There is barely time to serve as a Christmas gift for those who want to gift it. However, I am sure that Itasca Books — which is based in Minnesota— will do a good job of shipping it!
It has been a very interesting journey for me - sometimes frustrating, but eventually very satisfying. In the process I have learned a lot about self-publishing books and trying to find the right printer and distributor. It is a very competitive ( and expensive) world out there.
My book is in full color and includes six of my paintings where they fit into the context.
It has been a very interesting journey for me - sometimes frustrating, but eventually very satisfying. In the process I have learned a lot about self-publishing books and trying to find the right printer and distributor. It is a very competitive ( and expensive) world out there.
My book is in full color and includes six of my paintings where they fit into the context.
The book was designed by our daughter, Claire. She is a very good designer. I have no idea what I would have paid to have it done by someone else, probably around $8,000). But Claire is overwhelmed by her job and life so it all took much longer than I expected. I am pleased that our close relationship survived the stress of working together.
I had hoped to produce the book at about $10 a copy. This proved highly unrealistic! Given that we chose to produce a small print run of 200 copies in full color, the cost was potentially very much higher. It was brought down drastically by the generosity of family and friends who worked on it for free. I want to especially acknowledge the contributions of Claire and of Vicky Haeri who copy-read it”
One hundred percent of the proceeds fro the book's sales will go to UNICEF for its work for children in Afghanistan. This is possible because I have now covered the cost of printing, distribution and handling. I hope that most XUNICEF members will purchase from Itasca, as it gives a greater share of the proceeds to the authors - meaning, in this case, to UNICEF.
So there in a nutshell is the story.
Would I do it again? Despite all the frustrations and difficulties, I think I probably would. It is a gift to my family and to the children of Afghanistan where my family originated all those centuries ago.
Would I do it again? Despite all the frustrations and difficulties, I think I probably would. It is a gift to my family and to the children of Afghanistan where my family originated all those centuries ago.
I hope you enjoy reading the book.
Best
Mehr
Mehr
Here are the links to the booksellers: Itasca Books
Editor's Note: On 8 August we posted Mehr's initial announcement of this book which was then nearing publication. The announcement included the full first chapter of the book which you can read by clicking here.
We have added Between Two Worlds to the XUNICEF Bibliography of works by UNICEF and former UNICEF authors on Goodreads. Click here.
From the distributor:
Between Two Worlds is the autobiography of a family set against historical changes taking place in Afghanistan, India and Pakistan from the 16th century to the present day. It takes us on a journey with Pathans of Afghan origin as they circulate across South Asia repeatedly fleeing turbulence in search of security. They find it in the space between two of India's great rivers, the Ganges and the Yamuna. But 400 years later, the Partition of India shatters their lives forcing them to rebuild again in a strange new world. Between Two Worlds shows how traumatic changes can transform women's lives and shape their children as they wrestle between old and new values.
Mehr Khan Williams is a journalist, artist and international civil servant. She has written extensively on development and human rights for newspapers and publications around the world. Most of her career was spent working in senior positions at the United Nations, with UNICEF and with international human rights non-governmental organizations.
Between Two Worlds is the autobiography of a family set against historical changes taking place in Afghanistan, India and Pakistan from the 16th century to the present day. It takes us on a journey with Pathans of Afghan origin as they circulate across South Asia repeatedly fleeing turbulence in search of security. They find it in the space between two of India's great rivers, the Ganges and the Yamuna. But 400 years later, the Partition of India shatters their lives forcing them to rebuild again in a strange new world. Between Two Worlds shows how traumatic changes can transform women's lives and shape their children as they wrestle between old and new values.
Mehr Khan Williams is a journalist, artist and international civil servant. She has written extensively on development and human rights for newspapers and publications around the world. Most of her career was spent working in senior positions at the United Nations, with UNICEF and with international human rights non-governmental organizations.
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