Wellspring: How Our Reproductive Journeys Shape Our Lives

by Erin Connors, Lindsay Satchell (illustrator)

218 pages, Paperback

Published February 5, 2024

About the author

Erin Connors is a writer and educator whose work has appeared in various publications, including the Asheville Citizen-Times and the Journal for Understanding and Dismantling Privilege. Though she is not critically acclaimed, she did once win second place in a Lonely Planet travel writing contest. Then she had a family, with whom she now lives in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, where she rides her bike and blogs at writingforchocolate.com. This is her first short story collection.

Reviews

[Emily Carr · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first response upon reading this collection stories is simply: thank you. I felt such immense gratitude— to Erin, to those who shared their stories, and to those who helped bring these stories into the world.

This book is beautifully structured. Divided into four chronological sections, the essays included describe experiences from 15 to over 50, and serve as a much-needed reminder that one's reproductive journey is so much greater than the 40 weeks of pregnancy.

As a female in my 30s, I go back and forth constantly on what I want my own reproductive journey to look like. This collection made me feel so seen, while simultaneously giving me insight to a range of experiences different to my own— I now have a much greater appreciation for how complex our reproductive decisions and experiences can be. Perhaps most importantly, I also feel more at peace with the idea that I don’t have to know exactly what I hope and desire for my reproductive journey. Whatever takes form will be my own story to share.

You can either devour this collections in one sitting, or slowly make your way through at your own pace, reading the stories you need as you need them. I cannot wait to share this collection with more people in my life.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a gift! This book is for mothers, those who long to be mothers, those who long to not be mothers… everyone who has lived the experience of womanhood. I can think of so many friends who I would pass this book along to! I look forward to more books from Erin!