Angels Cried

by Stephen L. Wilson (Editor), Meghan Arcuri, Allison Bruning

On 12/14/12, tragedy struck. Authors and artists combined, so that their expressions of emotion could be put to good use. Contributors from around the world came together and we shared our souls for charity. Our effort has combined to create the anthology "Angels Cried." Please purchase this book. The proceeds go to the Sandy Hook School Support Fund, managed by the United Way.
Thank you
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Contributors:

Meghan Arcuri
Michael Bailey
Jen Baker
Ency Bearis
Julian Brooklyn
Allison Bruning
Elizabeth E. Castillo
Crysta Dawn
Guy Anthony De Marco
T.J. Edison
George S. Geisinger
Charlie Giardino
Marianne Halbert
Reyna Hawk
Zrinka Jelic
Cyma Rizwaan Khan
Jonni Jordyn
Rachel E. Kovacs
Catherine Mahoney
Don Martin
Tami Kidd Masincupp
Paul Morrison
Melisha N. Murray
Eri Nelson
Matthew Christopher Nelson
Roseville Nidea
Linda Bonney Olin
Moses Opara
Alan Place
Katherine Rochholz
Kit Roe
L.K. Russ
Sara St. Claire
Crystal Schall
Zantippy Skiphop
Daron Smith
Brien Sparling
Gretchen Steen
Christena Antonia Valaire Williams
Lisa Williamson
Stephen L. Wilson

Genres: Poetry, Anthologies

192 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 25, 2012

About the author

Editor/Publisher of:
'Angels Cried' charity anthology
'Destiny Unfulfilled'
'Life Bits and Other Chunks: Memoirs of an Untrained Man"
'Ray's Rules' pulp serial

Anthology Contributions:
'Angels Were Sent' in 'Angels Cried'
'A Tasty Twist' in 'All Hallow's Eve"

Author of:
"Life Bits and Other Chunks: Memoirs of an Untrained Man"
'RAY'S RULES' PULP SERIAL:
Episode 1 - "Beginnings"
Episode 2 - "Midnight at the Gates"
Episode 3 - "Ray at the Track"

My Personal Blog:
http://stephenlwilson.blogspot.com

Angels Cried Website:
http://indiesinaction.blogspot.com

Ray's Rules:
http://raysrulesserial.blogspot.com

My Smashwords page:
https://www.smashwords.com/profile/vi...

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Stephe...

stephen.l.wilson.ward.6@gmail.com

Reviews

[Katherine Rochholz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am torn about my feelings of this book, part of me is so proud to be a part of this project, the other part is saddened that this project even has to exist. As everybody knows on 12/14/12 Sandy Hill Elementary was attacked and 26 angels found their way to heaven that day. There have been many tears shed and humanity has shown that there is still a sense of love and unity as the nation's, the world's, heart reached out to Newtown, CT and the families effected by this tragic event. I was contacted by Stephen Wilson asking me to be a part of this project and I said yes, without thought without hesitation, as an Indie author there may not be much that I an do, but to write a short or a poem and donate it to raise money for the effected community was the bare minimum I could do, I have inserted myself in several projects to help these families. But this has got to be the one I am most proud of. Why? Because indie authors around the world, the world not just the United States, but the world, stepped up and donated their works for this anthology. All the works are wonderful and express so much emotion, that I can only hope that the friends and families of the victims, and any person going through similar grief, will find a level of comfort from these short stories and poems. The souls of many have been scared by this tragic event, and I pray that as a nation, as a world, we can step up and prevent another community from having their hearts and souls torn apart from a tragic event such as this one in Newtown, CT.

[Stephen Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am proud of the group of contributors who have been working so hard to make this project come together. This collaboration has been a form of therapy for those of us who express our emotions with the written word. In addition, we now have an opportunity to make a difference with our craft. While the reason for the moment is somber, it is inspiring that complete strangers could do so much in such a short amount of time for a common cause. The quality and sincerity of the response as a whole has been something to be thankful for. Thanks to those who have supported our effort.

