Posted in excerpt, Poetry on January 25, 2024

 

 

Synopsis

 

Nature speaks to us in many ways. In this collection of haiku written over the course of one year, Jim Bates has chosen the 5-7-5 syllable format to share his feelings for the natural world. He hopes you enjoy them.

After the snowstorm

Winter’s soft gentle beauty

Snow on evergreens.

 

 

Amazon

 

 

Praise

 

“Award winning author Jim Bates writes entire stories inside the parameters of a Haiku. Each word invokes imagery so impactful that one forgets it is wrapped in such few words. From the simplicity of a haiku comes boundless emotion and each one is to be savored.” – Acclaimed writer Sharon Frame Gay is the author of “Song of the Highway” and “Nomad Diner.”

“Jim Bates brings a clear view of nature in his tiny gems–a beautiful collection of the Haiku art form.” – Shelia Henry is an accomplished poet whose work appears in many anthologies and online publications.

Jim packs beautiful imagery into Haiku and within them manages to deliver to us deep insightful stories. This is a book you will want to read over and over. Charming! – Ger White is an Irish poet and storyteller. “Newspapers on the Floor” is her first collection of poems.

Jim Bates’ new book “Haiku Seasons” is filled with beautiful shortform poems that are meditative in their quality. Each poem evokes a visual image of seasonal wonder. It is a perfect book to relax you at the end of a long day. – Ann Christine Tabaka, is a poet & author whose most recent collection of poems is “Learning To Climb the Mountain.”

 

 

Excerpt

 

Haiku Seasons is a wonderful compilation of heartfelt, thoughtful, and soulful haiku.

 

Soft snowflakes drifting

Brushing eyelids so gently

Like a lover’s touch.

 

The book is divided into four seasons, and the haiku within each season reflects images, with words evoking snowflakes, bluebirds in the spring, geese winging south in the autumn, or childhood memories of a summer cabin.

 

By the forest path

Babbling woodland stream flowing

Music to dream by.

 

Some are joyful. Some are whimsical, while others reflect the quiet hours of a winter’s day before a soothing fire.

 

Northwest wind blowing

Cold gray winter day chills deep

Fireplace burns so warm.

 

Each haiku reflects the deep and sensitive soul of award-winning author Jim Bates, who delivers these special poems with a fine hand and a depth of spirit. I highly recommend this book.

 

Hot day on a dock

Feet dangling in cool water

Sunfish nibbling toes.

 

 

About the Author

 

Jim’s stories and poems have appeared in nearly five hundred online and print publications. His collection of short stories, Resilience, is published by Bridge House Publishing. Short Stuff, a collection of flash fiction and drabbles is published by Chapeltown Books. Periodic Stories, Periodic Stories Volume Two, Periodic Stories Volume Three – A Novel, and Periodic Stories Volume Four are published by Impspired. Dreamers, a collection of short stories, is published by Clarendon House Publishing. Something Better, a dystopian adventure novella, and the novel, The Alien of Orchard Lake, are published by Dark Myth Publications. In the fall of 2022, his collection entitled Holiday Stories was published by Impspired as was his collection of poetry, Haiku Seasons. In February 2023, Periodic Stories Volume IV was published, as was his collection of poems, The Alchemy of Then, both by Impspired. In June 2023, a collection of flash fiction, Dancing With Butterflies, was published by Impspired.In July 2023, his YA novella The Battle of Marvel Wood was published by Impspired. His short story “Aliens” was nominated by The Zodiac Press for the 2020 Pushcart Prize. His story “The Maple Leaf” was voted 2021 Story of the Year for Spillwords. He was voted December 2022 Author of the Month for Spillwords. He also reads his stories for Talking Stories Radio and for Jim’s Storytime on his website. He lives in a small town west of Minneapolis, Minnesota.

 

Website

 

Posted in excerpt, Poetry on January 2, 2024

 

 

Synopsis

 

The mysteries found in the night sky. The joy of welcoming Spring after a long, cold winter. The simple pleasure of enjoying birds singing, swinging on a swing with a grandchild, or walking the woods amid the oranges and reds of autumn colors.

