Ithaca College Student Publishes Photography and Poetry Collection

Gilbert created the collection over four years, beginning at age 17, and selected Ithaca for its emotional significance, particularly its water landscapes. She aimed to capture the motion of water as a central theme due to her affinity for it.

In addition to writing the poetry, Gilbert managed all aspects of the book's editing and publishing process, including manuscript creation, cover design, obtaining an ISBN, and coordinating the editing and image printing. Copies of the book are available through Barnes & Noble, Amazon, or directly from Gilbert.

In an interview with contributing writer Madison Adderley, Gilbert discussed her work and inspirations. She described the collection as autobiographical, rooted in her experiences with grief and healing. One section reflects on her journey healing from sexual assault, emphasizing the interplay between personal relationships and the natural world.

When asked about her choice of water imagery, Gilbert stated that water represents energy and peace for her, symbolizing the dual nature of support and struggle in life. She highlighted the challenge of balancing her studies in music and theater with her writing, noting that her passion for poetry provides a meditative escape from the stresses of her academic responsibilities.

To aspiring writers, Gilbert offered encouragement, emphasizing the importance of believing in one’s work and being willing to refine it. She acknowledged her initial doubts about what was “good enough” for publication but found validation through the responses of others to her poetry. She also underscored the necessity of being selective in what to include, sharing that her book contains about 75 out of hundreds of poems she wrote throughout the process.