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Inspirational writing has a long history. The 'Epic of Gilgamesh' is the first known work of fiction, a cautionary myth from ancient Mesopotamia depicting the transformation of Gilgamesh, the arrogant King of Uruk. The gods send a wild man, Enkidu, as a friend to Gilgamesh and together they travel the world, enduring hardship and having adventures. When Enkidu, dies Gilgamesh is distraught but through the loss of his only friend he learns the true meaning of life.
Inspirational works were popularised on the invention of the printing press. Among the earliest printed matter were Chaucer's Canterbury Tales (c. 1400) and John Bunyan's The Pilgrim's Progress (1678), both religious tracts. In the 18th century pamphlets, ballads and cautionary tales were hugely popular, hawked on street corners and coffee houses. The Age of Enlightenment drew readers from 'fire-and-brimstone' tracts toward thrilling adventure and romance as the influence of the church slowly waned. Aphra Behn, Mrs Gaskell, the Bronte sisters and Jane Austen wrote social novels, the forerunners of feminist media. Booker T Washington, Mary Prince and Olaudah Equiano wrote their personal experiences of slavery, garnering support for abolition. Favourite genres were autobiography, biography, popular psychology, spirituality and new age healing.
In this technological age of stress and disconnection, InspirationWorks4U perceives fiction a means to spread positive social action, including anti bullying campaigns. Messages of support, reviewers and, of course, purchasers of our works are welcome to contact us. Thanks to modern technology we can accommodate correction of errors, reader comment and new ideas. We want our books to be useful and enjoyable as well as spread a vital inspirational message.
Footnote: Please support FAIR DEALING, a campaign to improve support for victims of workplace bullying. This is focussed on the UK NHS where bullying is rife, but is applicable to all workplace bullying. Whistleblowers face a raw deal. Help us help them and thus gather data for appropriate research. ALONE WE ARE POWERLESS - TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.