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Ann Bracken

POET. AUTHOR. CREATOR OF POSSIBILITIES.

“Great combo of organization and hands-on opportunity.”

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."

Next Article “an out-of-the-box thinker.”

Purchase my books

Click here to purchase signed copies and a PDF download.

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

Possibility Programs

A Musing Poet Posts

A Musing Poet Posts

Testimonials

“In clear, everyday language, Ann Bracken shows us the power of words to redeem the worst sort of misery. “The Altar of Innocence” chronicles the ultimately triumphant journey of a sensitive child through the minefield of alcoholism and depression. Ann’s beautiful spirit shines through in every poem.” Barbara Quick, , author of Vivaldi’s Virgins and A Golden Web

"triumphant journey of a sensitive child..."

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. "

“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

“These are just my first reactions to your wonderful book of poems which I continue to read each day choosing arbitrarily from the riches of your imagination. I just read “Adultery” which made me laugh a lot and yet grieve too for that little girl who brought her honesty and her sins to a priest who hadn’t a clue how to answer or comfort her. And “Mrs. S”. How wonderful to think of that woman after thousands of years of being ignored. It’s a brilliant comment on the egos of men while women… Read more

"I continue to read your poems each day."

This poetry residency made the children love poetry in a new way. Ann’s passion for poetry rubbed off on every student and helped them to be successful. Michele Barron, Teacher, Howard County Public Schools

"residency made children love poetry in a new way."

” 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

“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 through the whole book the day I got it, went back to reread and underline all the things I loved so I could tell you about them…then life took over. The short of it is that I absolutely love it…” Under the twigs of youthful dreams” ” wanting the sweet relief of wine in her veins” ” blunting the tide and inviting me in” ” and always the martinis” ” between truth and loyalty” “my good night hugs are not returned by either parent” ” her blood rivering down the drain” ” the invisible boul… Read more

"I read through the book the day I got it."

“It will be helpful for to others and enlightening. Bonnie A.

Book endorsement

“In Crash: A Memoir of Overmedication and Recovery, Ann Bracken tells a gripping but all too common story of the damage that can be done by psychiatric drugs and electroconvulsive therapy.”
~Dr. John Read, Professor of Clinical Psychology, University of East London

A gripping story...

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