Sonoma County book on domestic violence wins Indie awards

An anthology of writings against domestic violence produced as a project by the Sonoma County YWCA has been named a finalist in two national independent book competitions.

“Cry of the Nightbird: Writers Against Domestic Violence,” was honored in the women’s issues category by both the National Indie Excellence Awards and the Next Generation Indie Book Awards.

In the book 38 writers from all walks of life speak out about violence in the home, living in fear and forced silence. The book contains more than 50 prose and poetry pieces.

Published in Oct. 2014, “Cry of the Nightbird” was five years in the making. It was edited by Michelle Wing, founder of the Changing Hurt to Hope program, Ann Hutchinson and Kate Farrell and was released by WolfSinger Publications.

The book has recently been updated with the addition of a downloadable Activities Guide. Designed by professionals such as therapists and support group facilitators, the guide includes eight exercises from writing activities to discussion guides to art projects, each addressing one of the works in “Cry of the Songbird.” They can also be used as a jumping off points for any of the other pieces in the anthology. The guide is available for downloading at the project’s website, cryofthenightbird.com or at ywcase.org. The website also features news and reviews, upcoming events and photos and biographies of the anthology’s contributors. Copies of the book may also be ordered there for $15.

All proceeds from the book benefit YWCA Sonoma County, which provides services for women and children dealing with domestic violence. The book available in ebook format at Amazon.com.

You can reach Staff Writer Meg McConahey at meg.mcconahey@pressdemocrat.com or 521-5204. On Twitter @megmcconahey.