Original Voices: Homeless and Formerly Homeless Women’s Writings

A moving collection of spontaneous, lightly and unedited poems and short prose pieces written by nearly fifty women, most of whom are homeless or formerly homeless. Julie Gardner leads weekly writing workshops using the Amherst Writers & Artists (AWA) practices in workshops at Mary’s Place, a day center in Seattle, WA. Mary’s Place work is to support women, children and families to reclaim their lives.

In the foreword, Pat Schneider, founder of AWA, challenges readers to consider the way we understand art. She says, Original Voices is about revolution. It dares to value voices that have not only been excluded from our definitions of literary art; they have been excluded from acceptance across all of the lines of ordinary human dialogue.

Gardner, in her introduction, shares a personal story, how she experienced and overcame culture shock after moving from the Midwest to downtown Seattle where people experiencing became some of her new neighbors. Gardner hopes readers will gain a better understanding and appreciation for each woman, each woman’s writing, and women at Mary’s Place and elsewhere who have experienced or are experiencing homelessness.

Information is provided about Mary’s Place, a typical writing workshop and about Amherst Writers & Artists and AWA practices.

Discussion guide included.

Book proceeds benefit Mary’s Place.