Chanel Brenner, poet and grief writing guide, sitting on the floor in her home

Honoring grief through writing and community

After my son died in 2011, writing became my lifeline. It helped me process my pain, honor my son, and stay connected to him. What began as raw expressions of loss eventually grew into published works to support others who are navigating loss.

In addition to my writing, I also offer Writing Through Child Loss and Writing Through Grief workshops, which provide safe space for grieving parents and others to heal through the power of writing and community.

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Poetry & Prose

Samples of Chanel’s poems and essays about the loss of her son and navigating grief.

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Grief Support & Writing Workshops

One-on-one writing through loss sessions and grief support workshops available.

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Chanel’s Books

Poetry collections about the first years of loss and ongoing grief.

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Poetry & Prose

Samples of Chanel’s poems and essays about the loss of her son and navigating grief.

Read

Grief Support & Writing Workshops

One-on-one writing through loss sessions and grief support workshops available.

Learn More

Chanel’s Books

Poetry collections about the first years of loss and ongoing grief.

Learn More

Get the Support You Need

Join my email list where you’ll get monthly tools, reads, and other updates.

Author, Writer, Grief Writing Guide, Mother, & More

Chanel Brenner is a poet, author, grief writing guide, and mother whose work helps others move through their grief in more compassionate, integrative, and supported ways. After her young son died in 2011, she began to write. The act of writing became a way to process her pain, honor her son, and stay connected to him. What began as raw expressions of early grief became more polished, published works and workshops to support others in their own grief journeys.

Her writing traverses the full spectrum of grief with honesty, vulnerability, and compassion, from the viscerality of early loss to the gradual unfolding of healing. She is the author of two poetry collections: Smile, or Else and Vanilla Milk: A Memoir Told in Poems. Her work has appeared in numerous publications, including The Rumpus, Mutha Magazine, and Modern Loss. She also leads Writing through Child Loss workshops, offering a space for bereaved parents to process their grief through writing and community.

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Poetry & Writing for Grieving Parents

Smile, or else

“These poems are expertly crafted and beat with a true poet’s heart.”
—Emily Rapp Black, The New York Times best-selling author of The Still Point of a Turning World

2021 PRESS 53 AWARD FOR POETRY

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Vanilla Milk

“moving debut memoir commemorates her son’s death…A noteworthy exploration of a parent’s grief.”

—Kirkus Reviews

INDEPENDENT BOOK AWARDS FINALIST (2016)

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Poems & Essays

Read some of Chanel’s poems and essays about the loss of her son, navigating grief, and motherhood.

Poems & Essays