TO READ: My Book is Available!
I'm delighted to let you know that my book, Writing through the Darkness: Easing Your Depression with Paper and Pen, is now widely available, both online and in bookstores. (If your bookstore doesn't have it, ask for it!) The official publication date is not until June 1, but lots of folks are telling me that they're finding it at various locations -- one chain bookstore I visited this week told me they'd already sold out of it and were ordering more, which of course does a new author's heart lots of good. To order online, go to my website, www.emschaefer.com, and click on the "order this book" button. Or, just go to www.Amazon.com.

Writing through the Darkness is a practical guide to using creative writing to help heal depression. For over 20 years I've coped with severe depressions due to my bipolar disorder. I've tried at least 25 medications, years of psychotherapy, over 100 electroconvulsive (shock) therapy treatments, transcranial magnetic stimulation, as well as acupuncture, herbs, energy adjustments, meditation regimens and more. But I discovered that writing was my friend, companion and, at times, my savior, through it all.

I've been leading a creative writing group for people with depression, bipolar disorder and other conditions for ten years now. Along the way I've studied the research on how writing can help us emotionally and how other authors and poets have naturally been drawn to it to cope. Writing through the Darkness is my offering of this healing tool to you. I hope you will find it encouraging and informative as you learn new ways to ease the pain of depression. Please let me know what you think!