"Imagine everything you love of the world taken from you. Now imagine it being taken from your child."
Read the entire essay here.
Don't plan to do anything else for a couple minutes after.
Jumat, 30 September 2011
FPLM salutes Ina May Gaskin
Ina May Gaskin has been awarded the 2011 Right Livelihood Award, sometimes known as the alternative Nobel.
We are thrilled to pieces to see her recognized:
"... for her whole-life's work teaching and advocating safe, woman-centred childbirth methods that best promote the physical and mental health of mother and child."
Here is the rest of the press release from Seven Stories Press
Ina May Gaskin is represented by Stephany Evans our head honcho here at FPLM.
We are thrilled to pieces to see her recognized:
"... for her whole-life's work teaching and advocating safe, woman-centred childbirth methods that best promote the physical and mental health of mother and child."
Here is the rest of the press release from Seven Stories Press
Ina May Gaskin is represented by Stephany Evans our head honcho here at FPLM.
Kamis, 29 September 2011
My favorite Bouchercon panel
It's taken a while to unpack sober up and find my notes which might explain why I'm just now posting about what turned out to be my favorite Bouchercon panel.
Of course the evil evil evil Judy Bobalik scheduled it for 10am Sunday morning, so you know I was barely conscious but once Rae Helmsworth gavelled the panel to order, I sat up and paid attention.
The topic was "Books You Should Be Reading" and while I think everyone should be reading my client's books, there is a place for some other guys to be mentioned.
Rae started by asking all the panelists to list authors that deserve more attention:
Larry Gandle (a reviewer for "Deadly Pleasures" magazine) started with:
Roger Ellory
Peter James
Thomas Cook specifically The Chatham School Affair
Nancy Slusar's list:
Roger Ellory
Gregg Hurwitz
Lisa Gardner (the DD Warren series particularly)
Dave Magayna's list:
Joe R. Lansdale (The Bottoms)
Kathleen George (Pittsburgh series)
T. Jefferson Parker
Loren Estleman
George Pelecanos
Question: Name a favorite classic
Roger Sobin: Moonstone by Wilkie Collins
Dave Magayna:
When the Sacred Gin Mill Closes by Lawrence Block
The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon
Nancy Slusar:
To Kill A Mockingbird (it has all the elements of a great crime novel)
Larry Gandle:
And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
Rae:
Lord of the Rings
Demolition Angel by Robert Crais
Question: What are some overlooked books
Roger: gave us a great hand out compiled from THE ESSENTIAL MYSTERY LISTS (Poisoned Pen Press: 2007)
Rae: City of Shadows by Ariana Franklin (single best ending of any book)
Rob: Ben Perkins series (If you love Elvis Cole you'll love Ben Perkins)
Question: books/authors that defy or exceed subgenres
Larry: Michael Connelly, and Laura Lippman
Dave: Sophie Littlefield's A BAD DAY FOR SORRY -- a book that a guy who loves hardboiled crime could love
Nancy: Sue Grafton, Laura Lippman, John Connolly, Linwood Barclay
Rae: John Billheimer
Question: What current books/authors do you think might become classics?
Nancy:
Robocopalypse by Daniel Wilson,
SJ Watson Before I Go To Sleep
Roger:
A Kiss Before Dying by Ira Levin
Six Days of the Condor
Dave:
Hank Thompson trilogy by Charlie Huston
Not sure who said these:
Ross Thomas
Barbara Serenella
Tony Hillerman
Ellis Peters
Thomas Perry
Rae: Nina Zero
Question: What's a definitive title/author of the genre?
Roger: Sherlock Holmes
Dave: Hammett and Chandler
Nancy: David Morrell and Robert Ludlum
Larry:
In the Scandanavians-Stieg Larson;
PI-Chandler's Dashiell Hammett's (I'm mortified at that little error!) MALTESE FALCON;
Police Procedural-Ed McBain;
Wise-cracking PI-Travis McGee and then Robert Crais gave the category a shot in the arm with Elvis Cole.
This was a terrific panel, not least because no one had a book they were pushing. I'm all for authors talking about books, but sometimes the critics and reviewers with their breadth and depth are a nice counterpoint.
And Rae Helmsworth should moderate more panels. She's terrific. She and Andrew Grant should be the default moderators forever.
Next year in Cleveland!
Of course the evil evil evil Judy Bobalik scheduled it for 10am Sunday morning, so you know I was barely conscious but once Rae Helmsworth gavelled the panel to order, I sat up and paid attention.
The topic was "Books You Should Be Reading" and while I think everyone should be reading my client's books, there is a place for some other guys to be mentioned.
Rae started by asking all the panelists to list authors that deserve more attention:
Larry Gandle (a reviewer for "Deadly Pleasures" magazine) started with:
Roger Ellory
Peter James
Thomas Cook specifically The Chatham School Affair
Nancy Slusar's list:
Roger Ellory
Gregg Hurwitz
Lisa Gardner (the DD Warren series particularly)
Dave Magayna's list:
Joe R. Lansdale (The Bottoms)
Kathleen George (Pittsburgh series)
T. Jefferson Parker
Loren Estleman
George Pelecanos
Question: Name a favorite classic
Roger Sobin: Moonstone by Wilkie Collins
Dave Magayna:
When the Sacred Gin Mill Closes by Lawrence Block
The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon
Nancy Slusar:
To Kill A Mockingbird (it has all the elements of a great crime novel)
Larry Gandle:
And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
Rae:
Lord of the Rings
Demolition Angel by Robert Crais
Question: What are some overlooked books
Roger: gave us a great hand out compiled from THE ESSENTIAL MYSTERY LISTS (Poisoned Pen Press: 2007)
Rae: City of Shadows by Ariana Franklin (single best ending of any book)
Rob: Ben Perkins series (If you love Elvis Cole you'll love Ben Perkins)
Question: books/authors that defy or exceed subgenres
Larry: Michael Connelly, and Laura Lippman
Dave: Sophie Littlefield's A BAD DAY FOR SORRY -- a book that a guy who loves hardboiled crime could love
Nancy: Sue Grafton, Laura Lippman, John Connolly, Linwood Barclay
Rae: John Billheimer
Question: What current books/authors do you think might become classics?
Nancy:
Robocopalypse by Daniel Wilson,
SJ Watson Before I Go To Sleep
Roger:
A Kiss Before Dying by Ira Levin
Six Days of the Condor
Dave:
Hank Thompson trilogy by Charlie Huston
Not sure who said these:
Ross Thomas
Barbara Serenella
Tony Hillerman
Ellis Peters
Thomas Perry
Rae: Nina Zero
Question: What's a definitive title/author of the genre?
Roger: Sherlock Holmes
Dave: Hammett and Chandler
Nancy: David Morrell and Robert Ludlum
Larry:
In the Scandanavians-Stieg Larson;
PI-
Police Procedural-Ed McBain;
Wise-cracking PI-Travis McGee and then Robert Crais gave the category a shot in the arm with Elvis Cole.
This was a terrific panel, not least because no one had a book they were pushing. I'm all for authors talking about books, but sometimes the critics and reviewers with their breadth and depth are a nice counterpoint.
And Rae Helmsworth should moderate more panels. She's terrific. She and Andrew Grant should be the default moderators forever.
Next year in Cleveland!
Selasa, 27 September 2011
The Shark versus The Minions (round x+1)
Mail arrives. Minions scurry to deliver.
The Shark rips open a large package with delight.
A Shark Shriek is heard throughout the office. Minion whiskers wriggle. Something delightful? Or just another chum, discarded?
Minions carefully eye the wrapping. Aha! A clue! "From: MouseBootsEditor"
"Back to work!" comes the Shark Bark, and minions scatter.
Minion #1 however, is careful to hide under the desk, hidden by piles of manuscripts, whisky bottles, distraught queriers and three sobbing editors from the HouseWhichShallNotBeNamed.
A clever beast, Minion #1 has learned that Shark shrieks and packages from MouseBoots Editor are sure signs of SomethingGoodToRead. Learning that life cannot be sustained bycupcakes whisky love alone. Minion #1 is bent on snagging the package for herself. (Greedy little minion!)
Minion #1:
Unbeknownst to Minion #1, Minion #2 has also learned about shrieks, packages andcupcakes, whisky love. Electing to make her attack from the air, she is poised on the airduct...waiting.
Minion #2:
A plaintive wail by co-conspirator Minion #3 "I don't know what to do with this photo of Jeff Somers without pants! Do I need to call Gothamist...or MoMA?" lures The Shark from her Reef.
Minions pounce from all angles:
A frustrated shriek from the Minion Mosh Pit:
"No prize!"
The Shark, wise to the ways of wily minions, and no slouch herself when it comes to purloined prizes, has taken the bounty with her.
Minions 1, 2, and 3 sob uncontrollably because they did not get a copy of GIRL OF FIRE AND THORNS.
The Shark swims off, cackling with glee that she's the first to know what a deliciously marvelous book this is, and that she'll be able to get the minions to work even longer hours with the promise of such a great reward--after she finishes reading it of course.
Sadly, the Shark failed to realize THE GIRL OF FIRE AND THORNS is now available for sale...which explains why Minions 1, 2, and 3 are on their way to the bookstore, not their proper place in the reef.
The Shark rips open a large package with delight.
A Shark Shriek is heard throughout the office. Minion whiskers wriggle. Something delightful? Or just another chum, discarded?