These are gentle poems, and this collection captures Jim’s love of nature and life in a short, six-line format. He writes about rain and draught, thunderstorms and lighting, morning sunrises and evening sunsets. He writes about sharing times with loved ones and missing those who are no longer with us. In short, these poems are a window into life with all its joys and beauty, the good and the bad, the ups and downs, and, most of all, the special love that can be found there.

 

 

 

Amazon

 

 

Excerpt

 

Ice Castles

 

The morning was filled with a misty cold

The sky was soft through a wintery haze

Ice crystals hung suspended in time

A wonder settling in on a late winter daze

All around one looked it was like magic out there

Like ice castles suspended in the frozen air.

 

Jim Bates recalls moments in time with poems that lead you through the door of his imagination into such memories as winter mornings, classrooms, icy ponds, and building model airplanes. From childhood loss, to adventure and joy, he explores emotions we have all experienced. Some life lessons are hard. Others are magical. Each poem stands on its own, yet when read all together, he blends each piece into one another seamlessly. As he reflects upon baking oatmeal cookies with his mother, our own memory banks open and we withdraw events from long ago. We, too, want to help stir the cookie dough. We, too, reflect on the fine line between life and death when a young boy falls into a lake, and conjure up our own ghosts. And we, too, can enjoy a simple day cast in a simpler time.

 

Peaceful Presence

The morning was so quiet you could hear the bees buzzing

You could almost hear the butterfly’s wings fluttering too

The sun was floating low in the east

Suspended like an orb of soft rosy hue

A walker out strolling slowed his pace to a crawl

Soaking in the peaceful presence and the magic of it all.

 

 

About the Author

 

Jim’s stories and poems have appeared in nearly five hundred online and print publications. His collection of short stories, Resilience, is published by Bridge House Publishing. Short Stuff, a collection of flash fiction and drabbles is published by Chapeltown Books. Periodic Stories, Periodic Stories Volume Two, Periodic Stories Volume Three – A Novel, and Periodic Stories Volume Four are published by Impspired. Dreamers, a collection of short stories, is published by Clarendon House Publishing. Something Better, a dystopian adventure novella, and the novel, The Alien of Orchard Lake, are published by Dark Myth Publications. In the fall of 2022, his collection entitled Holiday Stories was published by Impspired as was his collection of poetry, Haiku Seasons. In February 2023, Periodic Stories Volume IV was published, as was his collection of poems, The Alchemy of Then, both by Impspired. In June 2023, a collection of flash fiction, Dancing With Butterflies, was published by Impspired.In July 2023, his YA novella The Battle of Marvel Wood was published by Impspired. His short story “Aliens” was nominated by The Zodiac Press for the 2020 Pushcart Prize. His story “The Maple Leaf” was voted 2021 Story of the Year for Spillwords. He was voted December 2022 Author of the Month for Spillwords. He also reads his stories for Talking Stories Radio and for Jim’s Storytime on his website. He lives in a small town west of Minneapolis, Minnesota.

 

Website

 

Posted in excerpt, Poetry on October 18, 2023

 

 

Synopsis

 

The scent of mountain sage. Learning to bake cookies. Overcoming a fear of heights. Identifying a special bird. All moments in time, often inconsequential, yet over the years becoming lodged in the memory until they need to come out, finding expression in the 101 poems in this collection. We are all one of a kind. Yet we share so much, especially when it comes to life experiences. Yes, those experiences are different but how we respond to them is what makes us whole. These short poems hope to capture both the uniqueness of we humans as well as how in many instances we are similar.

 

 

Amazon

 

 

Praise

 

With these poems, Jim Bates once again allows us to experience those honest, beautiful moments of life.  Jim pulls at our heartstrings, sharing moments of magic, love, and human bonding.   With a backdrop of the beauty of nature, these poems are exquisite. This book will take ages to read – not because of the length of the poems, but because each poem is so rich and packs such an emotional punch that we have to step back and gather ourselves after each read. Congratulations and well done Jim – this book needs sharing far and wide.” Ger White is an Irish poet and storyteller. “Newspapers On the Floor” and “Celtic Visions” are her most recent collection of poems.

