THIS ANGRY PEN OF MINE: RECOVERING THE JOURNALS OF LAYNE STALEY
Published by Weldon Owen & Primary Wave Music
Named Week One New York Times Bestseller
By Layne Staley
–on-sale now–
THIS ANGRY PEN OF MINE: RECOVERING THE JOURNALS OF LAYNE STALEY —an unprecedented look into the creative archive of Alice in Chains vocalist Layne Staley, created in direct collaboration with his family — has debuted as a New York Times Nonfiction Bestseller in its first week.
This Angry Pen of Mine (Weldon Owen; November 11, 2025) published by Weldon Owen in partnership with Primary Wave Music, offers the first ever look into the untold creative world of Layne Staley, the legendary voice fronting Alicein Chains. This extraordinary collection showcases his handwritten lyrics, deeply personal poetry, stunning original artwork, rare photos, fan tributes, and so much more.
Discover his striking original artwork, where every line tells its own story, and explore rare, candid photos that capture both the highs and lows of his journey. Experience the love and admiration of the fans whose lives he touched, beautifully expressed through evocative fan art that honors his legacy.
“I hope this book gives you a glimpse of the son I knew, the one beyond the headlines, the one with a beautiful, creative, happy soul,” Nancy McCallum, Layne’s mother, writes in the foreword to this book.
“Layne’’ songwriting has left an unmistakable imprint on the music world, and its significance only grows with time. We’re honored to showcase his talents as a writer and to help ensure his legacy continues to shine,” says James Janocha, Primary Wave Music
Through Layne’s scribblings and heartfelt musings are a window into the emotional depths of a man who gave so much of himself to his art and his fans, even as he struggled with his own battles. For fans, new and old, this is an opportunity to connect with Layne’s artistry and humanity in a way that’s never been possible before. His story, told through his own words, creations, and the lives he forever changed, is a testament to the enduring power of music, art, and the human spirit.
Proceeds from sales of This Angry Pen of Mine will benefit the Layne Staley Memorial Fund, a charitable fund dedicated to providing hope, education, support, and treatment funds for heroin addiction recovery, managed @THS, Seattle, WA.
This Angry Pen of Mine is available now, wherever books are sold.
Review copies and promotional opportunities for This Angry Pen of Mine are available now.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
LAYNE STALEY (1968–2002) was an American singer, songwriter, and musician best known as the lead vocalist of the influential grunge band Alice in Chains. Staley’s powerful voice and raw emotional delivery made him a defining figure of the 1990s grunge movement. Despite his success, he struggled with addiction, which deeply impacted his life and career. Staley’s legacy endures through his music, which continues to resonate with fans around the world. More information on Layne’s legacy and the work of the Layne Staley Memorial Fund can be found here.
ABOUT WELDON OWEN:
Founded in 1984, Weldon Owen International is a high-quality, nonfiction book publisher specializing in producing innovative, richly illustrated lifestyle books in the categories of food and drink, sports and fitness, popular science, craft and design, and popular culture for the global market. Weldon Owen International illustrates great ideas and breaks down complex skills so anyone can learn them while being entertained and inspired along the way. Weldon Owen is a division of Insight Editions. For more information and inspiration, visit, weldonowen.com.
ABOUT PRIMARY WAVE MUSIC:
The Home of Legends. Primary Wave Music is the leading independent publisher of iconic and legendary music in the world. The company is home to some of the most iconic songwriters, artists, and record labels across the history of recorded music including Bob Marley, Prince, Stevie Nicks, Notorious B.I.G., James Brown, The Doors, Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons, Smokey Robinson, Whitney Houston, Ray Charles, Burt Bacharach, Neil Sedaka, Bing Crosby, Dave Brubeck, Luther Vandross, Olivia Newton-John, Patti LaBelle, Isaac Hayes, Andre 3000, Ric Ocasek, The Cars, Axl Rose, Steven Van Zandt, Aerosmith, Def Leppard, America, War, Teddy Pendergrass, Count Basie, Traveling Wilburys (Bob Dylan), Donny Hathaway, Joey Ramone, Scott Weiland (Stone Temple Pilots), Jerry Jeff Walker, Bob Burns (Lynyrd Skynyrd), George Brown (Kool & The Gang), Sly & The Family Stone, Boston, Alice Cooper, Paul Anka, Boy George and Culture Club, Allee Willis, Paul Rodgers, Free, The Cranberries, Steve Cropper, Sarah McLachlan, Alice In Chains, Air Supply, Nuno Bettencourt (Extreme), Julian Casablancas (The Strokes), Huey Lewis and the News, Itzhak Perlman, PF Sloan, Glenn Gould, Gin Blossoms, Spin Doctors, Disturbed, George Merrill & Shannon Rubicam, Steve Porcaro, Styx, Keith, Forsey, Jeff Porcaro, Chuck Mangione, Pat Metheny, Chris Isaak, Sun Records, Times Music (subsidiary of the Times of India Group), Nas Nuvens Catalog, and many more. The songs represented by Primary Wave include over 1000 Top 10 singles, and over 400 #1 hits. Since its inception in 2006, Primary Wave Music has embraced an entrepreneurial spirit, offering, and executing proactive one-of-a-kind ideas, unique services, and marketing campaigns for our artists. Primary Wave has earned a stellar reputation for being forward thinking and re-introducing classic artists and their music into the modern marketplace as well as nurturing young talent to become legends themselves. This success is based upon our team of seasoned and creative executives collaboratively working together closely with our artists as partners. As a company, we strive for excellence in the pursuit of iconic artists and catalogs that not only reflect great artistry, but impact and influence culture.
This Angry Pen of Mine: Recovering the Journals of Layne Staley
November 11, 2025 • ISBN: 9798886743203 • 176 pages • $40.00 USD