Peripheral Vision is The Telling Room’s 2025-2026 Annual Anthology. It invites us to turn and look closer at those memories, experiences, imaginations, and voices that are often ignored. This Telling Room anthology reminds us to stay aware of our surroundings, take in the truths of those around us, and broaden the scope of our perception. To truly be seen ourselves, we must be open to the stories of others, even the ones that make us uncomfortable. From twenty-six towns across Maine, the writers in Peripheral Vision ages eight to eighteen look closely at themselves and the world, offering us a lens (and sometimes a mirror) through which to view the world we live in.

ANTHOLOGY | $22.00 | Paperback | 2026 | ISBN 979-8-990764-8-1

Reading Age: middle and high school

Discussion Questions:

• This anthology’s anthology asks the question, “What else is in our periphery, passing us by?” Which poems and stories are making you look closer at a lived experience you may not have considered before? 

• Authors in Peripheral Vision bring humor into tales like a horror story involving Cheezits and zombies, multiple family gatherings, or other (unexpectedly) silly matters. How do these writers use humor as a tool in their writing? 

• What are the themes of belonging you notice in Peripheral Vision? Whether the writer themselves or fictional character narrating is an immigrant, a formerly incarcerated person, a disabled or chronically ill person, or a nonbinary person navigating coming out? 

• A friend lost to deportation, an uncle’s death, having to move to a new place. What forms of grief are you noticing as a reader that goes beyond the surface? 

• After reading these stories by people in your age range, what are your hopes for them and/or for yourself as you get older? 

Writing Prompts:

• Write a poem inspired by a writer or artist you admire that helps you get a message you want to get across (e.g. a call to action, a self reflection, etc.) Use Fiona Tucker’s “I Remember” after Joe Brainard and Albertina Dos Santos’ “To Love a Country” after Richard Blanco as examples.  

• Write a fictional story about centering a character’s pains and joys as they look closer at their location or situation. Use Nela Parker’s “Have You Seen Sofia?” and Annette McCue Hafford’s “Anxiety and Apple Pie” as inspiration. 

• Write a nonfictional piece where you give yourself grace and patience in your healing. Use Khen Julia’s “Oh God, I Was Only Fifteen” as a reference point. 

• Mattimeo Robinson’s “The Cursed Painting” centers a cursed, haunted object. Write a fictional story about a cursed item. Why is it cursed? What does it do? Upon a first look, does it look “cursed”?

• Take a story or poem you’ve written and rewrite it from the perspective of a different character, an object, a plant, or an animal. Use Knox Brown’s “The Island of Hope,” Marina Rain’s “DesignationRot,” Coby Lamoreau’s “My Uncle and Me,” and “Wonderful Space” by Charlie Ellebracht as examples.

Activities:

• Hannah Spearrin’s “To Take Action” is a poem about a call to advocacy for children who are dying because of war. Volunteer at a nonprofit that advocates for a cause you care about. Write about your experience (e.g through social media, a journal entry, an art project, etc.)

• Norka Kalonji’s essay “My Ndombolo: the Hum of the World” features the importance of dance in his family and culture. Host a small dance party online or in person! What are the songs on the dance playlist?

• Shreya Hosur’s “From the Samosas to S’mores” and Anonymous’s “The Street that Raised Me” keeps the reader rooted in different definitions and aspects of home. Draw a landscape of your home. It doesn’t have to be necessarily where you live; it can be wherever you consider home. What comes up?

Resources:

211 Maine

211maine.org 

Call 211

211 is a free, confidential information and referral service that connects people of all ages across Maine to local services.

The Center for Chronic Illness

thecenterforchronicillness.org 

The Center for Chronic Illness’ mission is to promote well-being and decrease isolation for those impacted by chronic illness through support and education. 

Center for Grieving Children

cgcmaine.org

(207) 775-5216

A nonprofit organization that provides a safe space, loving peer support, outreach, and education to grieving children, teens, young adults, families, and the community.

Disability Rights Maine (DRM)

drme.org 

DRM acts to change Maine’s schools, workplaces, businesses, and public spaces to ensure that people with disabilities are empowered in their choices. 

Equality Community Center

eccmaine.org 

(207) 613-9633

An organization and community space that houses several grassroots organizations and queer businesses whose programs and services make a difference in the lives of marginalized communities throughout Maine.

