I’m grateful to @joyalmulheron for these words about The Porcelain Heart and for her work supporting bereaved people and families. 🤍 The book will be published October 27 and is available for pre-order now. After you read it, I’d love to hear what you think.

Are you looking for your book club’s next read? The Porcelain Heart chronicles the year after my son Michael died unexpectedly at 45 and what it means to live with grief. Special book club pricing is available for multiple copies. Interested? Send me a DM for details.

It isn’t always easy to talk about Michael, but I welcome the opportunity. I love talking about him and sharing memories of his life. And I’ve found that people are often more willing to listen than we might expect. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

I recently joined Brooke Carlock on The Mourning Coffee Podcast to talk about Michael, my experience after his death, and some of what I share in The Porcelain Heart. As two mothers who have lost children, we spoke openly about the realities of grief. 🤍 Listen to our full conversation.

My latest essay for @opensecretsmag is about a desk that has followed me for more than 50 years. The only problem? I’m still not sure it belongs to me. It involves art school, an accusation of theft, and a desk that’s still in my bedroom today. Read “The Purloined Desk.”

The Porcelain Heart comes out October 27, and I’d love to celebrate with you in person the next night. 🤍 Join me at @booksoup for a conversation about the book and a signing. 📍 Book Soup, West Hollywood 📅 October 28 | 7 PM

One month to go. On October 27, The Porcelain Heart will be out in the world. What began as a way to preserve my memories of Michael became something I never imagined. I’m grateful to everyone who has supported me along the way. Pre-order at the link in my bio.

I'm incredibly grateful for these thoughtful words from author Aimee Liu.

When Michael was young, he sometimes stayed with my parents at our family’s lake cabin. While we were apart, I wrote to him every day. One summer, he saved every letter unopened so I could read them to him when I arrived. It’s a poignant memory. I wish I could send him a letter now.

To celebrate The Porcelain Heart, I’m giving away a commemorative heart necklace. 🤍 To enter, follow @marcykellyauthor on Instagram, like the giveaway post & tag someone who would appreciate its meaning. Winner announced 9/25 on Instagram Stories!

I wanted to be honest about what the year after Michael’s death was actually like. That meant including moments that were difficult to explain but impossible for me to forget. This is one of those moments. You can order my book now on Amazon or wherever books are sold.

There were many decisions to make for my book, including putting my son’s photo on the cover. The publisher chose the picture. I worried Michael wouldn’t approve and that seeing it might be upsetting. Now, I can’t imagine the book without him there. The Porcelain Heart is out October 27.

After Michael died, some people hesitated to mention him, worried they might remind me of what I had lost. I didn’t need a reminder. I appreciated hearing his name, especially stories I hadn’t heard before. Share the name of someone you miss and something you want others to know about them.

I read your piece about Gloria Steinem today with great interest. I helped organize the event and recall it was to raise money for Choice. Mrs. Lear only wanted white wine served. Jane Fonda told everyone it had once been her home.I have a photo of me standing next to Gloria, so beautiful.

Gloria Steinem, you will be missed. This photo of the two of us was taken in the 1980s, when I organized a fundraiser for one of her causes. Gloria spent her life advocating for women’s rights and equality, and I feel fortunate to have crossed paths with her through that work. Rest in peace.

In the year after Michael died, my head was too full of grief to concentrate. For my sanity, I learned to play bridge. It gave my mind somewhere else to go for a few hours and eventually became something I genuinely enjoy. What has helped you through a difficult period?