Minions carefully eye the wrapping. Aha! A clue! "From: MouseBootsEditor"
"Back to work!" comes the Shark Bark, and minions scatter.
Minion #1 however, is careful to hide under the desk, hidden by piles of manuscripts, whisky bottles, distraught queriers and three sobbing editors from the HouseWhichShallNotBeNamed.
A clever beast, Minion #1 has learned that Shark shrieks and packages from MouseBoots Editor are sure signs of SomethingGoodToRead. Learning that life cannot be sustained by
Minion #1:
Unbeknownst to Minion #1, Minion #2 has also learned about shrieks, packages and
Minion #2:
A plaintive wail by co-conspirator Minion #3 "I don't know what to do with this photo of Jeff Somers without pants! Do I need to call Gothamist...or MoMA?" lures The Shark from her Reef.
Minions pounce from all angles:
A frustrated shriek from the Minion Mosh Pit:
"No prize!"
The Shark, wise to the ways of wily minions, and no slouch herself when it comes to purloined prizes, has taken the bounty with her.
Minions 1, 2, and 3 sob uncontrollably because they did not get a copy of GIRL OF FIRE AND THORNS.
The Shark swims off, cackling with glee that she's the first to know what a deliciously marvelous book this is, and that she'll be able to get the minions to work even longer hours with the promise of such a great reward--after she finishes reading it of course.
Sadly, the Shark failed to realize THE GIRL OF FIRE AND THORNS is now available for sale...which explains why Minions 1, 2, and 3 are on their way to the bookstore, not their proper place in the reef.
as usual, Jessica says it better
I should just post an arrow on this blog and point toward BookEndsLLC and say "yea, what she said."
It's true today for sure.
Seeking An Agent is Not Seeking A Job
I plan to steal that analogy and use it so often people will think I invented it.
Not for nothing am I well read in crime fiction!
It's true today for sure.
Seeking An Agent is Not Seeking A Job
I plan to steal that analogy and use it so often people will think I invented it.
Not for nothing am I well read in crime fiction!
Senin, 26 September 2011
Harlequin to Janet Reid: "Drop Dead"
Regular readers of this blog may recall the name Kristan Higgins.
I've blogged about the first book of hers I read (it was a ploy by the slithery Barbara Poelle to keep me from my reading).
Other times, Kristan Higgins' books have been a respite from a dreadful day.
In other words, I'm a fan.
And I say so.
Pretty loudly.
So, when I saw the chance to get a galley of the newest Kristan Higgins novel, I leaped! LEAPED.
The offer was through NetGalley, a service that helps publishers distribute galleys to bloggers and reviewers electronically. I'm a happy and satisfied NetGalley user. I've gotten some terrific books from a lot of interesting publishers via NetGalley.
So, you can imagine my surprise when I saw this:
Whoa!
Talk about short-sighted!
The one place every publicist dreamed of getting coverage was called off the book page back when I worked in PR. Off the book page meant places that didn't normally review books. It was the place you wanted to be because you reached past the usual audience.
Harlequin's galley policy (because it is they who set these, not NetGalley) specifically overlooks places just like this blog. Places that are not book review sites. Places where the mention of a book is actually more noticeable because it's not the norm.
And I have no ties to Kristan Higgins. I'm not her agent. I don't think I even know who her agent is. I don't know her editor. I know someone who knows her editor.
I'm a fan. A fan with 8,000 readers and 11,000 Twitter followers. In other words A.Big.Mouth.
Now, I'm not mentioning this cause I'm annoyed (yes I am) but because if you are an author, you've got to make sure you're in a position to head off this kind of attitude and fix stuff when it goes wrong:
1. Have your name and your book title on google alert. This blog post will turn up in someone's google alert feed. Most likely tomorrow. Someone will see it and I'll get a book. Without google alert, not as likely. If you are an author you want to hear about this kind of thing quickly. Stuff happens. Be ready to fix it.
2. Talk to your pr department about how they handle galleys. If you know you have rock solid iron clad fans, make sure they get galleys. Or are on the approved list. Harlequin doesn't know me from Bruce the Shark. They obviously didn't investigate either, but honestly, I don't think I can blame them for that (yes I can.)
3. If there is a limit on the number of galleys being given out, MENTION IT in the refusal email. It's one thing to be told "you're not high enough on the food chain, shark breath." It's another thing to say "we're only sending out 25, we hope you understand."
Does this mean I'm no longer a fan of Kristan Higgins?
Hell no!
But it does mean that instead of blogging about her new book I'm blogging about her publisher. My guess is that's NOT what any of us really want. (Well, we all know what *I* want!)
I've blogged about the first book of hers I read (it was a ploy by the slithery Barbara Poelle to keep me from my reading).
Other times, Kristan Higgins' books have been a respite from a dreadful day.
In other words, I'm a fan.
And I say so.
Pretty loudly.
So, when I saw the chance to get a galley of the newest Kristan Higgins novel, I leaped! LEAPED.
The offer was through NetGalley, a service that helps publishers distribute galleys to bloggers and reviewers electronically. I'm a happy and satisfied NetGalley user. I've gotten some terrific books from a lot of interesting publishers via NetGalley.
So, you can imagine my surprise when I saw this:
You recently requested to view a title from NetGalley's Public Catalog. Unfortunately, the publisher has declined to allow access to the title based on the information provided in your profile.
You may want to update your profile to provide more information to the publisher, and try requesting the title again. If you are confident that you should be approved for galleys, please reply to this e-mail and the Publisher will get back to you as soon as possible.
Example of what to include in your profile: a direct link to your book review blog (general life bloggers, infrequent bloggers, and new bloggers will be declined. 100 or more followers is preferred).a direct link to your Good Reads, Amazon, and/or LibraryThing profile page (must have over 100 reviews on any one of these services).
(there's more about what to do if you're a librarian or a bookseller)
Whoa!
Talk about short-sighted!
The one place every publicist dreamed of getting coverage was called off the book page back when I worked in PR. Off the book page meant places that didn't normally review books. It was the place you wanted to be because you reached past the usual audience.
Harlequin's galley policy (because it is they who set these, not NetGalley) specifically overlooks places just like this blog. Places that are not book review sites. Places where the mention of a book is actually more noticeable because it's not the norm.
And I have no ties to Kristan Higgins. I'm not her agent. I don't think I even know who her agent is. I don't know her editor. I know someone who knows her editor.
I'm a fan. A fan with 8,000 readers and 11,000 Twitter followers. In other words A.Big.Mouth.
Now, I'm not mentioning this cause I'm annoyed (yes I am) but because if you are an author, you've got to make sure you're in a position to head off this kind of attitude and fix stuff when it goes wrong:
1. Have your name and your book title on google alert. This blog post will turn up in someone's google alert feed. Most likely tomorrow. Someone will see it and I'll get a book. Without google alert, not as likely. If you are an author you want to hear about this kind of thing quickly. Stuff happens. Be ready to fix it.
2. Talk to your pr department about how they handle galleys. If you know you have rock solid iron clad fans, make sure they get galleys. Or are on the approved list. Harlequin doesn't know me from Bruce the Shark. They obviously didn't investigate either, but honestly, I don't think I can blame them for that (yes I can.)
3. If there is a limit on the number of galleys being given out, MENTION IT in the refusal email. It's one thing to be told "you're not high enough on the food chain, shark breath." It's another thing to say "we're only sending out 25, we hope you understand."
Does this mean I'm no longer a fan of Kristan Higgins?
Hell no!
But it does mean that instead of blogging about her new book I'm blogging about her publisher. My guess is that's NOT what any of us really want. (Well, we all know what *I* want!)
Honest to Godiva, you're killing me here (contest results)
What is it with y'all and contests? Just when I think you have reached the zenith of creative and amazing, you strap yourselves onto a rocket and break into new regions of space.
This Title Poetry contest just blew me away. For starters, I expected about 20 entries. I think we topped out at 80 or so. And I had NO idea some of you could actually write poems without using ANY extra words. A bunch of you did so with fewer than EIGHT extra words.
Color me astonished.
Picture of me astonished:
I managed to gather my wits and select some of my favorites. No way I'm calling these best; every single entry had merit and the entire array showed an amazing breadth of creativity.
Recognition for a single line:
"and our greatest prize would be humility." --I should tattoo that on my knuckles as a daily reminder.
Robin 3am (part 11)
"RECOLLECTED, she ESSAYS forth --I love that you used Essays as a verb not noun!
Hawke 3:08pm (part 4)
Recognition for using a title I immediately wanted to read:
THE PARTICULAR SADNESS OF LEMON CAKE by Aimee Bender
Abby 11:28am
bonus points for other languages
KD 3:10am (part 11)
bonus points for few added words
7 words extra
Kate 8:15pm (part 6)
Sixto 12:05 (part 3)
Steph 9:45am (part 2)
Jennifer 6:15am (part 1)
5 words extra
Bill 9:31pm (part 10)
Lyra 12:03pm (part 1)
3 words extra
Marilou 5:03pm (part 4)
2 words extra
Colin 12:29 (part 3)
Two entries used NO extra words. I'm in AWE.
Sheila 3:32 (part 8)
Victor 9:25 am (part 2)
Special recognition for a haiku!
Teri 5:23pm (part 5)
Victor 9:25am (part 2) -even though it's not 5/7/5
Special recognition for using only the books of Nevil Shute AND a book Nevil Shute influenced:
Joelle 11:38am (part 3)
Special recognition for the the extra touches you added to your photos:
Joelle 11:38am (part 3)-the feline
Fatiyah 12:41 (part 8) --the pipe (hookah?)
