The Honeycomb Network was buzzing with activity and an aura of excitement as the book release party got underway for Working on Me by Nikki Patin at 2659 W. Diversey in Chicago on April 11, 2024. The book was honored with an official release party organized by The Guild Literary Complex under the leadership of Andrea Change. Change, being true to her name, has taken The Guild Literary Complex from being a small, grassroots literary organization dedicated to social and restorative justice for black and brown people through performance events to being renowned both nationally and internationally, with a recent trip to create art with a like-minded community in Quibdó, Colombia, South America. The Guild Literary Complex worked with author Nikki Patin to have her first book, Working on Me, a memoir in the genre of creative non-fiction released during sexual assault awareness month. Published by Vine Leaves Press in Greece, this dramatic memoir deals with sexual violence issues head on, and pulls no punches as it grapples with three generations of the same family through unique voices and strong writing.
According to Andrea Change, “Nikki’s work as an advocate for sexual assault awareness works because she is a survivor and her background as a literary artist combined with her emotional intelligence creates a safe space for the other survivors in her circle.”
A 45 year old single, queer mother, Patin is courageously creative. She has written this book from the depths of her soul, providing details behind family stories and building them up with resonate details, as only an accomplished writer can do. Her dedication to innovation and revolution that bucks the patriarchy and rebukes the mainstream can be seen in her decision to promote the book using a series of music videos with narration from the book as inspiration.
Her first video, Brick can be found on Youtube. It is clearly the work of an artist dedicated to thoughtful reflection on difficult topics. Brick uses strong visual imagery at its core, the music video really makes the work come alive in Patin’s world, where fragments of the brick fly back to it, recreating its original form. Her unique editing skills are a sleight of hand that renders a magical place where bricks can restore themselves after injury. Of course, the analogy belies the fact that bricks cannot restore themselves, though human beings are capable of healing at a fundamental level, trauma undoubtedly causes them to change.
As Patin said in an April 20, 2024 interview at Woman Made Gallery, located at 1332 S. Halsted in Chicago, “I like to co-power with people. I don’t like to empower people. I believe that people are already powerful, and I’d just like to recognize that. I do what I can to help people in bringing out their own personal power.”
Patin has not been granted the same solicitude in her life where she endured unimaginable horrors as the victim of sexual violence. As a result, Patin has spoken with the United Nations about the impact of rape on black and brown women in the United States, performed on HBO’s Def Poetry Jam, and advocated for the rights of residents in Englewood through her work with RAGE. To find out more about Nikki Patin and her book, visit her web site www.NikkiPatin.org
Nikki Patin, author of “Working on Me” published by Vine Leaves Press out of Greece, had their book release party given by the Guild Literary Project under the leadership of Andrea Change on April 11, 2024 at the Honeycomb Network. (Photo by C. Schandelmeier). 
True to Patin’s spirit of advocacy as a trauma survivor, her book release party was held at The Honeycomb Network at 2659 W. Division Chicago, Illinois. It is known for being a community space offering holistic co-working, co-creating plus collective care services. The physical and online location contain a boutique apothecary gift shop, workshops and cultural events lead by a BIPOC network of healers, educators, artists and holistic service providers. (Photo by C. Schandelmeier) 
Clutching Nikki Patin’s new book firmly under her arm, Sonja Wilson is one of the people who came out to be one of the first to get Nikki Patin’s new book “Working on Me.” (Photo by C. Schandlemeier) 
Executive Director of the Guild Literary Complex, Andrea Change introduces Nikki Patin’s new book “Working on Me” at the Honeycomb Network on April 11, 2024. (Photo by C. Schandelmeier) 
Kao Ra Zen (Rapper/Poet/Musician and Performance Artist) is the Programming Associate for the Guild Literary Complex. (Photo by C. Schandelmeier) 
Sainte Harden-Tate is part of Surviving the Mic, a performance group that Patin founded to to give voice to sexual violence survivors. To find out more, go to https://survivingthemic.org/ (Photo by C. Schandelmeier)
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