RE:SURGENCE IS HERE

As soon as the PDF was converted to a shareable link, I think I audibly screamed, "FINALLY!"

If you don't remember from the RE:SURGENCE poems, at the bottom of each one, I kept promising that once everything was published, I would be sharing a free, fully formatted PDF for anyone to read or print out.

THAT WAS SEVEN MONTHS AGO.

I swear I am the QUEEN of slow moving projects. Just - don't trust any promises that come out of my mouth, yeah?

But hey, it's here, it's done, and anyone can download it, share it, and make proper reviews for it ( maybe...? : D ).

But before I drop the 40+ page PDF I would like to say thank you to some very special vocal creators who constantly supported my journey through RE:SURGENCE.

Ian Read

Ian has been a staunch supporter and friend of mine almost since day one of the opening of the official discord channel. Funny enough I had already posted most of part I of the collection before I started promoting it, and before Ian became a regular commenter. Talk about destined timing!

There were a few poems I remember showing him early drafts of, and many late nights of us talking about our individual journey's through mental health. He gave me a lot of confidence throughout publishing each poem, and a thank you simply isn't enough.

Babs Iverson

Babs, Babs, Babs...she was the VERY FIRST person to ever comment of my work, and on the second poem of RE:SURGENCE she was there too, providing support. She, to me, is one of the very best members of this community for how much love she gives to small creators on the platform. You really never know where she will pop up, but when she does, it's always with a heart-warming attitude.

Without her, I don't know if I would have kept going on Vocal. All it takes is one person's notice, one person's compliment that can give the push writer's need.

Dharrsheena Raja Segarran

Can we just call Dharrsheena Vocal Royalty? Seriously, this person is an absolute gem of a human being and her presence on Vocal is viscerally felt. I don't think I appreciated just how much of a shadow she cast until I got to know her and her work better. But my first memories of her will always be these small, very kind comments that gave me a real jolt of surprise and glee.

She went on the become a regular supporter not only on RE:SURGENCE but more of my other work too. I am always in awe of her generosity and kind spirit. ( And how that contrasts to her wonderfully dark and mesmerizing pieces that you need to read ASAP. ) I need to return the favor for all the love she has given me.

Lamar Wiggins

THIS GUY RIGHT HERE! He gives some of the most amazing feedback and personal commentary, and it always blows me away how I managed to connect to someone with my poetry, especially someone who, despite being active on Vocal, I haven't interacted with much beyond the comments section!

If you ever get Lamar reading your stories, know you are going to be in for some of the best commentary you will ever see. He's both kind, honest and open with sharing his own experiences as they relate to the work he reads. A really rare and precious type of person that you just can't replace.

Poppy

If Dharrsheena is Vocal Royalty, Poppy is Poetry Royalty. I think I was in love with her style from the very first poem I read of hers, and I've continued being a fan ever since.

This actually might have been our first interaction? Could be wrong, but either way, after this anytime Poppy would comment on a poem of mine I would do a mental backflip of joy. Seeing someone I admire for poetry complimenting my poems?? Out of this world humbled by this amazing creator.

Matthew Fromm

Okay, we got more royalty in the house, this time the KING of fiction, Matthew Fromm himself. I seriously think he can write anything and it will come out excellent.

Before this I believe he had left a few comments on my fiction work, which really meant a lot coming from someone whose fiction in my book was downright professional grade level. But seeing him coming by to drop support for RE:SURGENCE meant A LOT, especially given his hard-hitting comments ( and top story predictions! ) that would always bring a smile ( or happy tear! ) to my face.

Stephanie Hoogstad

Stephanie has a way of making you cry and smile at the same time. ( Happy tears! ) She came in on part III of the collection and absolutely made my day whenever she left one of these incredible comments.

She's a very talented writer herself, someone whose work I had noticed before she began giving her love and support for my poetry. Her diction and descriptions are SO good. If you ever want another top creator on your subscribed to list, she's one to go for.

Paul Stewart

Lovely, lovely, Paul Stewart ( King of Vocal?? ), someone who really humbled me to just how much my poetry had connected to others.

From his first comment to his last, he has left an impression on me that I doubt will fade with time. Like most other of my early readers, Paul was introduced to me through my pieces on mental health, and still to this day his comments on those stories are some of the ones I re-read the most.

Kenny Penn

Last but not least, we have Kenny Penn, who I like to think of as a bottle of pure sunshine. Not only does Kenny leave these wonderful comments, but the more he gets to know you and your work, the more of his kind-hearted personality comes to light.

This guy has gone on to be one of a select few who I eagerly look forward to reading their reaction to my stories, both poetry, fiction, and other experimental work. This comment I highlighted above really doesn't do him justice. His excitement and love is so contagious!! It encouraged me to be more fun and excited in my own comments to other creators on Vocal, rather than the stiff writer that I tried to be at first. Like everyone else I've shouted out here, thank you just isn't enough.

And So Many More, Thank You

There are many more I could shout out, but know that if you were there in any form ( likes, comments, top story nominations, ect. ) you are more appreciated than you know!

For this, alongside my family, I have also dedicated RE:SURGENCE to the Vocal community. So, I dearly hope you enjoy this bit of myself, and that you re-read it, share it, and hold it close as proof that you are never alone in your mental health journey.

>>> COME GET YOUR COPY! <<<

E-mail subscribers will also be getting an email with the PDF attached, and eventually I will have a place on my website to download it too.

Let me know if any of you have trouble with the link, and I will fix it promptly!

Much love,

Amanda S.