The Alchemy of Then is a powerful book of poems that will move, inspire, and delight the reader by the transcendent alchemy of poetry. Jim Bates is a prolific writer I have great respect for. You will be glad that you read this book!” Justin Wiggins, Author of Tír na nÓg & Celtic Song

Jim Bates recalls moments in time with poems that lead you through the door of his imagination into such memories as summer mornings, classrooms, icy ponds, and building model airplanes. From childhood loss to adventure and joy, he explores emotions we have all experienced. Some life lessons are hard. Others are magical.  Each poem stands on its own, yet when read altogether, the author blends each piece into one another seamlessly. As he reflects upon baking oatmeal cookies with his mother, our own memory banks open, and we withdraw events from long ago. We, too, want to help stir the cookie dough. We, too, reflect on the fine line between life and death when a young boy falls into a lake and conjure up our own ghosts. And we, too, can enjoy a simple day cast in a simpler time. I did not want this book to end. Tonight, I will pour a cup of tea and remember…”The Alchemy of Then.” Alchemy indeed, as Jim Bates casts memories into gold.” Acclaimed author Sharon Frame Gay is the author of “Song of the Highway” and “Nomad Diner.”

 

 

Clothes Pole

 

Set firmly in the ground

It had its own spot in the backyard

A heavy-duty metal post with wooden arms attached

Held together with clothesline rope

A lever controlled it going up and down

A thing of mechanical beauty

Simple utility and grace.

 

His mother hung sheets from it every week

White cotton flags waving in the wind

The kids would run back and forth under it

“Get away from there!” she’d yell

Laughing they’d run away loving the game.

 

At night he lay in bed

Reading a Hardy Boys mystery

Listening to a baseball game on his silver transiter radio

Wrapped in those sun-drenched sheets crinkly and cool

Until lights out

Then snuggling in amid the aroma of outdoors

With just a hint of sunshine

Eyes slowly closing until finally

Drifting into peaceful sleep

Fresh summertime sheets flapping gently

In a tender dreamy breeze.

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Jim’s stories and poems have appeared in nearly five hundred online and print publications. His collection of short stories, Resilience, is published by Bridge House Publishing. Short Stuff, a collection of flash fiction and drabbles is published by Chapeltown Books. Periodic Stories, Periodic Stories Volume Two, Periodic Stories Volume Three – A Novel, and Periodic Stories Volume Four are published by Impspired. Dreamers, a collection of short stories, is published by Clarendon House Publishing. Something Better, a dystopian adventure novella, and the novel, The Alien of Orchard Lake, are published by Dark Myth Publications. In the fall of 2022, his collection entitled Holiday Stories was published by Impspired as was his collection of poetry, Haiku Seasons. In February 2023, Periodic Stories Volume IV was published, as was his collection of poems, The Alchemy of Then, both by Impspired. In June 2023, a collection of flash fiction, Dancing With Butterflies, was published by Impspired.In July 2023, his YA novella The Battle of Marvel Wood was published by Impspired. His short story “Aliens” was nominated by The Zodiac Press for the 2020 Pushcart Prize. His story “The Maple Leaf” was voted 2021 Story of the Year for Spillwords. He was voted December 2022 Author of the Month for Spillwords. He also reads his stories for Talking Stories Radio and for Jim’s Storytime on his website. He lives in a small town west of Minneapolis, Minnesota.

 

Website

 

Posted in Poetry, Spotlight on November 28, 2022

 

 

Synopsis

 

A ghost spirit of dark’s universe falls in love with a ghost spirit of light’s universe, and while They cannot meet, for They wander around separate realms and spacetimes, They live Their love through a secret and sacred interaction.

They are light years APART.

But there is INVISIBLE possession.

A precious NEED bridges the range.

A SECRET LANGUAGE.

A SACRED ENERGY.

A distant BOND is created.

An EVOLUTION of the SOULS.

Will they ever MEET for REAL?

And in what FORM?

A supernatural paranormal romance poetic novel of mystical and spiritual time travel, epitome of confessional metaphysical and existential love that is seen in space opera.

I prefer the dark
And often I cry
But is it so sad?
You prefer the light
And you smile
But are you happy?

