Forward – at the time of publishing my review, I was notified that Layne’s book is #14 on the New York Times Best Sellers List. This pleases me greatly. A lot of love and an enormous amount of posts helped make this happen. All I can say is thank you to every one of you who saw our many posts, our many pushes to get this book pre-ordered or even purchased after it was released last week (November 11, 2025). I couldn’t be more pleased. A huge thanks to Nancy and Layne’s siblings and Phil for allowing us a glimpse into Layne’s world. 

It’s taken me a few weeks to collect my thoughts, especially to convey them to all who’ll read this. 

Earlier in October, I was given a chance to work with the publicist for the publisher Weldon Owen on “This Angry Pen of Mine; Recovering the Journals of Layne Staley.” I was asked if I could help promote the book. Of COURSE – I said! What an honor that was for me. I then got to work contacting people who I knew would want to help because of their own love for Layne. 

The hardcover 8.25×10” advanced copy book arrived just a few days later. I was so excited when FedEx delivered it. I was literally dancing around my kitchen – my mom just gave me a look and turned her head slightly, like asking “whaaat?” It was funny as I reflect on it. Oh and my mom calls Layne, “Laney”, like a close friend or family member might refer you as. 

I slowly opened the FedEx box, examining every single part of it. Then I grab firmly onto the book and then got my first look at it. How incredibly cool was this? Then I knew that everything I’d been told, was indeed true. As we all know, there are a lot of people out there that want to do you harm or even tell you that they were a publicist from Weldon Owen. At that very moment, I knew how incredibly lucky I was. 

When I saw that photographer Lance Mercer had an image of Layne on the cover of the book, I got emotional. We got such a beautiful image from Layne’s performance with Mad Season….. from what I feel was his most creative period. Nancy McCallum  (Layne’s mom) nailed it by selecting the most appropriate photo. 

This book was carefully organized; you can tell when you start perusing through it. The pages are thick and quite substantial for being only 207 pages. As many of you (including myself) thought. At the beginning Nancy McCallum (Layne’s mom) gives a very important introduction. It truly explains the “recovering” portion of the title. However, it sparked questions that I won’t bother with. One will state, why would a police officer take a gift aka a bribe, etc.? If it had been me, I think I would done some research and see if any of what the unsuspecting suspect said panned out. As a fan it’s infuriating to me. 

Moving past Nancy’s initial introduction, Layne’s father Phil Staley, sisters Liz Coats and Jamie Elmer both write about Layne. Layne’s stepbrother Ken Elmer also contributed to it, which I enjoyed. His “brospective” about being his brother and introducing James Bergstrom to Layne to form Sleze. The story has been around for years, but reading more about Sleze was pretty wonderful. The whole running away from home story was funny; making me just imagine Layne saying those things too. But it was Ken’s description of his brother being a person who deeply felt that captured my attention. Because we as fans have all seen that in Layne.  I’ll leave it at that and keep moving on. 

The book moves to early images of Layne as a baby and the grade school years. As I was reading the comment under the photos, I realized that I also attended the same elementary school (until 3rd grade) as Layne. Stevenson Elementary is still located by the Crossroads area of Bellevue in Washington. 

Then moving to part one called “Writings; Lyrics, Lists and Life”

In this section there are a lot of lyrics, either starting, changed or the full song itself. It also contains, drawings, notes, photos and even journal entries. One in particular is the most moving in the entire book. That I will not write upon because that’s something every person needs to come upon themselves. It would also be considered a huge “spoiler” to all of you. That page made me cry, made me sad and truly heartbroken. 

Part Two; “Vision; Art and Images”

This is a short section of Layne’s artwork and even a photo of what looks like a shadow box filled with Layne’s chains and eclectic jewelry. 

Part Three; tributes from fellow musicians and photographers who’ve worked with Layne. Paul Hernandez’s contribution in my opinion was the most heartfelt. Kevin Martin of Candlebox also contributed. And once again, I learned something new about Kevin’s friendship with Layne. I also enjoyed Chris Cuffaro’s contribution. After I read this section, I did reach out to both Chris and Kevin. Both were thrilled to be able to share their experiences about Layne for the book. 

Sully Erna of Godsmack and Corey Taylor of Slipknot and Stone Sour also shared stories about how Layne has impacted their lives. I knew about their influences being Alice In Chains and of course Layne Staley. How they wrote though was straight from their hearts. There’s plenty more in the book to look out. 

After the written tributes, fan art is shared. Many were done shortly after Layne’s passing.

Although the book has some minor date errors in it, it’s clearly been written with love. I’m grateful to Nancy, Phil, Liz, Jamie and Ken for sharing their stories. It’s quite personal and gives us a very tiny glimpse into Layne’s life; and what he was truly about. I also feel like it was time for the book. 

This is something I will always cherish and I hope you will feel that way too.