Newly published author, Isabella Kovar, worked with her challenges of mental health, and accomplishes her dream.
Kovar, 21, an English major at DePaul University, said she was meant to create stories from her first fairy-covered diary to her second Hello Kitty-covered journal.
Growing up, the young author’s pen did not leave a page. Her dream, to have her work published.
Working hard to accomplish this, the then 13-year-old spent days and nights sending letters to editors, both local and not.
“I was sending them these pitches with no cover letter or anything and didn’t understand why they did not get back,” she said.
At 18, she said, “I thought I would never get published.”
Kovar then navigated to the poetic side of her artisanship. There, she discovered the belief she now has: “Poetry is where people can be the most creative when writing.”
After years of extensive work, she was published by her number one choice, Bottle-Cap Press. In November of 2022, Isabella Kovar finally reached her dream of being published.
“Such a raw and captivating piece from Kovar,” Autumn Ferguson stated for Kovar’s piece, “She beautifully executes the intricacies of anxiety and wonders within her poetry. Excited to read more of her work!”
Kovar said that she had wanted to write a full-length poetry book for a while.
“The biggest thing was my lack of confidence in my writing,” Kovar said. “I think you can be so confident in the material you have crafted, but it is so scary because it is so vulnerable to share.”
“Is It Over Yet?” features several poems that discuss Kovar’s mental illness.
Even though feeling shaky from revealing all her emotions, numbness, and in-betweens, she said, “I am hopelessly afraid but love the reassurance.”
Kovar said her favorite poem is a little piece called “I met you on my best friend’s kitchen floor.” Without saying too much, she reveals it as one of her more heartfelt pieces.
She states writing helps her process emotions in such a rare fashion.
“Writing is very accessible, so just do it,” she said. “You are not alone, and your feelings are valid. Even if you cannot 100% articulate them, they are still valid.”
Featured Image Source: Ava Breslin