For more than six decades, Buderim resident Jo Wilcox carried a secret she believed she could never tell.
Now, at 71, she is preparing to launch her first book, sharing a deeply personal story she hopes will encourage conversations around trauma and recovery.
Her memoir, When the Mind Divides, explores her journey through abuse, mental health – particularly Dissociative Identity Disorder – and healing after decades of silence.
The book comes at a time when reading continues to hold a strong place in Australians’ lives, with new research showing more people are reaching for a book, with printed versions remaining the preferred format.
It’s a trend being felt on the Sunshine Coast. Last week, Sunshine Coast News reported on the expansion of Annie’s Books on Peregian, with owners Rob and Lea Dodd citing growing demand for printed books and a shift away from screen-based reading among customers.
According to the latest Creative Australia National Arts Participation Survey, almost seven in 10 Australians read books for pleasure, while more readers are engaging with books at least weekly. Print books remain the most popular format, with 66 per cent of readers choosing physical books, while e-book readership has declined.
The survey also found word of mouth remains the most common way Australians discover new books, ahead of libraries and bookshops, highlighting the continued role of community connections in reading culture.
For Ms Wilcox, the findings come as little surprise.
She said books offered something increasingly rare in a fast-paced digital world.
“We spend so much of our lives looking at screens, often skimming information rather than truly engaging with it,” she said.
“Reading a book asks something different of us. It invites us to immerse ourselves in and acknowledge another person’s world.”
Ms Wilcox said stories continued to resonate because they created meaningful connections between people and experiences.
“Social media gives us snapshots of people’s lives, but books allow us to experience their stories in a much deeper way,” she said.
“That connection is something readers continue to value.”
She said supporting local authors also helped ensure diverse voices continued to be heard.
“Local authors tell stories that reflect the communities we live in and the experiences that shape us,” she said.
“When readers support local authors, they’re investing in the stories, perspectives and creativity that make our communities unique.”
Ms Wilcox said sharing her story publicly had been one of the most challenging decisions of her life, but she hoped it would encourage conversations and help others feel less alone.
“I stayed quiet for most of my life because I was taught to fear speaking up,” she said.
“There is so much shame attached to abuse, but that shame never belonged to me.”
Ms Wilcox said writing the memoir had become part of her healing journey.
“Breaking the silence was terrifying, but it was also the beginning of recovery,” she said.
“I want other survivors to know they are not alone and that help is available.”
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Ms Wilcox will officially launch When the Mind Divides at The Little Book Nook in Palmwoods on June 27. Attendance is free but RSVP is required.
