About the Author

Heather Krystecki

Heather Krystecki is a poet and author whose debut collection, I See You, I See Me, is a raw and unflinching look at her mental health journey through her 20s—the darkness, the addiction, the withdrawal, and ultimately, the recovery.

This book is a collection of the darkest parts of her mind—the ebbs and flows of a mental health journey and the fight to come back to herself again. The themes include addiction, withdrawal, mental health, and recovery. By sharing these experiences, Heather hopes to release the feelings this journey brought up and show others that they aren't alone.

There's still a stigma regarding mental health. It's hard for people to recognize what they cannot see, and mental health cannot always be seen. Heather believes in breaking that stigma through honesty and vulnerability—through putting the words on the page that so many are afraid to say out loud.

i write because
some things are too true
to say out loud—
so i give them
to the page instead

She shares her poetry on Instagram, where her words have found a home with readers who see their own stories reflected in her verses. Each poem is an invitation—to pause, to feel, to recognize that recovery is not linear and that asking for help is not weakness.

The butterfly on the cover of the book was hand-painted by Heather herself—a symbol of transformation, of emerging from the darkest places and finding beauty on the other side. Every part of this book is deeply personal, from the words to the artwork.

When she's not writing, Heather finds inspiration in travel and new experiences—the kind of moments that remind you the world is bigger than your pain and that there is always something worth coming back to.

Philosophy

On Writing

Poetry, for Heather, is an act of survival—taking the things we carry silently and giving them a form that others can recognize in themselves. It's the bridge between isolation and connection, between suffering alone and knowing someone else understands.

Her work doesn't try to be polished or performative. It's raw, honest, and real—the kind of honesty that comes from having lived through something and deciding to share it so that others don't have to face it alone.

Made Possible By

This book and everything around it was made possible through a partnership with HLPFL — a team that handles branding, web, legal, and strategy for independent creators. They helped turn a dream into something real.

Press & Media

As Seen In

For press inquiries, interview requests, or review copies, please get in touch.

The River

Published Poet

More coming soon

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