to raise $25,000, covering the costs of publishing the anthology, offering workshops for survivors, and funding the official book premier once UNSILENCED is published.

Any remaining funds will be used to support survivors and raise awareness about domestic violence.

Sponsorship Opportunties

Our goal is to publish UNSILENCED: PROSE AS A PATHWAY in 2026. The timeline is contingent upon the success of our fundraising efforts. 

We are committed to publishing with purpose, ensuring that each story is treated with the care and respect it deserves. Given the sensitive nature of the topics addressed in the anthology, we are dedicated to a thoughtful and thorough editorial process, which requires time and patience. Your support is crucial in bringing these powerful stories to light and making a lasting impact. 

Join us in bringing the UNSILENCED: PROSE AS A PATHWAY to life. There are several ways you can contribute. Every contribution, big or small, plays a crucial role in amplifying the voices of survivors and spreading awareness about domestic abuse.

LEARN MORE

• Story Selection 
• Writing Coaches
• Counseling Support
• Editing Team
• Marketing Team
• Event Planning
• Financial Support

Partners in the UNSILENCED: PROSE AS A PATHWAY anthology campaign will enjoy a range of benefits, including:

Special Acknowledgment: Partners will be featured in an acknowledgment section at the end of the anthology, highlighting their contribution and showcasing their cause. 

Visibility: Gain exposure in promotional materials and at events associated with the UNSILENCED campaign.

Complimentary Copies: Receive paperback copies of "Ocean of Tears" by Ololade Akinlabi and the UNSILENCED Anthology.

VIP Access: Enjoy VIP access to the virtual book launch of Ocean of Tears in May 2024 and the premiere of the UNSILENCED Anthology.

Newsletter Feature: Be highlighted in a feature spot in the upcoming UNSILENCED newsletter, showcasing your passion and contribution to the campaign. 

We are grateful for your contributions, whether they are financial, through volunteering, or simply by spreading the word. Your trust is paramount to us, and we are committed to keeping you informed with the progress of the UNSILENCED campaign, we will provide regular updates through the following channels:

Website Updates: Our campaign website will be the primary source of information, featuring the latest news, milestones, and developments.

Newsletter (coming soon): We will send out periodic newsletters to our supporters, offering a more in-depth look at the campaign's progress, upcoming events, and stories from the community.

Social Media (coming soon): Follow us on our social media platforms for real-time updates, highlights, and opportunities to interact with the campaign and fellow supporters. 

If we do not meet our financial goal, we will prioritize using funds to cover essential costs such as editing and design to ensure the anthology can still be published, albeit with a smaller print run or in a digital-only format. 

We are committed to bringing the stories of survivors to light and will make every effort to publish the anthology within the budget we have, adjusting the scope of the project as necessary to fulfill this promise. 

InkWell Publishers Inc. is a non-profit 501c3 organization. Your donation is tax-deductible.

Sponsorship Packages