Equality Maine

equalitymaine.org

(207) 761-3732

An organization that seeks to protect and empower LGBTQ+ citizens across the state of Maine through political action, legal consultation, and community organizing.

Greater Portland Immigrant Welcome Center

welcomeimmigrant.org 

(207) 517-3401

The Greater Portland Immigrant Welcome Center serves as a hub of collaboration that strengthens the immigrant community through language acquisition, economic integration and civic engagement. 

Intentional Peer Support Warm Line

1-866-771-WARM (9276)

A peer-to-peer phone support program offering mutual conversations with a trained specialist who has life experience with mental health and/or substance use issues and recovery. Available 24/7, from anywhere in Maine.

Maine Association of New Americans

mana-maine.org 

(207) 387-0749

The Maine Association of New Americans (MANA) is an immigrant-led organization that promotes social and personal empowerment of immigrants.

Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence

mcedv.org 

1-866-834-HELP

The Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence works to end domestic abuse, dating abuse, stalking, elder abuse, and commercial sex trafficking.

Maine Immigrant Rights Coalition

maineimmigrantrights.org 

(207) 956-7030

The Maine Immigrant Rights Coalition’s mission is to improve legal, social, and economic conditions for immigrants in the state of Maine.

Maine Inside Out

maineinsideout.org 

Maine Inside Out’s mission is to ignite collective creativity and inspire social action by engaging youth and adults impacted by systemic oppression to create and share original theater.

Maine Prisoner Advocacy Coalition (MPAC)

maineprisoneradvocacy.org 

MPAC is a statewide group formed in 2007 to improve conditions for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals, their families, survivors of harm, and others impacted by the criminal legal system. 

Maine’s Statewide Crisis Line

1-888-568-1112 (call or text)

If you are concerned about yourself or somebody else, call the 24-hour crisis hotline and speak with a trained clinician who can connect you to the closest crisis center.

MaineTransNet

mainetrans.net

MaineTransNet’s mission is to support and empower transgender people to create a world where they can thrive.

NAMI Maine Teen Text Line

207-515-8398

A peer support text line for Maine youth 13-24 years old. Staffed by individuals ages 18-24 who can listen and provide resources and support. Every day, 12pm-10pm.

National Child Traumatic Stress Network

nctsn.org 

This mission of the National Child Traumatic Stress Network is to raise the standard of care and improve access to services for traumatized children, their families and communities throughout the United States.

National Crisis Text Line

Text “HOME” to 741741

Crisis Text Line provides free, 24/7 mental health support from live, trained counselors via text message.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

Staffed by trained professionals 24/7, this hotline is for anyone struggling with suicidal thoughts, mental health, or concerns for family and friends.

OUT Maine

outmaine.org

OUT Maine’s focus is on building welcoming and affirming communities for Maine’s LGBTQ+ youth.

PFLAG Portland

pflagportlandmaine.org 

An organization that serves parents, friends or anyone who may be feeling in crisis or confused about their loved one coming out.

Preble Street Teen Center

207-775-0026

343 Cumberland Avenue, Portland, ME

preblestreet.org/what-we-do/teen-services/preble-street-teen-center/

Preble Street Teen Center is the hub of services for homeless and runaway youth, providing immediate access and an acclaimed service coordination model. As the core component of Preble Street Teen Services, the Teen Center helps to meet immediate needs—providing warmth and safety, nutritious meals, clothing, and crisis intervention—while building positive relationships with young people, enhancing their self-esteem and offering them the opportunity to develop life skills that promote stability and independence.

Speak About It

wespeakaboutit.org

(207) 370-0280

An organization offering consent education and sexual assault prevention non-profit. Speak About It partners with high schools, colleges, and communities, and use theatre and dialogue to empower students to prevent sexual violence, build healthy relationship, and create positive change in their communities.

Trans Lifeline

1-877-565-8860

translifeline.org

A grassroots hotline and nonprofit organization offering direct emotional and financial support to trans people in crisis–for the trans community, by the trans community.

The Trevor Project

1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 678678

thetrevorproject.org

Specializing in supporting the LGBTQ+ community, trained counselors are available 24/7 to support youth who are in crisis, feeling suicidal, or in need of a safe and judgment-free place to talk.

The Young People’s Caucus

ypcmaine.org 

The Young People’s Caucus offers a variety of programs designed to empower and uplift young individuals who have been impacted by systemic changes (including the justice system and foster care system). Our initiatives provide a platform for youth to engage, learn, and lead in their communities.