Gillian Anderson, acclaimed actress and author, has announced the launch of a second collection of essays titled “Want: The Next Chapter.” This sequel to her smash hit book, due out September 2024, is designed to keep the conversation flowing about women’s sexual fantasies. The first Want originally featured 174 essay-form responses written by women. These writers responded to Anderson’s call, offering a bold platform for varied voices to share their stories and insights regarding sexuality.
In her initial call, Anderson invited women to reflect on their fantasies, asking them directly, “Tell me what you think about when you think about sex.” More than 1,000 real people had an impact through this idea spark. As a result, the first collection shot straight to No. 1 Sunday Times bestseller in the UK and achieved No. 8 on the New York Times bestseller list. To create “Want,” Anderson simply took those essays and paired each of them with her own brief commentary. This method creates an incredibly intimate relationship between her and the donors.
We changed the actual names of authors and other participants to ensure their confidentiality. This created a safe space for women to express their thoughts without the pressure to please anyone. To raise more money, Anderson promised to donate £500 for each published letter in “Want.” He’ll be dividing the proceeds directly down the middle to Women for Women International and War Child. Anderson and Bloomsbury Publishing are trying to further this commitment with the next collection so that it continues.
Submissions for “Want: The Next Chapter” are currently open and will close on 23 May. In her announcement, Anderson expressed her excitement about the project, stating, “Whether you’re the Queen of Kink or have never been kissed, whether you’ve read Want cover to cover, or are just hearing about it now, I want to hear your favourite fantasies – and this time, I want to hear it all.”
Anderson was particularly concerned with how the first collection affected its readers. She added that “Want” liberated thousands of women to talk about sex honestly and openly, without shame or judgment. It introduced them to the experiences of people they’d never met and forced them to think about their own aspirations, sometimes for the first time ever.
“It unlocked so much more for so many and felt like just the beginning of a deeper conversation,” she added.
“It has been an immense and inspiring undertaking. We are doing it again to give even more women the opportunity to take part, and I can’t wait to see what the next book reveals.”
As anticipation builds for “Want: The Next Chapter,” readers can look forward to an expanded dialogue surrounding women’s fantasies and desires. Want English Edition Released in 74 Countries Want, English Edition. This enormously increases its reach and effectiveness across the globe.