Corbin Lewars
author * editor * mentor
Creating a Life
Creating a Life, a memoir, shares the bumpy road that led Corbin to motherhood and her career as a writer. Deformed sperm, a miscarriage, and quitting her job to become an editor only to have that publication become bankrupt were a few hurdles that she crossed along the way. But Corbin not only survives, she thrives, and is able to deliver her eight pound baby at home.
Order your copy now through Catalyst Book Press or Amazon. Or check Indiebound for an independent bookstore near you.
... Lewars draws you into her world within the very first pages and, although there are some rather heavy moments in the book, manages to keep the reader engaged with her spirited sense of humor. Reading Lewars’ story is like having a conversation with a dear friend. Her writing style is accessible, raw and refreshingly honest. She does not censor her story in order to make it more comfortable for the reader (or for those being written about for that matter). Instead Lewars tells her story the way it happened and reflects on her experience. You never get the feeling that she is wallowing—rather, as the book progresses, you witness her finding her strength and become keenly aware that you can tap into your own strength as well...
—Robin Barbier, Midwifery Today, Spring 2010
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Creating a Life is not just a memoir about giving birth to both a child and a life; it is a stunning tribute to the audacity it takes to reclaim one’s self. Corbin Lewars has given a voice to each and every woman who has experienced sexual abuse. One out of four girls has suffered childhood sexual abuse, a statistic provided in the introduction to warn the reader of the immensity of the author’s story...
...Creating A Life is one of the most exquisite and brave memoirs I have read in years. The message of hope and dedication is universal and steps outside the confines of the story itself, reaching women of all ages. As a writer, woman, and mother, I’m humbled by this beautiful, courageous book. Many life lessons are here for the learning.
— Ann Hite, Feminist Review, 3/10/2010
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...But Corbin’s story is about more than overcoming her past and achieving the tangible milestones of pregnancy and new motherhood. It is about a women finding her own voice and gaining the strength to trust her feelings, instincts, and desires. And through learning to believe in herself, she gains the courage to become both a mother and a writer -- on her own terms.
...she seems to know instinctively that we all have far more of it than we realize. It is her struggle to understand her own needs and stand up for them -- to speak up when it would be so easy to stay silent -- that makes her struggle resonate with me...
No matter where you are in life -- regardless of your own personal experiences and choices -- following Corbin’s journey of self-healing and self-discovery is both thought provoking and uplifting. Her voice is that of an honest and open friend willing to share her story, reveal every raw detail, and inspire with her candor, her humor, and especially her courage. This book is for every woman who has doubted her ability to do what she really wanted to, and it is the proof that we all can.
—Lisa Beliveau, Hip Mama Magazine #44, Spring, 2010
Advance Praise for Creating a Life:
"You don't have to be a mother or an artist to appreciate the journey Corbin Lewars took to become both. You don't have to have been raped or endured a miscarriage or struggled to find a voice in the wilderness of the academic world. You just have to value the courage it takes to build your life around a dream. If you've created life, if you dream of creating life, if you love someone who is creating life--this is the book for you."
-Ariel Gore, Founder of Hip Mama and author of Atlas of the Human Heart
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“By bravely—and humorously—sharing her deepest secrets and confronting her
biggest fears, Corbin Lewars makes one of the strongest arguments out there
that pregnancy and childbirth aren’t simply about biology doing its thing.
Becoming a parent is also about figuring out where you’ve been and where you
want to be. For anyone who has ever rolled their eyes and asked, “Why would
anyone give birth at home?” this memoir will not only give you an answer but
have you cheering on the author as she triumphantly brings her baby into the
world in a powerful, joyous way.”
-Marisa Cohen, author of Deliver This, and Senior editor at Glamour
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