Mattie Stepanek

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

Since he was born, Stepanek suffered from a rare form of muscular dystrophy , an inherited disease that affects almost all body functions. His older three siblings died of the disease as young children. He began writing poetry after his brother died when Mattie was only three years old.

When he was in hospital in 2001 because of a life-threatening neck hemorrhage, a small publishing house in Virginia printed his book of poetry Heartsongs in an edition of 200, which were to go to Stepanek's friends and relatives. The hospital he was in had contacted the publisher to have his wish to have his poems published. After a press conference, interest in the book exploded. Over 500,000 copies were printed.

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

Works

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

Web links

personal data
SURNAME Stepanek, Mattie
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Stepanek, Matthew Joseph Thaddeus
BRIEF DESCRIPTION American lyric poet
DATE OF BIRTH 17th July 1990
PLACE OF BIRTH Washington, DC , USA
DATE OF DEATH June 22, 2004
Place of death Washington, DC, USA