Celebrate the launch of Exploding Head, Cynthia Marie Hoffman’s memoir in prose poems about her life with OCD. The award-winning poet will read from her new book, followed by a conversation with Uma Chatterjee – neuroscientist, @IOCDF Advocate, & Board Member of @OCDWisconsin!

Cynthia Marie Hoffman is the author of four collections of poetry: Exploding Head, Call Me When You Want to Talk about the Tombstones, Paper Doll Fetus, and Sightseer, all from Persea Books. She is the recipient of fellowships from the Wisconsin Institute for Creative Writing, Civitella Ranieri Foundation, & the Wisconsin Arts Board. Poems have appeared in Electric Literature, The Believer, Image, Smartish Pace, & The Los Angeles Review. She lives in Madison, WI.

Uma Chatterjee, M.S., MHPS is a neuroscientist, board-certified Mental Health Peer Specialist, & mental health advocate. She is currently pursuing her Ph.D in Neuroscience at UW-Madison, studying the neurobiology of OCD. Uma’s work is informed by her lived experience with lifelong OCD, comorbid PTSD, young-adult cancer, chronic illness, & disabilities. She serves as an @IOCDF Advocate & on the Board of Directors of @OCDWisconsin. Her survivorship serves as the bedrock of her advocacy, carried out through her work as a globally-invited public speaker, science communicator, & host of the podcast @AChatWithUma.

@OCDWisconsin is a non-profit organization & @IOCDF affiliate. Founded in 2012, our goal is to support the mission of the IOCDF in all communities throughout the state of Wisconsin. This is done by connecting families with local resources & fostering a community for those affected by OCD & the professionals who treat them. We aim to strengthen the community through our programming, in addition to holding events throughout the year to help raise awareness of OCD.

Buy a signed book. Eat cake. Enjoy the spacious atmosphere of the Evjue Room at Goodman Community Center. Connect in a welcoming community of literary artists and peers with lived OCD experience! 🎉