[Susanna Mahoney · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a reader, reading each story and poem, and as an observer, observing the artwork in this anthology, my heart bleeds, my eyes cry, and my soul soars. There are contributions from authors and artists around the world. This book is insightful, thoughtful and an inspiration through expressions of grief. There are stories of observers, of life experiences and of anguish. Some stories are dedicated to the angels, by singing their names in print.

The authors wanted to express their solidarity and acknowledgment to the grieving as well to raise the consciousness of humanity, and to demonstrate how pain affects us all. There are 40 authors who have created dedications to all of the angels that departed from us too early. These stories are an accumulation of the welling pain of so many senseless brutal actions against innocent people, and a tribute written for the latest angels and all others who departed too early.

This is a treasure and could be a healing balm to the families and all affected by this. It is my hope that this anthology may be one of the many steps towards action to stop violence. So please preview, buy, and go to sleep tonight knowing you invested in the school fund and became secret angels to heal the community wounded by this senseless and brutal offense.

This powerful anthology was created by authors and artists who wanted to express their emotions, and at the same time assist the families and survivors with donations. Thus, this labor of love was born, and all proceeds are donated to the school fund managed by the United Way. This is an investment that will help many. The anthology is filled with light and dark expressive stories and poems, which work to bring attention to unite people in this time of grief, and help them heal. Hopefully others learn, and offer kind actions, or at least take a look at a deep and insightful book such as this.

[Al · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the interest of full disclosure, the stories and poems in this anthology run the full spectrum from a tough read to very good. As Stephen Wilson, who edited the collection, explained in his Editor’s Note at the beginning:

"Don Martin is credited with providing a complete proofing of the anthology. Many of our contributors have a native language other than English. As a result, there are varieties of creative uses of English demonstrated throughout these works. Even though Don and I have taken editorial liberties with the text and wording, I must point out that whenever possible the original, raw message of the expressed emotions was kept intact."

Some of that non-native English showed through and some of the stories are more polished than others. With a few exceptions (stories or poems with too much negative emotion and a couple that Wilson felt were “too strong for this anthology”) most contributions were accepted. So, in many ways, you might find this hit and miss. Not even all of the poems and stories have an obvious connection to the Sandy Hook incident, although I assume the individual author sees the thread connecting the two. But if you approach this work in the spirit intended, which Wilson describes as therapeutic for the writers, some of them are going to make a connection, whether inspirational or in some other way.

A couple of the stories stood above the rest for me. For Christmas, I Made My Mother Cry, by Guy Anthony De Marco is a nice variation on the “discovering the meaning of Christmas” trope. Another good one is Steampunk by Kit Roe, which was a tribute to those who help keep us safe and more.

**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. **

[Ben Ditmars · Rating 4 out of 5]

Angels Cried pays tribute to the victims of Sandy Hook elementary with some of the most moving poetry and prose you will find. Each writer struggles in their own way to understand a horrible tragedy. But, it is not all directly related to the events. The authors bring hope with other inspirational work. In this, Angels Cried is a catharsis for a world, nation and community in mourning. It is an important book for an important cause, benefiting the victims and their families. You will be better for having read this emotional and powerful collection.

I have a few criticisms. I thought the elements taking place in heaven were a bit repetitive. They were all heartfelt and beautiful in their own right, but together felt a bit wearing. I felt with some of the fiction it strayed too far from the point as well.

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Taken from the description on GoodReads...

"On 12/14/12, tragedy struck. Authors and artists combined, so that their expressions of emotion could be put to good use. Contributors from around the world came together and we shared our souls for charity. Our effort has combined to create the anthology "Angels Cried." Please purchase this book. The proceeds go to the Sandy Hook School Support Fund, managed by the United Way.
Thank you"

The stories and poems contained in this book each offer a differing and unique insight about the event that occurred on December 12, 2012. I am honestly not fond of poetry or short stories, but the stories and poems contained in this book showed me the numerous perspectives of each contributor. Some I read immediately resonated within me, while others I could not understand the role in the book, but again this is there own personal contribution, and I am not judging. May these tiny angels who were taken too soon rest in peace.

[Mii · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a great read!