RISING ABOVE
ANTHOLOGY PROJECT
“The weight of unspoken words is heavier than any burden we carry. It is the weight of things left unsaid, of emotions buried deep, of truths hidden away in the dark corners of our minds. And as that weight grows, it begins to crush us, to suffocate us, until we are no longer able to speak, no longer able to express the things we need to say, the things that could free us from the prison of our own silence.”
-Alice Walker, The Color Purple
WHERE STORYTELLING BECOMES HEALING, AND HEALING BECOMES TRANSFORMATION.
Rising Above unites the voices of young women reclaiming authorship of their lives—transforming pain into purpose and survival into soulful rebirth.
OUR TRANSFORMATIONAL JOURNEY TO WHOLENESS AFTER BREAST CANCER
Every young woman diagnosed with breast cancer has a Rising Above story to share.
Kintsugi is the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery by filling the cracks with gold, turning the flaws into a visual highlight. Kintsugi symbolizes resilience, healing, and beauty in imperfection. It carries a deep meaning and philosophy beyond simple repair, showing an aesthetic view of life. It promotes accepting imperfection and impermanence and turning them into something meaningful.
Volume I of Rising Above is a collection of experiential memoir essays that highlight the unique transformational journeys of young women as they pursue wholeness after a breast cancer diagnosis. Each chapter centers on one woman’s specific story, recounting her pilgrimage to challenge her prognosis and rise above breast cancer, transforming from surviving to thriving.
WATCH THE OFFICIAL BOOK TRAILER:
Rising Above: Our Transformational Journey to Wholeness After Breast Cancer
LARA LOVE HARDIN ON RISING ABOVE
NYT BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF THE MANY LIVES OF MAMA LOVE
“Rising Above is a testament to the power of women telling the truth about their lives. In these pages, survival becomes sacred, pain becomes purpose, and community becomes medicine. Each story is proof that healing doesn’t mean erasing what’s broken, but honoring the beauty in what endures. This book reminds us that when women share their stories, they don’t just heal themselves -- they light the way for the rest of us.”
- Lara Love Hardin, NYT bestselling author of The Many Lives of Mama Love
MY STORY
The inspiration for this collection of experiential essays comes from the lived experience of Gillian Lichota, Founder and Leader of the iRise Above Foundation, who was broken open and transformed after a terminal breast cancer diagnosis at the young age of 40.
Shortly after enduring years of exhausting infertility treatments and losing a second-trimester pregnancy, Gillian was overjoyed to discover she was pregnant again. However, her happiness was short-lived when she was soon diagnosed with stage III pregnancy-related (ER+, PR+, HER2-) breast cancer. The dream she held of becoming a mother was almost literally going to be her undoing.
Gillian endured several rounds of chemotherapy and a mastectomy while pregnant. After her son was safely delivered, she continued with more intensive chemotherapy, radiation, and several surgeries until she was declared in remission.
Remission was brief. Breast cancer returned to her lungs. Facing imminent death revealed deep truths about living. A web of events and interactions throughout Gillian’s life has shaped who she is today. The good, the bad, and the ugly have built her up, broken her down, and inflamed her heart like no ordinary path could. Gillian had a story to tell, and as luck would have it, she connected with the right person to help her tell it.
Gillian’s writing journey started in 2024 with the mentorship and support of New York Times Bestselling Author, Speaker, Survivor, and Coach, Jessica Buchanan of Soul Speak Press. Jessica is an expert in impossible circumstances. She believes that what appears to be limited options and impossible circumstances on the outside can be a chance for opportunity with the right mindset.
As the lead author of the Desert to Mountaintops anthology series, Jessica invited Gillian to share her story in Volume III, The Pilgrimage of Motherhood. Released in January 2025, Gillian’s first memoir essay, titled “Butterfly,” describes how her journey through breast cancer amid the sacred pilgrimage of motherhood has brought newfound clarity and hope, revealing fundamental truths about her healing and the discovery of an authentic self.