Rachel 2:23 (part 8) -- I like the reversed books that demonstrate white space
Joel 10:27 pm (part 7) -- the contemplative lizard!
Here are the finalists:
Julie 9:41am (part 11)
Abby 11:28am (part 11)
Christina 1:59pm (part 11)
Schipper 5:41 (part 9)
Stephanie 6:32 (part 9)
Shauna 8:15pm (part 9)
Sheila 3:32 (part 8)
Sarah 12:20am (part 7)
Theo (7:02am) (part 7)
Kathleen 11:21pm (part 7)
Jesse 12:47 (part 7)
Adriana 8:06pm (part 6)
Teresa 9:51pm (part 6)
Mimi 9:36am (part 5)
Maja 4:39pm (part 4)
Berit 3pm (part 4)
Radhika 10:47am (part 3)
Eileen 11:42 (part 3)
Heather 6:42 am (part 2)
Victor 9:25am (part 2)
Nicola 3:31am (part 1)
Alia 2:59am (part 1)
Gemma 5:59am (part 1)
Kitty 6:02am (part 1)
After a long, LONG time considering all of the entries, I just had to pull out the four that not only had a poem, but a story in a poem (I'm a total sucker for stories!)
Here are the four finalists:
Julie 9:41am (part 11)
Kathleen 11:21pm (part 7)
Jesse 12:47 (part 7)
Mimi 9:36am (part 5)
By this point I'm a sodden mess trying to decide. Frankly, a sodden shark is a pretty sad shark.
Here I am, trying to decide:
It's BAD when "in your cups" means a tea cup.
Time to call in the reinforcements.
1-800- TAH-EREH
Who better to give me help than She Who Inspired The Contest herself!
So I fired off a quick email. She was delighted to help. Then she started reading the entries. ALL the entries, not just the finalists. Then she emailed back, wailing, "how can I choose?? There are so many great ones!"
I rapped her across the nose with a cupcake and said "back to work."
Wailing resumed.
Then, eventually, an email announcing the winner. And a cupcake wrapper that said "you beast" which I am framing and putting on my wall of accomplishments.
And once again, great minds worked alike. It was the same entry I'd finally FINALLY chosen in the darkest hour of rumination.
And so, without further ado (cause really, who needs ado when you have a winner to announce) here's the winner:
Here's the winning poem and picture:
Kathleen, if you'll send me an email with your mailing address we can work out a great prize for a great contest.
Thank you to all of you who entered. AWESOME!!! hardly starts to cover it.
This Title Poetry contest just blew me away. For starters, I expected about 20 entries. I think we topped out at 80 or so. And I had NO idea some of you could actually write poems without using ANY extra words. A bunch of you did so with fewer than EIGHT extra words.
Color me astonished.
Picture of me astonished:
I managed to gather my wits and select some of my favorites. No way I'm calling these best; every single entry had merit and the entire array showed an amazing breadth of creativity.
Recognition for a single line:
"and our greatest prize would be humility." --I should tattoo that on my knuckles as a daily reminder.
Robin 3am (part 11)
"RECOLLECTED, she ESSAYS forth --I love that you used Essays as a verb not noun!
Hawke 3:08pm (part 4)
Recognition for using a title I immediately wanted to read:
THE PARTICULAR SADNESS OF LEMON CAKE by Aimee Bender
Abby 11:28am
bonus points for other languages
KD 3:10am (part 11)
bonus points for few added words
7 words extra
Kate 8:15pm (part 6)
Sixto 12:05 (part 3)
Steph 9:45am (part 2)
Jennifer 6:15am (part 1)
5 words extra
Bill 9:31pm (part 10)
Lyra 12:03pm (part 1)
3 words extra
Marilou 5:03pm (part 4)
2 words extra
Colin 12:29 (part 3)
Two entries used NO extra words. I'm in AWE.
Sheila 3:32 (part 8)
Victor 9:25 am (part 2)
Special recognition for a haiku!
Teri 5:23pm (part 5)
Victor 9:25am (part 2) -even though it's not 5/7/5
Special recognition for using only the books of Nevil Shute AND a book Nevil Shute influenced:
Joelle 11:38am (part 3)
Special recognition for the the extra touches you added to your photos:
Joelle 11:38am (part 3)-the feline
Fatiyah 12:41 (part 8) --the pipe (hookah?)
Rachel 2:23 (part 8) -- I like the reversed books that demonstrate white space
Joel 10:27 pm (part 7) -- the contemplative lizard!
Here are the finalists:
Julie 9:41am (part 11)
Abby 11:28am (part 11)
Christina 1:59pm (part 11)
Schipper 5:41 (part 9)
Stephanie 6:32 (part 9)
Shauna 8:15pm (part 9)
Sheila 3:32 (part 8)
Sarah 12:20am (part 7)
Theo (7:02am) (part 7)
Kathleen 11:21pm (part 7)
Jesse 12:47 (part 7)
Adriana 8:06pm (part 6)
Teresa 9:51pm (part 6)
Mimi 9:36am (part 5)
Maja 4:39pm (part 4)
Berit 3pm (part 4)
Radhika 10:47am (part 3)
Eileen 11:42 (part 3)
Heather 6:42 am (part 2)
Victor 9:25am (part 2)
Nicola 3:31am (part 1)
Alia 2:59am (part 1)
Gemma 5:59am (part 1)
Kitty 6:02am (part 1)
After a long, LONG time considering all of the entries, I just had to pull out the four that not only had a poem, but a story in a poem (I'm a total sucker for stories!)
Here are the four finalists:
Julie 9:41am (part 11)
Kathleen 11:21pm (part 7)
Jesse 12:47 (part 7)
Mimi 9:36am (part 5)
By this point I'm a sodden mess trying to decide. Frankly, a sodden shark is a pretty sad shark.
Here I am, trying to decide:
It's BAD when "in your cups" means a tea cup.
Time to call in the reinforcements.
1-800- TAH-EREH
Who better to give me help than She Who Inspired The Contest herself!
So I fired off a quick email. She was delighted to help. Then she started reading the entries. ALL the entries, not just the finalists. Then she emailed back, wailing, "how can I choose?? There are so many great ones!"
I rapped her across the nose with a cupcake and said "back to work."
Wailing resumed.
Then, eventually, an email announcing the winner. And a cupcake wrapper that said "you beast" which I am framing and putting on my wall of accomplishments.
And once again, great minds worked alike. It was the same entry I'd finally FINALLY chosen in the darkest hour of rumination.
And so, without further ado (cause really, who needs ado when you have a winner to announce) here's the winner:
Kathleen 11:21pm (part 7)
Here's the winning poem and picture:
FOR INNOCENTS ONLY...
I attended THE BOYFRIEND SCHOOL
and married A REGULAR GUY
who was JUST MY TYPE,
THE SECOND COMING OF STEVE JOBS.
We bought a home on GOOD HOPE ROAD,
where I taught myself the JOY OF COOKING
and HOW TO MAKE AN AMERICAN QUILT.
It was ALMOST PARADISE.
It was A FALSE SENSE OF WELL BEING.
One Saturday, OUT OF THE BLUE,
I received a call from THE OTHER WIFE,
who said HE WAS HER MAN.
Apparently I couldn't see THE FOREST FOR THE TREES.
That night I stood under the MILK GLASS MOON
and prayed to OUR LADY OF THE LOST AND FOUND.
Is it not a sin to LIE DOWN IN DARKNESS?
He was DEAD ON SUNDAY,
ROADKILL,
may he REST IN PIECES.
Now he is STEPPIN' ON A RAINBOW,
and I am locked up for ALL MY LIFE
following one of THE GREAT TEXAS MURDER TRIALS.
I NEED ALL THE FRIENDS I CAN GET.
Someone, PLEASE DO FEED THE CAT.
I attended THE BOYFRIEND SCHOOL
and married A REGULAR GUY
who was JUST MY TYPE,
THE SECOND COMING OF STEVE JOBS.
We bought a home on GOOD HOPE ROAD,
where I taught myself the JOY OF COOKING
and HOW TO MAKE AN AMERICAN QUILT.
It was ALMOST PARADISE.
It was A FALSE SENSE OF WELL BEING.
One Saturday, OUT OF THE BLUE,
I received a call from THE OTHER WIFE,
who said HE WAS HER MAN.
Apparently I couldn't see THE FOREST FOR THE TREES.
That night I stood under the MILK GLASS MOON
and prayed to OUR LADY OF THE LOST AND FOUND.
Is it not a sin to LIE DOWN IN DARKNESS?
He was DEAD ON SUNDAY,
ROADKILL,
may he REST IN PIECES.
Now he is STEPPIN' ON A RAINBOW,
and I am locked up for ALL MY LIFE
following one of THE GREAT TEXAS MURDER TRIALS.
I NEED ALL THE FRIENDS I CAN GET.
Someone, PLEASE DO FEED THE CAT.
Kathleen, if you'll send me an email with your mailing address we can work out a great prize for a great contest.
Thank you to all of you who entered. AWESOME!!! hardly starts to cover it.
Kamis, 22 September 2011
My talk to the NYC chapter of Sisters in Crime
I crowdsourced the good parts of this talk this morning on Twitter. I had my basic points in mind, but I tweeted "I'm giving a talk to SinC on things writers should be doing. Any suggestions?"
There were a lot of good suggestions, but I had a limited amount of time (sadly!)
