Mamalode Covers “I Still Just Want to Pee Alone”

If you haven’t read the entire I Just Want to Pee Alone series yet…where have you been? Believe you me, you are missing out. These books are for any parent who feels like they are failing, and who feels like they are the only ones doing so. They are for the mom who needs some encouragement. For the mom who just needs a laugh and be told that she is not alone. They are a reminder to parents not to take themselves too seriously, and that it is ok to laugh at yourself: and even that doing so may just make this whole parenting gig a bit easier.

Basically what I’m trying to say is, these books are for EVERYONE.

The series is made up of a cast of some of my favorite bloggers out there. Real moms whose essays will touch you. The magic of these books is the way Jen Mann, who has orchestrated this massive undertaking, has woven together the essays and experiences of vastly different women to tell a larger story about what life as a parent is really like.

AND NOW THERE IS A THIRD BOOK! This is NOT a drill people. I Still Just Want to Pee Alone was released just days ago, and if I haven’t convinced you that it is a must-read, I got the chance to chat with the women behind this New York Times best selling sensation. They will convince you. First up, here is Jen herself on how she rallied all of these unique authors together.

“When I first had the idea for this series of books I had no idea how they'd be received. I had been lucky enough to find my audience and I wanted to help showcase some of my favorite voices. I asked friends of mine and other writer's who I admired and I was excited when so many said yes, especially since I had no real plan other than publish a book and see what happens. When I'm choosing essays for these books, I try to put together a book that any mom can relate to. My goal was to have every reader feel something from at least one essay. We've been so lucky to have these books resonate with so many people. When I put out the first book two years ago, I had no idea it would be a New York Times best seller or that two more successful books would follow it. I'm so proud of the three books in this series, but I'm even more proud of the community that has been built with all of the contributors. My desire always was to create great books, but writing can be a lonely job, so it was as important to me to create a community of like-minded writers who would lift one another and support one another. “When the water rises, all boats rise.” I'm totally plagiarizing this saying and I don't even know who to give credit to, but I heard it at a writing conference and it made so much sense to me and now I can't stop shouting it from the rooftops. We can't succeed on our own and when we come together to create the books in the Pee Alone series, we create a tribe and once you're in, we won't let you leave (just kidding — no I'm not). The tribe is the secret sauce and the key to the success of these books. Even though the first book has been out for two years, our group is still going strong. We share our triumphs and our miseries together. We critique one another's work. We share tips for other writing opportunities. Sometimes we talk about our cycles. (No topic is off limits.)

I typically hand-pick my contributors first and then ask them to write me an essay. I always ask them to either make me laugh or make me cry. Even though my anthologies tend to lean toward humor, I don't ask only humorists to join me. I figure everyone has at least one funny story they can tell. Most of the time they know my work and they know that I'm someone who swears a lot and who has no qualms telling you the intimate details of my life. I've noticed over the years that if someone isn't used to writing humor they really pull out all the stops for their submission. I'm always amused when I get an email asking, “Can I swear?” I only have one word I'd prefer they not use (see you next Tuesday), but even then, I won't fight them if that's the word they need to use. I think it must be liberating for them, because I received an essay from a quiet blogger who told off the family priest. I got an essay from a fairly reserved blogger who wrote about the time she super glued her vagina to the bottom of her bath tub. This round I had one sweet blogger who has been in my other books and she swore for the first time in her submission. Well, sort of. She purposely put asterisks in there to keep it clean. Because I like her so much, I let her asterisks stay, but c'mon, we all know what she's saying. Maybe in the fourth book, she'll finally take the plunge and put that ‘u’ in there.”

Oh, and did I mention that these books are packed with Mamaloders? Check out what some of them had to say about being involved in this project.

Meredith Spidel of The Mom of the Year is in Books 1,2,3

“I love that it shows that WE ARE NOT ALONE. This motherhood journey can feel like such a lonely beast sometimes. Joining real voices together is a powerful way to say, “I'm with you!”. What a beautiful gift to share with other women.”

Nicole Leigh Shaw of Nicole Leigh Shaw Tyop Aretist is in books 1, 2, 3

“What's it like? It's like realizing I'm not screwing up my kids nearly as badly as these ladies. I can't thank them enough for making me look, well, if not good, then less bad at parenting.”

Suzanne Fleet of Toulouse and Tonic is in books 1, 2, 3

“Parenting is both a very common experience and a very individual one at the same time. I think this series of books is so wonderful because it speaks to everyone who is or has been a parent.”

Courtney Fitzgerald of Our Small Moments is in books 2 & 3

“You know when you meet others who validate your feelings, and help you feel good about your abilities, instead of putting you down? It's that.”

Kim Bongiorno of Let Me Start By Saying is in books 1, 2, 3

“So many of us are raising our kids away from family, or come from smaller families, spread-out families. We’re not hearing the brutal truths or specific advice and experiences from intimate members of our families, that stuff that helps us get through all those tricky, insane, and difficult parenting experiences. Weaving together all of ours together is only the start of the fabric of motherhood—but it’s a good start. Women who read our stories and relate are telling their friends and families, opening up conversations locally and online. The fabric keeps growing because of what we did together, and it feels great.”

Karen Alpert of Baby Sideburns is in books 1 & 2

“I love how different all the stories are, but how they all bring out such great emotions. I always say that the most important thing an author can do is evoke emotion- be it laughter, sadness, happiness, a sense of inclusion, anger, pretty much any and every emotion. If you can evoke emotion in a piece, then you have done your job.”

Christine Burke of Keeper of the Fruit Loops is in books 2 & 3

“The Pee Alone series is for any mother who dreams of just five minutes in the bathroom alone. So, basically, it's for every single mother in the history of ever.”

Rebecca Gallagher of The Frugalista Blog is in books 1, 2, 3

“Jen Mann is my idol. That is all.”

Rebecca took the words right out of my mouth. Grab a copy of their newest book, I Still Just Want to Pee Alone, on sale now!

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