In the Afterglow

by Carolyn Campbell

This is the story of what love looks like after the rush fades, after the fireworks dim, and life settles into its rhythm. She thought she’d found it—the kind of love that feels steady, safe, and real. She tells her story, writing about the man who made her laugh, who made her feel seen, who made her believe that love could be both extraordinary and ordinary in the best ways.

But just as she was sinking into this new, comforting rhythm, he shattered it with a text message. Three days before Christmas, he walked away. No explanation could soften the blow of such a cowardly goodbye.

And so, she rages. Through poetry, she writes his demise—cruel words, harsh truths, and unfiltered emotions spilling out as she wrestles with the anger of being left behind.

194 pages, Paperback

Published January 14, 2025

About the author

Carolyn Campbell was born and raised in a small town in Kansas, where her love for writing began at the age of 10 when she started journaling about her daily life. Her talent for poetry earned her a creative writing scholarship, allowing her to pursue higher education. She later moved with her son to a small town just outside of Kansas City to obtain a Master’s degree at UMKC while teaching English in North Kansas City, Kansas. Carolyn’s writing is deeply rooted in personal experience, often exploring themes of love, pain, and resilience as she navigates life with PTSD and anxiety. Her work is a raw and heartfelt reflection of her journey, blending emotion and insight through poetic expression.