Here are the ten points of my talk:
1. Have a website with
a. contact info (your OWN email address: @alwayscoffee)
added note: the anthology you gave me tonight does NOT have all the website addresses for contributors (tsk! tsk!) That's a must! If I like your story, I might want to get in touch!
b. sample of your writing
c. IF PUBBED: a professional photo
d. If you have a blog instead, don't blog about writing.
2. Be visible on Twitter (the notes that are underlined were obtained from people who helped me crowdsource this talk this morning on twitter.)
3. Subscribe to Google alerts for
a. your name
b. your book title
c. keywords (Bella Stander's idea)
4. Subscribe to Shelf-Awareness
5. Volunteer at Sisters in Crime/be part of the leadership (this is your in-house crowdsourcing)
6. Subscribe to CrimeSpree, MysteryScene and other industry mags. Read reviews
7. Attend READER/fan conventions: Bouchercon, Left Coast Crime, Love is Murder, Malice Domestic
8. Read widely (all the finalists for the Edgars, and Agathas for starters)
9. Write to a disciplined schedule
a. Get the first draft on paper. Until you do it's all academic (Jen Burke)
10. Do NOT drink the kool-aid on E-publishing. It's too early to be making sweeping statements about any of it. We're all learning this as we go and the right answer to almost everything is "we'll see what happens."
If you take away just one thing tonight I hope it will be this, from Bill Cameron: Don't be afraid. Don't be afraid to make mistakes. Don't be afraid to fail. Neither will kill you.
I came away very impressed with the enthusiasm and professionalism of the NYC chapter of Sisters in Crime. Clearly a very good group of writers. Probably a good group to join if you're looking to get published as a crime writer!
There were a lot of good suggestions, but I had a limited amount of time (sadly!)
Here are the ten points of my talk:
TEN THINGS YOU SHOULD BE DOING RIGHT NOW
1. Have a website with
a. contact info (your OWN email address: @alwayscoffee)
added note: the anthology you gave me tonight does NOT have all the website addresses for contributors (tsk! tsk!) That's a must! If I like your story, I might want to get in touch!
b. sample of your writing
c. IF PUBBED: a professional photo
d. If you have a blog instead, don't blog about writing.
2. Be visible on Twitter (the notes that are underlined were obtained from people who helped me crowdsource this talk this morning on twitter.)
3. Subscribe to Google alerts for
a. your name
b. your book title
c. keywords (Bella Stander's idea)
4. Subscribe to Shelf-Awareness
5. Volunteer at Sisters in Crime/be part of the leadership (this is your in-house crowdsourcing)
6. Subscribe to CrimeSpree, MysteryScene and other industry mags. Read reviews
7. Attend READER/fan conventions: Bouchercon, Left Coast Crime, Love is Murder, Malice Domestic
8. Read widely (all the finalists for the Edgars, and Agathas for starters)
9. Write to a disciplined schedule
a. Get the first draft on paper. Until you do it's all academic (Jen Burke)
10. Do NOT drink the kool-aid on E-publishing. It's too early to be making sweeping statements about any of it. We're all learning this as we go and the right answer to almost everything is "we'll see what happens."
If you take away just one thing tonight I hope it will be this, from Bill Cameron: Don't be afraid. Don't be afraid to make mistakes. Don't be afraid to fail. Neither will kill you.
I came away very impressed with the enthusiasm and professionalism of the NYC chapter of Sisters in Crime. Clearly a very good group of writers. Probably a good group to join if you're looking to get published as a crime writer!
Contest entries (the last one!) part eleven!
Natalia 12:51am
--------
Robin 3am
---------
KD 3:10am
---------
Julie 9:41am
29 year old
SHOPAHOLIC TIES THE KNOT
with SOMETHING BORROWED
from THE LOVE OF HER LIFE:
THE BOOK OF TOMORROW.
AFTERWARDS, at the reception,
THE BRIDESMAID PACT
exposes PAST SECRETS
while playing SPIN THE BOTTLE,
and THREE TIMES A BRIDESMAID
LUCY SPRINGER GETS EVEN
with HER BROODING ITALIAN SURGEON husband.
LOST FOR WORDS,
SHOPAHOLIC AND BABY (yes she's pregnant)
gives her new husband the SILENT TREATMENT
and decides he should RETURN TO SENDER
and learn some LIFE SKILLS.
She finds a SAFE HAVEN
in THE BEACH STREET KNITTING SOCIETY AND YARN CLUB
until her husband comes back and says REMEMBER ME?
IT MUST BE LOVE
because she becomes his MRS PERFECT,
gives birth to a MINI SHOPAHOLIC,
and they live happily, ALWAYS AND FOREVER.
----------
Laurie 10:46am
DAY ONE GONE
Into THE WHITE DARKNESS.
A NATION and
THE LOVELY BONES STOLEN.
Abrupt THE AGE OF ORPHANS.
IN SEARCH OF TIME to understand.
ONE SHOT WINGS THE ENEMY.
ROOM appears in THE LOST WORLD
RESTORING HARMONY.
To the BELOVED we SPEAK
When THE SKY IS EVERYWHERE.
-----------
Abby 11:28am
THE DAUGHTER OF SMOKE AND BONE and
THE PRINCE OF THIEVES have a
FLASH BURNOUT
SUPERNATURALLY
FORBIDDEN
PERFECT CHEMISTRY.
AND THEN THINGS FALL APART
due to her BAD TASTE IN BOYS.
He's GONE, leaving her with nothing but
THE PARTICULAR SADNESS OF LEMON CAKE.
------------
Christina 1:59pm
--------
Robin 3am
Kings and Queens summoned us.
He Gave Gifts tantamount to
A Pot of Gold if only we would embark on
The Search for the Giant Squid.
We pondered through The Darkness and the Dawn,
And with Nothing to Lose... or so we thought,
Though it be In the Dead of Winter we accepted.
So began the Descent Into Hell
Into the Sea of Monsters
With a Simple Faith as our only insurance.
We saw The Rainbow Fish.
We saw Narwhals.
We saw Sea Monsters.
And then The Unthinkable...
We Found it.
And though he had A Strong Poison,
And we were merely The Borrowers Afloat,
In the sea matched against That Hideous Strength... we fought,
And were nearly Left For Dead
In The Lost World of the sea,
But we would Have His Carcasse though it cost us much,
And we would ascend toward the Light and the Glory,
And our greatest prize would be Humility
He Gave Gifts tantamount to
A Pot of Gold if only we would embark on
The Search for the Giant Squid.
We pondered through The Darkness and the Dawn,
And with Nothing to Lose... or so we thought,
Though it be In the Dead of Winter we accepted.
So began the Descent Into Hell
Into the Sea of Monsters
With a Simple Faith as our only insurance.
We saw The Rainbow Fish.
We saw Narwhals.
We saw Sea Monsters.
And then The Unthinkable...
We Found it.
And though he had A Strong Poison,
And we were merely The Borrowers Afloat,
In the sea matched against That Hideous Strength... we fought,
And were nearly Left For Dead
In The Lost World of the sea,
But we would Have His Carcasse though it cost us much,
And we would ascend toward the Light and the Glory,
And our greatest prize would be Humility
---------
KD 3:10am
UNTITLED, DUE TO AN EXCESS OF TITLES
I knew from DAY ONE in GEORGIA
You were THE AMERICAN,
THE MISANTHROPE,
TELLING LIES FOR FUN AND PROFIT as if
they were A CHILD'S GARDEN OF VERSES,
and TALKING TO THE SUN
like a LOST DOG.
We spent ONE MORE SUNDAY in THE CHAMBER,
IN THE COLD ROOM
of LA CASA DE LOS ESPÍRITUS.
HAVING OUR SAY, you claimed.
I was CHARMED AND ENCHANTED,
trying to DECIPHER your FATAL SECRETS.
For THE FAMILY, you said.
You were CHARMED AND DANGEROUS,
a MONSTER with a KILLER INSTINCT
for THE SUBTLE KNIFE.
OUT OF THE SHADOWS, like a MOMENT OF TRUTH,
came THE BETTER PART OF DARKNESS.
Not SHADES OF GRAY, after all,
but a LEGACY OF ASHES.
I'll be GONE TOMORROW, EMMA.
SAY GOODBYE, never to MIRA SI YO TE QUERRÉ.
You were THE AMERICAN,
THE MISANTHROPE,
TELLING LIES FOR FUN AND PROFIT as if
they were A CHILD'S GARDEN OF VERSES,
and TALKING TO THE SUN
like a LOST DOG.
We spent ONE MORE SUNDAY in THE CHAMBER,
IN THE COLD ROOM
of LA CASA DE LOS ESPÍRITUS.
HAVING OUR SAY, you claimed.
I was CHARMED AND ENCHANTED,
trying to DECIPHER your FATAL SECRETS.
For THE FAMILY, you said.
You were CHARMED AND DANGEROUS,
a MONSTER with a KILLER INSTINCT
for THE SUBTLE KNIFE.
OUT OF THE SHADOWS, like a MOMENT OF TRUTH,
came THE BETTER PART OF DARKNESS.
Not SHADES OF GRAY, after all,
but a LEGACY OF ASHES.
I'll be GONE TOMORROW, EMMA.
SAY GOODBYE, never to MIRA SI YO TE QUERRÉ.
With THE THIRD STRIKE, my METAMORPHOSIS is complete.
For me, it's THE END OF AMERICA.
MORE TWISTED, you,
stay in THE DARK with THE UNSEEN,
in the CANYONS of your OBSESSION.
