THIS SHOULD’VE TOOK ME OUT

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THIS SHOULD’VE TOOK ME OUT is a curated collaborative book series featuring people who have lived through experiences that could have broken them — and are still here to tell the story.

Each volume features a limited number of contributors whose stories align with the theme of that book.

Submitting this application does not guarantee placement.

Selected applicants will be invited to a brief 15-minute conversation with Ms Cat before final contributor invitations are extended.

Full Name

Email Address

Phone Number

City and State

Where can I find you online?

Instagram, Facebook, website, etc.

Which type of story are you interested in sharing?

Surviving a major health or medical experience

Domestic violence / abuse and rebuilding afterward

Incarceration / reentry / rebuilding after prison

Losing a parent and navigating life after that loss

Another life-changing experience

I’m not sure which volume fits my story

Tell me what happened.

Give me the short version. You don’t have to tell me everything here — just enough for me to understand the heart of your story.

How did this experience change your life, your relationships, your mindset, your work, your faith, or the person you became?

What would you want someone who is going through something similar to take away from your story?

Why do you feel ready to tell this story now?

Have you ever publicly shared this story before?

Yes

Parts of it

I’m not sure

If yes, where?

Podcast, article, interview, social media, another book, etc.

BEFORE YOU APPLY

THIS SHOULD’VE TOOK ME OUT is a curated series.

We review every submission, and not every applicant will be invited to participate.

If your application is selected for further consideration, you will receive a link to schedule a 15-minute Contributor Fit Interview with Ms Cat. If officially selected as a contributor for an upcoming volume, the current Founding Contributor Investment is $397.

Your $397 Founding Contributor Investment gives you the full contributor experience — from telling your story to becoming a published contributor and having the opportunity to resell the finished book.

WHAT’S INCLUDED IN YOUR $397 CONTRIBUTOR INVESTMENT

YOUR STORY

✦ Private story interview with Ms Cat ✦ Professionally developed chapter based on your lived experience ✦ Editing and preparation for publication ✦ Contributor bio included in the book

YOUR PUBLICATION

✦ Placement in the professionally published collaborative book ✦ Recognition as a published contributor ✦ Contributor promotional graphics ✦ Inclusion in promotional content for your volume ✦ Inclusion in the book’s press release campaign

YOUR BOOK LAUNCH

✦ Invitation to participate in the official collaborative book signing ✦ Ability to purchase contributor copies of the finished book for resale through your website, social media, events, storefront, or personal network — and keep the profit from your personal sales. ✦ Opportunity to recoup your contributor investment through your own book sales

PLEASE NOTE

✦ Travel, accommodations, and personal book inventory are not included. ✦ Press release distribution does not guarantee media coverage. ✦ Contributors may resell the finished edition but do not own the full publication and may not alter, reproduce, or independently republish it. ✦ Personal book sales and earnings are not guaranteed.

I understand that submitting this application does not guarantee that I will be selected.

I Agree.

I understand that selected contributors for upcoming volumes will have a $397 Founding Contributor Investment to secure their position.

I agree.

I understand that my story must be truthful and based on my actual lived experience.

I agree.