Issue 6: I published a chapbook…and it’s out today!
"The Funny Thing About A Panic Attack" is available from Bottlecap Press!
Hello, Strawberries (“Strawberries”: We’re going with it)!
Today is a special edition of the Substack to announce that my debut poetry chapbook, The Funny Thing About A Panic Attack, is now available from Bottlecap Press!
First of all, let me express my infinite and everlasting gratitude to all of you. On its face, poetry is a practice done in solitude – but, like anything else, it truly takes a village. That means family, friends, teachers, editors, collaborators, readers, and supporters of all kinds. On the chapbook’s acknowledgments page, I personally thank 42 people…which is more people than pages in the chapbook. That’s how grateful I am.
So thank you. Thank you for the opportunity to be creative, to be vulnerable, to be playful, to be myself. You have been such an instrumental part of this journey, and I invite you all to share in the joy and the achievement with me.
Aaaaand here’s a description of the chapbook:
What is the funny thing about a panic attack? Is it that you think you’re dying? Is it that you actually live?
Is it that, afterwards, it’s 2:00 am and you’re in your living room surrounded by three giant gorgeous paramedics, who look like April, May, and June on next year’s calendar, and since your heart didn’t actually stop, they won’t be needing that gurney after all?
Yes, maybe that’s the funny thing! Or maybe you just need something – anything – about this to be funny.
With his signature style and singular voice, award-winning writer Ben Kassoy invites readers into his darkest chapters, deepest relationships, and wildest dreams – the spectacularly original world of his debut poetry chapbook, The Funny Thing About A Panic Attack.
Brimming with humor, heart, and defiant wonder in the face of depression, anxiety, and grief, these poems explore how one man unleashes the transcendent power of imagination and love to create a life that’s bigger, fuller, and more possible – and how all of us can, too.
Want to help support the book?
I’d super appreciatcha! You can:
Buy a copy directly from the publisher.
Buy a couple more copies – ya know, for friends or fam or people in your life who like to laugh and/or like to read and/or like donuts or the ocean.
Post about it on social media and be sure to tag me (@bkassoy) and the publisher (@bottlecappress). I’ve included some assets below for you to download/share.
With love and thanks and strawberries and dreidels…and a brand-new chapbook!
Ben
