Tell us a little about your book:

The Art of a Damaged Soul is aimed as a therapeutic poetry book for those that often feel alone, lost, heartbroken and down. This is written for anyone to look at when their heart may be hurting, their mind may be dark or their soul feels empty. The contents of this book ranges from poems, quotes and essentially anything inspired by feelings. I would argue that included, is everything a ‘damaged soul’ would feel. Everyone uses different forms of art to express their feelings and who they are, therefore each and every soul would seek comfort in this book. We all have our own traumas and experiences that others don’t understand. Art is an incredible form of expression as it allows us all to relate to one another. To understand our own trauma, heartbreak, sadness and loneliness. Even though our own experience is unique, finding something that understands even a fraction of that, makes you feel unified, not alone and as if someone, somewhere understands. I believe The Art Of A Damaged Soul does just that.

When you were writing the poetry for The Art of a Damaged Soul, was it always intended to be a book?

Not at all. I wrote it in lockdown in 2020 and I guess as I was at home with a lot of time alone, the demons and trauma of my past completely swamped my mind. I had realised that I buried a lot of trauma and pain and never took the time to process it until then. So, one day I opened my laptop and just wrote. To me it was a load of scribbles from my mind, heart and soul but after sharing a few with my mother and sister, they said how powerful they were and unique so I kept going and then formed it into a book and submitted it to be published. I got a lot of positive feedback and a lot of publishers were interested in publishing it so I picked the one I felt understood my journey the most and would deal with it in a supportive and caring way.

Do you have a favourite poem from your book?

This is a very hard question to answer as I love quite a few for so many different reasons but the first to come to mind would be “She Built A Home”. I honestly feel it gives me so much hope yet reminds me of the reality of life and how we must be patient seeking the magic we deserve but also to never give up or lose hope to find it. You have to build a home and life in your mind, manifest it and go out and create it. I hope my readers connect to it like I do.

Is there a poem that you think is important for people to read and if so, who would you recommend read it?

I think this question is extremely hard to answer, I find this very difficult. I personally think every reader will find a different poem, the most valuable and important to them and their specific journey.

However, I ask you ALL to let “Toast To Death” sink in. No matter your story, there is great importance within this, that we must all remember…

“Tonight, we toast to death, for without the certainty of death we will never truly appreciate the value of life. We will just survive rather than truly live”

We will just survive rather than truly live - in this society, in this mad crazy world, isn’t it SO HARD to LIVE and not just survive? I guess it’s up to you to figure out why that is true, for your particular life and journey you are on. Just remember you need to find a way to live as I know for me, I haven’t done that yet. I have just constantly been trying my very best to survive.

What is it that makes this book unique?

When writing it I was very very aware that it was literally a window into my soul and my life, with that being my pain and trauma as well as the good parts.

The reviews all say the same thing so far “Extremely Raw and Honest” and with that I agree and I guess that is why, at first, friends and family were slightly hesitant and suggested me publishing it anonymously. This was something I of course considered but I knew in my heart that it just wasn’t an option, ever! If I was to share this with the world it had to be with my name. So, I guess the extremely raw, honest, straight to the point content makes it unique.

What feedback have you had on your book that you’re most proud of?

Other than being called “A 21st Century Sylvia Plath” (screamed when I read that!) I guess the fact that all feedback has been so inspiring and heartwarming. They all stated how raw and honest it is and lot of people have told me my book and my honesty saved their lives.

I reply with the same opening line, before making each response personal. “I didn’t save your life, my book may have just inspired you to find the strength and beauty within you to save yourself”.

As I stated in the foreword, “I decided to submit it to be published in the hope to make a difference to at least just one person’s life. To remind someone that you are worthy and it is ok to be whoever you want to be”.  So, clearly I achieved that already and so even if I don’t sell as many copies as I dream for it to reach as many souls as I hope, I at least know I achieved my ultimate aim. It seems to have inspired more than one person and for that I am so so glad.

