PEN America Handbook For Writers in Prison: Crafting A Writer's Life in Prison

The book "The Sentences That Create Us" is a great resource for incarcerated people and their allies to have a thriving writing life behind bars and beyond. It offers advice, inspiration, and resources from over fifty contributors, most of whom are justice-involved. The book aims to propel writers in prison to launch their work into the world, while also embracing and supporting the creative community within the walls.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 150 pages
Publication date: 24 February 2022
Publisher: Haymarket Books

“This is one of the best books on writing that I've ever read. I couldn't put it down.”—Michelle Alexander, author of The New Jim Crow

The Sentences That Create Us offers a comprehensive guide for incarcerated individuals and their allies to nurture a thriving writing life both within and beyond prison walls. Drawing upon the unique insights of over fifty contributors, many of whom are justice-involved themselves, the book provides invaluable advice, inspiration, and resources to aspiring writers.

At its core, The Sentences That Create Us subscribes to the philosophy that writers in prison possess the same vitality and creative potential as their counterparts outside the walls. It aims to empower writers in prison to disseminate their work to a broader audience, while also fostering and celebrating the vibrant creative community within the prison walls.

The book serves as a valuable resource for writers at all stages of their journey, providing a solid foundation in creative writing techniques. Renowned contributors such as Reginald Dwayne Betts (Felon: Poems), Mitchell S. Jackson (Survival Math), Wilbert Rideau (In the Place of Justice), and Piper Kerman (Orange is the New Black), among many others, share their personal experiences and insights into the challenges and opportunities of writing within the confines of prison. Through compelling first-person narratives, they offer practical advice on editing techniques, pathways to publication, writing routines, launching incarcerated-run prison publications, and organizing writing groups.

Furthermore, The Sentences That Create Us incorporates lesson plans from prison educators and provides valuable resources for those seeking to continue their writing education and pursue literary aspirations after release. The book's overarching theme of addressing incarceration is woven throughout, emphasizing the importance of storytelling and the transformative power of writing in challenging societal narratives.

In conclusion, The Sentences That Create Us is a groundbreaking and essential resource for incarcerated individuals and their allies who seek to nurture their writing talents and engage with the world beyond the prison walls. By offering a wealth of knowledge, inspiration, and practical guidance, the book empowers writers to thrive and make a meaningful impact on their lives and the broader community.

Weight: 454g
Dimension: 141 x 215 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781642595802