Pals join forces to publish poetry book

‘Talking Myself Out Of Trouble’ is how ex-soldier turned poet Jack Horner is coping with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

After suffering a breakdown in 2019 and a diagnosis of PTSD related to incidents from his 10 years of service as a soldier in the British Army, he turned to writing down the dark thoughts and words that came in his head while he was out walking near his home on Saddleworth Moor as part of his recovery.

After writing a number of poems, Jack started performing them at open mic events under the guise of Leon the Pig Farmer.

Now Jack has had his book published, featuring artwork by his friend and artist Phil Wagstaff. He’ll be doing a live reading of his work at 7pm on Sunday as part of this year’s Glossop BookFest.

Many of the verses are centred on his thoughts, experiences, and a commentary of his spiral into the abyss of PTSD.

It is a piece of work aimed to help other sufferers of any form of mental health illness and that a positive outcome is possible.

Jack said: “I am so excited to get this collaboration into the public domain. It has been an interesting process and I would hope it can reach others who are finding life difficult and inspire them through creativity to start a positive new journey.

“I want to reduce stigma, raise awareness and increase dialogue around mental health, and this project will hopefully do that.”

A portion of the sale price from each book sold will be donated to Emmaus Mossley, a charity which Jack has supported for many years.

You can buy Jack’s book at https://www.lulu.com/en/gb/shop/simon-horner-and-phil-wagstaff/talking-myself-out-of-trouble/paperback/product-yr9pj4.html?page=1&pageSize=4

His online event will be held at 7pm on Sunday at 

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