My name is Anne Beattie, I live in South Shields, England, and I
have suffered with various eating disorders and clinical depression
for almost 30 years now, but thankfully I am a whole lot healthier
these days and the worst days are past. I am writing to tell you of
a book I have written about my experiences with EDs which will
hopefully help others alot. It is called 'From Grey Soup to Gateau'
and it has just been published by PublishAmerica, ISBN number 1-4137-
2564-3, and it can be bought now from www.publishamerica.com, as
well as Amazon.com and all major book stores both online and off.

I know it sounds as if I am trying to push my book, which I am in
some ways, but I am also passionate about helping others and want as
many people with eating disorders and depression, and their loved
ones to read my book and hopefully see a light at the end of the
tunnel. I know what it is like to feel these feelings; the terror of
eating, the cravings, the despair...and I have been able to express
it all in this book.

It's not a happy ever after book but it is REAL and it shows that
EDs can be lived through and that we can find happiness and balance
again despite all the turmoil we have been through. I want as many
people as possible to know about my book, so that more people know
what it is REALLY like to be in the midst of anorexia or in the
grips of depression.. I would be willing to send you more excerpts
from my book if necessary and any other information you need. I
really want to feel as if I am connecting with others who maybe
don't have a way to voice their feelings as yet - I feel a deep need
to help, just as I wish someone had been there to help me when I was
at my worst.

Please contact me at weebopeep2001@... if you feel you can
help me in any way, mayeb adding my book to your resource list,
anything at all. I have added some details about myself and the book
below and hope they make you want to read more!

Thank you very much,
Yours sincerely,
Anne Beattie

FROM GREY SOUP TO GATEAU by ANNE BEATTIE


About the author……."Anne Beattie was born in England in 1961 and was
abandoned by her parents in a railway station at the age of seven
months. Adopted by her grandparents and raised in a troubled family,
she developed anorexia nervosa at the age of sixteen, and bulimia
nervosa, compulsive overeating and depression over the following
years. She struggled alone through her illnesses and developed a way
of coping with life that has enriched her life and hopefully the
lives of others. This story shows how the seeds of the eating
disorders were sown, details her fight to overcome them all and is a
story of hope for all those who fight similar battles.

Anne lives in Newcastle, England, with her 15 year old daughter whom
she teaches at home."


Synopsis of book……. The six chapters of this 184 page book depict
the experiences of Anne Beattie, from her first few months of life
to the year she wrote this book at the age of forty. The book tells
of her troubled background as seen through the eyes of Anne herself,
written from the point of view of the child as each event happened .
The whole book is in the first person and it draws the reader
through every experience as if they were travelling that road
themselves.

It gives a detailed and emotional insight into eating disorders such
as anorexia nervosa, bulimia, and compulsive overeating, as well as
clinical depression and the long term after effects of a traumatic
childhood. It will help those who are going through any of the
traumas that Anne experienced, as well as helping their families,
friends and the medical professionals involved comprehend what are
often very misunderstood illnesses.

Excerpt from the book…… "Being little means feeling safe.

It means that someone can easily wrap their arms around you and love
you with all their heart and protect you at all times.

It means that you can hide away from the world more easily and
nobody sees you as you walk down the street. You are so very small
that people hardly notice you.

Being little means that I can curl up into a tiny ball and no one
will be able to reach me or hurt me ever. I am little, I am
anonymous and I am safe.

They keep asking me WHY…why am I doing this? Why don't I eat? Why am
I starving myself? Why won't I accept any help or do as they want me
to do? Can't they see? It is all perfectly crystal clear to me, but
I can't even begin to explain it to them. It is simple though, and
they should be able to see it if they only looked hard enough.

I want to be little again – NO, it's far more than that…I NEED to be
little, and if I don't eat I will get smaller. It all makes perfect
sense, doesn't it? And if I am smaller they will love me more – the
way people are supposed to love and protect little children."

(Chapter Two, page 55)