Brooklet, Georgia, welcomes a new voice in literature with the release of Courtney Capps' debut book, Twenty Lessons from Twenty-Something: Hard Truths & Unexpected Lessons from Secondary Infertility. This poignant work offers an intimate and honest account of Capps' challenging journey through secondary infertility, sharing the difficult truths she faced and the unexpected wisdom she gained.
For those unfamiliar, secondary infertility refers to the difficulty of conceiving following a successful first pregnancy and birth. The inspiration for the book arose from her mother's suggestion during Capps' fertility struggles to document her experiences. This idea took hold, and following the birth of her son Owen, Capps felt a strong desire to share her story.
While initially hesitant to revisit past traumas, she recognized the strength she had developed and the valuable lessons learned, providing a path to transform her personal narrative into a source of hope for others.
Capps, who had always dreamed of being a writer, embarked on the demanding path of self-publishing with remarkable determination. Learning from online communities and resources like TikTok, she navigated the complexities of authorship. Demonstrating impressive self-reliance, she even designed her book's cover art and back design using Canva. This hands-on approach underscores the personal investment in "Twenty Lessons from Twenty-Something."
"It was all self-done," Capps said, highlighting her control over every aspect of the book's creation.
The process, from initial thoughts to publication, spanned approximately two and a half years, with six months dedicated to meticulous revision and refinement. Recognizing the sensitive nature of her subject, she painstakingly reviewed her manuscript to ensure its quality and authenticity.
Throughout her fertility journey, Capps found unwavering support in her husband, Casey. Their enduring bond, which began with a middle school friendship and led to a young marriage, provided a strong foundation.
"He was very supportive of whatever I decided," Capps shared, recalling his empathy and understanding during challenging times.
Her mother's unwavering belief in her writing talent also played a crucial role. Despite Capps' self-doubt, her mother's encouragement spurred her to share her voice. Inspired by the limited representation of pregnancy loss in media, her mother urged Capps to fill this void, stating, "Well, you can change that. You can put that book out."
Twenty Lessons from Twenty-Something extends beyond the specific experience of infertility, exploring broader themes of resilience, grief, parenthood, and self-discovery. While her fertility journey is central, Capps hopes the book's universal messages will connect with a wider audience. "I think anyone can gain stuff from this book," she noted, hoping readers won't limit its scope to infertility alone.
Since its recent release, the book has found an audience, with initial sales exceeding Capps' expectations through her own marketing efforts. Looking to the future, she remains open to further writing endeavors. The positive experience of publishing her first book has ignited a passion for sharing her voice and connecting with readers.
A key message in Capps' book is the critical importance of self-advocacy within the medical field. Drawing from her own experiences with multiple specialists, she encourages others facing infertility to be assertive in seeking answers and advocating for their needs.
"The medical world is a journey on its own," Capps says. "It's hard to be heard."
Capps also emphasizes the profound value of vulnerability and open communication in building crucial support systems during difficult times. By sharing her own journey, she hopes to empower others facing similar challenges to do the same, fostering a sense of community and shared understanding. She has a positive message to the women who are suffering infertility.
"Never give up. There were so many times that I wanted to quit and I just couldn't, no matter how much I wanted to," Capps explains. "I needed to see something through that meant a lot to me."
Capps and her husband Casey are now the proud parents of two sons, Oliver and Owen. Their family stands as a testament to perseverance, love, and the enduring power of hope in the face of significant challenges – themes that resonate deeply within the pages of her first book.
For more information about Twenty Lessons from Twenty-Something: Hard Truths & Unexpected Lessons from Secondary Infertility or to order a copy, please visit Amazon.
