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Ann Bracken

POET. AUTHOR. CREATOR OF POSSIBILITIES.

“purposeful journaling….enabled me to begin next chapter in my life.”

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."

Previous Article “…positive change and new learning can happen in unique ways.”

Next Article “…most reluctant readers and writers in the grade were writing some amazing poems.”

Purchase my books

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. "

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....."

“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. "

“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

Ann Bracken is a gifted and dedicated educator, expressive arts coach, and poet. She infuses her work with a refined aesthetic sensibility that engages her clients and creates an environment where positive change and new learning can happen in unique ways. Michel Groter

"...positive change and new learning can happen in unique ways."

“to say that I was blown away by your poems, would be a gross underestimation!…I want every administrator, every new teacher, everyone to read your book.”

Binki McKenna, Media Specialist

amazing poems

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."

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

"A gift..."

Many of the most reluctant readers and writers in the grade were writing some amazing poems. The students felt that they could be creative due to an acceptance by Ms. Bracken for all students’ work. Liz Morris, Reading Specialist, Howard County Public Schools

"...most reluctant readers and writers in the grade were writing some amazing poems."

“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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