In Honor of World Poetry Day.

#WorldPoetryDay snuck up on me.  
Poetry was my first love and it brought me around to finally penning longer works such a novels. So, I'm jumping in!

Here's a flashback from when I met my partner, Alex. We've together over 20 years! The others are also older poems. I have many, but I'll spare you most. Here are a few randomly selected pieces:

First Sight

How does my merry mirth give rise to a single thought, now divided into two—me and you. Tied as one, we’ve begun to shine, shrouds of covers layer us in colors. Warm to the touch, burning fire to behold. Pure gold.

The magician's hand has brought the alchemist's touch and transmuted all my fears into the promising years, seen now through a gazing crystal clear.

Creativity

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I’ve tasted something which leaps from you, in droplets and bubbles. Offerings from your imagination, deities who give forth that which marks a passage closer to them. Whatever capsule one could find, a grueling task to define. 

Outside images, the mind illuminates through the test of time, solidify into concrete worlds of reality and form—not all you see but more. All that derives from the experience, all that pushes toward the future foundation you build upon, creates an immense fortress of solitude and happiness. 

Creativity II

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Creating through thought and creating despair. I see you with others and try not to compare. Maybe it was the words we said or the hopes we shared. Which caused my head to believe you cared. Childish, I know, but my heart will pretend to go till the end.

Come Together 

If it’s silence we want why create tears? In the hearts of millions, a thoroughfare of fear collapse under wishes received. no need of forgotten greed.

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Cast away the mask one wears to cover, the face of hate not shared by another.

What have I been up to? Ooh, quite a few things. Maybe you can help?

I’ve been trying to get an agent since 2012, with my first middle-grade novel. I shelved that project and kept writing. I had a YA novella finished and was busy writing my historical fantasy, while a publisher had picked up my Sci-Fi middle-grade. Many agents said they didn’t know how to sell my SFF, and why I took a chance with a publisher I believed had the same idea in mind: Books for reluctant readers. I have two at home. 

I revised that MS for nearly a year, it went to copy edits — and POOF. The book was canceled (many already know this sappy story of 50 authors with books canceled by Month9books. We may be the lucky ones). That was forever ago—last May. I had the good fortune that my YA (ebook) novella came out the same week. Or did I? Whoa, boy, were my emotions All. Over. The. Place. Trying to smile and meanwhile..." 

I remind myself that no experience is wasted. Even if it takes time to realize this.

Back to now. I’m drafting a new contemporary YA, because — hey—I have fans of THE UNMOVING SKY who want to read my next book! They’re looking for suspense and intrigue, such was TUS, about two brothers lost in the woods and found by a bomb-plotting domestic terrorist.  So I’m drafting — working title: American Girls. Best friends take off for New York City and trouble ensues (of course). This will be a more autobiographical. I’ll use much of my experience arriving in NYC with $400 in my pocket — and lots of dreams.

Meanwhile, I’m querying my Historical Fantasy. I have a couple subs and a couple passes on subs. It is always subjective. It’s torture.

This is my question: A publisher will most always insist on revisions. Why not forgo the wasted effort and time and STRESS, searching for the “perfect fit” agent, when many publishers accept unagented submissions? Why? I need to know. 

On that point, a pretty amazing and promising publisher is reviewing my canceled middle-grade SFF, since Jan. So, yeah! Fingers crossed! 

Is this a sign to go straight to publishers? Subconscious, I need you to speak a little louder, please.

If this isn’t enough to keep busy, last week I read that many agents were looking for the book I wrote in 2012! My magical realism MG, about a herbalist and her family of witches from outer space!  A mad fever took hold of me. I whipped that baby out and began revising like it was butter. Overcome with excitement about the story. Again. After years away. My beta-readers always liked it, but the agents I queried, didn’t.

What if I had sent it to directly to a publisher?

Agent passes – and these days just complete radio silence –has given me time to question my methods. 

  

What has your experience been submitting to publishers?  

As a bonus, I’m adding a list of publishers who accept unagented subs at the bottom of this post. It hasn’t been checked or updated. I found it on AW. 

BTW, my publisher LEAP is amazing. Such a great group of award-winning authors and editors, only they aren’t open for submissions, plus my work would have to be suited to them. 

