The Gift of Words

Prompted: An International Collection of Poems is now available through Amazon and Barnes&Noble. You can also purchase it as an e-book for your Kindle here.

The idea was conceived by an international group of poets that met at Robert Lee Brewer's Poetic Asides, and with the permission granted from Writer's Digest, were able to choose previous prompts from the site to use in the book. Edited by Pearl Ketover Prilik and published by Really Love Your Book , the project was completed in six months. The anthology includes a forward by Robert Lee Brewer.

Among the "prompts" included: type of person, inverted pyramid, prayer, location, love/anti-love poem, all I want, message in a bottle, water, time of day, and after leaving here.

All proceeds go to the non-profit organization Lit World, whose main goal is to "cultivate literacy leaders worldwide."

With just one purchase of this fine book you can help advocate literacy and the "redemptive power of story" throughout the world.

Won't you join me in spreading the word?

The poets:

▪ Daniel Ari

▪ Michele Brenton

▪ Salvatore Buttaci

▪ Anders Bylund

▪ Janet Rice Carnahan

▪ Diana Terrill Clark

▪ RJ Clarken

▪ Barbara Ehrentreu

▪ Hannah Gosselin

▪ Michael Grove

▪ Jacqueline Hallenbeck

▪ Patricia A. Hawkenson

▪ Michelle Hed

▪ Linda Hofke

▪ Cara Holman

▪ Jane Penland Hoover

▪ Khara House

▪ S.E. Ingraham

▪ De Jackson

▪ Elizabeth Johnson

▪ Iain Douglas Kemp

▪ Pearl Ketover Prilik

▪ Kim King

▪ Laurie Kolp

▪ Andrew Kreider

▪ Catherine Lee

▪ Amy Barlow Liberatore

▪ Shannon Bo Lockard

▪ mike Maher 

▪ Nikki Markle

▪ Buddah Moskowitz

▪ Bruce Niedt

▪ Connie L. Peters

▪ Nancy Posey

▪ Jane Shlensky

▪ Jay Sizemore

▪ a.m.Trumble

▪ Sara Vinas

▪ Paula Wanken

▪ Claudette J. Young

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{Quotes from LitWorld's Facebook page.}

By the Minute

The sign!

I go through my life minute by minute because anything could change in a few seconds. Today was the perfect example. It was my book signing for Chicken Soup for the Soul: Devotional Stories for Tough Times, but it was also Katie's SAT test (she's only in 7th grade but she had the opportunity to take it); both of which were scheduled in advance. I thought Pete could help with the kids, but then he had to go out of town on business. So I made arrangements for the boys and prepared to pick up Katie and her friend at Lamar University. I got there early so that no time would be wasted. I waited outside and admired the mild day, grateful that if for some bizarre reason I didn't have time to go home and change, at least I had body spray, water and a cute hat in the car. The girls were supposed to be finished around lunchtime and I had to be clear across town by 1:45. I knew it would be close, but I never imagined how close. Something happened that almost made me miss my own event.

It's really very stupid. When I found out the test wouldn't be over until around 1:15, I went back to my van to get my crossword puzzles... and I locked my keys inside. BUT I didn't realize it until the girls were done. It was 1:20. After wasting five minutes trying to pry the door open, break through the trunk and pop the window, I called the father of Katie's friend. It would take him at least 15 minutes to get there. The girls tried to unlock the door with anything they could find. We bounced the van up and down (as if that would change anything). Where was Superman when we needed him? I'm sure they enjoyed the drama, but I didn't. Everything I had prepared for the book signing was inside my vehicle. I would be going as is, with nothing but me.

Sylvia and me

I called my friend, Sylvia Ney, who was also part of the book signing. She has a story in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Just for Preteens. I told her I'd be there a little late. I finally arrived at 2:05.

Can you tell I took this picture of Jake and me?

I ended up having a great time. Sylvia and I caught up with each other and signed some books. The highlight of the event was finally meeting a fellow writer, Jake Chambers. We took an online writing class a few years ago and have kept up with each other ever since.

After the signing, my dad (my forever superhero) took me to get my car. Thank goodness it was still there without a ticket or dent. What college student wants an old van anyway? I don't know what I was thinking.