What was the best piece of advice given to you in your writing journey?

“No matter what reviews, sale numbers or ratings you get - your bravery and honesty is so inspiring and you used something that should have killed you into art”.

I will continue to do just that. To channel my pain into art which will hopefully inspire, motivate but also educate.

Who is your favourite author that writes in your genre and why?

Oh I have a fair few. Rupi Kaur, Courtney Peppernell, Yung Pueblo, Matt Haig (for the mental health aspects) but I think my number one would be R.H Sin. His work is incredible! Honestly, breathtakingly, painfully beautiful.

Has publishing The Art of a Damaged Soul made you want to publish more in the future and if so, would you look to publish more poetry?

I knew when it got published that it would be the first of a series. The Damaged Soul Series - each book touching on different elements of life and all of them taking you on a damaged soul’s journey. The next book is “The Art of a Damaged Soul - Volume II - When Two Souls Collide”. 

I am so excited to share this one. It is heartbreakingly sarcastic and tells a really amazing story about a damaged soul who goes back out in the world trying to form connections - whether that be friendship, sexual, romantical -  and also rebuilding family connections that got lost through trauma and detachment and misunderstanding. It is honestly so sarcastic at points though, some may even say slightly passive aggressive at some times, especially with the inner monologues that I have put in blue font within a lot of the poems, but I think my readers will find it very funny and of course extremely raw and honest. I honestly cannot wait to share this one!! It will be bigger, bolder and hopefully a lot better! But yes, it is a lot funnier and lighter in parts!

How long did you spend writing The Art of a Damaged Soul and was the experience what you expected?

I wrote it within a week, then got it accepted to be published. Then added loads of poems over time when it was in the editing stage. I must thank my publishers for their patience with that as it was really important to me that the poems were in a particular order as some poems juxtaposed one another! So thank you, to my publishers and Walter my Editor, for your patience! I added so many poems over the editing stage!! It came to a point where I had no choice but to stop and just put them into Volume II.

Given the personal connection you have to your book, were there times that the writing process was particularly difficult? Perhaps a specific poem.

I think to my readers, this will be a fairly obvious answer yet of course a difficult one.

“No Longer a Victim”

I was very hesitant as to whether to include this one in the final version that was to be printed but I decided to stay true to myself and release it. I also have “The Magic 8 Ball” an extremely personal poem that touches on these issues in much greater depth and I didn’t include it.

However, I can confirm, it will be included in Volume II. (shakes with nerves)

Is there a message you want readers to take away from reading your book?

I hope that this book allows you to have the courage to be open about who you are and your story. I hope it resonates with you and allows you to manifest all your biggest dreams and desires. I really hope it helps you get up and live a life you want to live and to continue to Be Brave, Be Bold and Be Beautiful in your own unique way, not in a way society makes us believe we have to be. I am not a ‘writer’ as such, I always got bad grades in English for my punctuation and grammar but everything you are about to read is real. It is raw. I decided to submit it to be published in the hope of making a difference to at least just one person’s life. To remind someone that you are worthy and it is ok to be whoever you want to be.

Please my readers, remember, your damaged soul is MAGIC. You’re worthy of so much love, compassion, security, happiness and joy. If you ever forget it, find something to remind you and hey! Maybe, just maybe, that could be my book.

So this is for all the damaged souls out there, wherever in the world you may be.

I hope you enjoy this book and I’d love to hear your thoughts, always.

This is The Art Of A Damaged Soul.

Never-ending love and bravery to you my reader, Gabriella Leonardi

Is there anything further you would like to say that isn’t covered in the above?

YOU ARE MAGIC!!!!!!!!

STAY STRONG, PLEASE.

If you can’t do it for yourself right now, do it for those that will come to love you and be inspired and touched by your magical soul, in the future. You are yet to complete making your beautifully unique mark on the world.

Gabriella Leonardi’s The Art of a Damaged Soul

is available in Paperback and eBook.

Find out more about The Art of a Damaged Soul here.

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