Free 'Human Disaster' Book Today Only
Because May is for Mental Health
Ahhhh the surprise book drop, what a glorious thing.
The surprise drop, popularized by Beyonce and Brandon Sanderson, AKA BrandoSando, is a modern trend I actually like. It’s when an artist suddenly and unexpectedly, with no preamble, releases a completely new and full-bodied work.
This is what Rue Sparks, fellow writer pal, and longtime member of my Writers’ Support Group, did this week in honor of Mental Health May (themed months being another trend; see my Now You question at the bottom of this post to discuss).
I’m sharing this surprise book with you, entitled, before i go i want you to know: poetry & stories from a human disaster, because I think it’s a beautiful new work from a rare individual, and because it’s free today! It’s a collection of poems, art, and short stories about loss, grief, surviving illness, depression, and more. Download it here from Amazon.
I grabbed it the day Rue Sparks released it by surprise, on May 1st, and I highly recommend getting it for yourself or a loved one. Because while reading heart wrenching poems isn’t always the answer to feeling happy, sometimes it’s the answer to feeling less sad.
In acts of empathetic reading, we find catharsis.
This is what Rue, who normally writes in the genre of “Rainbow Dystopia1,” says about the new book, before i go i want you to know: poetry & stories from a human disaster:
It is human nature to be drawn to train wrecks.
…the reality of broken bones, scraped knees, and calloused hands.
We rehearse tragedy by reliving the stories of those that have been there; believing that if we tread that road enough times we will be ready for the improbable.
But there are some wrecks that can't be prettied up for public consumption. Some pain has no purpose, and happily ever after is never the end of the story. Sometimes we keep going not for cosmic retribution, our just reward, or as an inspirational anecdote.
We keep going simply because we have no other choice.
Here are some sample pages from this new book.
The book has some trigger warnings, which Rue kindly compiled here.
Rue Sparks is a non-binary, queer, disabled young widow living with chronic illness. They are an artist, illustrator, and writer, based in Noble, Indiana. They also make funny TikToks:
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Throughout the years of knowing them, I’ve read many of their wildly creative stories, including this collection: The Stars Will Guide Us Back, and their award-winning novellas, Daylight Chasers and The Fable of Wrenn. You can find all their books and art here in their Etsy store.
They were also a panelist on an event I co-hosted on Writing and Disabilities, which some of you attended. Watch the replay of this event.2
Furthermore, they have done loads of interesting interviews and they write a quarterly newsletter.
Rue and I clash ideologically on many issues, like AI, freedom of speech, and even on writerly things, but I always enjoy and learn from their opposing viewpoints.
This work came at the perfect time for me, as I was feeling rather low last week, lower than I’d felt in some time. It’s TMI as to why I was feeling bad, but in general, I struggle off and on with depression, PTSD, extreme PMS, and with satanic periods that make me feel hopeless. During these rough times, I often like to read sad poetry, f%cked up stories, suicidal books, or Internet tales of the extremely depressed. Yeah, maybe I’m weird, but if I’m going to cry, I’d rather cry over beautiful words.
And indeed, after reading this new surprise book, I felt better.
Other people’s problems are often more fun to think about than our own.
That’s all for today, as I’m currently working on revamping the aesthetics of this Lagoon, which includes launching a new psychedelic book award system I’ve designed with a neurodivergent Canadian illustrator. I hope to release this soon.
Happy reading, crying, and breathing.
Now You
Do you like reading or watching sad stuff when you’re sad?
What are some exciting surprise drops you’ve seen from your favorite creators?
Do you like these “theme months” like Mental Health May, Autism Awareness April, Black History Month, Suicide Prevention September, etc.? Or is this modern habit of theme months tiresome?
LGBTQ Sci-Fi and fantasy with a dystopian bent
To access the video of our Writing and Disabilities panel you must be a paid member of the Lagoon, or in the Writers’ Support Group already. Scroll to the bottom of the page linked if you’re a member of the Lagoon, or reach out to me if you’re in the Writers’ Support Group, but didn’t see the event replay in your email.
Beautiful, congrats 👏🏼👏🏼
Got the book!! Thank you Charlotte for mentioning it. A beautiful book !