Dear Scarlet: The Story of My Postpartum Depression

--Our graphic novel and non-fiction program has purposely included many titles by women writers: Becoming Unbecoming, Blue Is the Warmest Color, Body Music, Snapshots of a Girl. Dear Scarlet is our first graphic title by a Canadian woman writer, Teresa Wong, in which she documents the intimate and powerful story of her struggle with postpartum depression.

--The book takes the form of an illustrated letter written to her daughter Scarlet, taking her through the story of Teresa’s fears and anxieties of being a new mother, from her guilt over feelings of inadequacy to her desperate search for a way out, including therapy, counselling, and her mother’s Chinese elixirs. What’s striking about this book is the disarming simplicity of the artwork, which provides a counterpoint to the serious nature of the writing. Combined, Dear Scarlet is a poignant look at the complexities of motherhood that will make readers weepy, regardless of whether they are parents.

--The book is being published in May, in time for Postpartum Awareness Month. We will promote this book to parenting and PPD communities as well as comics/graphic novel media.

--In Teresa’s own words: “Writing and drawing Dear Scarlet has also been therapeutic for me, and I believe its honesty and humor might resonate with all women struggling with depression—postpartum or otherwise—as well as the loved ones supporting them. I hope that my story creates an opening for women to speak up and get the help they need. The book is also a love letter to my three children, a record of how I fought to regain myself and a reminder that I did it so I could be here for them. ”

US publicity will be handled by Beth Parker PR of New York.

© 2019 Arsenal Pulp Press (E-bog): 9781551527666

Release date

E-bog: 4. juni 2019