About the Book
Who says you have to take life's punches without fighting back? Whether you're breaking up, breaking down, or just at the breaking point, KISS OFF will help you say goodbye to everything that's holding you back and jump-start your life. From Andrew Marvell to Deborah Garrison, from Langston Hughes to Grace Paley, this liberating collection of poems and insightful commentary will inspire you to cut your losses, welcome renewal, and become the fabulous person you always knew you could be.
About the Authors Mary D. Esselman grew up in Louisville, KY, the fourth of seven children (and the first of two girls).
She earned her bachelor's degree in English at Georgetown in 1984, and her master's degree in English there in 1987, after she spent a year teaching English in Belize. She has taught English at The American University, Marymount University, the United States Senate Page School, and Georgetown University.
Mary's freelance work includes features for Discovery Channel Online (including “The Rules of Love: The History of Courtship in America”), People® Magazine, USA Weekend and other publications. She has researched, associate produced, and written public television documentaries.
She currently works as a teacher and writer in Washington, D.C., where she lives with her husband, Greg.
Elizabeth Ash Vélez lives in Washington, D.C.
The Review
A book that is named after one of my all-time favorite songs was sure to capture my attention. Nobody talks about life's heartaches better than the Violent Femmes! Except maybe the poets caught in between the covers of Kiss Off. This book is broken down into the stages of recovering from a break-up and every other kind of heartache that life hits you with. Words of wisdom and poetry help you through each stages. I think the most important lesson I learned was that I spent way too much time "Reeling" and not enough time "Dealing" in my life's past. And although I enjoyed the book - I hope to never have use for it again. (I will keep it on hand in case a friend should need it, though.)
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