Introducing: Stories of the Silence

Stories of the Silence
by Alyiana Brandenburg

Stories of the Silence is a raw, lyrical journey through life with bipolar disorder—a memoir-in-fragments that follows Mara, her partner Alex, and their daughter Eliana as they navigate storms of mania, the shadows of depression, and the fragile hope found in love and family. Told through vignettes, poems, journal entries, and narrative chapters, this book invites readers into the quiet spaces where pain, healing, and resilience intertwine.

Through honest storytelling and poetic reflection, Alyiana Brandenburg reveals the unspoken struggles and unexpected beauty of surviving mental illness—not as a story of cure, but of becoming. With unflinching vulnerability, Stories of the Silence offers connection to anyone who has ever felt lost inside their own mind, and hope for those still searching for light in the quiet.

• When the Silence Trembles — The beginning of Mara’s journey with bipolar disorder. When the Silence Trembles is a raw, poetic memoir of surviving the first storms—mania, depression, and the moments when hope feels far away. Through Mara’s eyes, and Alex’s steadfast support, we witness the quiet courage it takes to keep moving forward, even when the world feels like it might fall apart.
• When the Silence Breaks — In When the Silence Breaks, Mara and Alex face new challenges: motherhood, recovery setbacks, and the realities of building a life around mental illness. This book explores what it means to keep loving—yourself, your family, and your dreams—when everything changes. It’s about breaking through shame and finding the strength to speak, create, and belong.
• When the Silence Heals — A story of rebuilding and renewal. When the Silence Heals follows Mara, Alex, and Eliana as they move from mere survival to living with intention and hope. Through writing, connection, and vulnerability, Mara discovers that healing is a lifelong journey, and that there is beauty—and possibility—on the other side of pain.
• When the Silence Shifts — A new beginning unfolds for Mara as she navigates motherhood and rediscovers her voice as a writer. In this moving continuation of her journey through bipolar disorder, Mara learns that true healing is an ongoing shift—a quiet transformation found in family, creativity, and hope. COMING SOON!