「 WATTYS 2019 WINNER 」 the failings of a surgically healed heart, is a series of autobiographical poems arranged into six thematic parts to form a collection which examines the idea of the collective and how that informs individual. i. family an exploration of my relationship with the men and boys in my household and how that has worsened, whilst the opposite is true of the rest of my family ii. immigrant an exploration of the immigrant experience and how as the first child of igbo parents; i was the intermediate between the east and west iii. spirituality an exploration of growing up in the catholic faith and an examination of all its faults and hypocrisies. iv. loving an exploration of friendship, artistry, sexuality, failed romance, but most importantly self-love and all it entails. v. womanhood an exploration of how in many ways puberty was a bitter sweet reality check along with everything that it entailed. vi. catharsis a reflection on the worst period of time in my life where, with hindsight, i come to terms with harsh and lovely realities of life and death.

Dylan Gold was only six years old when her mother died. Soon after, her father remarried a woman that despised her. At school, her step-siblings pretend not to know her. Her life is completely turned around when gorgeous, Welsh transfer student and alleged "bad boy" Callum Gage starts at Glendale High. Taken by her captivating beauty and timid nature, Callum is determined to know her. Together, Dylan and Callum face obstacles from all sides of their lives. Will their relationship be strong enough to weather the storms that come their way? Highest Rankings: #1 in Teens (6/21/20) #1 in Blackwoman (4/22/20) #1 in Newboy (4/11/20) #1 in Chicklit (12/20/20) #1 in Celebrateblackwriters (6/7/24) #2 in Interracial (12/8/21) & (7/14/23) #7 in Teenfiction (6/15/21) #7 in Relationship (4/9/20) #2 in Bwwm (10/16/22) Started ~ January 2020 Completed ~ October 2021