Dear You,
If you have heard about Perfect; whether you have read the book, intend to do so, or simply feel touched by the subject at hand, then here is where the thread begins…
If my words struck a chord, or if you just want to find out a little more; if you feel like sharing your thoughts, telling your story, or reaching out for help. Then here is your space…
My book is about a poisonous disease, but it is also spells fears that no doubt sting all of us at one point in our lives. My book is about how it really feels inside, beneath the superficial tags and beyond what is apparent. Above all, this book is about hope; it is about learning to accept yourself for who you are and remembering what really counts; and it is about the life-saving strength that can ever be drawn from acts of love, always.
Please be in touch. Your words are important – to me, and for you.
It may take a little while right now, as I am juggling job and WEDDING PLANNING at the same time, but I always aim to reply to each message, individually, by email – giving you your own space.
19 comments
Comments feed for this article
April 27, 2008 at 5:10 pm
Maggi
I couldn’t put this book down. Perfect is beautifully written and very moving. I am certain that this book will help many people affected by anarexia but will also touch a far greater audience than just those who have a connection to this illness. Well done Emily on an absolutely wonderful book x
April 27, 2008 at 5:43 pm
emma
emily. i could not put this book down. each word is from experience and the heart. i thought it was a lovely touch to allow those closest to you to write their little passage at the end. in some aspects i related to your words completely but i think even those not connected to the illness in any sense would find your book well worth reading.
you should be very proud of yourself-not just for your book.
thank you x
May 7, 2008 at 7:06 pm
carrie anne
Thank you for this book Emily. I could relate to what you were saying, although not to the same extent, and it really helped me understand what my friends and family had been through. The last chapter in particular really touched me and I was in tears a few times! Congratulations.x
May 7, 2008 at 10:10 pm
Kristen
i have just finished your book and thought it was abousltly amazing.
i have anorexia and am just beginning the recovery stage a few days ago. and its been such a struggle so far i feel i cannot go on any further.
but your book has inspired me and your kind words and gone deep within.
i am glad i read this book and read it within 2days of getting it.
it has really made me see nd think into what my family have gone through and how this disease has affected them too.
thank you.
please be in touch it would be such a big help if you could.
but keep strong in the future and you will succeed.
much love
xo
May 9, 2008 at 9:46 pm
Emily
Dear Kristen,
I would love to be in touch with you and offer as much support as I possibly can. I am in the process of setting up a separate email account for this sole purpose, this way we can communicate outside of the blog page if you (or anyone else) prefer. Do let me know?
In the meantime, keep strong, think of all the happy things that will come with getting better, feel proud for having taken the step forward and never beat yourself up if you happen sometimes to stall along the way. You have made the decision to heal, and so healing will follow. I promise.
xxooxx
May 9, 2008 at 9:56 pm
Emily
Dear All,
Thank you so, so much for your messages. They mean a huge amount to me and give me hope that somehow my book will have made some kind of a difference, no matter how small; and that will have made it all worthwhile.
Please, please, if you know anyone who may in any way be touched by PERFECT, please pass on the word.
Thank you, again and again xoxo
June 9, 2008 at 5:02 pm
Carolyn
I have been reading your book with my mum, and we were both surprised at the similarities between your story and our own. I am still trying to find my way out of anorexia, and would really really appreciate it if I could talk to you about your experiences, and the ups and downs in your recovery. I think it would help alot to talk to someone who has been in the same situation as me. I hope you are still doing well, and that things are a lot better than they used to be. I can’t wait for that day to come for me! Look forward to hearing from you!
xxx
June 9, 2008 at 10:07 pm
Emily
Dear Carolyn,
Please please do email me and be in touch. I would love to be of any help and while I cannot promise to have all (if any) the answers to your questions, I can guarantee at least to offer you genuine sympathy, understanding and the promise that you are not alone.
I am going to set up a private email address for these more personal exchanges, and I wil post it tomorrow.
Finally, if your mum needs someone to talk to, I know my mother would be more than happy to be there for her too.
I wish you smiles and hopefully a peaceful night.
xxx Em
June 30, 2008 at 12:35 pm
Sharon
Hello,I have not read you book yet,as I only purchased it this morning.I have suffered with this illness for many years now,and this is the first book I am going to read on the subject.Thank you for sharing your experiences it such a hard subject to bring into the open.
Thank you again.
Sharon.x
August 11, 2008 at 6:31 pm
Sam
Hi Emily,
I am currently in recovery stage and am reading your book at the moment and cannot tell you how much it is helping me.
SImilar to you and a lot of sufferers, I have the same perfectionist traits and although I never had issues around body image, it was all about obssessive ways of thinking and living my life by set routines/rituals.
I am making progress, although only little steps but it is so hard, the thing I am really struggling with is breaking out of my routines. I would really appreciate if you could maybe offer some advice on how to combat this and change set ways of thinking?
I just wish I could relax my attitude to food and be the person I was before all this but it feels like I have such a long way to go. Your book is really inspiring me tho so thank you so much for writing about your experiences and helping us all.
