Submitted by Kristina Moen, Lopez Island Library

After years of keeping an online blog about her life living with mental illness on Lopez Island, local author Emily Metcalf has published her first book. The book is titled “Glass Slippers: A Journey of Mental Illness.” Come to the Lopez Library to celebrate with Metcalf at 5 p.m. on Saturday, April 21. Metcalf will have a fireside talk with Lorrie Harrison and will read an excerpt from her new book. In anticipation, the Lopez Library asked Metcalf a few questions about the book.

LL: What is your book about?

EM: My book is about exploring much needed mental health awareness. It describes my own journey and opinions with and about this issue. [It] discuss mental, spiritual, and emotional issues facing a mental health consumer in their daily life.

LL: What is your writing process like?

EM: My writing expresses my creative flow and emerges very intuitively to the page. I do not discriminate or edit what emerges. I like to respect all that flows from my being.

LL: You’ve been writing and blogging for a while. What inspired you to publish your book?

EM: I was inspired to put out the 25-page piece I wrote about mental illness and my blogs and poetry as I emerged from a psychotic break in 2016. It was as if I was divinely guided to follow this path. It took about a year of seasoning this idea and exploring self-publishers before committing to going forward.

LL: Your book is extremely personal. What has it been like to have your friends, family and Lopez community read your words? EM: I try not to think too much about people sitting at home reading about my personal story as it is very emotional and can be gut-wrenching at times. My blog has been out there for a while, so I am somewhat used to the idea. Most all of the feedback has been positive. I believe if it is true for me, why not put it out there to the world? I believe in being transparent and utterly honest.

Metcalf’s new book will be for sale (cash or check only) at the celebration. If you’d like to bring your own book for her to sign, you can purchase her book at the Lopez Bookshop or Barnes and Noble online. Her website is www.welcometothegrit.squarespace.com.