Mattie Stepanek

Matthew Joseph Thaddeus Stepanek ( July 17, 1990 in Washington, DC, † June 22, 2004 ) was an American lyricist. He has five published books of poetry, three of which were conducted in the bestseller lists of the New York Times.

Stepanek suffered since birth from a rare form of muscular dystrophy, a genetic disease that affects almost all body functions. His three older siblings died as infants already from this disease. After his brother died when Mattie was only three years old, he began to write poems.

When he was in 2001 for a life-threatening neck bleeding in the hospital, printed a small publishing house in Virginia his poetry collection Heart Songs in an edition of 200 pieces, which should go to friends and relatives Stepanek. The hospital where he was, had turned to the publisher so that his wish would be fulfilled, published his poems to see. After a press conference blew up the interest in the book. There were printed more than 500,000 copies.

Heartsong was the expression of an inner voice that gave expression to his desire for hope and peace for Stepanek. Stepanek died on 22 June 2004 at the age of 13 years.

Works

  • Mattie J. T. Stepanek: Journey Through Heartsongs. Hyperion Books, New York 2002, ISBN 0786869429
  • Mattie J. T. Stepanek: A Heartsongs Collection: Heartsongs and Journey Through Heartsongs. Hyperion Books, New York 2002, ISBN 0786869534
  • Mattie J. T. Stepanek: Hope Through Heartsongs: Poetry. Hyperion Books, New York 2002, ISBN 0786869526
  • Mattie J. T. Stepanek: Heartsongs. Hyperion Books, New York 2002, ISBN 078686947X
  • Mattie J. T. Stepanek: Celebrate Through Heartsongs. Hyperion Books, New York 2002, ISBN 1401396933
  • Mattie J. T. Stepanek: Loving Through Heartsongs. Hyperion Books, New York 2003, ISBN 1401396941
  • Mattie J. T. Stepanek: Loving Through Heartsongs. Vsp Books / Hyperion, New York 2003, ISBN 0786869461
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