“[It Rains Diamonds on Neptune], in its multigenerationality, its genre-blending, its urgency, showcases the range, depth, and variety of Maine voices, established and upcoming, as they reckon with the bewilderment, the beauty, the fear and grief and joy of the cracked and confusing world right now.” — Nina MacLaughlin, New England Literary News

Featured in Amjambo Africa

It Rains Diamonds on Neptune celebrates The Telling Room’s twentieth anniversary by pairing the voices of youth with those of established Maine authors writing across genres, identities, experiences, and themes. Powerful stories, poems, essays, and recipes—accompanied by pen and ink illustrations—touch on pressing topics impacting youth today, from climate change, LGBTQ+ identity, gun violence, and racism; to finding community, cultural connections, humor, and hope in unexpected places.  

Featuring Authors:

Richard Kheang ◇ Stuart Kestenbaum
Jules Vázquez ◇ Mira Ptacin
Madeline Curtis ◇ Arwyn Sherman
Natalia Mbadu ◇ Marpheen Chann
Leela Marie Hidier ◇ Nick Fuller Googins
Noah Williams ◇ Christopher Packard
Oliver Curtis ◇ Zahir Janmohamed
Leigh Ellis ◇ Ian-Khara Ellasante
Corah Hanlon-Gamet ◇ Taryn Bowe
Khalil Kilani ◇ Johan Alexander
Rocío Pérez ◇ Samara Cole Doyon
Zoe Blackman ◇ Mike Bove
Leaticia Hannah ◇ Coco McCracken
Yann Tanguy Irambona ◇ Tess Gerritsen
Maryam Abdullah ◇ Leila Christine Nadir
Brooks Miller ◇ Maya Williams
Alexa Barstow ◇ Rebecca Turkewitz
Hailey Talbert ◇ Samaa Abdurraqib
Kauther Hassan ◇ Lauren Saxon
Noor Sager ◇ Arisa White

Illustrated by Otto Wolyniec
Foreword by Telling Room Cofounders Susan Conley, Sara Corbett, and Michael Paterniti

Advance Praise for It Rains Diamonds on Neptune:

“The stories in It Rains Diamonds on Neptune are witty, authentic, and visual, echoing with grace and deep insight. This anthology invites readers to connect across lines of identity politics, homelessness, religion, and so much more."

— Jacqueline Woodson, National Book Award Winner

“It Rains Diamonds on Neptune brings together a stunning collection of writing from Maine’s literary community and confirms the vital role The Telling Room has played for twenty years in inspiring and celebrating writers of all ages in our state. I was deeply moved by these personal and profound pieces, which respond to each other and to our bewildering and exhilarating, terrifying and miraculous experiences in this life. This book is a treasure.“

— Lily King, award-winning and New York Times bestselling author

“This stunning intergenerational, multi-genre anthology sparkles with kaleidoscopic beauty and wonder. ‘I stepped through a doorway and magic emerged,’ reads the title poem. And the reader, too, steps through not just one doorway but an entire hallway of them, each offering a distinctive pairing of urgently needed Maine voices. Uniquely arranged so pieces by established authors are offered in response to those by youth authors, It Rains Diamonds on Neptune creates an ambience of intimate conversation while never shying from the difficult. Throughout, each piece captures the beauty and challenge of becoming who we are with compassion, imagination, and language that glitters as hard as it hits.”

— Julia Bouwsma, Maine Poet Laureate and author of Midden

“It Rains Diamonds on Neptune feels like a journey into a world filled with hope, fear, courage, resilience, and, above all, a yearning and need for kindness, compassion, and nurturing. This 20-year Telling Room anthology is a book for our times—for this particular moment. The stories from this remarkable group of writers reflect the complexities of our world while reminding readers that hope always lies in the simple power of human connection.”

— Bob Keyes, Chair of the Maine Arts Commission and author of The Isolation Artist

“A wonderful showcase of the breadth and talent of the young writers of Maine.”

— Eliot Schrefer, Stonewall Honor Award Winning author of The Darkness Outside Us

"A brave, beautiful, big-hearted book. It Rains Diamonds on Neptune is just what I needed (and dare I say, we all need): an ode to connection, to community, to creativity. To our stories; to the wit and wisdom, the unfettered imagination, the incredible resilience—the joy!—of youth voices. To finding, forging home wherever you may find and forge—and even lose, and even imagine: yourself."

— Tanuja Desai Hidier, author of Born Confused and Bombay Blues

ANTHOLOGY | $22.00 | Paperback | 2025 | ISBN 979-8-9909764-1-2

Age Recommendation: Middle and High school 

Discussion Questions

• This anthology of mixed genres of writing also intersects with illustrations throughout. How do the two art forms compliment each other? 

• In the anthology’s introduction, Rylan Hynes writes “And these past ten years on Earth have been anything but dull. A global pandemic; turbulent election cycles; climate change hitting home; and tragically, and Maine’s most deadly mass shooting in modern history.” What is the importance of having an intergenerational group of writers write about these topics instead of just youth (or former youth) or just adults? 

• How does the title poem, “It Rains Diamonds on Neptune” highlight theoverall themes of this anthology?

• A lot about family relationships and family lineage is written in a variety of ways in this anthology. Compare and contrast some of the pieces in this regard and discuss which aspects resonate most with you. 

• Talk about the types of identities and lived experiences outlined in thisanthology. What resonates? What surprises you? What are you learning as you’re reading about them? 

Writing Prompts

• Write a poem dedicated to a younger version of yourself. 

• Write a fiction piece about a magical creature that sparks your curiosity.

• Write a nonfiction piece about an interaction with a family member that means the world to you. Write a piece of any genre about lineage and create a doodle in conversation with your written piece.

Group Activities

• Find a recipe in your family or on the internet that you like. Find time to make it with your loved ones!

• Make a drawing, sketch, painting, or doodle inspired by one of the anthology’s pieces. Research about a cause you want to learn more (feel free to refer to the resources listed for extra assistance!).