Last Tuesday, I held a book presentation for the launch of the Dutch translation of my book ‘Escaping the Potter’s House‘ that brought together three authors who have experienced and survived life within cults. Alongside Israel van Dorsten, author of Wij Waren, Ik Ben – Weg Uit Ruinerwold, and Jan van der Winden, author of Gekke Jantje: Van voor gek verklaard, opgesloten en opgejaagd ‘sektekind’ tot specialist bij de politie, we shared our stories with an audience that was eager to listen, learn, and connect.
Israel, Jan, and I have each been members of cults, and through our experiences, we’ve become somewhat experts on the impact of cults and the journey to reclaiming our lives. This event was a chance to share that expertise, but more importantly, it was a chance to connect with others who have may been affected by similar experiences or who seek to understand the reality of life in a cult.
We organized a small book presentation and booked a beautiful location, unsure of how many people might be interested in attending. To our surprise and delight, the event sold out within a few days. The demand was so high that we couldn’t accommodate everyone who wanted to attend, which is why we’re already planning another presentation for a larger audience.
As someone who struggles with stage fright, the thought of speaking in front of an audience of 64 people was nerve-wracking. I was particularly anxious about sharing my biggest trauma so openly. Jan van der Winden was the first to speak, sharing his harrowing experiences in an anthropological cult. Israel van Dorsten followed, recounting how he spent nine years trapped on a farm by his father. I was the last to speak, and despite my nerves, it went incredibly well. The response from the audience was overwhelming, far beyond anything I had dared to expect. Their support and engagement meant the world to me.
After the presentations, we opened the floor for a Q&A session, followed by a meet and greet and book signings. The conversations we had were meaningful and heartfelt, and I’m deeply grateful to everyone who attended. Your presence and participation made the evening unforgettable.
For those who couldn’t make it this time, I hope to see you at our next event. We’re already planning another book presentation for a larger audience, and I can hardly wait. Thank you to everyone who supported us—your encouragement and interest are what make these events possible.