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Click on dVerse Poets for more on this weeks topic, comics.

Sets of Three

Three rejections in three days makes for one hell of a dive in the gutter (nose first in stinky, grimy dirt might I add).

Just last week I was sitting on Cloud Nine because my copies of Chicken Soup for the Soul: Devotional Stories for Tough Times (with my story, Signs of David) were waiting on my front porch when I opened the door. I was like a child on Christmas when I opened the big cardboard box. The book officially comes out TODAY, October 4, 2011. My story is on page 168.

On Saturday, I took a very impromptu trip to Webster, TX when I found out that Poetic Asides' author Robert Lee Brewer, editor of Writer's Market and Poet's Market, would be reading his poetry there. Many wonderful poets have met on the streets of Poetic Asides (PA) and have gone on to form friendships and partnerships, write chapbooks, and move forward in their writing careers. The formation of Baker's Dozen, my online group of poets around the world, is a result of PA. All of this has been made possible because of Robert Lee Brewer's continued support and sincerity.

It was a riveting experience to finally meet the person who has inspired me in so many ways. You can read the poem I wrote, Meeting Robert Lee Brewer, here. The amazing thing is that I was able to sit next to him for four hours of poetry reading and then discuss the poems during the many breaks. We even talked about everyday life, our families and growing up. I felt like I was sitting next to an old friend or even a brother. Robert encouraged me to read my sonnet, I Am the Sea, at the open mic round robin. It was the first time I had ever read one of my poems aloud and to do it with the support of Robert was astounding. I will never forget Saturday, October 1, 2011 (10+1=11, as Robert signed in his newest chapbook, Escape).

BAM, BAM, BAM

Then I received the first rejection in this wave of three on Sunday. It was a short story I had felt so good about when I submitted it to Glimmer Train, I just knew I'd finally make some big bucks off my hard work. NOT.

Monday the letter came from another publication where I had submitted a piece that made it through the first round, but obviously not the second. How dare they turn down such a personal piece after I went through all that hell to live through that experience and even more to write about it!

Today (Tuesday) a very positive email awaited me with a personal note about how wonderful my micro-story was and how it grabbed the attention of the editor of Narrative Magazine, but didn't quite cut it. Damn! How much more can I take?

Despite the Chicken Soup story and meeting Robert Lee Brewer experience, I am focusing on the negatives. Why do I do that? Writing this has helped me, though; and what I really need to do is reread I Am the Sea. After all, I wrote it as a reminder that I will always bounce back after rejection and that I write because it's part of me. My skin will grow thicker and I will survive (after I mourn for awhile).

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Sets of three, right? Things happen in sets of three. I'll take my losses and move forward. Maybe there's a third acceptance out there somewhere.

Christmas Has Come

Well, The Big Day was yesterday and I must admit I felt like a child waiting for Christmas, I was so excited. Mr. K and I rushed to Barnes and Noble after dropping the kids off at school, but the store wasn't even opened yet. I was disappointed and my adorable husband must have noticed because although I told him he could go on to work (we had taken two cars), he showed up at Wal-Mart to share in my elation. I was so surprised to see him. We walked right to the book section and guess what? The book wasn't there! Again, disappointment. Pete went on to work and I did some shopping at Wal-Mart to kill some time before Barnes and Noble opened. Shopping always cheers me up. I finally got to B and N and found the nice display of books by the religion and spirituality section. I bought a book and went home to read. There are so many heartwarming, gut-wrenching, feel good stories in this awesome book! I feel so privileged to be a part of it.

Last night, I had a writer's guild meeting at B and N and told my writing buddies about the book. Many went to buy Christmas Miracles after the meeting and it had sold out. I went to the public relations lady to notify her that I was in the story and that they had sold out. When she checked her computer, I was so saddened to find out that store had only ordered four copies...and they weren't going to get any more! I was able to convince her to order some so I could have a book signing, but I was also disappointed that the store had treated this precious, adorable book so poorly. If anyone is interested in a book (a great Christmas present), you can notify me or order it on-line at Amazon. Simply click on the icon located the top right side of this blog. Hopefully bigger cities received more copies. Until the next time, happy reading!