NOW AVAILABLE: Near- Life Experiences: The Pillow Writers Anthology, Issue 2

Welcome to the second issue of Near-Life Experiences: The Pillow Writers Anthology, a new literary magazine in the disability community. Issue 2 features poems, stories, and essays by 28 writers who call themselves the Pillow Writers and share more than 100 pages of their poetry, fiction and essays. The Pillow Writers is a group of writers with ME/CFS/Long COVID who meet weekly to share their writing and to create community.

What will you find in Near-Life Experiences, Issue 2?

Included in this issue are 56 poems, stories, and essays by Pillow Writers.  New to this issue are two additional pieces, essays by family members of Pillow Writers. They agreed to reflect on their experiences living with a family member with ME/CFS/Long COVID.  Gloria wrote about her daughter (Pillow Writer Manu) moving back home, and Pillow Writer Jenny’s son wrote about having a mother with ME/CFS.  Also, in this issue are photos of each author so readers can see who the Pillow Writers are. Take a few minutes to read through the Contributor’s Notes and appreciate the breadth of this group of writers—the countries where they live, the careers they once had, and their current circumstances. Enjoy the broad cross section of talent and world views that come together in this issue.  The insights and experiences expressed in these writings highlight a world that might be specific to the author, and to the ME/CFS/Long COVID community. But these writers are also revealing a world many can relate to, anyone who might feel isolated, disillusioned or faced with adversity. How do any of us find new ways of seeing and attending to life when in life-altering circumstances? Take a look inside Issue 2 to discover how these authors investigate and come to terms with their lives.

Some of the Pillow Writers have been chronically ill for more than 40 years. This often-invisible community has been shamed and marginalized for decades; the medical community has ignored the millions who are suffering. This anthology is proof of their voices speaking clearly, authentically, and with vision. Here, they present their lives to the public for all to see.

Who are the Pillow Writers?

The Pillow Writers are an international group of writers with the post-viral neuro-immune illnesses ME/CFS and/or Long COVID. They discuss their writing every week in a virtual writing group that is supportive and includes novice writers and experienced writers. The group wanted to make their writing available to a larger audience, and so they created this anthology.  

The Pillow Writers reside in Scotland, England, Ireland, France, Colombia, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Canada and the United States. Their former careers include teacher, veterinarian, professional dancer, public relations specialist, scientist, event planner, academic advisor, massage therapist, occupational therapist, and book editor.  Understand that there are millions of people with ME/CFS/long COVID who are no longer working in these careers. Years ago, and in some cases decades ago, each of these writers was forced to leave their careers due to the devastating long-term effects of ME/CFS and Long COVID. Their voices are heard in Near-Life Experiences: The Pillow Writers Anthology, Issue 2. 

What is the origin of the Pillow Writers writing group?

The Pillow Writers group started four years ago and is the brainchild of Bobbi Ausubel, ME/CFS advocate and drama therapist. In conversation with her daughter, who has had ME for 30 years, Bobbi realized everyone's life was more homebound after the COVID pandemic. The world’s locked-down COVID life restrictions resembled the isolating limiting life of people with ME. Everyone was feeling isolated. With a flash of inspiration, Bobbi realized that the togetherness of an online writing community of people with chronic illnesses might enrich people like her daughter. Pillow Writers became a rare opportunity for people with ME/CFS and Long COVID to express themselves as a group and become an online community, to be in the unique presence of others just like themselves. The group not only helps Bobbi understand her daughter's illness more deeply, it brings to light these profoundly talented voices waiting to be heard. Though there are other literary magazines with a disability focus, Near-Life Experiences is the first to provide a home for the writing that solely represents people with ME/CFS and Long COVID.

The contributors to Issue 2 were asked several questions about their inclusion in the anthology. Here are their responses.

What does it mean to you to be included in this anthology?” 

Iliana: “It means that my creative voice is out in the world, my life touches and impacts other lives, even when living in bedspace. 

