Writers On The Edge: 22 Writers Speak About Addiction and Dependency

By Loving Healing Press Inc

Writers On The Edge offers a range of essays, memoirs and poetry written by major contemporary authors who bring fresh insight into the dark world of addiction, from drugs and alcohol, to sex, gambling and food. Editors Diana Raab and James Brown have assembled an array of talented and courageous writers who share their stories with heartbreaking honesty as they share their obsessions as well as the awe-inspiring power of hope and redemption.

"Open to any piece in this collection, and the scalding, unflinching, overwhelming truths within will shine light on places most people never look. Anyone who reads this book, be they users or used, will put it down changed. And when they raise their eyes from the very last page, the world they see may be redeemed, as well." --Jerry Stahl, author of Permanent Midnight

"Writers On The Edge is a thoughtful compendium of first-person narratives by writers who have managed to use their despair to create beauty. A must-read for anyone in the recovery field." -- Leonard Buschel Founder, Writers in Treatment

CONTRIBUTORS: John Amen, Frederick & Steven Barthelme, Kera Bolonik, Margaret Bullitt-Jonas, Maud Casey, Anna David, Denise Duhamel, B.H. Fairchild, Ruth Fowler, David Huddle Perie Longo, Gregory Orr, Victoria Patterson, Molly Peacock, Scott Russell Sanders, Stephen Jay Schwartz, Linda Gray Sexton, Sue William Silverman, Chase Twichell, Rachel Yoder

About the Editors
Diana M. Raab, an award-winning memoirist and poet, is author of six books including Healing With Words and Regina's Closet. She's an advocate of the healing power of writing and teaches nation-wide workshops and in the UCLA Extension Writers' Program.

James Brown, a recovering alcoholic and addict, is the author of the memoirs, The Los Angeles Diaries and This River. He is Professor of English in the M.F.A. Program in Creative Writing at California State University, San Bernardino.

From the Reflections of America Series

Modern History Press www.ModernHistoryPress.com

Self-Help: Substance Abuse and Addictions--General

• Language: English
• Publisher: Loving Healing Press Inc
• Release date: Feb 1, 2012
• ISBN: 9781615991297

Reviews for Writers On The Edge

[dwgodby_1 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

"Writers on the Edge" is a book compiled by stories of 22 different writers and their stories of various addictions and struggles they have encountered within their life. While the purpose of the book is very good, I didn't feel most of the stories were well written. There were a few stories that really were gripping and very helpful as I was allowed into their life to see their story. In these few instances it was as though I felt the pain they felt and was drawn to reach out and try to help them overcome the problems they were facing.With that being said, I do feel for anyone facing depression, battling alcohol, drugs, pornography, sexual addiction, suicide, etc... This would be a very good book to help you understand that you alone and that you can find strength and courage from the pages of this book. This would be a good resource to use in counseling and addict groups. Many of the stories were very insightful just not written in a way that I found the most helpful. I do appreciate what the editors have tried to accomplish in putting this book together and hope that people from all walks of life receive help from its material.I received this book from Review the Book for my honest evaluation.

[busymommylist · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I gave this book 5 stars for the courage behind each author as they so imtimately detailed every part of their addiction for the rest of the world to read and understand a bit better.This book will possibly help many others who have to deal with and cope with addictions, whether their own, or a friend or family member.

[hrotenberry-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

As I started reading the first story, I couldn't believe how much it reminded me of the people in my life that have struggled with addiction. Reading Scott Russell Sanders' story quickly reminded me of my birth father, who was my dad for 14 years until my parents divorced. Then his addiction kept him away from us kids. He came to my high school graduation for approximately 5 minutes and I never saw him again. He died in January 2010 from excessive drinking. The thing he couldn't give up is what killed him.My ex-husband is a drug addict. He was great at hiding it and lead a double life. To the outside world he was "the most genuine guy you'd ever meet". But on the inside he was a raging inferno spinning dangerously out of control due to his addiction to cocaine and crack. Although I never saw him do drugs, I did feel the effects of his addiction, which in turn caused me to be the "saver". It was my mission in life to save him... to cover up for him... to hide his mistakes from everyone, which just made it worse. I had become an enabler. And didn't even know that what I was doing was harmful.This book hit close to home and anyone dealing with addiction, knows someone dealing with addiction, or wants to read the inspiring, insightful stories of addicts or loved ones of addicts must read this book. As an avid creative writer myself, it has inspired me to write my own series on my blog about alcoholism, drug addiction, enabling and co-dependency.This book moved me, more than I ever thought possible and brought back a lot of memories from a past life that is painful yet needs to be remembered so I can teach my children the dangers of addiction and how terribly it can destroy your life in a heartbeat.

[nadia.w · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

If your interested in learning a little bit of what goes on the minds of those with addictions or mental health issues, Writers On The Edge is a good place to start. It gives you a glimpse of many addictions and mental health afflictions. You hear from the dependent or sick person, instead of from the medical professional's, clinical point of view. Writers On The Edge by Diana M. Raab and James Brown, editors, 2012.Although I'm not a huge fan of excerpts, I really enjoyed the various author's personal stories & poems. Many of the excerpts made me want to go and find the original full story to read and enjoy. The poetry, although just as deep, was a needed relief from the stark reality of the author's sometimes disturbing experiences.I also enjoyed the glimpse of times gone by from many of the storytellers. Many of them growing up in the 50's and 60's with addicted or mentally ill family members. Being able to see the difference in how families and society dealt with addiction, when there really wasn't a word for addiction.I also liked the variances in addiction & dependency. From the well known addiction to alcohol to the over-eater to the mentally ill. And of course some of the many reasons why people become addicted. Whether it is genetics, a way to get some relief from their personal demons or simply just for fun.There were 2 stories that hit home and made me feel as though I wanted to read the stories in their entirety.The first was, A Better Place To Live, by Maud Casey. This excerpt was about Maud Casey and her battle with depression. Part of a line that struck me was "Being depressed felt like living in a corpse", (pg. 117). Perfect in the sense that it was a description that has eluded many people in the past. One sentence tells it all.The second was from the memoir, Instructions On The Use Of Alcohol by James Brown. I loved how he wrote as though he was a third party observer. Instead of as the person who went through the drug addiction. In opinion, it could have been a way for him to write honestly or authentically. Writing as an observer may have been easier than writing and therefore having to relive his addictions again?Excellent book!