For me, it's THE END OF AMERICA.
MORE TWISTED, you,
stay in THE DARK with THE UNSEEN,
in the CANYONS of your OBSESSION.
---------
Julie 9:41am
SHOPAHOLIC TIES THE KNOT
with SOMETHING BORROWED
from THE LOVE OF HER LIFE:
THE BOOK OF TOMORROW.
AFTERWARDS, at the reception,
THE BRIDESMAID PACT
exposes PAST SECRETS
while playing SPIN THE BOTTLE,
and THREE TIMES A BRIDESMAID
LUCY SPRINGER GETS EVEN
with HER BROODING ITALIAN SURGEON husband.
LOST FOR WORDS,
SHOPAHOLIC AND BABY (yes she's pregnant)
gives her new husband the SILENT TREATMENT
and decides he should RETURN TO SENDER
and learn some LIFE SKILLS.
She finds a SAFE HAVEN
in THE BEACH STREET KNITTING SOCIETY AND YARN CLUB
until her husband comes back and says REMEMBER ME?
IT MUST BE LOVE
because she becomes his MRS PERFECT,
gives birth to a MINI SHOPAHOLIC,
and they live happily, ALWAYS AND FOREVER.
----------
Laurie 10:46am
DAY ONE GONE
Into THE WHITE DARKNESS.
A NATION and
THE LOVELY BONES STOLEN.
Abrupt THE AGE OF ORPHANS.
IN SEARCH OF TIME to understand.
ONE SHOT WINGS THE ENEMY.
ROOM appears in THE LOST WORLD
RESTORING HARMONY.
To the BELOVED we SPEAK
When THE SKY IS EVERYWHERE.
-----------
Abby 11:28am
THE DAUGHTER OF SMOKE AND BONE and
THE PRINCE OF THIEVES have a
FLASH BURNOUT
SUPERNATURALLY
FORBIDDEN
PERFECT CHEMISTRY.
AND THEN THINGS FALL APART
due to her BAD TASTE IN BOYS.
He's GONE, leaving her with nothing but
THE PARTICULAR SADNESS OF LEMON CAKE.
------------
Christina 1:59pm
A MAN RIDES THROUGH
THE LOST CONTINENT,
MARKED
by LIFE, THE UNIVERSE AND EVERYTHING.
THE LAST HERO brought low.
Still all RISK and REFLEX
saving THE KINGDOM,
but no longer COUNTING THE COFFINS.
THE TRUTH is
he hopes, MAYBE THIS TIME, to find
SALVATION IN DEATH.
THE LOST CONTINENT,
MARKED
by LIFE, THE UNIVERSE AND EVERYTHING.
THE LAST HERO brought low.
Still all RISK and REFLEX
saving THE KINGDOM,
but no longer COUNTING THE COFFINS.
THE TRUTH is
he hopes, MAYBE THIS TIME, to find
SALVATION IN DEATH.
Contest entries (so far) part ten
Bill 9:31pm
At first sight,
the kiss
was simply irresistible,
a treasure
forever.
The truth of the matter,
it was innocent,
a stone's fall
into thin air
-----------
Patty 9:59pm
With a FINAL SCREAM
I shout, I'M NOT HER
But you are unmoved and show NO MERCY.
Your INKHEART, twisted and bitter, will NEVER LET ME GO
And I know IF I STAY, I am – like ALL CREATURES GREAT AND SMALL
Only PREY.
SWEET REVENGE taunts me in my PURGATORY CHASM
Where there is only you growing FIFTY SHADES DARKER
And me, SWALLOWING DARKNESS,
Praying for an end to THE ETERNAL PRISON
In which you've chained me like some IRON KING,
NUMB, while I wait for THE END that never comes.
--------------------
Catherine 9:59pm
Yours was an Autumn Death
and at the Summoning
come, Bury Your Dead,
I was Taken by the Flood of tears.
you are The Dead & The Gone
and The Disappeared,
and I am Split.
It was The Cruelest Month
that I did hear, Bird by Bird,
a flock that did Roar
and was Gone from my horizon,
it was The Brutal Telling
of Changes in store.
as if a Book of Poisons
was penned with the Red Ink of my soul,
I was bade to Touch the Dark,
there are no more Sources of Light.
there is only The Vast Memory of Love
to rustle this Still Life.
that you could be The Forgotten Man,
or that I am to see the Eclipse of me by
the downing of your Curtain,
I only ask you Wait For Me.
---------
Jessica 10:29
--------
Rose 11:49pm
“NOTES FROM NO MAN’S LAND:
A THOUSAND SPLENDID SUNS cannot
reach the DARK DEEPS
of our BLACK POWDER WAR.
WE THE ANIMALS traded
NEW DREAMS FOR OLD and began
our contest of PEOPLES VERSUS STATES,
soldiers versus the nearest empire.
Our king promised A VICTORY OF EAGLES,
saw THE TRANSIT OF VENUS in heaven and declared:
‘We will be an EMPIRE OF IVORY,
we will glitter under SUNSHINE and STARDUST.’
“THE IRRATIONALIST!
We found only poison, FIRE AND HEMLOCK.
War is a SOUL MIRROR, and our LIKENESS in it
is HALF EMPTY. Half the kingdom fights
for the king’s BLUE SWORD, the half
left behind is an INVISIBLE NATION.
We murmur, ‘TOMORROW, WHEN THE WAR BEGAN…’
Our soldiers look to be legends,
but they find only DRAGON BONES and
DRAGON BLOOD, the legends themselves long dead.”
“DEAR PRUDENCE,”
my mother interjects, “What are you DOING?”
“ENGLISH,” I mutter. “BY MYSELF.”
-------------
Teresa 12:39am
------------
AE Brooksby 12:49am
The Quest
Diego and Dora's Animal Adventure like
Five Quarters of The Orange,
began in A Year of Fog.
It was Misery in
A Thousand Acres strewn with
Les Fleurs du Mal. They thought it would be
Per Sempre but the sight of
Brunelleschi's Dome impelled them to
cross the County Line
where they found the Key of Light.
------------
the kiss
was simply irresistible,
a treasure
forever.
The truth of the matter,
it was innocent,
a stone's fall
into thin air
-----------
Patty 9:59pm
I shout, I'M NOT HER
But you are unmoved and show NO MERCY.
Your INKHEART, twisted and bitter, will NEVER LET ME GO
And I know IF I STAY, I am – like ALL CREATURES GREAT AND SMALL
Only PREY.
SWEET REVENGE taunts me in my PURGATORY CHASM
Where there is only you growing FIFTY SHADES DARKER
And me, SWALLOWING DARKNESS,
Praying for an end to THE ETERNAL PRISON
In which you've chained me like some IRON KING,
NUMB, while I wait for THE END that never comes.
--------------------
Catherine 9:59pm
Yours was an Autumn Death
and at the Summoning
come, Bury Your Dead,
I was Taken by the Flood of tears.
you are The Dead & The Gone
and The Disappeared,
and I am Split.
It was The Cruelest Month
that I did hear, Bird by Bird,
a flock that did Roar
and was Gone from my horizon,
it was The Brutal Telling
of Changes in store.
as if a Book of Poisons
was penned with the Red Ink of my soul,
I was bade to Touch the Dark,
there are no more Sources of Light.
there is only The Vast Memory of Love
to rustle this Still Life.
that you could be The Forgotten Man,
or that I am to see the Eclipse of me by
the downing of your Curtain,
I only ask you Wait For Me.
---------
Jessica 10:29
--------
Rose 11:49pm
"Notes from No Man's Land"
“NOTES FROM NO MAN’S LAND:
A THOUSAND SPLENDID SUNS cannot
reach the DARK DEEPS
of our BLACK POWDER WAR.
WE THE ANIMALS traded
NEW DREAMS FOR OLD and began
our contest of PEOPLES VERSUS STATES,
soldiers versus the nearest empire.
Our king promised A VICTORY OF EAGLES,
saw THE TRANSIT OF VENUS in heaven and declared:
‘We will be an EMPIRE OF IVORY,
we will glitter under SUNSHINE and STARDUST.’
“THE IRRATIONALIST!
We found only poison, FIRE AND HEMLOCK.
War is a SOUL MIRROR, and our LIKENESS in it
is HALF EMPTY. Half the kingdom fights
for the king’s BLUE SWORD, the half
left behind is an INVISIBLE NATION.
We murmur, ‘TOMORROW, WHEN THE WAR BEGAN…’
Our soldiers look to be legends,
but they find only DRAGON BONES and
DRAGON BLOOD, the legends themselves long dead.”
“DEAR PRUDENCE,”
my mother interjects, “What are you DOING?”
“ENGLISH,” I mutter. “BY MYSELF.”
-------------
Teresa 12:39am
Anthem to Sweet Ruin
The issue at hand is obscured
by what I imagine Satan says,
by the northern lights
decorating the home
of the wellspring,
by the divine misdemeanors
of the female brain, and of course,
by what lies under the mansuit—
the body, leaping poetry
the mind, villa incognito, shifting
any bones set against the drift.
Despite laughing it off
with good poems
and the loose sugar
of praise,
with the fuel
of sun under wood—
different voices catch in the throat
like swallowing stones,
or the ballistics
of playing in the dark.
I shiver under another
baptism of desire, a jailbird
at the eye of the world, knowing
that like me, the white deer
in the garden of heaven
is nothing to you, nothing more
than a shadow rising
windblowne and thirsty.