Emma: “Without ME/CFS I wouldn’t have had the space or time to write. Without Pillow Writers I wouldn’t have had the courage. Writing with ME/CFS is incredibly hard, so at Pillow Writer meetings we celebrate every sentence. Every word and thought is validated and valued. Come to a meeting, let us hear your voice too.”

Who do you hope will read the Pillow Writers Anthology? 

CJ: I am hoping my 90-year-old Aunt in Virigina will read it--she has always believed in me and been proud of me. 

Juliet: It'd be nice to snag a person who thinks we're all just faking it or it's all just in our heads. I think our works show humanity and sometimes even proves we're not only about being sick.

Kathrin: I hope people with ME read our anthology to find joy, solace and community. For people who have no connection to ME yet. I hope they get a glimpse into our lives and into this grim illness.

What role, if any, has diversity (culture, gender, race, disability) played  in being a Pillow Writer and having your work in Issue 2 ?

CJ : I am a speaker for {dis}ABILITIES Unleashed, 50+, LGBTQI2+, and have learning disabilities -- diversity has played a major role.  Fear of being excluded often leads to me giving up because I don't think I'm good enough. Pillow Writers has been a safe, inclusive and supportive space group, without fear of ridicule; it provided me amazing feedback and accepts that I often can't participate in person.

Iliana: As a disabled Latinx woman, it is important to me to participate and share my way of being, feeling, and dreaming the world, one where disability and chronic illness are treated as a natural part of life, to be embraced, cared for and learned from.

Is there anything you'd like people to know who are just finding out about the Pillow Writers and Near-Life Experiences: The Pillow Writers Anthology?

Juliet: “If you're a writer with ME or Long COVID, we welcome you! There will be more anthologies, and we have meetings weekly. I feel much less alone when I get to the Pillow Writers meetings. One of us! One of us! One of us!”

Kathrin: “It’s funny, clever, sad and rich. Read it!”

Iliana: “I'd like Spanish speakers to know we have created Pillow Writers en Español. We meet every week, so please look for us online any time your health allows. I'd like people to know that Patty Berne (may they rest in peace) taught us that a crip esthetic is a place of resistance, rage, grief, freedom, joy and so much creativity and imagination for a more sustainable, peaceful, and just world.”

To learn more about the Pillow Writers:

• Near-Life Experiences: The Pillow Writers Anthology, Issue 2 is available through Amazon.com in print  and e-book . An audio version soon to be available. Proceeds go to #MEAction.

• Visit pillowwriters.wordpress.com to find out more about the Pillow Writers writing groups and to read some of their work. Come to a meeting and sit in. We hope you will join us!

• To contact the Pillow Writers anthology, email Ann Greenberger, Editor: pillowwritersanthology@gmail.com.

To purchase a copy of Near-Life Experiences: The Pillow Writers Anthology, Issue 2:

#MEAction supports Near-Life Experiences: The Pillow Writers Anthology and receives proceeds from the sale of the Near-Life Experiences.

Print edition ($7)

Kindle ebook ($5)

What are the different Pillow Writers writing groups and where can you find them?

The Pillow Writers writing group has expanded to include the following online Pillow Writers groups. Visit pillowwriters.wordpress.com for more information and for the meeting times. 

• Standard Pillow Writers is the original Pillow Writers weekly group that meets on Thursdays for all forms of writing. 

• The Pillow Writers Annex is a writing group for long-form writers and meets bi-monthly.

• Early Pillows for European writers.

• Spanish Pillows for Spanish-speaking writers.

• Soft Pillows a monthly, gentler space aiming to be less emotionally challenging than the Standard meeting. 

•  WIMEL (What Is ME Like?) personal narratives explaining ME/CFS and long COVID to the public.   

Pillow Writers Salon This was a salon of live readings in the fall of 2025 by the contributors to Near-Life Experiences: Pillow Writers Anthology, Issue 2.