Waking in the Blue

In this ground-breaking anthology-curated by SherriLevine-more than three dozen authors share their poetry and personal reflections on illness, healing, and how mental health shapes the craft of writing. In the Foreword by John Fox, founder of The Institute for Poetic Medicine, he writes, "Waking in the Blue is infused with inclusion & surprise, heartbreak & struggle, wisdom & love." This book is an invitation for anyone to tap into their own creative spark as a way to heal and maintain their own mental health or help someone who may be struggling. The compassionate message that rings true throughout these pages will remind the reader: you are not alone.

Contributing Poets/Essayists:

Kelli Russell Agodon • Shawn Aveningo Sanders • Lana Hechtman Ayers • Miriam Bassuk • Zan Bockes • David Stanford Burr • Susan Carberry • Elisa Carlsen • Linda Casebeer • Dale Champlin • Tinamarie Cox • James Crews • Merridawn Duckler • Nadine Dunseith • Nadine Ellsworth-Moran • Elizabeth Brulé Farrell • Andrea Hollander • Dana I. Hunter • Marc Janssen • Auna Johannesen • Joan Kantor • Tricia Knoll • Payal Kudesia • Laurinda Lind • Catherine Mary Macías • Karen Marker • Carolyn Martin • Emily Moon • Frances Opila • Sam Rose Preminger • Anna Quon • Bonnie Henderson Schell • elmo shade • Diana Spore • Margaret Stawowy • Chase Twichell • Jeanann Verlee • Koon Woon • Victoria Wyttenberg

"One of the most haunting and satisfying literary anthologies I have ever read... This book should be required reading for aspiring poets and mental health professionals alike."

-James Pennebaker, professor emeritus of psychology, University of Texas at Austin

"Waking in the Blue is a celebration of human spirit-how we endure, how we suffer, how we thrive... This book makes me tremble and want to cheer at the same time."

-Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer, author of The Wonderment, host of The Poetic Path

"The writings in Waking in the Blue are testimonies to the lived experiences of its writers and their mental health challenges. They are not just histories of sadness and trauma. Here are the mechanics of writing for psychological survival..."

-Sherry Reiter, PhD, CM, director, The Creative "Righting" Center

"Reading Waking in the Blue is to know you are not alone."

-Diane Kaufman, MD, founder/director, Hold On Campaign for Suicide Prevention