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Ann Bracken

POET. AUTHOR. CREATOR OF POSSIBILITIES.

“A gift…”

“Your writing is truly moving and beautiful – a gift to all of us.” Liz C.

"A gift..."

Previous Article “hope for moving forward.”

Next Article “triumphant journey of a sensitive child…”

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Click here to purchase print books from Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Bookshop or purchase eBook for Apple, Nook and Scribd.

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

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. "

” I couldn’t stop reading Once You’re Inside, your new poetry book. I experienced so many emotions. Frustration, Hope, Anger. Then respect for your courage going into this broken system.” ~Brian England

Couldn't stop reading

“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

The opportunity to be with other women, to engage in purposeful journaling, and to receive guidance from Ann enabled me to begin the next chapter of my life. Becky Salerno

"purposeful journaling....enabled me to begin next chapter in my life."

“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

“What a beautiful, poignant collection of poems it is. Painful to read the journey of the little girl who had to take on so much responsibility. In this day of openness about addiction & mental illness, your poems provide a view into a personal story within a societal pact of secrecy and shame. Though as a society we still have work to do to de-stigmatize these conditions & bring compassion to the fore, we’re moving in the right direction! I applaud your courage and unflinching stance, as we… Read more

"...your poems provide a view into a personal story within a societal pact of secrecy and shame. "

“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

“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."

“I read your book cover to cover tonight; I hadn’t meant to read the whole thing, but it is so well-written,,clear ,and compelling. I would love to have a hard copy to share with students.”

~ Adriane Fugh-Berman, pharmacology professor at Georgetown Medical School

Your poems are moving. You are able to present the painful reality without being hard on either of your parents. I think they would be very proud of you. I think your poetry does offer hope and healing to those in similar or even just emotionally difficult situations. Jane M.

"your poetry offers hope and healing....."

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