[tristaz-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Writers On The Edge is filled with emotional and eye opening stories from people in first person! First person is when they write about themselves, which is often hard to do, especially when it deals with addictions. As with any addiction, one can never be 100% recovered. There is going to be a little demon or often real life demon people who try to break ones strength. After reading quite a few of the various authors stories, I understand how difficult it was for them to sit down and write. One way I try to get my students to get their emotions out is through writing. We often do 'Fictional' writing, but I am often encountered with stories that are non-fiction and from his/her own life when we are finished. I accept it because it is a way for them to get their thoughts and feelings out when their mouths can not express it. I give great thanks to the authors who used their strength to give others and to provide such a eye-opening read. Often in the world people say 'those addicts' but really they do not understand the background or struggles that are happening on the inside and outside of that person they are calling an 'addict.' For all those people I highly recommend reading this book - get out of your colorful world and realize it does include some darkness.

[kimberlysthoughts · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Diana M. Raab picked the perfect title for this book. In this book you will find the stories, or poems of 22 writers, who either fought addiction, or was a victim of somebody who was fighting addiction. Either way it’s a long journey to the end and some scars stick with you for life.These writers faced addictions in so many different ways, addiction doesn’t mean only drugs and alcohol, it can be sexual, gambling, cutting, to food and so much more. You would be surprised just what and how easy you can be addicted to something. These writers bear their souls and share their fight or the fight of their loved ones to reach recovery, if they are lucky. Even recovery is a constant battle they have to fight every day, just one slip and it’s back to the start, to do it all over again.Each writer’s story or poem is a look into their deepest, darkest feelings and emotions, their never talked about inner secrets about how they each fought their own personal demons.Writers on the Edge was well written with the truth of how addiction can affect the person fighting it and the loved ones watching it. This book is a must read for everybody, regardless if you have never fought addiction. I can’t think of many people who hasn’t known somebody who had an addiction, whether they admit it or not, this is as the most honest look into the effects of addiction and how the road to redemption is a long haul, but worth every single step. After reading this book, it’s like somebody took the blindfold off my eyes and showed me what it’s like to be in their shoes, to feel their pain and to be careful, before I ever think I have the right to judge again.I think it’s a book that is for everybody to read, you may not know anybody who has an addiction, but you never know when you might meet somebody who has one, or a child living with somebody who has.

[cmahan-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

In Writers on the Edge, 22 writers speak out about addiction and dependency. Because I do consider myself a writer and I do battle issues with depression and food addiction, I thought this would be a perfect book for me to write a review on. I was anxious to get started reading it. I enjoyed the fact that these were short stories with some poetry mixed in. I’ve been so busy as of late that trying to sit down and read a novel has been impossible (and depressing me at the same time!) It was nice that I could read a story or a poem as time permitted and not lose from the big picture of the overall story.One of the stories that really stood out for me was the story “Lisa” by Kera Bolonik. Kera tells her story about suicide. Although I do not know anyone personally who has committed suicide, I understand how Kera feels about her own inner thoughts on suicide. Suicidal thoughts are demons I must battle quite frequently. It’s not something I sit around talking to others about, or something I plot doing. I just have these terrible bouts of my extreme depression where I honestly think the world would be better without me. Those thoughts usually quickly fade because I am too chicken to actually even take it any further than thoughts in my head.The other stories of alcohol and drug addiction - neither of which I battled - were just as eye-opening. I felt so much bravery for these 22 opening up their souls to share their tales. I was actually impressed to see a few stories regarding food addiction, something I have dealt with in my life. Just like drugs and alcohol, no one is 100% fully recovered because every day life is a trigger and relapse can happen at a moment’s notice. The stories inspired me and gave me hope.

[billyburgess · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Addiction and depression can consume anyone, even us writers. From Modern History Press comes a bold new book Writers on the Edge, where 22 writers speak about their own addiction and dependencies. Editors Diana Raab, award-winning memoirist and poet, and James Brown, author and Professor of English in the M.F.A. Program in Creative Writing at California State University, San Bernardino, has complied together memories, poetry, and essays by contemporary authors who bring a new truthful edge with the world of addiction. Writes on the Edge is bravely written from first-person narratives from authors/writers such as Rachel Yoder; Chase Twichell; Sue William Silverman; Linda Gray Sexton; Stephen Jay Schwartz; Scott Russell Sanders; Molly Peacock; Victoria Patterson; Gregory Orr; Perie Longo; David Huddle; Ruth Fowler; B.H Fairchild; Denise Duhamel; Anna David; Maud Casey; Margaret Bullitt-Jonas; Kera Bolonik; and Frederick & Stephen Barthelme. Each segment deals with the author’s addiction, from drugs and alcohol, to sex, gambling, food, etc. Each author in Writers on the Edge passionately and emotionally wrote their true story. There is heartbreak, honesty, and courage in every written piece. I recommend it to all writers & readers.