Not Alone: A Book for Bullied Teenagers

“The words in this book are the chapters of my growing up. The chapters I wish I could have read before I embarked on my journey through my teenage years.
Every word is written for those who have ever felt the difficulties of life weigh heavy on their spirit. It’s not a ‘how to’ and it certainly isn’t a ‘what to do, if…’ it’s the story of one boy.
A simple boy from the western suburbs of Sydney.
A boy who was teased and bullied; contemplated suicide; struggled with identity; endured abusive relationships and a broken heart and had to deal with his own sexuality. A boy who despite this faced those battles with strength and resilience to survive.
A boy who didn’t change and is not ashamed. Bare fisted and not alone, he fought for who he was and what he believed in. 23 chapters have been written, with many blank pages to fill “
– Chapter 10 “You are Loved”

NOT ALONE, is both a dedication. A dedication to those teenagers who have felt that facing their fears and achieving their goals too overwhelming. To those who constantly feel powerless. To those who have ever felt ridiculed and isolated from those around them because they look, speak, act, walk or think differently.

23-year-old Matthew Hartmann explores what it means to find your feet as a teenager in a fast paced World. To search for his own voice and identity, whilst fighting to survive years of schoolyard bullying, and to endure countless taunts because he was different.

A brutally honest story of a young gay man in Sydney, the reader is taken on a journey of personal discovery, pain and self-acceptance.

“It was important to that I really stayed true to my memories, and the pain I experienced. The words in Not Alone were very much open wounds when I first started writing the book, and although I had to relive the hurt in order to write – I know that if I can help one teenager from contemplating suicide and the value of their own life, I know that reliving my hurt was worth it”.

“I know that no story is the same, and it was important to me that I highlighted that in ‘Not Alone’. Everyone deals with their own experiences differently, and no two battles are the same. It was important to me that the book touched on different experiences, not just mine.”

‘Not Alone’ features contributions from two of Matthews closest friends, Mark and Charlie. Who both speak of their own very different battles as gay men, on a journey of self acceptance. Mark, coming from a devout Christian family and how has shared his sexuality with his family whilst having a son at the age of 21. Charlie, sharing his story of being kicked out of home because he was gay, being homeless and working on the street in order to survive. Both stories, a testament to the power of the human spirit.

Set for International release, a percentage of sales from the book will be donated to THE GAY & LESBIAN COUNSELLING SERVICE of NSW and TWENTY10, to continue their work in the counseling, referrals and development of support groups for teenage members and their families of the LGBT community in Australia.