The white shroud
of the bone game renders
crucial conversations irrelevant,
furniture in the museum of accidents.
Even in such places as memory,
knowing I’m breaking the rules,
harming others with this stranger music, knowing
there’s a hole in my pocket
I pay the tithe.
It’s an emergence,
an eddy through plainwater, an admission:
I love dirt.
Fool on a hill,
grass for his pillow
and still I rise
toward this house of sky—
toward this need to strike sparks
even when you are engulfed in flames.
The issue at hand is obscured
by what I imagine Satan says,
by the northern lights
decorating the home
of the wellspring,
by the divine misdemeanors
of the female brain, and of course,
by what lies under the mansuit—
the body, leaping poetry
the mind, villa incognito, shifting
any bones set against the drift.
Despite laughing it off
with good poems
and the loose sugar
of praise,
with the fuel
of sun under wood—
different voices catch in the throat
like swallowing stones,
or the ballistics
of playing in the dark.
I shiver under another
baptism of desire, a jailbird
at the eye of the world, knowing
that like me, the white deer
in the garden of heaven
is nothing to you, nothing more
than a shadow rising
windblowne and thirsty.
The white shroud
of the bone game renders
crucial conversations irrelevant,
furniture in the museum of accidents.
Even in such places as memory,
knowing I’m breaking the rules,
harming others with this stranger music, knowing
there’s a hole in my pocket
I pay the tithe.
It’s an emergence,
an eddy through plainwater, an admission:
I love dirt.
Fool on a hill,
grass for his pillow
and still I rise
toward this house of sky—
toward this need to strike sparks
even when you are engulfed in flames.
------------
AE Brooksby 12:49am
Diego and Dora's Animal Adventure like
Five Quarters of The Orange,
began in A Year of Fog.
It was Misery in
A Thousand Acres strewn with
Les Fleurs du Mal. They thought it would be
Per Sempre but the sight of
Brunelleschi's Dome impelled them to
cross the County Line
where they found the Key of Light.
------------
Rabu, 21 September 2011
Contest entries (so far) part nine
Capillya 5:10
--------------
Schipper 5:41
---------------
Stephanie 6:32
--------------------
Rebekah 6:37
----------------
Greg 6:50pm
------------
bturn 7:36
------------
Shauna 8:15pm
-----------
Lucie 8:42pm
------------
Felicia 8:58 pm
It was on the distant streets of Manhattan, as a second language they spoke gangster.
Wicked Prey stalked the streets searching . . .
Inside it was quiet, sweet and smooth; we called it the house at sugar beach, me and my sister Lilly
It was a way of escaping the numb hearts and souls we found on the way
The way of story coming from my grandmother’s lips calmed us every night
My Daddy stayed out late, Momma had left long ago, but he had dreams, and he knew how to get rich
A man-child in the Promised Land, he dreams unreal that would cost him an arm, leg, and a life to steal
Now and then Lilly and I would hear life on the streets
The rising and the rain. . . the up and the down
Mercy Mercy me God loves me, Lilly and I had made up our own prayer to keep us safe from this lifestyle
We laid our heads on our pillows; suddenly we shared a split image of our worst nightmare.
The Opening shots weren’t the worst, just shocking
Lilly escaped the room like a lost dog as more gunshots struck the waiting town
I chased her around the corner, down the stairs, and to the doorway of my house
To find Lilly, now Broken Prey, lying lifeless.
The life escaped 6 year old Lilly Like vapor while daddy looked on
She had been the rose that grew from concrete for so long
Lilly now took a road of her own
I Leaned over my sister’s flush face, placed my lips on her cheek and gave her a soft cinnamon kiss
A stranger in paradise shined a light, soothed my soul, and blessed my heart; I knew she would be safe.
---------------------------
Kirsten 9:04pm
This DREAMLAND
on A SWIFTLY TILTING PLANET
will ONE DAY
WITHER.
A WICKED
TRICKSTER'S CHOICE will
SPEAK to
MONSTERS OF MEN
who FALL FOR ANYTHING.
On the EDGES
of DELIRIUM
they're NUMB.
They're GOING TOO FAR.
Dying INSIDE OUT.
Already THE WALKING DEAD.
But THE THINGS THEY CARRIED
will LINGER
FOREVER,
and NEVER LET YOU GO.
on A SWIFTLY TILTING PLANET
will ONE DAY
WITHER.
A WICKED
TRICKSTER'S CHOICE will
SPEAK to
MONSTERS OF MEN
who FALL FOR ANYTHING.
On the EDGES
of DELIRIUM
they're NUMB.
They're GOING TOO FAR.
Dying INSIDE OUT.
Already THE WALKING DEAD.
But THE THINGS THEY CARRIED
will LINGER
FOREVER,
and NEVER LET YOU GO.
--------------
Schipper 5:41
Northwest marine weather?
Fly now!
Toward the light!
It's nothing to be frightened of.
Leaving America,
It's a mammoth undertaking.
But farewell, my lovely.
No more holidays on ice for me.
Do travel writers go to hell?
I'll tell tales from the torrid zone!
Fly now!
Toward the light!
It's nothing to be frightened of.
Leaving America,
It's a mammoth undertaking.
But farewell, my lovely.
No more holidays on ice for me.
Do travel writers go to hell?
I'll tell tales from the torrid zone!
---------------
Stephanie 6:32
The Disenchanting Truth
The Truth About Forever
Is that Bright And Shiny Morning(s)
Are for the Lucky One(s).
At Second Glance,
The Little Prince won't come
To The Rescue,
Which means She's Come Undone.
The Girl Who Played With Fire,
Was found Running With Scissors,
Saying, "Someday My Prince Will Come,"
Unaware of The Slow Vanishing.
She'd Fallen
And become a Loose Girl
Who live in The Glass Castle
Full of Disenchantments and Stolen Innocence.
She was A Woman Betrayed.
She wasn't Lucky.
Counting The Hours,
She learned
Certain Girls aren't Those Who Save Us.
And That's How I Live Now.
--------------------
Rebekah 6:37
Here THE CHOSEN
Shuddering his SUMMONS
From the bosom of DUSK
As the PALE FIRE dies away
THE COLOR PURPLE bleeding
Into the ragged soul of NIGHT
Here no MAN FOR ALL SEASONS
Here no SANCTUARY
Here instead the LORD OF THE FLIES
His carrion throat WHISTLING IN THE DARK
Weep, oh, CRY THE BELOVED COUNTRY
THE YEARS OF CHILDHOOD crumbling
Here the INVISIBLE MAN
Here AN AMERICAN TRAGEDY
As in an INFERNO of MYSTERY AND IMAGINATION
THE SUN ALSO RISES
----------------
Greg 6:50pm
Drama City
It’s the dark of the moon
Or so it seems on this naked earth
Where fools die
And this I believe
Is bait and switch
The classic game change
A common move for hustler days
For surely its blasphemy
To call it homicide
It’s more like the unholy ghost
That’s counting coup
While stalking those still crying wolf
In the cosmic landscape
And in the end we are all livin’ the blues
Because you get so alone
at times it just makes sense
To continue the struggle in this
nightmare town
------------
bturn 7:36
TAKE JOY
in A CIRCLE OF QUIET,
THE SECRET GARDEN,
and ON THE BRIDGE TO TERABITHIA.
Yet when SHADES OF GRAY
in THE FALLING RAINDROP
and DARK WATER RISING
cause A WRINKLE IN TIME,
gather A SINGLE SHARD
and FEATHERS
ACROSS FIVE APRILS,
bringing LIGHT IN AUGUST...
...and REVOLUTION.
in A CIRCLE OF QUIET,
THE SECRET GARDEN,
and ON THE BRIDGE TO TERABITHIA.
Yet when SHADES OF GRAY
in THE FALLING RAINDROP
and DARK WATER RISING
cause A WRINKLE IN TIME,
gather A SINGLE SHARD
and FEATHERS
ACROSS FIVE APRILS,
bringing LIGHT IN AUGUST...
...and REVOLUTION.
------------
Shauna 8:15pm
WHILE OTHER PEOPLE SLEEP,
the FOOL and
THE STOLEN CHILD meet
in THE BROKEN PROMISE LAND to learn
HOW TO BE GOOD.
"CHILD OF MY HEART,"
THE IDIOT cries,
'IF YOU COULD SEE WHAT I SEE,
you'd SING DOWN THE MOON
or DIE TRYING."
"CAN YOU KEEP A SECRET?" asks the child.
"IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER I WOULD PICK MORE DAISIES.
and I'd keep THE LAST DANCE for myself.
NOBODY KNOWS
THE DEVIL ALL THE TIME."
-----------
Lucie 8:42pm
Ode to Books
the origins
timeless as the cosmos
hush, hush (i'm reading)
i'll read forever
the page, passion
i'll be dead to the world
sit upon a throne of fire
responsibilities my last sacrifice
I made a blood promise
to reach story's crescendo
i shiver
we read because we want freedom
to grow new bones
to make the right mistake
and we are not saved
but we are breath, eyes, memory
kindred in our stories
the origins
timeless as the cosmos
hush, hush (i'm reading)
i'll read forever
the page, passion
i'll be dead to the world
sit upon a throne of fire
responsibilities my last sacrifice
I made a blood promise
to reach story's crescendo
i shiver
we read because we want freedom
to grow new bones
to make the right mistake
and we are not saved
but we are breath, eyes, memory
kindred in our stories
------------
Felicia 8:58 pm
Wicked Prey stalked the streets searching . . .
