Meet Within Me

An introduction and an excerpt from the book!

At last, it’s time to reveal my new book, Within Me.

Designed by Emily Lalonde. Illustrated by George Bothamley.

A story of breaking and becoming, of coming alive in a world that would stop at nothing to tear us apart. Within Me is my story, but it’s a story that is very much woven through our collective story. It’s for all of us. Within this brutal and unrelenting world, we often have to become someone else entirely to survive. This book is about reclaiming who we truly are within that.

Within Me is 36 years in the making, answering questions that I spent every moment of those years living to resolve. Living in tragic and turbulent ways. Living in wondrous and curious ways. Living in vulnerable and devoted ways. Through it all, life has shown me the way, and her wisdom lives within these pages.

This book explores themes of hope, resilience, and vulnerability. It mirrors the possibilities within each of us when we live intimately from the heart, guiding us back to love, where all things are possible.

Within Me will be published on February 11, 2025, and is available for pre-order today!

Here is an excerpt from the book:

I began to give myself to the breaking, knowing deep down that what was true could never shatter. I was breaking open to the real me. I witnessed it—gosh, did I witness it. A different sort of breaking. I witnessed over and over again that maybe, just maybe, this breaking was setting me free.

Within the depths of all of it, I began to meet myself. Yes, this breaking hurt. It was agonizing at times. But it was also different. This breaking was showing me the truth, and the truth held me. I was becoming the answer to the question I had been asking my whole life.

I have so many feelings at this moment as this book comes into the world. It’s one of those life-defining ones. The feeling that stands out the most though is hope, for all of us. I hope these words hold you in the way you need. I hope you feel witnessed, acknowledged, and touched. I hope they inspire you in a way that lets you feel and express yourself more. I hope they soften the edges that hold you captive.

I’d like to take a moment to thank my illustrator,

George Bothamley

, for his work on not just the cover, but the entirety of the book. My vision for this book was to take you on a journey through both word and illustration, and I am forever grateful for how his heart helped to bring that vision to life. I’d also like to thank my editor,

Logan Miehl

for her magical heart, and my designer, Emily Lalonde.

And I’d like to thank all of you, with all that I am, and all that I am still yet to be.

I do hope you share your experience with the book. Gift it to yourself, or someone else. Send it along to someone you feel might need it. Maybe after you’ve read it, you feel called to leave it in the passing hands of someone new.

I wish you all a peaceful, warm, and loving 2025!

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | BOOKSHOP.ORG

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With love,

Kaitlyn