While Gillian’s story is extraordinary, her experience with breast cancer as a young woman is not unique. Gillian has (re)claimed her power and sense of agency, rising from the ashes of illness like a phoenix with a greater sense of passion and purpose. She has discovered her true, authentic self and is (re)writing her story. In her Rising Above lead author memoir essay, Gillian will share what dying from an incurable disease has taught her about truly living, and how the journey to become whole after a devastating diagnosis can be transformative in mind, body, and spirit.
JESSICA BUCHANAN STORY
MEET JESSICA BUCHANAN
Teacher, Bestselling Author, Humanitarian, Speaker, Survivor
On October 25, 2011, while on a routine field mission in Somalia, working as the Education Advisor for her non-governmental organization, Jessica was abducted at gunpoint and held for ransom by a group of Somali pirates for 93 days. Forced to live outdoors in deplorable conditions, starved, and terrorized by more than two dozen gangsters, Jessica’s health steadily deteriorated until, by order of President Obama, she was rescued by the elite SEAL Team VI on January 25, 2012.
Jessica chronicled her story in the New York Times bestseller and 2013 USA Best Book Award/Autobiography, Impossible Odds: The Kidnapping of Jessica Buchanan and Her Dramatic Rescue by SEAL Team Six.
Jessica has been named one of the ‘150 Women Who Will Shake the World’ by Newsweek, and her story was the most highly viewed 60 Minutes episode to air, to date. Jessica is a highly sought-after inspirational speaker, and her TEDx Pearl Street talk, ‘Change is Your Proof of Life,’ has been the foundation for which she travels the world, inspiring audiences to access their resilience by identifying their own autonomy and chance in the middle of their own life-changing event.
Jessica created Desert to Mountaintops, a collection of anthologies published by Soul Speak Press, to tell women’s stories of resilience, strength, and survival. This was a dream born out of Jessica's own self-abandonment experience and how she found her way back to the mountaintop of self-love. She is now committed to helping other women tell that story.
Jessica Is the Founder of Soul Speak Press and will be the writing coach of the Rising Above Anthology Project Volume I. She is keen to help contributing authors “RISE ABOVE” by sharing their respective transformational journey’s to wholeness after breast cancer.
Every woman has a RISING ABOVE story to share.
Are you ready to heal yourself, and others, with your story?
WE ARE LOOKING FOR THE YOUNG WOMEN WHO …
Have embarked on a transformational journey through breast cancer to discover wholeness and could capture that experience (in whatever way that looks like!) in 4000 words or less. We are very open to your interpretation of how you have journeyed through breast cancer to become whole.
Have courageously reclaimed their power and are ready to speak their truth - yet they don’t have enough material for their own Memoir Manifesto, YET.
Are looking to launch into the professional speaking world and are in need of published assets to establish credibility.
Are in need of building their network, audience and social media platforms in order to meet future professional goals.
Would benefit from coaching support from a professional speaker, New York Times and Amazon bestselling author.
Would flourish with group support and peer feedback as they compose and share their stories with the world.
Would love the opportunity to become a bestselling author.
Would benefit from learning the ins and outs of book marketing, promotion, and PR (think of this as an investment in your future profession).
Feel compelled to heal with their personal stories of transformation in order to advocate, educate, inspire and empower other women to do the same.
Have always dreamed of holding their own published works in their hands and thrive in groups of supportive women.
NOT JUST A CHAPTER
THE ANTHOLOGY EXPERIENCE
Soul Speak Press’s Anthology Projects are a collection of beautifully crafted memoirs accompanied by a highly curated writing experience for each author. From writing coaching to developmental editing, and from copy editing to a day of filming for the book trailer, they are building a community of accomplished women writers who have been through something, now they know something, and are ready to teach us something. They consider this a "Masterclass in Memoir Writing" with a bestselling book as a final product.
But the best part is that you’re not alone. One of the most memorable components of writing your chapter is the community of like-minded women you'll have with you on the journey.
ANTHOLOGY PROJECT INCLUDES:
One narrative chapter contribution with comprehensive editing, feedback, and developmental support
Two 1-on-1 coaching sessions with professional speaker, New York Times bestselling author and writing coach, Jessica Buchanan.
One 90-minute Writing Workshop Group Session
Four more group coaching and feedback sessions including writing support, marketing and PR instructions, audiobook training, and more.
