Dear friend,
If you've found this website, you've either expressed interest in or were introduced to Operation Insemination, a writing project that aims to explore the full spectrum of fertility journeys. On this site, you'll find a collection of personal essays spanning a range of backgrounds and perspectives. And we need yours to keep growing our understanding and empathy around these intimate, unique narratives.
The goal of this project is to show that, while your individual experiences and choices are entirely yours, they're also a powerful testament that no matter what you're going through, you're not alone. These stories have been written by someone like you who hopes to help break the stigmas around fertility and infertility, miscarriage, abortion, surrogates, IVF, adoption, perinatal depression, post-partum depression, relationship strain, and the myriad other things we discuss in private: from the pursuit of motherhood to opting OUT OF insemination to being on the Other Side to being very much IN IT, trying every option to make a baby, to giving up and letting go of all the trying. These topics are tender, raw, and often unresolved. We're not trying to give you answers or pity; rather these stories are shared with the intent to make you pause and appreciate what you've gone through or are going through right now in this moment.
What do we mean by "fertility?"
When we say fertility, we're referring to "the natural capability to conceive or induce conception," per the American Pregnancy Association. When we say fertility, we're including infertility, which the APA refers to as "a condition of the reproductive system that prevents the conception of children." We believe that the roads leading to, around, and beyond fertility are all a shared piece of the human experience. We acknowledge that there are plenty of physical similarities, and yet each of us is on a different path, working with a different body, a different budget, and a different worldview.
Cool. So why are you here?
This may not be the right time for you to share your personal story, and there may never be a right time. We have no desire to stir up heartache. The point, rather, is to check in and see if you're game to take this walk with us, your fellow humans.
If you do feel pulled to share your story, you're in the right place. We invite everyone to write 1,000 words and see what arises. Maybe you want to write it like a journal entry, curious to see what surfaces when the pen strikes the paper. Or perhaps you know there's a whole book just waiting to see the light. At the very least, we hope you find the writing space healing and clarifying.
If you are ready to share your story, well, come on down! We're looking for biographical essays that don't need to be grammatically perfect but should be authentic. Our editing team will work with you to tighten your narrative and make it publishable. When you are ready to submit a draft, please fill out the Submit My Story form and we will be in touch via email.
What's the goal of Operation Insemination?
Our hope is to share as many varied experiences as possible in order to reach the most people. We are aware that our scope is limited to whoever has found this space, so thank you for passing the link along to anyone you think could benefit from connecting with this community. We can't capture all of the demographics of the world on our own, so let's collaborate!
Operation Insemination is also slated to be published as a collection of essays. With stories like yours, we can create a book that could give the next generations of us's a bit more comfort and solidarity in their own experiences.
Carve out some morning moments, meditate on the words in your head during your next workout, or just start writing and see what happens. Regardless of your decision, thank you for receiving this request with an open heart. We look forward to hearing from you.
The goal of this project is to show that, while your individual experiences and choices are entirely yours, they're also a powerful testament that no matter what you're going through, you're not alone. These stories have been written by someone like you who hopes to help break the stigmas around fertility and infertility, miscarriage, abortion, surrogates, IVF, adoption, perinatal depression, post-partum depression, relationship strain, and the myriad other things we discuss in private: from the pursuit of motherhood to opting OUT OF insemination to being on the Other Side to being very much IN IT, trying every option to make a baby, to giving up and letting go of all the trying. These topics are tender, raw, and often unresolved. We're not trying to give you answers or pity; rather these stories are shared with the intent to make you pause and appreciate what you've gone through or are going through right now in this moment.
What do we mean by "fertility?"
When we say fertility, we're referring to "the natural capability to conceive or induce conception," per the American Pregnancy Association. When we say fertility, we're including infertility, which the APA refers to as "a condition of the reproductive system that prevents the conception of children." We believe that the roads leading to, around, and beyond fertility are all a shared piece of the human experience. We acknowledge that there are plenty of physical similarities, and yet each of us is on a different path, working with a different body, a different budget, and a different worldview.
Cool. So why are you here?
This may not be the right time for you to share your personal story, and there may never be a right time. We have no desire to stir up heartache. The point, rather, is to check in and see if you're game to take this walk with us, your fellow humans.
If you do feel pulled to share your story, you're in the right place. We invite everyone to write 1,000 words and see what arises. Maybe you want to write it like a journal entry, curious to see what surfaces when the pen strikes the paper. Or perhaps you know there's a whole book just waiting to see the light. At the very least, we hope you find the writing space healing and clarifying.
If you are ready to share your story, well, come on down! We're looking for biographical essays that don't need to be grammatically perfect but should be authentic. Our editing team will work with you to tighten your narrative and make it publishable. When you are ready to submit a draft, please fill out the Submit My Story form and we will be in touch via email.
What's the goal of Operation Insemination?
Our hope is to share as many varied experiences as possible in order to reach the most people. We are aware that our scope is limited to whoever has found this space, so thank you for passing the link along to anyone you think could benefit from connecting with this community. We can't capture all of the demographics of the world on our own, so let's collaborate!
Operation Insemination is also slated to be published as a collection of essays. With stories like yours, we can create a book that could give the next generations of us's a bit more comfort and solidarity in their own experiences.
Carve out some morning moments, meditate on the words in your head during your next workout, or just start writing and see what happens. Regardless of your decision, thank you for receiving this request with an open heart. We look forward to hearing from you.