 Publishers who accept unagented subs:

Ace and Roc Science Fiction & Fantasy
Alban Lake Publishing
Alter Press
Anaiah Press FLEDGLING
Artema Press
Baen Books
Bedazzled Ink Publishing Company
Belfire Press
Bitingduck Press
Black Bed Sheet Books
Black Rose Writing
Blind Eye Books
Bloomsbury Publishing: Bloomsbury Spark
Bold Strokes Books MATURE
Books to Go Now MATURE
BURST Books
By Light Unseen Media
Candlemark & Gleam
Cerridwyn Publishing MATURE
Champagne Books
Civil Coping Mechanisms
Constable & Robinson MATURE
Crescent Moon Press
Crowded Quarantine Publications
Crushing Hearts and Black Butterfly Publishing
Damnation Books MATURE
Dark Quest Books
DAW Books
Diabolic Publications
Diversion Books
Divertir Publishing
Dragonfairy Press
EDGE Science Fiction and Fantasy Publishing
Eggplant Literary Productions
eLectio Publishing
Entranced Publishing MATURE
Eternal Press MATURE
Etopia Press MATURE
eTreasures Publishing
Evernight Publishing MATURE
Evil Girlfriend Media
Fable Press
Fireship Press
Fish Creek Press
Freedom Forge Press
FreedomFiction.com
Genesis Press
Ghostwoods Books NEW!
Glastonbury Publishing MATURE
Gollancz
Hark! New Era Publishing
Harlequin LUNA Books
Harlequin Series Digital First MATURE
Harlequin: Carina Press MATURE
Hydra House
Infinite Acacia: Africa-Centered Novels
Ink Smith Publishing
J. Taylor Publishing
Jolly Fish Press
JournalStone Publishing
Jupiter Gardens Press MATURE
Kayelle Press Two-Up Short Novels NEW!
Kayelle Press Young Adult Novels
Keith Publications MATURE
Kensington Publishing Corp. MATURE
Lethe Press
Lillibridge Press MATURE
Loconeal Publishing
Loose Leaves Publishing
Lyrical Press MATURE
Mandrake of Oxford MATURE
Medallion Media Group
Montag Press
Mundania Press
Musa Publishing MATURE
Necro Publications
Netherworld Books MATURE
Nosy Crow
Old Timey Hedgehog
One Ink FLEDGLING MATURE NEW!
PageSpring Publishing: Lucky Marble Books
Pan Macmillan Australia
Paper Road Press
Polis Books FLEDGLING MATURE
Port Yonder Press
Pyr
Random House: Hydra NEW!
Random Static
Resurrection House FLEDGLING
REUTS Publications
Roane Publishing FLEDGLING MATURE
Rogue Phoenix Press
Rooster Republic Press
Rozlyn Press
S A M Publishing MATURE
Seven Archons
Shadow Mountain
Shroud Publishing
Silver Leaf Books
Silverthought Press
Sirens Call Publications
Sky Warrior Books
Skyhorse Publishing: Sky Pony Press
Small Beer Press
Snowbooks
Spanking Pulp Press FLEDGLING
Splashdown Books
Spore Press
Strange Days Books
Stygian Publications
Sybaritic Press
SynergEbooks
Theaker's Quarterly Fiction
Tor Books
Tor UK
TWB Press
Twelfth Planet Press
Twenty or Less Press
Typhoon Media: Lightning Originals
Upper Rubber Boot Books
Vagabondage Press MATURE
Wapshott Press, The: Storylandia
Wings ePress, Inc.
World Castle Publishing
World Weaver Press
WriterPrint New Author Publishers MATURE
Zharmae Publishing Press, The MATURE
Zharmae Publishing Press, The: illusio & baqer
Zharmae Publishing Press, The: Luthando Coeur
Zumaya Publications

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YA Book Review: Between Two Skies by Joanne O' Sullivan

Between Two Skies by Joanne O'Sullivan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars


A re-blog from my review on Kidliterati 
I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Between Two Skies, takes place as Hurricane Katrina hits Louisiana, tearing families apart. The currents of loss and abandonment and heartbreak and the struggle that come with the destruction make this book impossible to put down.

Evangeline Riley, named after the heroine in the Longfellow poem, is about to turn sweet sixteen, and she loves Bayou Perdu, LA. The water is a part of her. Always eager to help her father, a shrimper, she longs for a life here, forever, her fairy-tale land -- a tiny secret place, where Louisiana takes its last breath before plunging into the Gulf of Mexico. Barges from all over the world glide up the Mississippi on their way to New Orleans.

The birds, the fish, the skies and sea, the tiny village of trailers, shrimpers, oystermen, and orange growers are lush and visceral, the setting its own character. The reader won’t want to leave, Bayou Perdu either. The cultural tapestry of the residents is rich and enlivening, warm and inviting. Evangeline’s mother runs a popular local diner. Her drama queen sister looks forward to attending LSU in the fall. And Mamere, her namesake, and confidant, lives with them in Bayou Perdu, dispensing nuggets of wisdom.

But a hurricane is coming. Many think there’s nothing to fear, want to wait it out. With the increasing threat, Evangeline separates from all she’s ever known, and her best friends, Kendra and Danielle, who may not have evacuated with her mother in time. And Tru, the mysterious boy in the pork pie hat, she saved from the skinny water.

After much deliberation, the family takes up residence with Evangeline’s aunt in Georgia and the girls enroll in school. Where they become “refugees”. It’s very different from what Evangeline’s family is used to, and no one is happy. But it’ll be some time before they’re allowed back in Louisiana.