Peer support for chapter submission
Option to participate in a Video Trailer promoting book
Production, publishing and uploading of all versions of Rising Above: Our Transformational Journey to Wholeness After Breast Cancer for worldwide distribution through Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Ingram and other trade outlets
Advance copies available at wholesale prices for your own personal distribution and sale
Amazon Bestseller Campaign
Audio book publishing support upload on Audible: You buy your equipment, and we professionally edit your chapter
Branded social media assets personalized and curated to promote the project and your new role as a BESTSELLING AUTHOR!
The opportunity to expand your audience and network by 20x through cross promotion with other collaborating authors
The guarantee of becoming a BESTSELLING AUTHOR on Amazon
The opportunity to create sacred community with other inspiring women authors on the collective theme of reclaiming your body
A personalized PR and marketing package designed specifically for this project that you can use to launch your work upon publication
An epic In-person launch to celebrate the publishing of book
SOUL SPEAK AUTHORS SAY ...
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MELISSA ANDERSEN
“Being part of the Rising Above anthology has been the most healing experience on my journey to embracing life in a different body after breast cancer. Besides sharing my story to help heal the wounds of such a dark chapter and offer a mirror for others, the entire process helped me gain confidence, greater acceptance of my body, and pride in the woman I am becoming. Most importantly, it helped me build meaningful bonds with the other contributing authors as we walked the path together, something I didn’t even realize I still longed for.”
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APRIL STEARNS
“For nine months, I had the honor of joining a remarkable group of women to write a chapter for Rising Above: Our Transformational Journey to Wholeness After Breast Cancer. Guided by lead author Gillian Lichota and publisher Jess Buchanan, each of us explored one defining question: What was the greatest obstacle I rose above through my cancer experience? In answering, I uncovered my deepest fear—that parenting through illness would turn me into my mother.
My chapter, “Forged in the Fire: On Illness, Motherhood, and Becoming a First-Generation Cycle Breaker,” became a life-changing reckoning. Writing helped me realize that while we can’t choose when illness enters our lives, we can choose how we love our children through it. This process allowed me to heal old wounds and see my story with compassion and clarity. My hope is that my chapter offers comfort and recognition to other women navigating breast cancer amid complicated mother-daughter relationships.”
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JACQUELYN VRANICAR
“Working with Gillian Lichota on Rising Above was truly a gift. She held space for my story with such care, compassion, and belief in its power. The process was healing, emotional, and deeply meaningful — and Gillian made every step feel supported and safe. I’m so grateful to have shared my heart in this book and to have her guidance helping me bring it to life.”
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DEBORAH HUTCHISON
“Being part of the Rising Above anthology has been an incredibly healing and empowering experience. Writing my story helped me process not only the hardest parts of my breast cancer journey but also uncover the moments of grace, strength, and stillness that carried me through. This process reminded me of the power of vulnerability and community. Gillian’s vision and compassion created a safe, uplifting space where each of us could share our truth and, in doing so, help others find wholeness. I’m deeply grateful to have my story included among so many incredible women. “
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LEANNE KALLEMEYN
“While writing a chapter in the Rising Above anthology in collaboration with Soul Speak Press, I had the chance to revisit my journal entries and turn them into a transformative story. This process allowed me to embrace fear and grief, transforming them into something beautiful. Just as others’ stories gave me hope, I am now grateful to share my story so others can see themselves and find hope. I have learned that there is great power in vulnerability and speaking my truth.”
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OLIVIA ASH
"I am honoured to have been an author in this first of three and if you are considering sharing your story and you love to write, then consider working with Jess and Soul Speak Press. It will provide the buoyancy you need."
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SARAH DEBLOCK
"I was actually very nervous and hesitant to present my story at first, because it’s one of heartbreak after a long-distance relationship which is much less traumatic than many of the stories that Soul Speak Press publishes."
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CAITLIN MYERS
“When I first decided that I wanted to share my story, I was very overwhelmed, and I had no idea where to start. I discovered Soul Speak Press in 2023 and decided it was a now or never type of situation, so I decided to reach out."
