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      Copyright © 2017 Jen Cross

      Published by Mango Publishing Group, a division of Mango Media Inc.

      Cover Design: Laura Mejía

      Layout & Design: Morgane Leoni

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      Writing Ourselves Whole: Using the Power of Your Own Creativity to Recover and Heal from Sexual Trauma

      Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication number: 2017911416

      ISBN: (paperback) 978-1-63353-619-7 , (ebook) 978-1-63353-620-3

      BISAC SEL001000 SELF-HELP / Abuse / Self-Esteem

      Printed in the United States of America

      For all the survivor-writers

      who’ve risked uncapping their pens

      and pouring onto the page

      the stories that were never meant to be told.

      You broke that isolation open,

      and created change in the world

      And for Sarah,

      who is my heart

      Praise

      Writing Ourselves Whole is rich, intelligent, passionate, intimate, honest and encouraging. Jen Cross draws from her personal experience, her many years of facilitating writing groups with survivors of sexual abuse, and the wisdom of a variety of teachers and writers, to provide guidance for writing—and for life—that’s both sensible and inspiring. This book is a treasure trove!

      - Ellen Bass, poet and co-author of the ground-breaking The Courage to Heal

      Writing Ourselves Whole is a raw, powerful, necessary, wise and practiced guidebook to the revolutionary practice of finding the words, language and voice to transform suffering. It is chock full of insights, exercises, experience and the kind of fierce love and teaching that transforms pain into power. Jen Cross is a brave and brilliant transmitter of the deepest healing and healing practices. To anyone who has experienced abuse, violation and trauma, this book is a way out of the darkness.

      — Eve Ensler, playwright, performer, and activist, author of the Vagina Monologues, founder of the One Billion Rising campaign

      This is the most essential book on writing practice I know.

      — from the Foreword by Pat Schneider, poet, author, and librettist, founder of the Amherst Writers & Artists writing workshop method

      If only my mother had picked up a pen and trusted herself to let the maelstrom of her inner emotions out. If only she could time-travel and step into Jen’s living room, begin the work of letting her secret self be articulated.

      — from the Afterword by Carol Queen, author, sexologist, and activist, founder of the Center for Sex and Culture

      Writing Ourselves Whole is a profound book of lessons. It teaches the power of taking up space with the most singular of stories (your own), and the power of bearing witness collectively. Jen Cross offers a pathway to find your own truth in writing, and unites us in the transformative power of storytelling.

      — Amy Scholder