Support Multiple Sclerosis By The Book - MS Talent Project Publishes Second Anthology On 19 November, 2008

Main Category: Multiple Sclerosis
Article Date: 17 Oct 2008 - 1:00 PDT

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An anthology of original short stories, poetry and personal accounts, MS Talent Volume 2, is set to benefit four charities supporting people with Multiple Sclerosis and raise awareness of the condition, which affects 85,000 people in the UK. Written by both new and previously published authors, many of whom have a connection to people with MS, the anthology will be released by Jasmine Cottage Publishing on 19 November, 2008.

Following in the literary footsteps of the award-winning 'MS Talent Volume 1', the second anthology is a collection of 47 creative, thought-provoking and inspirational short stories from authors including Kayleigh Moore, Amina Sheta and John Woodcock. Volume 2 is introduced by former England rugby fullback and recently retired BBC commentator Alastair Hignell, who was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 1999 and is patron of the MS Resource Centre.

The four charities benefiting from the book are the MS Society, the MS Trust, the MS Resource Centre and Kent MS Therapy Centre, one of many centres throughout the UK that offer vital services to people with MS, such as physiotherapy and counselling, and only exist through voluntary donations and external funding.

All the writers have contributed their work free of charge, and the anthology's production, marketing, postage and packing costs will be met by private individuals. When copies are bought direct from http://www.mstalent.org the publishers will make matching donations plus Gift Aid to the four charities. A minimum of 30% of proceeds go to the charities when copies are bought through high street bookshops or online retailers.

Rachel Evans, editor of 'MS Talent Volume 2', says: "Multiple Sclerosis is the most common disabling neurological condition affecting young adults in the UK, and around 50 new cases are diagnosed every week. In these days of 'goat giving', the new MS Talent anthology is the perfect Christmas present - it's a fantastic read and will help MS charities in the UK continue their essential work long after the wrapping paper's been recycled."

MS Talent Volume 2 (ISBN 978-0-9557393-1-6) is priced at £8.95 and can be pre-ordered at www.mstalent.org. It will be available from all good bookshops and online retailers from 19 November, 2008.

MS Talent project was formed by Rachel Evans, from Buckinghamshire, and John Lake, from Kent, who met in 2006 because of their connection with MS: Rachel has the disease, as does John's wife. Rachel and John co-edit the anthologies and Rachel, trading as Jasmine Cottage Publishing, has published both books. Volume 3 is already in the pipeline and MS Talent is inviting authors to submit original work for consideration. www.mstalent.orgwww.mstalent.org.

Rachel Evans and John Lake were awarded the prestigious David St John Thomas Charitable Trust Community Cup 2007-8 for MS Talent Volume 1. www.mstalent.orgwww.mstalent.org

Source
Rachel Evans, editor
Jasmine Cottage Publishing
www.jasmine-books.co.uk