Twinn Swan

Every so often, perhaps even once in a lifetime, a book arrives as a birth: a new beginning fraught with struggle and marked by quiet triumphs. For me, The Merchant of Stories is exactly that. It is the story of birthing my first book, The Little Light, and of building my business—an intimate chronicle of heartache, rejections, and relentless effort that often remains unseen behind the scenes.

Writing this memoir meant sitting with the messy, imperfect parts of creation and choosing not to spell out every detail. I aimed to capture the moments that weigh the heaviest—the sting of doubt, the sting of “no”—and counterbalance them with the tender words of encouragement that whisper between the chaos.

There were days when uncertainty felt like a tidal wave, yet I held fast to a certainty deep within: a woman knowing her purpose and pursuing it without apology. The Merchant of Stories echoes the lived experience of so many creatives. It speaks across time and space, like a conversation between souls—a narrative thread that invites the reader not just to watch, but to respond, to write their own story in return.

Many writers get caught in the web of plot structure and coherence, fearing to lose their way. Here, I chose instead to write moments—fragments of memory and feeling, a series of melodic sonatas that surprise and resonate.

It’s a short book, with brief chapters, but within its brevity lies a profound depth, a testament to the power of saying much with little. To everyone walking their own creative path—may you find a kindred spirit in these pages. Consider this my open invitation: may your story be heard, celebrated, and lived with courage.