Inside it was quiet, sweet and smooth; we called it the house at sugar beach, me and my sister Lilly
It was a way of escaping the numb hearts and souls we found on the way
The way of story coming from my grandmother’s lips calmed us every night
My Daddy stayed out late, Momma had left long ago, but he had dreams, and he knew how to get rich
A man-child in the Promised Land, he dreams unreal that would cost him an arm, leg, and a life to steal
Now and then Lilly and I would hear life on the streets
The rising and the rain. . . the up and the down
Mercy Mercy me God loves me, Lilly and I had made up our own prayer to keep us safe from this lifestyle
We laid our heads on our pillows; suddenly we shared a split image of our worst nightmare.
The Opening shots weren’t the worst, just shocking
Lilly escaped the room like a lost dog as more gunshots struck the waiting town
I chased her around the corner, down the stairs, and to the doorway of my house
To find Lilly, now Broken Prey, lying lifeless.
The life escaped 6 year old Lilly Like vapor while daddy looked on
She had been the rose that grew from concrete for so long
Lilly now took a road of her own
I Leaned over my sister’s flush face, placed my lips on her cheek and gave her a soft cinnamon kiss
A stranger in paradise shined a light, soothed my soul, and blessed my heart; I knew she would be safe.
---------------------------
Kirsten 9:04pm
Trapped
in the tempest
of the forgetting room,
betwixt
radiant shadows
and never, where
obedience became
the blade itself,
the emperor of Scent
was servant of the bones
to the elegant witch,
I was a spy in the house of love.
Promise not to tell.
in the tempest
of the forgetting room,
betwixt
radiant shadows
and never, where
obedience became
the blade itself,
the emperor of Scent
was servant of the bones
to the elegant witch,
I was a spy in the house of love.
Promise not to tell.
Contest entries (so far) part eight
Lauren 11:48
---------------
Fatiya 12:41
--------------
Rachel 2:23
---------------
Paula 2:43pm
-------------------
Natalie 3:04pm
-----------------
Sheila 3:32
-------------
Audrey 4:01pm
------------
Alison 4:27pm
These are THE LIES THAT BIND
the PLAIN TRUTH
at THE FINAL JUDGMENT.
It will be A LONG WAY DOWN
for the FALLING MAN,
THE INNOCENT MAN.
WORDS FAIL ME.
EVERYONE WORTH KNOWING
in OUR TOWN
COME TOGETHER, FALL APART.
While THEIR EYES WERE WATCHING GOD,
I was an INVISIBLE MAN.
There could’ve been ATONEMENT
with this ONE TRUE THING…
BUT I LOVE HIM.
---------------
Fatiya 12:41
I, CLAUDIUS
DON'T GO TO WORK ON MONDAYS
Due to my ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY
I must swallow A HAT FULL OF SKY
To enhance SENSATION AND PERCEPTION
I see LIVING DOLLS emerge from THE CHRYSALIDS
OUT OF THE SILENT PLANET
Comes a MARCH OF THE WOODEN SOLDIERS
ACROSS THE NIGHTINGALE FLOOR
They go forth for THE LAST BATTLE
With FIRE IN THE BELLY
The MONSTROUS REGIMENT of an unhappy THUNDER GOD.
I see THE WEE FREE MEN
And shout GUARDS! GUARDS! again.
BENEATH THE MASK I am
THE DEMOLISHED MAN
BRAIN BIOCHEMISTRY AND BRAIN DISORDERS
Rob me of THE TRUTH
So I sit in THE SILVER CHAIR
And hold THE LEFT HAND OF DARKNESS
DON'T GO TO WORK ON MONDAYS
Due to my ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY
I must swallow A HAT FULL OF SKY
To enhance SENSATION AND PERCEPTION
I see LIVING DOLLS emerge from THE CHRYSALIDS
OUT OF THE SILENT PLANET
Comes a MARCH OF THE WOODEN SOLDIERS
ACROSS THE NIGHTINGALE FLOOR
They go forth for THE LAST BATTLE
With FIRE IN THE BELLY
The MONSTROUS REGIMENT of an unhappy THUNDER GOD.
I see THE WEE FREE MEN
And shout GUARDS! GUARDS! again.
BENEATH THE MASK I am
THE DEMOLISHED MAN
BRAIN BIOCHEMISTRY AND BRAIN DISORDERS
Rob me of THE TRUTH
So I sit in THE SILVER CHAIR
And hold THE LEFT HAND OF DARKNESS
--------------
Rachel 2:23
Missing Susan
Once,
in The Age of Innocence,
An Ungodly Child
In White Robes
took The Crow Road
Under Milk Wood
Hers was A Life Less Ordinary
a Feminine Gospel
of The Loved One;
The Beautiful Dead,
Lovely in her Bones
Elegies
on The Road Home
Once,
in The Age of Innocence,
An Ungodly Child
In White Robes
took The Crow Road
Under Milk Wood
Hers was A Life Less Ordinary
a Feminine Gospel
of The Loved One;
The Beautiful Dead,
Lovely in her Bones
Elegies
on The Road Home
---------------
Paula 2:43pm
My DEARLY DEVOTED DEXTER
Are you FINDING YOUR OWN NORTH STAR?
Has THE HISTORIAN of our heartbreak
Enjoyed your MASKERADE so far?
Have you placed your SMOKE AND MIRRORS
To reflect all the NORTHERN LIGHTS?
Do they shine softly on your LOLITA
When MATING IN CAPTIVITY invites?
Did you doubt that THE SUBTLE KNIFE
IN DUBIOUS BATTLE would twist?
When I wrote about my YEAR OF WONDERS
CHANGES would push me up the list?
STUMBLING ON HAPPINESS shocked me
Maybe you could RISE AND SHINE, too?
Perhaps THE PLEASURE OF MY COMPANY
Invoked THE ALCHEMIST in you?
Thank you for the COMPLICATIONS
As I’m UNDER THE TUSCAN SUN
I’ve learned that to LIVE WHAT YOU LOVE is best
And my new LIFE WITH JEEVES is fun
Are you FINDING YOUR OWN NORTH STAR?
Has THE HISTORIAN of our heartbreak
Enjoyed your MASKERADE so far?
Have you placed your SMOKE AND MIRRORS
To reflect all the NORTHERN LIGHTS?
Do they shine softly on your LOLITA
When MATING IN CAPTIVITY invites?
Did you doubt that THE SUBTLE KNIFE
IN DUBIOUS BATTLE would twist?
When I wrote about my YEAR OF WONDERS
CHANGES would push me up the list?
STUMBLING ON HAPPINESS shocked me
Maybe you could RISE AND SHINE, too?
Perhaps THE PLEASURE OF MY COMPANY
Invoked THE ALCHEMIST in you?
Thank you for the COMPLICATIONS
As I’m UNDER THE TUSCAN SUN
I’ve learned that to LIVE WHAT YOU LOVE is best
And my new LIFE WITH JEEVES is fun
-------------------
Natalie 3:04pm
-----------------
Sheila 3:32
The Final Battle
Of Mice and Men
Shiver
Babymouse, Queen of the World
The Dark is Rising
Where The Wild Things Are
Found
Here There Be Dragons
Here Be Monsters
A Girl Named Disaster
Playing With Fire
Things Not Seen
Falling In
Holes
Thin Wood Walls
Catching Fire
Fly By Night
Babymouse, Dragonslayer
Capture
Firegirl
Unwind
The Inferno
Of Mice and Men
Shiver
Babymouse, Queen of the World
The Dark is Rising
Where The Wild Things Are
Found
Here There Be Dragons
Here Be Monsters
A Girl Named Disaster
Playing With Fire
Things Not Seen
Falling In
Holes
Thin Wood Walls
Catching Fire
Fly By Night
Babymouse, Dragonslayer
Capture
Firegirl
Unwind
The Inferno
Babymouse, Our Hero
Capture The Castle
Capture The Castle
-------------
Audrey 4:01pm
MAGIC STUDY Preparation Guide:
Begin on MAGIC STREET,
but ABANDON
THE THIRTEENTH HOUSE--
its GARDEN SPELLS
will cast an ENCHANTMENT
in which you dream THE NEVERENDING STORY
OF BLOOD AND HONEY.
Cultivate WANDERLUST.
Become THE FAR TRAVELER.
Seek THE KEEPING PLACE
where the last CHILDREN OF GOD
train their GIFTS
for THE LAST BATTLE.
Explore ELSEWHERE,
OVER SEA, UNDER STONE,
until you find THE LADY OF THE SORROWS
in THE FOREST HOUSE.
Track THE EIGHT
to THE HOLLOW HILLS
that are CATCHING FIRE.
And finally, WHISPER
INTO THE STORM
as THE SPLENDOR FALLS
in SHADOWS AND LIGHT.
Begin on MAGIC STREET,
but ABANDON
THE THIRTEENTH HOUSE--
its GARDEN SPELLS
will cast an ENCHANTMENT
in which you dream THE NEVERENDING STORY
OF BLOOD AND HONEY.
Cultivate WANDERLUST.
Become THE FAR TRAVELER.
Seek THE KEEPING PLACE
where the last CHILDREN OF GOD
train their GIFTS
for THE LAST BATTLE.
Explore ELSEWHERE,
OVER SEA, UNDER STONE,
until you find THE LADY OF THE SORROWS
in THE FOREST HOUSE.
Track THE EIGHT
to THE HOLLOW HILLS
that are CATCHING FIRE.
