I Believe You. – Susan M. Conway

I Believe You. When you say there are ghosts, when you say you've seen them. I have too, so we aren't much too different, you and I. When you said goodbye to a living person you'd die for is the cruelest fate. When you say it is easier to hate… I believe you. I've had …

There Is Strength in Our Stories: checklist [ ] / (fulfill half before she touches you)- Arianne True

Arianne True is a queer indigenous poet, folk artist, and teacher from Seattle, and a graduate of the MFA program at the Institute of American Indian Arts. Arianne has taught with Writers in the Schools and the Richard Hugo House, is a Hedgebrook alum, and has been published by the Boston Review and LitHub.

Speak – Rachael Ikins

The time I whispered with shame to my parents 3 years after the fact, that my high school Spanish teacher molested me, my mom said “Oh, don’t tell anyone.” That night, school Open House. My dad shrugging rumples of raincoat over his suit, a jerky adrenaline rush, said,  “I’m going up there to punch her …

Speak – Christine Ray

there is an art to talking everything about what is nothing while saying nothing about what is everything to paint convincing illusions of intimacy candor that successfully deflect the curious eye while frantically stuffing down the secrets that chew at your gut the poison of shame corroding your veins the self-blame you inhale daily into …

Writing Prompt: Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

Throughout the month of July, Christine has been providing daily writing prompts based on the title of a beloved Children’s book on Brave and Reckless. They are designed to inspire readers to write a poem, prose piece, or a piece of flash fiction in 30 minutes or less. Speak is an important and groundbreaking young …