Wake Up

by Joyce Sweeney

These poems capture a unique and strange detour in the life of the author Joyce Sweeney, who, along with her husband, felt compelled to try and take in a depressed, drug-addicted woman named Irene, in 2008. For three years, the Sweeneys struggled to get Irene help, but she had been suicidal all her life and the battle was lost in January of 2011. Joyce has always turned to poetry to heal her wounds and understand her life. Her first chapbook, IMPERMANENCE (Finishing Line 2008) was her attempt to make sense of her mother's Alzheimer's disease. When Irene took her life, the pain and shock took form as these poems. Ironically, Irene always said that when she was gone, no one would remember her. Sweeney hopes that as she shares her own experiences, she will help heal others and not let people like Irene be forgotten. Joyce is the author of fourteen young adult novels, many of which were award winners. The most popular among these are PLAYERS, Winslow Press 2000, Free Fall, Delacorte Press, 1998 and Shadow, Delacorte Press 1996. In addition she has another collection of poetry published by Finishing Line Press, IMPERMANENCE, 2008. Joyce is an active member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Editors, and teaches online writing classes at www.sweeneywritingcoach.com. She is also a founding member of The Playgroup LLC, which produces original work by South Florida Playwrights. Joyce lives in Coral Springs, Florida, with her husband Jay and cat Nitro. She plans to use part of the proceeds of this book to help organizations that counsel potential suicide victims and survivors.

38 pages, Paperback

Published March 3, 2017

About the author

Joyce Sweeney captured the attention of the YA book world when her novel Center Line was chosen as the winner of the first Delacorte Press Prize for an Outstanding First Young Adult Novel in 1984. Since that auspicious beginning she has continued to publish appealing novels for teens on a variety of topics, among them friendships, family relationships, and self-discovery. Four of those novels have been named Best Books for Young Adults, four have been Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers, and Booklist included Players among its Top Ten Sports Books in 2002.

Reviews

[Ty · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful collection of poems. Several brought me to tears. Sweeney has such a unique way of capturing deep and meaningful emotions. Wonderful.

[Jo Loveday · Rating 5 out of 5]

A journey through the hell of living with someone in the throws of addiction. Sweeney offers us insight with prolific prose and grace.