Local poet Lissa Camarillo publishes first book, From the Notes

For Lissa Camarillo, words have always been a lifeline. Diagnosed with manic depression at age eleven and later re-diagnosed with Bipolar I disorder at twenty, the 26-year-old poet says words became a way to navigate struggles that might have otherwise consumed her.

“My writing, to me, means that I’m in recovery,” Camarillo said. “When I can use my words instead of making not-so-good decisions, that means I’m getting better, little by little. It means that I’m able to let go of some of the negative things that have happened in my life and start fresh”.

Her debut book, From the Notes, published earlier this year through Hillhouse Concierge Publishing, is a collection of poems written over several years – much of it first captured in the notes app on her phone. 

“This collection was inspired by my struggles with not only my mental illness, but in my day-to-day life as well,” she said. “From the relationships I have forged (and lost), to the grief I faced when losing my very young cousin, Deven, my notes app was there through it all”.

The path to publishing began when Camarillo shared her work publicly for the first time in 2024 at a small open mic night in a church basement. 

“When it was my turn and I finished, I came back to the table to a low whistle and a ‘wow,’ from the gentleman, and stunned silence from everyone else. I figured that was a good sign,” she said.

This inspired her to take continue and share her poems at larger readings, including a book launch at Lowry’s Books where 50 people were in the audience. “When I was done and there was a break, I think about fifteen people came up to me to tell me how moved they were by my work. I felt like a superstar,” she said.

Camarillo has continued to grow and share her voice, she is a regular at Lowry’s open mic nights and also hosts her own monthly event in Galesburg. These experiences, she says, have given her a sense of confidence and belonging. 

“The open mic nights have really given me so much confidence in myself and my writing, and I look forward to doing them every time I get the chance”.

Camarillo uses writing as a tool to fight off the hard times.

“If I didn’t have the ability to write about the things that should have destroyed me, they would destroy me,” Camarillo said. “I’ve been writing for myself for so long, but these experiences have made it possible for me to write for others now as well.”

She hopes readers will find connection in her work, similar to what writing it provides for her. 

“When they read these poems, I want them to recognize that even when they feel the worst they’ve ever felt in their lives, they are never alone in feeling it. There is always someone out there who can relate,” she said.

Looking ahead, Camarillo says she plans to continue with poetry.  “I think my work is best when enjoyed in small doses, I’ve heard it can be kind of depressing.” She hopes her future writing might reflect brighter chapters ahead. “My goal is to continue to recover well enough to write things that aren’t so sad,” she said.

Camarillo credits her family above all else – her sister Lorena, her cousin Hailee, and her mom Lisa – for supporting her through the hardest years. 

“They have supported me through every bump in the road and every crater I’ve caused, and without them there would be no me,” she said. 

Maxwell Knauer is a staff writer for Watershed Voice