Mirrors Made of Ink
A collection of sixty poems spanning moments across a lifetime, Mirrors Made of Ink focuses on the emotional catastrophe of adoption. Quist muses with varied style on family, existence, and the liminal space between two lives in pieces that narrate a lonely path of discovery amidst a world seemingly made of secrets.
This is an affiliate link. For more information, see the Disclaimer.
Rose’s Locket
Adopted teenager Izzie grew up with an incomplete story about her past. That is, until her eighteenth birthday, when her parents reveal a set of documents that give Izzie more answers about her origin than she had ever anticipated.
Intent on discovering who her birthmother really is, Izzie and her boyfriend Matt embark on a road trip to find answers. Though Izzie wants to believe that uncovering her past will help her navigate the future, there’s an even more important piece to the puzzle she hasn’t yet considered—one that will change her life forever.
Over the course of their journey, Izzie decides to write a book in which she imagines what her ancestors might have been like. This story of Izzie’s matrilineal ancestry is a fantastical tale full of mystery, magic, unicorns, and mermaids. But when the tale reaches its inevitable end, reality comes crashing down on Izzie once more, leaving her no choice but to decide once and for all who she will become.
With two unique tales in one, Rose’s Locket is a poignant coming-of-age novel that explores the nature of belonging and the power of self-discovery.
This is an affiliate link. For more information, see the Disclaimer.
“If I could somehow wrap up the past, it might be easier for me to navigate the future.”
Rose’s Locket Press & Milestones
Perryton Native Releases Book Inspired By Her Own Story
February 18, 2021, High Plains Observer Perryton.
Graduate student writes book inspired by adoption journey
February 1, 2021, The Lasso.
Where are they now? ... Shannon Quist Simmons
August 15, 2020, The Perryton Herald.
The full article is only available with a subscription to my hometown's newspaper, but don't worry. This one's perfectly preserved in an old-school scrapbook ;)
IndieGoGo Campaign Page
August 17, 2020, IndieGoGo. I raised over $6000 via this campaign to cover the publishing costs with New Degree Press and get Rose's Locket out into the world!
