FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Step Through the Looking Glass into the Lived Experience of Mental Illness
Join 158 writers and artists from across the globe as they journey Through the Looking Glass to unveil the truth about life with mental illness. Diverse, raw, and urgent, the poetry, prose, and art work in this anthology dig deep into the experience of living with depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and other neurodivergent conditions, as well as the challenges of loving someone who struggles with such an illness.
Full of hope and despair, acceptance and rebellion, the creativity contained within these pages reflects the reality that we cannot walk around or behind the looking glass, but must walk through it unflinchingly to educate, foster compassion, and reduce the stigma so often associated with mental illness.
“Many editors of anthologies might balk at publishing such raw material, but the commitment of Indie Blu(e) is to give voice to what is so often silenced, sanitized, hidden, and there is in this enterprise something that gives us all hope. For by speaking out our deepest experiences of trauma, abuse and unhappiness there comes a sense of freedom, a sense of the possibility of recognition, connection, acceptance. And thus healing. We are not alone. Others are battling similar enemies. We are lovable. Our feelings are valid. We belong to the human race. We deserve to live.”
Rhoda Thomas taught psychology, sociology and counselling for nearly 40 years. She is co-founder of Live Poets Society, a socialist poetry group in Wales, UK. Imago is her most recent poetry collection.
ABOUT INDIE BLU(E) PUBLISHING
Indie Blu(e) Publishing is a progressive, feminist micro-press, committed to producing honest and thought-provoking works. Our anthologies are meant to celebrate diversity, raise awareness, and embolden our sisters and brothers to speak their truths. The editors all passionately advocate for human rights; mental health awareness; chronic illness awareness; sexual abuse survivors; and LGBTQ+ equality. It is our mission, and a great honor, to provide platforms for those voices that are stifled, and stigmatized.
HOW TO PURCHASE
It is available for retail purchase through Amazon (print & Kindle editions), B&N, Book Depository, and Pothi (India only).
Through The Looking Glass: Reflecting on Madness and Chaos Within is available for wholesale purchase through the Ingram Group
ISBN: 978-1-951724-08-5
Keywords: Mental Health; Mental Illness; Neurodivergent; Poetry; Prose; Art
CONTACT
Christine E. Ray, Editor-in-Chief, indieblucollective@gmail.com
Kindra M. Austin, Senior Editor
Candice Louisa Daquin, Senior Editor
Worthwhile goals, indeed, will investigate further …
Long awaited and important.
“From every moment there is a second
Every second is a piece of time’s errand
Every errand is a part of life’s legend”
Congratulations to all concerned
Thank you so much dearest D. It was a SLOG! Not as much work as The Kali Project but we’ve done so much this year and what with working my other job it’s exhausting but very, very gratifying. The Kali Project just won Finalist at the National Indie Awards so I was so glad for the contributors/poets who richly deserved that win. Thank you for always being supportive. I found out my first book of (my own) poetry will be published by Finishing Line Press September 2022 and whilst that’s a way off, I’m hoping to meet their target of a 100 pre-order books (pre-order is May 2022 onward) so I can get a decent distribution and finally a book of my work out – first one since I got sick. Without people like you who have been so supportive over the years I doubt very much I would have had the encouragement and strength to do all this so it is thanks to you as much as me. Thank you.
Dearest Bob, Thank you. Thank you so much for always being supportive. My first book of (my own) poetry since I got sick will be published by Finishing Line Press September 2022 and whilst that’s a way off, I’m hoping to meet their target of a 100 pre-order books (pre-order is May 2022 onward) so I can get a decent distribution and finally a book of my work out. Without people like you who have been so supportive over the years I doubt very much I would have had the encouragement and strength to do all this so it is thanks to you as much as me. Thank you.
Thank you Bob I do agree – xo
Thank you Dave, it’s a good door stopper too! (length) xo
Congratulations on your own book, too. You are well worth my support – and that of your other friends. XX
A worthy project 💜
Thank you so much. I just found out hilariously the publisher isn’t publishing my book until SEPTEMBER 2022! But Pre-Sales are from May 2022. Which frees me up to do lots of other work. I forgot they were a big publisher who really puts out a lot of books so we have to wait. Thank you for your support. Since my illness I haven’t been able to spend hours online garnering support and the support of those who I count as real friends really, really means the world to me.
It really is and I am so proud of those who wrote and illustrated for this book
It needs to be promoted. Did we talk about doing an interview. I am embarrassed to admit I did offer to interview you or Lorraine and I can’t remember what I said ….I was away but back home now. So if you want to do something on my blog I’d be delighted 💜💜
🙂
You can definitely interview me I would be very happy to if that’s something you would like to do. Count me in.
When you have time and if you want to, send any thing my way to my email candicelouisa@rocketmail.com and thank you again for your support. I am very happy you are onboard with promoting this as I feel it’s one of our most important works in terms of what it’s focusing on xo
Okay that sounds good, tomorrow I will put my thinking cap on and email you . I am glad to be on board too!💜