Ring

"Ring" takes you on an unforgettable odyssey through the depths of human emotion, from the hollows of grief to the heights of newfound hope. In the backdrop of a snow-covered sanctuary designed to aid the dying, Lee, a middle-aged non-binary person from the Midwest, grapples with the unbearable weight of losing their young adult daughter. Abandoning their previous life and even the comfort of a longtime spouse, Lee is driven by a quest for closure--or an end to it all.

Enter Ring, a seemingly ordinary dog with an extraordinary role. Brought by Robert, a terminally ill man preparing to make his final walk through the sanctuary's Seven Pillars, Ring becomes the catalyst for Lee's own rebirth. As Lee befriends other souls at the sanctuary, each embroiled in their own battles--from Catherine and Samu, the spiritual leaders, to Viviana, a war veteran scarred by trauma--they are nudged toward a revelation that challenges their initial reasons for coming to this remote haven.

The novel deftly weaves themes of loss, hope, and healing, set against the spirituality-infused environment of the sanctuary. It presents a compassionate view on suicide, grappling with the complex questions it raises about the value and sanctity of life. As Lee engages with mindfulness practices and meditation, the story emerges as an enlightening guide for anyone walking the fine line between despair and hope.

Don't miss this emotional journey that tackles the raw, intricate facets of grief, and leaves you pondering the restorative powers of companionship and the human spirit. Ideal for readers coping with loss, struggling with suicidal thoughts, or seeking a deeply spiritual narrative, "Ring" promises to resonate long after the last page is turned.

Michelle Lerner is a multi-faceted talent whose journey has traversed the fields of law, poetry, and now fiction. She began her academic career at Princeton University, where she graduated summa cum laude in 1993 with an AB in Anthropology. She continued her education at Harvard Law School, earning her JD magna cum laude in 1998. Not one to rest on her laurels, Michelle also acquired an MFA in Poetry from The New School in 2008.

She worked diligently for over twenty years as a public interest lawyer. Her life took an unforeseen detour when she was diagnosed with the neurological form of Lyme Disease, putting her on a multi-year path to recovery. This challenging period became a crucible for her creative transformation. Unable to continue her law career, she delved into fiction, writing her debut novel "Ring." The book, slated for publication next year, incorporates her personal experience with chronic illness, although it ventures into realms of imagination she never explored in her legal briefs or her poetry.

Michelle has received numerous accolades for her work across different mediums. Notable among these are her quarterfinalist position in the ScreenCraft Cinematic Book Competition 2023 and being a finalist for multiple prizes, such as the 2020 Book Pipeline Unpublished Contest and the 2021 Fiction Five Contest. Her manuscripts have also earned her a semi-finalist spot for the Pamet River Prize and Willow Run Poetry Book Award. In the world of poetry, Michelle's work has been published in numerous journals like the Virginia Quarterly Review, Connecticut River Review, and LIPS.

Her poetry chapbook "Protection" was published by Poetry Box and received a Pushcart Prize nomination. She also had the honor of being twice nominated for the Pushcart Prize and once for Best New Poets.

Michelle's commitment to community is evident in her service roles. She currently serves as the Executive Director and Board Member of the Laura Boss Poetry Foundation. She also mentors for the organization "We Are Not Numbers," providing guidance to young writers.

As a seasoned public speaker, Michelle has featured in diverse forums including the Delaware Valley Poetry Festival, as well as regional, national, and international conferences.

She resides in Flanders, New Jersey, where she not only nurtures her family but also runs a cat rescue. Her upcoming projects include a collection of personal essays about the opinionated animals she has lived with. In her downtime, Michelle strums a guitar and composes songs that she sings in solitude, celebrating her own inner world.

To explore more of Michelle's diverse body of work, you can visit her website at michellelerner.net.