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Rebel. Mother. Queen. by Patlee Creary, PhD
Coming February 1, 2026
A Hero's Journey of Self-Love and Reclamation
For forty years, Patlee Creary lived a story she didn't write. Rebel. Mother. Queen. is the raw, lyrical accounting of what happened when she finally chose to stop striving and start being.
Through thirty-one powerful essays, poems, and spoken-word pieces, Creary chronicles a 'hero’s journey' from the depths of childhood trauma to the quiet strength of self-reclamation. Artfully integrated into this narrative is The Clearing—a 31-day journey of self-witnessing. Featuring curated reflection questions, this work acts as a vital mindfulness tool for the chronic overachiever and the healing soul seeking to witness their own story.
What is Rebel. Mother. Queen. about?
An Odyssey of Self-Reclamation and Healing
Rebel. Mother. Queen. is an artful collection of lyrical essays, poetry, and spoken-word pieces that chronicles a "hero’s journey" from the fragmentation of trauma to the sovereignty of the self. Written for the chronic overachiever, the overwhelmed parent and caregiver, and the healing soul, it offers a sanctuary for those ready to stop performing for the world and start witnessing their own story and identity.
From the Primal Scream to the Sovereign Self
The book is organized into three powerful archetypal movements:
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Rebel: Breaking the silence of unmourned childhood and intergenerational trauma and rejecting the external narratives that demand we "perform" our lives.
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Mother: Grieving the "little deaths" of the past, nurturing the inner child, and discovering that being rooted is not the same as being stuck.
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Queen: Stepping into the sovereign strength of a woman who has returned home to herself and reclaimed the right to author her own legacy.
A Roadmap for the Journey Home
Blending Dr. Patlee Creary’s expertise in conflict transformation with the raw honesty of her lived experience, this collection explores the identity- and narrative-reframing process. It addresses themes of mental health, Black identity, and intergenerational wellness, providing readers with a companion for their journey toward peace and self-love. More than a poetry collection, Rebel. Mother. Queen. serves as a vital resilience tool. The Clearing—a 31-day integrated reflection guide transforms the book from a memoir into a functional mindfulness and resilience tool.
About the Author
Patlee Creary, PhD
Dr. Patlee Creary is a narrative, strategy, and conflict-transformation specialist and the founder of the Reyou Mindfulness Collective. Her work explores the intersections of self-reclamation, mental health, lived experience, and community empowerment. Based in Winnipeg, she facilitates workshops that help people witness their personal and collective stories so they can rebuild their identity, grow their community, and deepen their social impact.
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