Our eyes see
Different things
But our thoughts
Are aligned
And I’m wondering
Why I love you
When we can’t live
The same life

 

 

Amazon * Apple * B&N * Kobo * Google

 

Read more about the book in the Press Release

 

 

Praise

 

“Memorable!” – “Evocation of mystery” – “Ethereal nature” – “Modernist” – “Highly creative” – “Very unique concept” – “Astonishingly beautiful” – “Unique experience” – “Carries a beauty to it” – “(The poems) carry a plaintive beauty”

“The poems are painfully heartbreaking and pull at the strings of my emotions” – “Filled with yearning and angst” – “The poems touched me. I got emotional reading them” – “Powerful style with consistently vivid imagery and delightful word that nourish your soul” – “Unique themes with diversification that is the real beauty of this book”

“One of my favorite lines of poetry I’ve ever read” – “Sweet, stuffy, emotional and sooo many emotions my goodness” – “She did get into my head in ways I had not expected” – “She might take you places you did not expect to go” – “Her storytelling style is super unique and hypnotically engaging”

 

 

About the Author

 

Jazalyn attracts all cultures and traditions with an audience from all walks and stages of life as a consequence of the universal atmosphere that encircles her themes.

Her innovative and versatile writing style stemming from abstraction and absurdness captivates mystery and suspense with words swimming in surrealism and magical realism.

Her imaginative and inventive narration unites the philosophical with the psychological and the scientific elements of both fantasy and fiction that create and solve riddles and puzzles.

In what results as a contemporary genre of cinematic (epic) poetry in slice of life-vignette expression which provokes thinking and eyes new horizons.

Her latest books vViIrRuUsS, Rose, Hollow signify Jazalyn’s transition towards literary magnificence.

 

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Posted in Poetry, Spotlight on November 27, 2022

 

 

Synopsis

 

A socially underprivileged rose witnesses unpleasant events and behaviors that threaten Her inner peace and is determined to set life and love aside in order to find Her true, pure and moral parts of character.

30 petals of MOOD and STATUS.

A society full of INJUSTICES and UNFAIRNESS.

A ROLE She doesn’t want to play.

A RAGE. A RAVE.

A PAST that leads to HATE.

A RARE SOUL.

A wishful CHANGE of HEART.

She AROSE and She ROSE.

From IGNORANCE to STRENGTH.

A FUTURE that should lead to LOVE.

But can there be LOVE?

A dark fantasy magical realism poetic novel that endures urban social issues and inequality, and challenges self esteem, self help, self improvement, self development, healing.

I never knew how to have
I’ve learned to live without love
And I can’t change all of a sudden
Something’s got to happen

 

 

 

Amazon * B&N * Kobo * Apple * Google

 

Read more about the book on the Press Release

 

 

 

Praise

 

“Powerfully emotional experience” – “The depiction of an integral step in the evolution of the soul” – “Raises important questions concerning identity, the need to be loved and the value of solitude”

“Captures your heart and keeps you well engaged and feeling so many emotions” – “Heartfelt, relatable and very raw” – “The author has carved a poetry out of her emotions, the brimming reality and the facades we wear”

“Jazalyn has a very interesting writing style that is almost enviable” – “Ups and downs, the depression, turmoil, and triumph of the spirit and the heart” – “Meditation on one person’s inner struggles and gradual acceptance of themselves”

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Jazalyn attracts all cultures and traditions with an audience from all walks and stages of life as a consequence of the universal atmosphere that encircles her themes.

Her innovative and versatile writing style stemming from abstraction and absurdness captivates mystery and suspense with words swimming in surrealism and magical realism.

Her imaginative and inventive narration unites the philosophical with the psychological and the scientific elements of both fantasy and fiction that create and solve riddles and puzzles.

In what results as a contemporary genre of cinematic (epic) poetry in slice of life-vignette expression which provokes thinking and eyes new horizons.

Her latest books vViIrRuUsS, Rose, Hollow signify Jazalyn’s transition towards literary magnificence.

 

Website * Instagram * Twitter * Pinterest * YouTube * Goodreads

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Posted in Poetry, Spotlight on November 26, 2022

 

 

Synopsis

 

Three robotic viruses are released from unknown forces and compete with each other exposing crimes, with humanity’s scale of existence oscillating between total destruction and reinventing recovery.

A REVELATION of the THOUGHTS.

An AWAKENING for the HIDDEN reality.

A MADNESS pandemic.

A WAR of ESPIONAGE.

Whose VIRUS is which?

Is it too late for reinstating?

The PANIC button pushed.

An attempt to erase the MEMORIES.

Can an EVIL virus SAVE the world?

A post-apocalyptic techno thriller poetic novel that emulates psychological reactions of a serious medical and technological global emergency and provides philosophical insights on the world’s best direction.

