Marcia Abboud

Many come to me to discuss writing a book and my response to each is typically glib. Imagining writing a book is easy, I tell them. But actually, writing a book, taking that seemingly endless and often painful journey from first word to last, is far more difficult than you could ever imagine, I say. Then finding an agent, an editor, a publisher etc who will treat your work with respect … well, that’s an entirely new mountain to climb. Only the very toughest make it. That’s what I told Marcia.

Of course, at the time I didn’t know her full story. Now I do. And now I understand how she developed the mental toughness to put together this hard-hitting, autobiographical masterpiece. This is hip-hop's literary equivalent, a stark, no-holds-barred story of courage, perseverance, tenacity and desperation that is as real as it gets. Of course she finished it. Nothing stops Marcia, as you’ll discover amongst these pages.

Don’t expect teddy bears or ponies, princesses or ballerinas. Every Shitty Thing is one woman’s story of survival in what often amounts to suburban hell. It is a story to which we can all, in one way or another, relate. It is deeply and intensely personal and real, and contains lessons for every reader. Don’t miss out.

Chris Sheedy, Director, The Hard Word

You would assume that being a part of someone's life for many years you would get to know them really well - what they stand for, how they plug into society, who they are and what makes them tick. But we hide in closets, behind our alter egos or simply wear a mask. ‘Every Shitty Thing’ is a testament that until you know yourself, no one will ever get to know you. Our memories make us who we are today. It takes courage to relive those moments. A beautiful and thought-provoking journey where I too learnt many lessons. An inspiring read and one I am grateful Marcia chose to share.

Sean Ashby, aussieBum

It’s Marcia’s ability to tell her truth and find the light in darkest of moments that makes her story so engaging. It’s her strength, resilience and open heart that makes her story relatable to many women. It’s her willingness to talk about the somewhat unspeakable and heartbreaking moments that so often as a society we shy away from that give others the opportunity to not feel alone. As a writer myself, I know it takes a lot to look within and deal with those hard emotions or experiences that have happened to us. And, to then tell the truth about these —

it’s a courageous act of itself. If you know heartbreak, if you know pain, if you feel alone in the challenges life has presented you, this book may just be the catalyst to helping you heal. It may just remind you that you are human and we each have a story and no matter what it looks like, you can learn, grow and live the life you want, despite what has happened to you along the way. You just have to listen to your heart and realise, you always have a choice.

Monica Kade, Writer & Podcast Host