The Gift of Words: Through The Looking Glass: Reflecting on Madness and Chaos Within

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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 artwork in this anthology dig deep into the experience of living with depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and other 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.

“Perhaps one of Indie Blu(e)’s most vulnerable anthologies, much like We Will Not Be Silenced, this latest anthology opens our eyes and hearts to the struggles of mental illness, without judgement… This is another reason to admire the work achieved by this indie publisher. The individual is cradled in an anthology but their truth and their story are never stifled. And so, it is a pleasure to read and enjoy Through the Looking Glass; to lend your eyes and ears to a myriad of talent all reminding us we are far from alone and that there is hope.”

Kristiana Reed, author of Between the Trees and Flowers on the Wall.

“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.

. . . Many readers will nevertheless see the book as providing a bleak picture of the state of mental health and the paucity of effective support across the world. Indie Blu(e) Publishing, in describing itself as a progressive force, might hope that this collection becomes a resource in the path to social reform. Or perhaps they are more ambitious than that – honoring these voices from chaos and pain demands nothing less than a revolution.”

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.

“The poems collected in Through the Looking Glass represent stories of human reality courageously told. The life truths revealed are often hidden and completely misperceived by the outside world. Here is the chance to recognize some of ourselves in these pages, our loved ones, colleagues, neighbors, the people we see casually in our cities, our towns and our communities every day. Only with understanding will empathy and compassion follow. These poems feel both painful and triumphant. To meet these talented and brave poets halfway, to do our part in obliterating the stigma of mental illness, can only make this world a better place.”

–Virginia Watts, Author of The Werewolves of Elk Creek and Shot Full of Holes, (Moonstone Press).

Through The Looking Glass: Reflecting on Madness and Chaos Within is available for purchase at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, IndieBound, Waterstones, Book Depository, and from other major online retailers.

ISBN-13: 978-1951724085