Reading. Sharing. Connecting. In April, Stories That Heal returns for a third season featuring three local writers who are all sharing very different experiences. The lineup includes a memoir, a book of poems, and a compilation of stories from 35 people from across the world, including some from right here in Pittsburgh. NAMI Keystone Pennsylvania is hosting Stories That Heal in collaboration with City of Asylum.
Events will take place at the City of Asylum Bookstore located at 40 W. North Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15212.
ABOUT Stories That Heal
Stories That Heal is a free monthly event featuring local authors who have written books about their experience–or a loved one’s experience–with mental illness. Throughout the course of the hour, authors read excerpts from their book, share details about their life, and take questions from the audience.
Kristine Irwin
Thursday, April 25Kristine Irwin
Voices of Hope
Corrine Jasmin
Thursday, May 30Corrine Jasmin
Tread
Kristie Knights
Thursday, June 27Kristie Knights
Unsung Heroes
Stories That Heal is a free event, but registration is appreciated.
If you would like to be put on our mailing list to receive updates on the Stories That Heal author series, email Joel Richard at jrichard@namikeystonepa.org.
“Reading articles about mental illness is one thing, hearing such powerful first hand stories by such talented writers allows a much more human way to connect and build understanding and support.”
--Susan N.Thursday, April 25
Kristine Irwin — Voices of Hope
Kristine Irwin survived rape as a freshman in college. In her book, Voices of Hope, Kristine details the pain that she – and her family and friends – endured, how they traveled the road to recovery together, and the trauma that will always be a part of her.
Thursday, May 30
Corrine Jasmin — Tread
Corrine Jasmin is a writer, artist, and filmmaker currently living in Pittsburgh. Her first book, Tread, includes 49 poems that give readers insight into Corrine’s life over the past three years. The poems are an honest behind-the-scenes look at how she navigated life while experiencing mental health issues.
Thursday, June 27
Kristie Knights — Unsung Heroes: Deconstructing Suicide Through Stories of Triumph
Kristie Knights is a psychotherapist, podcaster, and founder of IRise Leadership Institute, a nonprofit that works to eradicate suicide one life at a time. In the book, Unsung Heroes: Deconstructing Suicide Through Stories of Triumph, Kristie compiles stories from 35 writers from five countries. While each story differs in details, they all give readers raw insight at their experience with suicide, both thoughts and attempts.
ABOUT City of Asylum
City of Asylum creates a thriving community for writers, readers, and neighbors. It provides sanctuary to endangered literary writers, so that they can continue to write and their voices are not silenced. City of Asylum offers a broad range of literary programs in a variety of community settings to encourage cross-cultural exchange.
Prior Authors
Season Two
September 2018: Linda K. Schmitmeyer with Steve Schmitmeyer (Rambler: A Family Pushes Through the Fog of Mental Illness)
November 2018: Writers Night featuring Tova Feinman, Cheryl Lynn, Susan Novak, K. Rose Quayle, and Fred Terling
Season One
July 2018: Abeer Hoque (Olive Witch: A Memoir)
June 2018: Lindsey Smith (Eat Your Feelings)
May 2018: K. Rose Quayle (Look Left, Walk Green)
April 2018: Jordan Corcoran (Listen, Lucy; Write It Out)