THE BOOK: Putting Out: Essays on Otherness
PUBLISHED IN: 2019.
THE AUTHOR: Samantha Mann
THE EDITOR: Samantha Atzeni
THE PUBLISHER: Read Furiously Publishing (New Jersey).
SUMMARY: Putting Out: Essays on Otherness is a debut collection of essays that showcase, in eloquent prose, the ebb and flow of discovering yourself. Samantha Mann moves deftly between the roles of participant and observer as she illustrates the difficulty of finding love with others and with herself. The essays in Putting Out are a culmination of this journey as readers are welcomed into its stories of adventurous musings and awkward missteps. Mann explores the stigma that accompanies mental health and the struggle of seeking therapy. She examines the changing landscape of friendships and the need to be creative. However, the thread that holds them together is the biggest story Mann needs to tell.
Putting Out’s honest portrayal is both humorous and heartbreaking as Samantha Mann grows from thoughtful teenager to an expressive, creative adult. These stories are the product of recognizing one’s trauma and being cognizant and grateful for the person we become. As an entire collection, Putting Out: Essays on Otherness contributes to the important conversation on the power of female sexuality and owning one’s true identity. Samantha Mann has proven that we can appreciate who we once were in order to celebrate the happy ending of who we are now.
THE BACK STORY: These are a collection of essays written between the ages of 19-26. Many of these essays originated without any idea that they would ever be published.
WHY THIS TITLE?: In this collection Samantha felt she was literally putting it all out there. The theme of otherness is prominent throughout and a lifelong feeling of the writer. At earlier times in Samantha’s life, the feeling of otherness was associated with isolation and loneliness. Over time, she has found strength and community in otherness.
WHY WOULD SOMEONE WANT TO READ IT? Though this book is written from a female and queer POV, this book will resonate with anyone who has felt the sense of being an outsider.
REVIEW COMMENTS:
Caitlin MacCrate: 5.0 out of 5 stars. “Read it in one day. Every essay weaves delicately to the next and the next and the next until you are unable to close the book until you read the last sentence. These essays touch upon many topics that many of us have dealt with; from coming of age, understanding our sexuality, trauma and experiences. The wittiness of the author will make you laugh and yet reflect upon your own life. It was wonderful to find.”
Al Ko, 5.0 out of 5 stars. ” It was excellent! A hilarious, vulnerable, honest, beautifully written piece of work from the author’s personal experiences. Her writing style is easy to get sucked into. I read the book in one sitting, and am very happy I did.
Nicole V.5.0 out of 5 stars. “his book is fantastic! The author is smart, witty, insightful, and always highly entertaining. Her style is so relatable and funny. Highly recommend, I bought a few as gifts and everyone loves it. Five stars!”
Caitlin Cohen, 5.0 out of 5 stars. “INCREDIBLE collection of essays. Such an honest, thoughtful and brave collection of essays. Really let’s you in on the author’s experience as a young women dealing with her sexuality and personal struggles while learning about herself and how to be a functional adult. I really really loved it!”
AUTHOR PROFILE: Samantha writes primarily nonfiction essays exploring queer life, mental health, parenthood, and pop culture. She has published essays in Elle, Bustle, Romper, and Emry’s Journal. Her essay, Seriously, I’m Kidding, was nominated for the 2019 Pushcart Prize in nonfiction. https://www.0samanthamann.com/
SAMPLE: https://www.amazon.com/Putting-Out-Otherness-Samantha-Mann/dp/0996522786
WHERE ELSE TO BUY IT: Amazon, Barnes & noble, Wallmart
PRICE: 14.99
CONTACT THE AUTHOR: sdmann0502@gmail.com, @samantha.mann05 (instagram), @sdmann0502 (twitter)
Snowflakes in a Blizzard 