It’s unfair
To be guilty
When no one
Is innocent

 

 

 

Amazon * B&N * Kobo * Apple

 

 

For More about the book, check out the Press Release

 

 

Praise

 

“Funky and unusual” – “Variably engaging” – “Fresh and innovative” – “Fast-paced and well written” – “Poetry for a New Age” – “Very avant-garde style” – “The poems hold many truths that need to be recognized” – “Entertaining exploration into one’s own value systems”

“Definitely a new poetry author to keep an eye on!” – “(Poems) which often refer to bullying, truth as opposed to lies, and suffering for being too good” – “Such an easy and digestible read with the style and tone yet complex in its integrity”

“Evocative poems about futurism, the nature of life, and accepting its illogical truths” – “Outstanding contribution to human philosophy presented in a most unusual way” – “Beautiful writing, crazy themes and ideals and epic techniques used – a standout”

 

 

About the Author

 

Jazalyn attracts all cultures and traditions with an audience from all walks and stages of life as a consequence of the universal atmosphere that encircles her themes.

Her innovative and versatile writing style stemming from abstraction and absurdness captivates mystery and suspense with words swimming in surrealism and magical realism.

Her imaginative and inventive narration unites the philosophical with the psychological and the scientific elements of both fantasy and fiction that create and solve riddles and puzzles.

In what results as a contemporary genre of cinematic (epic) poetry in slice of life-vignette expression which provokes thinking and eyes new horizons.

Her latest books vViIrRuUsS, Rose, Hollow signify Jazalyn’s transition towards literary magnificence.

 

Website * Instagram * Twitter * Pinterest * YouTube * Goodreads

 | 
Comments Off on Spotlight – vViIrRuUsS: I Never Forget by Jazalyn @justjazalyn #poetry
Posted in Book Blast, Poetry, Travel on August 6, 2021

 

 

 

The Forgotten World

 

by

 

Nick Courtright

 

 

Genre: Poetry / Travel / Fatherhood

Publisher: Gold Wake Press

Date of Publication: August 1, 2021

Number of Pages: 88 Pages

 

 

 

 

 

In his third collection, poet Nick Courtright explores the world at large in an effort to reconcile selfhood as an American in the international community, while also seeking anchors for remembering a wider world often lost to view in our shared though increasingly isolated experience of reality.

Beginning in Africa with investigations of religion and love, The Forgotten World then moves to Latin America to tackle colonialism and whiteness. From there it travels to Asia to discuss economic stratification and Europe to explore art and mental health, culminating in a stirring homecoming to troubled America, where family, the future, and what matters most rise to the forefront of consideration.

Through all of it, Courtright displays a deft hand, at once pained, at once bright, to discover that although the wider world seems farther away than before, the lessons it offers are more needed than ever.

 

 

Praise

 

“InThe Forgotten World, Nick Courtright explores the intersections of being a citizen of one country and the desire to live as a citizen of the world…” – Octavio Quintanilla, author ofIf I Go Missingand 2018-2020 Poet Laureate of San Antonio. 

 

Amazon

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nick Courtright is the author of The Forgotten World (2021), Let There Be Light (2014) and Punchline (2012), and is the Executive Editor of Atmosphere Press. His work has appeared in The Harvard Review, Kenyon Review, and The Southern Review among dozens of others. With a Doctorate in Literature from the University of Texas, Nick lives in Austin with the poet Lisa Mottolo and their children, William and Samuel. Find him online and watching birds on his porch.

 

 

Website * Amazon  ◆  Goodreads

 

 Atmosphere Press

 

 

 

 

 

 

Visit the Lone Star Literary Life Tour Page

 

For direct links to each stop on this book blitz

 

 

 

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Posted in excerpt, Giveaway, Poetry on April 21, 2021

 

 

THE MAD RAMBLINGS OF A JOKER

 

By Brandon Dillon

 

 

Publisher: Paper Airplane Publishing

Pub Date: January 24, 2021

Pages: 156 pages

Categories: Poetry / Psychology / PTSD / Veteran Stories

 

Scroll for Giveaway!

 

 

 

 

Poet Brandon Dillon makes his debut with The Mad Ramblings of a Joker, a brutally honest collection full of metaphor and vibrant imagery. His work covers topics such as PTSD, depression, and heartbreak, and softer moments of hope and reflective peace.

