Stories that help us find our voice.

Identity, resilience and recognising harm. Books for adults and children, written to make room for reflection and conversations that matter.

Front cover of Before I Forgot Who I Was by Esther Macharia-Hughes
Personal reflection

Before I Forgot Who I Was

A story of rebirth, resilience and remembering who we are. Before I Forgot Who I Was explores the journey of finding your way back to yourself.

For readers navigating change, rebuilding their confidence or making space for their own voice, this book offers a place to pause and reflect.

Who it is for: Readers drawn to personal stories of identity, resilience and renewal.

Front cover of Unmasking the Bully Pattern by Esther Macharia-Hughes
For adult readers

Unmasking the Bully Pattern

How Harm Hides, Why It Survives, and How We Interrupt It

Bullying is not always easy to name. It can hide in everyday interactions, repeated behaviour and environments where harm becomes accepted.

Unmasking the Bully Pattern uses stories and reflections to help readers recognise those patterns, consider their impact and think about how they can be interrupted.

Who it is for: Adults reflecting on bullying in workplaces, relationships and community life.

Front cover of But It Happened Again by Esther Macharia-Hughes
For children and the adults beside them

But It Happened Again

A Story About Recognising and Responding to Repeated Bullying

When something hurtful keeps happening, children may struggle to explain it or know what to do next.

Through Mei and her friends, But It Happened Again helps children notice the difference between an ordinary disagreement and repeated bullying. Familiar situations open conversations about friendship, pressure, speaking up and seeking support.

Read together at home or use the stories to begin a guided conversation with children.

Who it is for: Children, parents, carers, teachers and others supporting children.

Meet Esther

Author. Educator. Community worker.

Esther Macharia-Hughes is a Kenyan-born Australian author, educator and community worker based in the Port Macquarie–Hastings region of New South Wales.

Her writing explores identity, resilience and the patterns of harm that can be difficult to recognise or put into words. She writes for adults and children, with a focus on helping readers reflect, speak up and start meaningful conversations.

Esther lives at The Arcadia with her husband, Gareth, where growing food, sharing skills and telling stories are part of everyday life.

More about life at The Arcadia

Bring the books into your community

For a personal copy, a school conversation or a place on your bookshop shelf, get in touch with Esther.

Schools & libraries

Ask about copies of But It Happened Again for your school or library, and discuss how the stories could support conversations about repeated bullying.

Bookshops & organisations

Enquire about stocking the books or ordering multiple copies. Include the titles, quantities and delivery location so Esther can discuss supply options.

Signed copies

Contact Esther about signed copies, availability, collection or postage. Please include the title and number of copies you would like.

Contact Esther

For current retail prices, formats and delivery options, visit the Amazon listing for each book.