And finally, WHISPER
INTO THE STORM
as THE SPLENDOR FALLS
in SHADOWS AND LIGHT.
------------
Alison 4:27pm
Love's Path
A long way down
the road of love
more tales of the city
were burning bright.
A spot of bother
saw them
behaving badly.
One day
with nails sharpened
came the slap.
Safe retreat with friends, lovers and chocolate
Just like the way we wore
the comfort of strangers
like a nice jumper.
Happy now
dead sexy
in the blue afternoon
women in love
are starting over.
A long way down
the road of love
more tales of the city
were burning bright.
A spot of bother
saw them
behaving badly.
One day
with nails sharpened
came the slap.
Safe retreat with friends, lovers and chocolate
Just like the way we wore
the comfort of strangers
like a nice jumper.
Happy now
dead sexy
in the blue afternoon
women in love
are starting over.
Contest entries (so far) part seven
Joel 10:27pm
what I've learned from the titles I could find in a few minutes is that now is not a good time to stop therapy ...
KINDLING
so you think it's new
misery
collapse
the road
underworld
citizen soldiers
for whom the bell tolls
the accidental tourist
in the city of fear
hostages to fortune
seize the daylight
pieces of the frame
the lovely bones
beloved
unfinished tales
-----
Edward 11:02pm
If you'll JUST LISTEN
to the RISING TIDES
you will feel the SHIVER
of our BLOOD PROMISE.
For PRIDE AND PREJUDICE
is WICKED LOVELY
but the HOURGLASS
of ENVY
will never HUSH, HUSH
this PERFECT CHEMISTRY.
And although in this CITY OF GLASS
BREAKING DAWN
spreads RUMORS
of THE BAD BEGINNING,
we will not suffer for we are DEAD UNTIL DARK
and until this DELIRIUM consumes us.
-------------
Kathleen 11:21pm
FOR INNOCENTS ONLY...
I attended THE BOYFRIEND SCHOOL
and married A REGULAR GUY
who was JUST MY TYPE,
THE SECOND COMING OF STEVE JOBS.
We bought a home on GOOD HOPE ROAD,
where I taught myself the JOY OF COOKING
and HOW TO MAKE AN AMERICAN QUILT.
It was ALMOST PARADISE.
It was A FALSE SENSE OF WELL BEING.
One Saturday, OUT OF THE BLUE,
I received a call from THE OTHER WIFE,
who said HE WAS HER MAN.
Apparently I couldn't see THE FOREST FOR THE TREES.
That night I stood under the MILK GLASS MOON
and prayed to OUR LADY OF THE LOST AND FOUND.
Is it not a sin to LIE DOWN IN DARKNESS?
He was DEAD ON SUNDAY,
ROADKILL,
may he REST IN PIECES.
Now he is STEPPIN' ON A RAINBOW,
and I am locked up for ALL MY LIFE
following one of THE GREAT TEXAS MURDER TRIALS.
I NEED ALL THE FRIENDS I CAN GET.
Someone, PLEASE DO FEED THE CAT.
-----------
Annie 11:58pm
IN THE COURTS OF THE CRIMSON KINGS,
THE DARK IS RISING.
THAT HIDEOUS STRENGTH,
BONESHAKER,
scatters GIANT BONES:
HOW FEW REMAIN.
THIS WAS TOMORROW.
---------------
Sarah 12:20am
Audrey, Wait!
oh Angel,
my Clockwork Angel.
I heart you, you haunt me.
You Banished
my Personal Demons,
then Betrayed
my Love & Respect.
Now I'm Standing Strong
in a Brave New World,
Burned by
The Girl Who Could Fly.
------------
Jesse 12:47
“WHEN WE DIE, Kevin,
we transcend the HUMAN BONDAGE
of EARTH, and get
SPIRITED AWAY
to an ALMOST TRANSPARENT BLUE
UTOPIA in the sky.
It's A BRAVE NEW WORLD,
BEYOND GOOD AND EVIL,
where THE SUN ALSO RISES.”
“Okay.”
“Unless you're naughty, like your brother DANTE,
or an IDIOT, like your father –
then you go A LONG WAY DOWN,
beyond the TWILIGHT 's
BREACH,
for a LONG, DARK TEATIME OF THE SOUL.”
“...Alright.”
“Of course some use WHAT THE BUDDHA TAUGHT
as the FOUNDATION for their
SENSE OF REALITY.
They think there's only BEING AND NOTHINGNESS.”
“...”
“But you, Kevin, you'll look past the STATIC
of PUBLIC OPINION, and
tired HABITS OF THE HEART.
You'll open your DOORS OF PERCEPTION,
to your own WAYS OF SEEING,
and become the PRINCE,
of your own ODYSSEY.
That way, ALL TOMORROW'S PARTIES will be yours.”
“...You're done? Could we pick up where we left off in THE PASSAGE, then?
I want to GO THE F*** TO SLEEP already.”
---------------------------
Theo 7:02am
ALL FAMILIES ARE PSYCHOTIC.
AFTER DARK
THE BLACK PRINCE,
THE QUEEN AND I,
AND MY SEE-THROUGH HEART
bleat UNTOLD STORIES
for OUR TRAGIC UNIVERSE to discard.
Our REVELATIONs .
are mere TRICKS OF THE MIND,
disguised as a TRICK OF THE DARK.
what I've learned from the titles I could find in a few minutes is that now is not a good time to stop therapy ...
so you think it's new
misery
collapse
the road
underworld
citizen soldiers
for whom the bell tolls
the accidental tourist
in the city of fear
hostages to fortune
seize the daylight
pieces of the frame
the lovely bones
beloved
unfinished tales
-----
Edward 11:02pm
to the RISING TIDES
you will feel the SHIVER
of our BLOOD PROMISE.
For PRIDE AND PREJUDICE
is WICKED LOVELY
but the HOURGLASS
of ENVY
will never HUSH, HUSH
this PERFECT CHEMISTRY.
And although in this CITY OF GLASS
BREAKING DAWN
spreads RUMORS
of THE BAD BEGINNING,
we will not suffer for we are DEAD UNTIL DARK
and until this DELIRIUM consumes us.
-------------
Kathleen 11:21pm
I attended THE BOYFRIEND SCHOOL
and married A REGULAR GUY
who was JUST MY TYPE,
THE SECOND COMING OF STEVE JOBS.
We bought a home on GOOD HOPE ROAD,
where I taught myself the JOY OF COOKING
and HOW TO MAKE AN AMERICAN QUILT.
It was ALMOST PARADISE.
It was A FALSE SENSE OF WELL BEING.
One Saturday, OUT OF THE BLUE,
I received a call from THE OTHER WIFE,
who said HE WAS HER MAN.
Apparently I couldn't see THE FOREST FOR THE TREES.
That night I stood under the MILK GLASS MOON
and prayed to OUR LADY OF THE LOST AND FOUND.
Is it not a sin to LIE DOWN IN DARKNESS?
He was DEAD ON SUNDAY,
ROADKILL,
may he REST IN PIECES.
Now he is STEPPIN' ON A RAINBOW,
and I am locked up for ALL MY LIFE
following one of THE GREAT TEXAS MURDER TRIALS.
I NEED ALL THE FRIENDS I CAN GET.
Someone, PLEASE DO FEED THE CAT.
-----------
Annie 11:58pm
THE DARK IS RISING.
THAT HIDEOUS STRENGTH,
BONESHAKER,
scatters GIANT BONES:
HOW FEW REMAIN.
THIS WAS TOMORROW.
---------------
Sarah 12:20am
oh Angel,
my Clockwork Angel.
I heart you, you haunt me.
You Banished
my Personal Demons,
then Betrayed
my Love & Respect.
Now I'm Standing Strong
in a Brave New World,
Burned by
The Girl Who Could Fly.
------------
Jesse 12:47
we transcend the HUMAN BONDAGE
of EARTH, and get
SPIRITED AWAY
to an ALMOST TRANSPARENT BLUE
UTOPIA in the sky.
It's A BRAVE NEW WORLD,
BEYOND GOOD AND EVIL,
where THE SUN ALSO RISES.”
“Okay.”
“Unless you're naughty, like your brother DANTE,
or an IDIOT, like your father –
then you go A LONG WAY DOWN,
beyond the TWILIGHT 's
BREACH,
for a LONG, DARK TEATIME OF THE SOUL.”
“...Alright.”
“Of course some use WHAT THE BUDDHA TAUGHT
as the FOUNDATION for their
SENSE OF REALITY.
They think there's only BEING AND NOTHINGNESS.”
“...”
“But you, Kevin, you'll look past the STATIC
of PUBLIC OPINION, and
tired HABITS OF THE HEART.
You'll open your DOORS OF PERCEPTION,
to your own WAYS OF SEEING,
and become the PRINCE,
of your own ODYSSEY.
That way, ALL TOMORROW'S PARTIES will be yours.”
“...You're done? Could we pick up where we left off in THE PASSAGE, then?
I want to GO THE F*** TO SLEEP already.”
---------------------------
Theo 7:02am
ALL FAMILIES ARE PSYCHOTIC.
AFTER DARK
THE BLACK PRINCE,
THE QUEEN AND I,
AND MY SEE-THROUGH HEART
bleat UNTOLD STORIES
for OUR TRAGIC UNIVERSE to discard.
Our REVELATIONs .
are mere TRICKS OF THE MIND,
disguised as a TRICK OF THE DARK.
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