 

His poetry is deep and unforgettable, a beacon for a dark world that needs a friend to say, “I’ve been there. I understand.”

 

 

 

Amazon | B&N

 

 

Indiebound | Bookshop.org

 

 

 

 

 

 

“DREAMS”

 

From THE MAD RAMBLINGS OF A JOKER

 

by Brandon Dillon

 

 

Dreams

 

I had a dream,

and in this dream

I was ok.

I was not angry.

I was not sad.

I was not scared.

 

I had a dream,

and in this dream

I was ok.

I could walk through

crowds of people

with no fear

of anyone exploding;

pink mist, and shrapnel

would not consume me.

I walked through crowded places

completely oblivious

to made-up danger,

no more hyper alertness

draining me.

I did not scan my surroundings

for imaginable sniper nests,

ambush points,

and danger areas.

I did not watch the ground

second guessing each step

wondering if I could live

without my legs.

 

I had a dream,

and in this dream

I was ok.

I did not belong to groups

whose sole purpose is

suicide watch.

I had never lost a brother

to himself;

we as a people did not

have a suicide rate 50 percent

higher than civilians.

 

I did not know the taste

of a gun in my mouth

seasoned with tears and fear.

I did not have

suicidal tendencies.

 

I had a dream,

and in this dream

I was ok.

My marriage was not

in shambles.

I did not push away

anyone who got too close.

I did not try to destroy

all relationships.

I was not happy

only in conflict.

I did not burn

bridges as I walked across them.

 

I had a dream,

and in this dream

I was ok.

I did not need medicine;

I did not need therapy.

I did not need intensive trauma therapy;

I did not need cognitive therapy

to restructure my mind

on how I moved throughout the world.

I did not use pills, just to bring me

to a level to use these coping skills.

I did not need coping skills.

 

I had a dream,

and in this dream

I was ok.

 

I had a dream,

and in this dream

I was ok.

 

I had a dream,

and then I woke up.

 

 

 

 

Brandon Dillon is an award-winning poet who writes from the soul about his life as a child born into poverty, his travels around the world as a U.S. Marine, love won and love lost, and the trauma that life brings.

If you ask him his biggest accomplishments thus far, he will tell you they are the laughter and tears of the audience as he reads his words on the stage for them. He is amazed when people feel his emotion and in turn show him their emotion.

He has twice performed by invitation, reading his poetry at the FASOLT Fine Arts Expo, and has participated twice in “Color: Story,” a collaboration between poets and visual artists, winning first place in 2019. When he is not working or taking care of his two sons, Brandon frequents open mic readings for poetry and all genres of writing with the group Writespace and performs at open mic and slam poetry events with the group Write About Now, at times reading something he just wrote that day.

He is never far from his notebook, fitting his writing in between shifts at work, kids and homework, and sleeping. Brandon lives in Houston, Texas.

 

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GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY!

 

ONE WINNER:

 

Autographed copy of The Mad Ramblings of a Joker

 

+ leather journal (5.7” x 8.5”)

 

US only. Ends midnight, CDT, April 26, 2021.

 

 

 

 

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Visit the Lone Star Literary Life Tour Page

 

For direct links to each post on this tour, updated daily,

 

or visit the blogs directly:

 

 

4/20/21 Notable Quotable Hall Ways Blog
4/20/21 Review Missus Gonzo
4/20/21 BONUS Promo LSBBT Blog
4/21/21 Excerpt StoreyBook Reviews
4/21/21 Review Forgotten Winds
4/22/21 Review It’s Not All Gravy
4/22/21 Top Five List The Clueless Gent
4/23/21 Author Interview Texas Book Lover
4/23/21 Review Reading by Moonlight

 

 

 

 

 

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Posted in Poetry, Spotlight on September 2, 2020

 

 

Synopsis

 

Other than a few poems in reference to veterans, the topics are basically my experiences in dealing with life as a double amputee. It is meant to inspire, motivate, and be inspirational! Barach HaShem, Hebrew, meaning “Praise His Name.”

This collection of philosophical #poetry is spiritual in nature. It is meant to inspire hope, faith, love, and peace of mind. It lets #readers find these things as they take a look at themselves and ponder and relate to these thoughts. There are #poems about acceptance, life, friendship, gratitude, love, prayer, and a little bit more.