A beautiful story of insurmountable loss and abandonment among the chaos as we remember this historical tragedy. The characters dreams and struggles come to life, and the story is unforgettable. There are surprises and wonder in this deftly woven tale. Expect tears.

Release date: Apr 25, 2017, Candlewick Press




View all my reviews

MG Book Review: Vilonia Beebe Takes Charge by Kristin L. Gray

Vilonia Beebe Takes Charge by Kristin L. Gray
My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I received an ARC for an honest review. 

Fourth-grader, Vilonia, Vi for short, started out in the world four times smaller than the largemouth bass hanging in her daddy’s shop. That was almost ten years ago.

Now that her mother has taken ill since Nana passed away, Vilonia must forge ahead. With a reputation for taking in destitute creatures, she spots a poster that might help her mother not feel depressed anymore.

"The most powerful antidepressant has 4 paws and a tail. 555-PETS."

And her favorite book, Because of Winn-Dixie, by Kate DiCamillo, is her inspiration to begin The Great Pet Campaign.

Meanwhile, Momma hasn’t written a single obituary for the newspaper since Nana died. (Or Nana’s) She’ll be replaced if she doesn’t write something soon, and why Vilonia steps in to help. No one would know it was Vilonia writing the county obits.

But there’s no way her father will agree to a dog. Even with the pet fund, she’s saved. Her mother is in no condition to handle any extra work. Vilonia would just have to prove how responsible she really was and she needed to find the right dog to convince her dad.

When her brother finds out her secret, he and her BFF, Ava Claire, work together to help Vilonia and wind up in a little trouble.

There’s a lot of love in this story. Vilonia holds her family together while working to bring Ray Charles home. The premature shelter dog she fell in love with. She knows it will help her mother with her "Infinite Sadness". And it will help Vilonia. Once she proves how responsible she is.

An endearing story for any child, who has ever dreamt of bringing home a dog, and the adventures that prove what you’re willing to endure for what you love. Vilonia is fearless in her pursuit.


Expected publication: March 7th 2017 by Paula Wiseman Books.

View all my reviews

MG Book Review: BRACED by Alyson Gerber

Braced by Alyson Gerber
My rating: 5 of 5 stars


A repost from my review on the Kidliterati Blog.

“Sometimes it’s easier to pretend to be someone else, especially when who you really are makes you feel sad.”

Twelve-year-old Rachel Brooks learns she must wear a back brace for scoliosis as her mother did, or risk a complicated surgery, in this intimate and heartfelt story.

At school, Coach Howard has just placed her forward on the team, (she’s that good) and while Rachel loves soccer more than anything, the brace now controls her life. If she misses another practice for a last-minute doctor’s appointment, she won’t make the A team. If she can maneuver like she used to, wearing the brace.

Reluctant to tell BFFs at first, Frannie and Hazel, both on the soccer team, support her. Determined like no one’s business, Rachel works to strengthen her moves on the field, so she’s not cut from the team. But the kids at school are whispering and Rachel feels like a freak wearing the brace. Can she trust her friends?

Rachel finds power through asking for what she wants. She finds her voice to speak out when something bothers her. This empowers Rachel. It empowers the reader. I loved Rachel’s voice her emotions are real and raw. Although I’ve never worn a back brace, this book comforted me. Who hasn’t felt like an outsider? Or felt different than others?

The dynamic between Rachel and her mother, the emotion from their struggle wearing the brace, and their delicate relationship, felt very real and personal. Written from the author’s experience of scoliosis, she takes us on a journey with Rachel, who must face a new normal. A place where not giving up, and speaking out when something bothers you, rule.

Debut Author, March 28th, 2017 by Scholastic Press

“The first contemporary novel about a disorder that bends the lives of ten percent of all teenagers: scoliosis.”




View all my reviews

Women's March 2017 in New York City

More than one million people protested around the world last Saturday over Trump’s policies. In New York City alone, we had upwards of 400, 000 stand up to the Trump Regime. Have you seen the crowds! It’s a beautiful thing.

Hundreds of cities across our planet rose up against fascism, against hate, and stood up for Civil Rights, for Women’s rights, for Science, for the Arts, for Education, for LGBT, for POC, for clean water, and air we can actually breathe.

We stand together. STRONG.

After the deep anxiety and fear, marching in a crowd of like-minded people put some of those fears to rest. What an empowering experience. Unprecedented numbers!

WE RISE! 

There are MORE of US than you GOP, Republicans!             Love Wins!     

Enjoy the photos and rest assured WE ARE IN THIS TOGETHER!

We Need GUN LAWS! 

Me, blowing the whistle. 

In front of Dag Hammarskjold Plaza

The gathering at 9 AM. 

Spirit Leader morphed into an Information Agent.

Early morning crowds.

Looking North on Second Ave. 

The end of the line. At the Tower (of Sauron) 

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We're Stronger Together … and you’d better watch out!