Description
by Teri Rizvi
In One Heart with Courage, Teri Rizvi brings a powerful, original voice to a collection of essays that shows why our dreams matter. Woven throughout her writings is a deep faith in what’s possible when we open our hearts.
A journalist and storyteller who has traveled widely, Rizvi writes with grace and eloquence about her marriage, which spans two cultures and two religions in a world that’s too often divided. Her lyrical writings illuminate our shared humanity through a series of small, everyday moments — a child’s T-ball practice, a socially distanced parking lot lunch with a friend — as well as recollections of major life milestones such as joyful weddings in foreign lands.
This debut collection explores universal themes of friendship, family and faith with vulnerability, hope and poignancy. The book takes its title from a phrase that Martin Sheen uttered when he received an honorary degree from the University of Dayton: “Remember this above all: One heart with courage is a majority.” This courage — together with a writer’s lifelong curiosity — has fueled Rizvi’s life journey, and it is one that readers will relish taking at her side.
Edited by Julie Fanselow and illustrated by Julie Lonneman
The author and publisher Braughler Books are donating all proceeds from book sales to the Erma Bombeck Writers’ Workshop endowment, which helps keep the workshop affordable for writers.
For purchases outside the Continental US, please email us at “[email protected]” with your shipping information, and we’ll happily provide you the best shipping options and costs.
Advance Praise for One Heart with Courage
“Life’s lessons, lovingly taught.” — Craig Wilson, retired USA Today columnist and author of It’s the Little Things: An Appreciation of Life’s Simple Pleasures
“Teri Rizvi’s essays are the exact balm and spirit-lift we need in these trying times. Her essays are full of truth, joy and inspiration — a “SWAT team of love” — and a reminder that both our struggles and our connections matter.” — Katrina Kittle, award-winning author of The Kindness of Strangers
“Through the lenses of an enlightened worldview and a resolute faith, Teri Rizvi’s richly insightful essays speak straight to the heart of a life — and times — eloquently examined.” — Anna Lefler, author Preschooled and The CHICKtionary
“One Heart with Courage chronicles Teri Rizvi’s meaningful life journey to find purpose in her work, community, marriage and family. Each one is a gem.” — Matt Bombeck, screenwriter
“In her debut collection of essays, Teri Rizvi tackles the big subjects of life — motherhood, marriage, friendship, work/life balance and faith. In lyrical prose and honest reflection, she reminds us to slow down and savor the moments of our lives. I found wisdom and comfort in the pages of this treasure of a book as I traveled Rizvi’s life journey with her.” — Susan Pohlman, author of Halfway to Each Other and A Time to Seek
About Teri Rizvi
Teri Rizvi is the founder and director of the Erma Bombeck Writers’ Workshop at the University of Dayton, where she serves as executive director of strategic communications. Her essays and feature stories have appeared in USA Today, The Christian Science Monitor, The Guardian (London), University of Dayton Magazine and the Dayton Daily News, among other print and online media.
She is the co-editor of Laugh Out Loud: 40 Women Humorists Celebrate Then and Now … Before We Forget and Sisters!, Bonded by Love and Laughter, both published in conjunction with the Erma Bombeck Writers’ Workshop. Her essay “Living in the Moment” will appear in Fast Fierce Women (Woodhall Press, 2022).
Tim Bete –
An extraordinarily beautiful book of stories and essays.
suzette Standring –
Soothing balm for the soul, a tonic to my spirit. Every piece moved and uplifted me. Just what I needed. I featured Teri Rizvi on my cable TV show, “It’s All Write with Suzette,” a half-hour about authors and their works. Her show was special because sharing One Heart with Courage with others was more than an interview, it was a healing.
Dean Norman –
Many good stories. I particularly liked the one about women playing baseball in the winter. Ice, mud, and lots of runs scored. A game worth watching. Or better to be playing, because just watching would be too cold.