 

 

Writer’s Republic

 

 

About the Author

 

Andrew Thomas Elder is a regular guy who had to relearn life as a double amputee at the age of 19, with His help and being very grateful for every day. He hopes to inspire readers with topics that he has and is learning about life and a bit more.

 

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Posted in Giveaway, Guest Post, Poetry, Texas on March 31, 2020

 

 

VIOLENCE / JOY / CHAOS

 

by

Jane Marshall Fleming

 

Essays / Poems

Publisher: Rhythm & Bones Press

On Twitter

Date of Publication: April 1, 2020

Number of Pages: 154

Scroll down for the giveaway!

 

 

This debut full-length hybrid collection of essays and poetry explores the moments of joy and chaotic hilarity that mingle with the experiences of trauma and trauma recovery.

Jane Marshall Fleming writes with boldness and shows the beauty in every moment amidst violent chaos, embracing joy just as much as darkness. Moving from a backdrop of a small Virginia town and eventually finding herself in the freedom and wilderness of the desert, readers will follow the author on her journey mapping her skin, sharing in her joys, grief, pain, loss, discovering love and self-growth, night-blooming like a desert flower.

 

 

 

 

┃ Rhythm & Bones Press

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Publishing in a Pandemic

 

Guest Post by Author Jane Fleming

 

Ten days ago, I was still working on getting ready for the book launch and readings for my debut full-length book, Violence/Joy/Chaos. Even as the news about COVID-19 continued to roll in and the spread of the virus escalated, I tried to stay positive and worry about things like the number of books I would bring to the launch and what chapters or poems I would read.  I focused on interviews and preorder numbers and kept writing thank you notes. It was good work— work that feels productive and creative and celebratory all at once. And then, of course, the virus officially arrived here in Austin.

Early this week, we postponed my book launch event to comply with social distancing guidelines and I, like almost everyone else, have taken to my home to keep from getting or spreading the disease. These measures are important and are necessary steps to stopping the escalation of what has truly become a global crisis. That does not mean, however, that they do not bring with them disappointment. To have worked so hard for years to arrive at the publication of a book only to have the launch, sales, and celebration dismantled by something so far out of one’s control, for lack of a better word, sucks. And I know that this is a feeling that a lot of artists and performers are going through and it feels weird to meld that disappointment with other swirling anxieties like the service industry shut down (where many artists and performers work), the closing of many office spaces, the health of oneself and loved ones, and a country/world that is bracing for a likely failure of critical healthcare systems. In the grand scheme of things, the disruption of a book launch feels miniscule, perhaps even petty. At least, that is the line that I have been giving myself as I told everyone that it was “totally fine” and that there were “more important things.”

But thing is, even if it is true that there are far more important things right now, it is okay to feel these disappointments. Even in a pandemic, life goes on and we must be able to, even from a distance, celebrate life’s moments both big and small. In reality, now more than ever, we need the smile-inducing news of your accomplishments, a snippet of the poem you wrote today, an in-progress picture of the painting you have been working on while in “quarantine,” or the funny trick you just taught your dog. We need those videos of neighbors playing music with one another from their balconies, virtual movie nights, and video-chat happy hours. And with all of that, we need celebration. We still need community and the feeling of oneness, even if it must be from the comfort of our own homes. These are the things that remind us that, though the world itself might feel as though it is shuddering, as Dr. Ian Malcolm says, “Life, finds a way.”

So, while I will allow myself to feel the disappointment and confusion that comes with having my first book release in a pandemic, you will still find videos of me celebrating from the safety of my quarantine. Be healthy, be safe, be responsible, and don’t be afraid to find some real light through your computer screen.

 

Thank you for your thoughts during this crazy time Jane.  Who would have thought just a month ago that this is where we would be today?

 

 

 

 

Jane Marshall Fleming is an author and artist living in Austin, Texas. She currently works as an assistant instructor at the University of Texas at Austin and is also the author of the chapbook, Ocotillo Worship (Apep Publications, 2019). Violence/Joy/Chaos is her first full-length collection.

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4/7/20 Author Interview Chapter Break Book Blog
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4/9/20 Review Reading by Moonlight

 

 

 

 

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