I hope you are well and happy and hope to hear from you soon.
Sam x
September 2, 2008 at 1:14 pm
Sarah Mackie
Dear Emily,
I´m currently half way through `Perfect` (after 2 days) and I just can´t put it down! It´s so beautifully written and puts into words some of those things that I could not quite articulate myself, even in my mind.
I have had a remarkably similar experience to you and your words are really jumping off the page and giving me a form of comfort. Thank you Emily. You are an inspiration to girls caught by Cruella (or in my case, Ana.)
Good luck and keep smiling,
Sarah x
January 18, 2009 at 4:22 pm
Beck
I know Cruella but I call her Angelica
May 8, 2009 at 3:04 pm
Daisy Davies
Hi Emily,
i have not yet had the chance to read what i am sure is a hugely relatable story. I am fifteen years old and am still stuggling with anorexia, but then again im sure it is always there regardless of how long ago the diagnosis was. I hope to read your book and Im sure it will be a great comfort for me in times that can seem very unrelatable by many.
Thanks, Daisy x
February 14, 2010 at 2:45 pm
Kushika
Dear Emily,
I have read you book an enjoyed it a lot. It has provided me with a beacon of hope. I developed anorexia at 16. I am now 18, in recovery and at a healthy weight.
I am wondering whether it would email me if you have the time?
Thank you for publishing you book.
Regards,
Kushika
March 4, 2011 at 11:13 pm
Rose
Hi Emily,
I have just come across your book and read the extract. I too have had a “Perfect” life, in fact my friends used to call me “Perfect Rose” and there was no actual major incident that lead me to anorexia. I will definitely be buying your book, and I can’t wait to read about your fight against this terrifying life-robbing illness. I am in the process of recovery and I pray for the day that I too can eat without these thoughts constantly plaguing my mind. Thank you so much for sharing your story, providing hope and an insight in to what the various stages of the fight against anorexia will be entailing.
August 6, 2012 at 5:48 pm
Annika
Hey Emily
I just finished reading your book…and I have to say, you really gave me some new hope! I’ve been suffering from Anorexia for more than six years now and I am recently in the hospital trying to recover…I can relate to so many of your feelings…your book makes me hope again..thank you SO MUCh for that…I would be thrilled to receive an answer from you..Regards, Annika..( Ps: I’m really sorry for my plain English…I’m from germany , actually 😉 🙂
August 9, 2012 at 11:10 am
Joanna Soh
Hi Emily,
I came across your book online.
I am contacting you from a London based TV talk show called the
Chrissy B Show, which airs Live on Sky 203 every Monday, Wednesday and
Friday at 9.30 – 10.30pm. Our studio is based very close to Finsbury Park
tube station.
Please check out past shows at
http://chrissybshow.tv/index.php/previous-shows/
We basically cover any topics that are related to women’s interest, real
life inspirational stories and topics that raise awareness.
I am currently putting a show together on Eating Disorder and I am very
keen to have you on the show to speak about your personal experience, how
you overcome it and where you are now.
We are aiming for the show to educate our viewers on this subject, to look
into the reasons why it can happen and how to overcome it from a
psychological and emotional aspect.
I believe your story will be an honest and inspiring one to help viewers
that might be going through similar situation. And at the same time to
help promote the work you are doing now.
The show will be on Wednesday, 15th Aug 2012 in the evening at 8.30pm.
Do let me know whether this is something of your interest.
I look forward to hearing from you soon and if there’s any question,
please let me know.
Best,
Joanna Soh
Producer
Chrissy B Show
August 29, 2012 at 11:01 pm
Fi Anderson
Dear Emily,
I am so pleased to hear that you’re finally living the fairytale even if you might be reaching the terrible twos stage with your child! I reread Perfect the other day when I really needed to be reminded that I’m not alone in this fight and it was as if you’d put my own thoughts and feelings into words.
After suffering with anorexia for seven years, I was finally inspired to reach out to my friends and write words that had been left unsaid for so long. I am currently going through recovery after reaching a particularly low BMI and am determined to beat the monster once and for all. I still have weeks when I don’t put on weight but it means a great deal to hear you say in your post that it will take time.
I don’t know if you still look at this blog but, if you get a spare minute, it would mean a great deal to hear from you. I haven’t spoken to another sufferer or recovered anorexic for three years. Like many others, controlling food had become my coping mechanism for life but how did you learn to find new ways of dealing with tough times and painful feelings?
Thank-you for helping me find my voice again.
Fi x
March 9, 2013 at 2:11 pm
Nancy
Dear Emily,
I have just sent you a message through Facebook, where we have communicated before, but I’m not sure whether you still use it. I contacted you a while ago to express how much I enjoyed your book, and now I have been prompted to get in touch again as I am personally trying to get an eating disorder memoir published and am looking for advice on how to go about approaching agents etc. I’m sure you’re very busy with the little one but if you had time to drop me a quick message I would be so grateful.
Nancy x