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Ann Bracken

POET. AUTHOR. CREATOR OF POSSIBILITIES.

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Nominated for Pushcart Prize – 2014 and 2016

Meet Ann Bracken

Where to hear Ann read

Ann Bracken

A Musing Poet Posts

A Musing Poet Posts

Testimonials

“Crash is a memoir of discovery and resilience. It’s a story of the intergenerational trauma of two generations of children nearly losing their mothers to depression and over-medication. And it’s a wake-up call to re-evaluate how we treat depression and pain.” ~Desiree Magney

Ann Bracken’s book, The Altar of Innocence, explores the cycle of her mother’s mental illness and alcoholism and its legacy in her own life. With searing honesty and gripping details, the book creates an unforgettable portrait not just of two women but also of the ailing cultures that surround them. At the end there is an image of a ceramic heart that has been glued back together—”even broken, it was beautiful”—that makes a powerful figure both for the soul of the poet, forged through trauma, … Read more

"the book creates an unforgettable portrait not just of two women but also of the ailing cultures that surround them. "

Great combo of organization and hands-on opportunity. You are a wonderful facilitator — enthusiastic, welcoming, and encouraging. Kit Turen

"Great combo of organization and hands-on opportunity."

“I have just finished listening to your interview. You were very eloquent. Your poems are very effective at conjuring up a picture and the emotion of the moment. The interview was also educational and gave insight in to the struggles you have had, but indicated that there was hope as you move forward.” Jane T.

"hope for moving forward."

“Crash is a beautifully written memoir of intergenerational struggle, with the humanity of even its most prominent antagonists always compassionately held.”

~Sera Davidow, Director at The Wildflower Alliance: A Grassroots Peer Support, Advocacy, and Training Organization

A beautifully written memoir

“This is a terrific collection. “Sometimes a Poet”, “Voices In My Ear”, “Wingless Bird”; are all wonderful poems. It’s hard to choose favorites. All these kids, Angie, Horace, Magic, Ben are vivid in your writing. I hope teachers and school administrators can read these poems and learn something.”

Peter Dan Levin

A terrific collection

“Ann Bracken’s evocative memoir powerfully tells of how psychiatry’s diagnoses and treatments can lead to loss, illness, and despair, and how escaping from that paradigm of care can be a starting point for a full and robust recovery.”

~Robert Whitaker, Author of Anatomy of an Epidemic

A starting point for a full and robust recovery

” I am able to hear the environment of the prison building as I read one transcript after another of the despair, horror, and hope. There should be a Nobel prize for going into the dark with others who live there on a permanent basis, but then again, darkness is a state of mind. Thank you for your beautiful work, Ann.” ~Patti Tronolone

Beautiful work!

“I just listened to your interview and it was so moving and rich. Your poetry reading is only surpassed by your poetry. Though I think poetry is meant to be read aloud so the reading and the work are really one. Just beautiful. Thank you.” Eileen C.

A moving and rich interview

“Bracken’s poetry compresses the truth to a sharpness that penetrates the heart. We meet the men who were Bracken’s writing students, and through her work, these prisoners are given the respect and understanding they never had before. Once You’re Inside can ignite a passion for change instead of the public apathy that exists about prison reform. This is strong, powerful writing elevated by wisdom and courage.” ~Grace Cavalieri

Strong, powerful writing elevated by wisdom and courage

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