In February 2009 the Association of Personal Historians published an anthology of members’ work, to celebrate the full range of life story writing its members pursue.

The idea for My Words Are Gonna Linger was conceived while former APH President Jeanne Archer (2006-2007) was browsing in the Tattered Cover Book Store in Denver during the 2003 APH Conference in Denver.  Jeanne brought the copy of I Thought My Father Was God: And Other True Tales from NPR’s National Story Project by Paul Auster she purchased that day to a strategic planning session at the 2005 APH Conference in Grand Rapids. Her dream—creating an anthology comprised of excerpts from personal histories—became part of the association’s strategic plan to raise public awareness of its members’ work. The book took  shape through the efforts of a few dedicated volunteers. Gestation took several years; the book was finally born February 1, 2009.

Members of the APH were invited to submit entries, each  accompanied by a brief explanation of the “story behind the story” that demonstrated what it means to be a personal historian.

I submitted a story, “The Plunge,” written in one of my memoir-writing groups. The story relates how I found the courage to expose myself–literally and figuratively–and learned that only through taking risks can we live fully. My story was accepted. I’m proud that it’s out there in the world (even though I hope my mother never finds out.)

Want a copy? It’s available on Amazon. (Don’t tell my mom.) Your purchase via this link will send a few pennies to the coffers of the APH. Buy… and enjoy.

-Sarah White