The Roaring Silence - A compendium of interviews, essays, poetry, art and prose about suicide

THE ROARING SILENCE

A compendium of interviews, essays, poetry, art and prose about suicide

 

Project Mentor and Editor:  Linda Blincko   

Co-editors & Designers: Amelia Harris and Julia West

Publisher: The Depot Press, part of Depot Artspace

depotpress.co.nz

RRP: $30.00

Instore Date: Monday 27 March 2017

  

The 79 contributors to THE ROARING SILENCE – a potent mix of artists, writers, poets, musicians and professionals – help to break this silence by courageously sharing their reality that life is both dark and bright and that none of us is immune from times of shadow.

 

THE ROARING SILENCE is a community-led initiative and an aspect of The Depot’s philosophy of empowering the community to tell its own stories and find its own solutions. Essential reading, its diversity and creativity is enlightening and empowering, challenging and reassuring.

 

Suicide has been positioned as a dark taboo too dangerous to discuss, or too shameful to admit to. At the same time, the problem of suicide has grown. Suicide crosses all age, gender, cultural divides and affects families, neighbourhoods, friendship groups, communities of interest. “We are hoping to open the dialogue about suicide and demystify it”, says editor Amelia Harris.

 

“In May last year we sent an open call-out for any and all creative works that expressed personal experiences with suicide. We received 79 submissions and each one is included in the book. It was important that the contributors, as a baseline, felt that they were accepted, listened to and respected (these basic principles can sometimes achieve quite a lot!)”

 

“Because of this, the content of the book is very inclusive and broad. There is a drawing from a young boy, a cartoon by NZ Herald cartoonist Rod Emmerson, an interview with singer songwriter Caitlin Smith, a poem by Richard Von Sturmer, work by teen poets, a teen anti-bullying group, emerging and established writers, a few teachers, a GP, through to senior artists like Nigel Brown and the respected Judge Neil McLean.”

 

“We’re hoping this diverse approach will help the book reach the widest readership. Most people will find someone, or something in the book that they can relate to. The space to discuss suicide isn’t often opened up in our regular lives, and THE ROARING SILENCE gives a profound insight into how the reality of suicide and suicidal thinking is processed” says Linda.

 

Lynn Lawton, manager of the Depot Artspace ArtsLab Programme and a Royal NZ Navy Chaplain for 10 years has also contributed to the book.  He believes it’s through community - and open conversation - that we can positively address the issue of suicide. 

 

Contributors to The Roaring Silence

Aaron Kevin Croawell, Alexander Wright, Alice Tumblescribbleson, Allan McEvoy, Amethyst Caverhill, Anita Mary, Antoinette Ratcliffe, Ashton Brown, Bernie Harfleet and Donna Turtle Sarten, Beth Ducklingmonster, Caitlin Smith, Chris McBride, Colleen Henry, Dallas Gopi, Darly Royan Paraha, David Merritt, Deborah Alma, Elaine De Guzman, Elisabeth Horsfall, Elizabeth Kirkby-McLeod, Emma Bryson, Erica Smith, Finola Scott, Fraser Williamson, Gilbert Lawrence, Grace Shelley-Poschl, Grant Alexander, Heidi North-Bailey, Hugh Wilson, Imogen Rogers, Irina May, James F Easteal, Jamie McEwan, Jenny Laycock, Jodie Ancliff, Jude Galang, Judge Neil MacLean, Julia West, Jutta Humpfer, Karin Hofko, Karen Belk, Kay McGregor, Kiri Piahana-Wong, Kirin Cerise, Kristina Cavit, Lauri Lee In-Jung Shore, LIFELINE, Lily, Linda Jarrett, Linda Stevenson, Lyndsay Brock, Lynn Lawton, Manu Fotu, Marina Grey, Markus Hofko, Matthew Crookes, Matthew George Richard Ward, Mavis Gulliver, Melissa Fergusson, Miriam Barr, Mohamed Hassan, Nancy Brier, Natasha Lay, Nigel Brown, Paul Chapman, Qalina, Rangituhia Hollis, Richard von Sturmer, Robyn Gibson, Robyn Pickens, Rod Emmerson, Rosie Whinray, Rozana Lee, Sam Orchard, Shaq Leota, Simon Esling, Sticks and Stones, Tanya Ruka, To’asavilli Tuputala, Vanessa Crofskey.

 

THE ROARING SILENCE received funding from the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board and the Escape Artists exhibition, with each artist generously providing a work for an auction to raise money for the book and Soar Print organised free binding to contribute towards keeping the overall cost of the publication down. In the spirit of the book it’s been a true community project.

 

Depot Press has set up a tumblr site to keep the conversation going.   

http://theroaringsilence-web.tumblr.com/

It contains work that couldn’t be included in the book, links, and an ongoing dialogue.