inkwells.

Winner of the 2023 Donna Lynne Quille Award

The Collection

Book cover titled 'inkwells.' by Margaret Beaver, with a black and white photograph of a branch with buds at the bottom.
An award plaque with metallic engraving, recognizing Margaret Beaver for Best Advocacy Prose in 2023.

The Synopsis

she was not birthed; she was forged. she climbed the tower of her shattered remnants and piece by piece, she reinvented. society taught her to think in black and white; the universe taught her to dream in color. she doesn't need air; she needs to want to breathe. and this is her placing her soul in your hands. this is her realizing she may be a single tree in this world of wilderness, but she is mighty green indeed.

this is inkwells.

wipe your feet off at the door.

  • "Magnificent, disturbing, and eloquent. . . inkwells. becomes not just a journey through mental anguish, but a rediscovery of the value of words to explain ourselves to ourselves, to give language to a state of being that is not translatable for all of us. . . She is talking to us through images made of words, materializing on the page as a separate but related link to her thoughts, to either the power or disempowerment of her language. . . It was a labor, a deliberate and slow translation of the heart and soul to the page."

    —Charlotte Glass, author of the "Allison Cassidy" Romance Series

  • "After having bad mental health for the past one year, I know how dark dark times could be. But luckily I survived that time just the way Margaret had. One could survive their dark time. Just stick to seeing yourself healed. . . . In this book, the author has used blunt language and raw emotions. This book would take readers on a rollercoaster ride of a mental health journey. The readers would get a sneak peak into the mind of someone who had a bad mental health and is recovered now. I admire the author for sharing her journey with us. This book is a guiding light that gives a valuable message to the readers that 'we will overcome.'"

    —Monika Singla, Goodreads

  • "The author's words are raw and she has written poems describing her feelings and dark times. At the same time, the author is telling readers not to give up in their dark times as the path is full of light ahead. . . . I want to recommend this book to avid poetry readers so they could connect to the author's words well. Since, in this book, the author has poured her thoughts the way we dip our ink in the pot, I appreciate the author's choice of title. Poetry readers could read this book in two sittings. Add it to your TBR now."

    —Sassy Reviews, Goodreads

  • "This collection of poems is extremely touching—because of the themes it explores, of course, but also thanks to the poet's skillful writing. Margaret Beaver describes sorrow with preciseness, and the metaphors, particularly, are top-notch. The use of strong imagery and solid comparisons are what make the text so poignant. . . . Margaret Beaver's poetry can also sound effortless while being extremely ingenious, and some lines are truly breathtaking."

    —Celia C., Reedsy

Trigger Warnings

This book contains themes and depictions of abuse, depression, anxiety, suicidal ideations, and suicidal thoughts. Please proceed with caution.

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