29/01/2026
MY EVERY BREATH DELIVERS A POWERFUL MEMOIR OF RESILIENCE, GRIEF, AND UNYIELDING HOPE
Co-authors Anna Maynard with Karen Emilson share an extraordinary true story of survival in the face of illness, loss, and unimaginable tragedy.
Acclaimed for its emotional depth and literary strength, My Every Breath:
A Memoir of Love, Loss and Hope by Anna Maynard with Karen Emilson stands as a profoundly moving account of endurance against overwhelming odds. Written with honesty and grace, the memoir chronicles a life shaped by chronic illness, devastating personal loss, and the relentless pursuit of meaning and hope.
Diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis at just six months old-during a time when children with the disease were expected to live no more than fourteen years-Anna Maynard's life was marked early by uncertainty.
Determined to experience normalcy, she navigated a tumultuous childhood while confronting the death of her older sister France, who succumbed to the same illness. Against all expectations, Anna survived, growing into adulthood while continuing to battle the physical and emotional toll of her condition.
Now in her mid-fifties, Anna recounts a life that defies comprehension in its breadth of hardship. From undergoing a double lung transplant to enduring the senseless murder of her beloved mother, the memoir does not shy away from pain. Instead, it examines suffering with courage, reflection, and remarkable emotional clarity. One of the book's most gripping threads follows Anna through the courtroom as she faces the man responsible for her mother's death, wrestling with grief, justice, and the complex notion of forgiveness.
The book's strength lies not only in its subject matter, but in its storytelling. Co-written with Karen Emilson, My Every Breath reads with the narrative power of literary fiction while remaining grounded in truth. Vivid scenes, intimate reflections, and thoughtful pacing draw readers through decades of lived experience, offering a rare balance of vulnerability and resilience.
The inspiration behind the memoir is rooted in testimony-to survival, to love, and to the human capacity to endure. Rather than positioning herself solely as a victim of circumstance, Anna presents her life as evidence that hope can coexist with sorrow, and that meaning can still be found after profound loss.
My Every Breath is written for readers drawn to true-life stories of perseverance, including fans of When Breath Becomes Air and Memorial Drive. It resonates deeply with those affected by chronic illness, grief, and trauma, while offering a universal message about strength, compassion, and the will to keep living fully.
The book is now available - secure your copy here: Amazon.ca or Amazon.com
For review copies, interview requests, or additional information, please contact:
Anna Maynard
Email: maynardannagillesegmail.com
