Tell It Slant: An Anthology of Creative nonfiction by Writers from Colorado’s Prisons

In a time of unprecedented isolation, the stories we tell ourselves and each other create a sense of community, of belonging. The writings in this anthology come from a correspondence course, Tell it Slant: Reading & Writing Creative Nonfiction, that the University of Denver’s Prison Arts Initiative (DU PAI) offered in collaboration with the Colorado Department of Corrections (CDOC) at nine state facilities. As we designed the course, which would be offered in the midst of the Coronavirus pandemic, we wanted to focus on the power of telling our truths as a means to feel connected to each other. DU PAI believes that artistic practice, both “inside” and “outside,” has therapeutic benefits for the individual and the community. We are also convinced that incarcerated people have important insights and creative expressions to share. The class itself and this anthology were motivated by these two beliefs. Immerse yourself in the range of emotions these pieces explore.