by SFC RET William A Stephens Jr
The truth isn’t always pretty.
In The Mirror: Black Edition, William A. Stephens Jr. takes you deeper into the darkness—where pain, resilience, and survival collide. Raw. Unfiltered. Unforgettable.
Targeted audience : anyone that suffering with any kind of mental health issues or traumatic issues PTSD veterans first responders.
The Mirror BLACK EDITION delves into the lives of individuals grappling with various traumatic events, illnesses, and disorders, with the author personally navigating through post-traumatic stress disorder. It serves as an uplifting read for those battling their inner demons stemming from past traumas.
I label this work as therapeutic poetry, comprising simple verses and short stories aimed at guiding readers on a journey beyond the surface. Drawing heavily from personal experiences, particularly within the military and relationships, from childhood to the present day.
Much of the poetry resonates deeply from the author's heart and soul. At the tender age of 19, fresh out of basic training and stationed in Nuremberg, Germany, the author found themselves thrust into their first combat situation, with life flashing before their eyes. The vivid recollection of bullets whizzing past and incoming artillery from the Iraqi Republican Guard etched an indelible mark. These experiences form the core of the narrative, inviting readers to reflect on their own placement within the myriad themes explored."
I would personally like to thank anyone who took a second to just pick this up and read the back of this book. Now you're telling yourself "WOW". The author is trying to send a direct message about the true issue with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). This book is not just for veterans. This book is for anyone diff from any type of Mental Health Issues they have dealt with in the past, present and future. I believe that every individual has some type of trauma, if they haven't already uncovered it. Soon it will eventually come out.
The Therapeutic Poetry that you were about to read hopefully will send a message and if this book helps one person I have finished the story.
Be the Voice of the Voiceless
The Broken Mirror and The Mirror, Black Edition are collections of raw, unfiltered entries built as tools for your mental toolbox—created for anyone living with trauma, PTSD, or mental health challenges. Everyone carries scars, even me. If you’ve never been to hell and fought your way back, these pages will show you the view from the other side, reflecting the many “broken mirrors” of pain, resilience, and survival. The Mirror, Black Edition dives even deeper into the darkness, confronting the voices that tried to silence me and bringing the shadows into the light. 1821productions.com
William A. Stephens Jr. is a retired U.S. Army Sergeant First Class, decorated combat veteran, and award-winning author whose work exposes the raw realities of PTSD, trauma, and survival. Recognized with the International Impact Book Award and nominated for the Eric Hoffer Award, he shares unflinching truths through his platform, 1821 Productions – Voice of the Voiceless. His upcoming memoir, No Filter, continues his mission to inspire, lead, and give strength to those fighting their own battles.
✨ “No Filter isn’t just my story — it’s every veteran, every survivor, every person who’s ever stared their demons in the face and refused to back down.” 🎖🔥
⸻
🛹🎖💥 “From skateboards to the battlefield, from breakdowns to breakthroughs — this is the journey of a man who lost everything and built it back, unfiltered.”
⸻
🎃📖⚡ “Step inside the last chapter of my trilogy — raw, real, and dropping on Halloween 2025. This isn’t a book. It’s a reckoning.”
A Transition from military to civilian lifestyle and beyond
by SFC RET William A Stephens Jr
A raw, unfiltered journey through the broken bond between a father and his teenage daughter, the relentless weight of PTSD, and the fight to lead, endure, and rise again.