Chanel Brenner's Book, Vanilla Milk: a memoir told in poems, is Published

Chanel Brenner delivers a memoir of her late son, Riley, through her book of poems titled, “Vanilla Milk: a memoir told in poems, published by Silver Birch Press in October of 2014.

This collection is a mother’s response to the sudden death of her six-year-old son.  These elegies are written snapshots forming an elegiac album, depicting how a traumatic loss alters relationships, love, family, and parenting.  Characterized by unsparing honesty, clarity, and restraint, the poems explore the limits inherent in “recovering” from the grief of losing a child, and the need to continue experiencing joy.

Praise for VANILLA MILK:

“I read Vanilla Milk four times before putting it down, because I was afraid to let go.  Chanel Brenner has crafted a resplendent work of art that is unrivaled in its ability to make sense of the ebbs and flows of grief.”

-Matthew Logelin New York Times bestselling author

“Chanel Brenner’s Vanilla milk is a transcendent work.  The skill and courage of these poems inspire me to be a better writer, the generosity in them inspires me to be a better person.”

-Mia Sara author at [PANK]

“Brenner’s book joins the ranks of great elegies or lamentations for the loss of a child.  Vanilla Milk breaks the heart, moves the soul as few book of poetry can--but like all great art, it heals as well.  You will never see the world the same way again.”

-Jack Grapes author of The Naked Eye, Method Writing, and Poems

About Chanel Brenner:

Chanel Brenner’s poems have appeared in Poet Lore, Rattle, Cultural Weekly, The Coachella Review, Diverse Voices Quarterly, Foliate Oak, and others.  She was awarded first prize for her poetry in a contest from The Write Place At The Write Time.