Carolyn Wilhelm Reviews Carolyn Howard-Johnson and Magdalena Balls' Christmas Poetry

Title:  Blooming Red

Subtitle: Christmas Poetry for the Rational 

Series: Celebration Series of Chapbooks
Author: Carolyn Howard-Johnson, Magdalena Ball
Publisher: Indy 
Publisher Website Address: https://howtodoitfrugally.com 

Author Email Address: HoJoNews@aol.com

ISBN-10: 1449948243

ISBN-13: 978-1449948245

ASIN: B004GXB4AW

Price: $5.95 Paperback, $2.99 Kindle
Page Count: 60 pages
Formats: PB, Kindle

Reviewed by Carolyn Wilhelm

 

Profound and moving poetry reflecting the reality of Christmas, which may not be that of commercials and photos. Early rising when the children are young, aching for those times when they are grown and perhaps have moved away. Howard-Johnson writes of the "echoes of foil tearing, and crushing of frail tissue." She writes the baby in the nativity set is always the first to go missing. 

 

Ball writes about how time is different for children, and "we touched each moment with tiny, trembling hands." She was a child six million years ago, according to one of her poems. She says, ". . . after hours at the mall, belief wears thin." 

 

The poetry is so beautiful, and my review cannot begin to do justice to the writing. This is a book to read again and again. It is the right size to add to a holiday card and would make a perfect present. 

More About the Reviewer

Carolyn Wilhelm reviews for Midwest Book Reviews and The New Book Review. She is a veteran educator who builds teaching aids for parents and teachers, many of them free and available on Pinterest. It is an especially valuable time during these long months of teaching via Zoom and working in isolated situations. 

More About #TheNewBookReview Blog 

 The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. Authors, readers, publishers, and reviewers may republish their favorite reviews of books they want to share with others. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read and love. Please see submission guidelines in a tab at the top of this blog's home page or go directly to the form at https://www.bit.ly/FinishedReviewSubmissions. Authors and publishers who do not yet have reviews or want more may use Lois W. Stern's "Authors Helping Authors" service for requesting reviews. Find her guidelines in a tab at the top of the home page, too. And know that Carolyn Wilhelm, our IT expert, award-winning author, and veteran educator, makes an award image especially for those who volunteer to write reviews from Lois's review-request list and post them in the spirit of her "Authors Helping Authors" project. Reviews, interviews, and articles on this blog are indexed by genre, reviewers' names, and review sites so #TheNewBookReview may be used as a resource for most anyone in the publishing industry. As an example, writers will find this blog's search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor. #TheFrugalbookPromoter, #CarolynHowardJohnson, #TheNewBookReview, #TheFrugalEditor, #SharingwithWriters, #reading #BookReviews #GreatBkReviews #BookMarketing

Poetry Chapbook Boxed Set for a "Porous" World

New-Generation African Poets

Subtitle: A chapbook Box Set

Edited by Kwame Dawes and Chris Abani

Illustrator/Book Cover Artist: Tariku Shiferaw

Publisher: Akashic Books

Paperback Chapbooks

ISBN: 9781617758164 (Full Box Set)

Limited Edition

Released September 8, 2020

Available on Amazon

$34.95 for boxed set of 12

 

 

Here is a lovely set of poetry chapbooks, beautifully illustrated, and thematically suited for this world, now more “global” than ever. Travel, immigration, the Internet and media as a whole have made it so. One of the editors of this project—for it is indeed a project, an annual project—calls it a “porous” world in his introduction. That indicates that though these chapbooks are by poets with African roots all, they are all part of Editor Kwame Dawes’ permeable world. Therefore, these are voices and viewpoints that should be read and appreciated across all borders including nationalities, religions, and races. 

 

Further, these poets speak from the heart, mostly in poetic language that could easily be mistaken for everyday prose. Well, maybe not “everyday.” Maybe that should be qualified as prose of the highest order. Easily understood. Intrinsically felt. 

 

Individual chapbooks by Michelle Angwenyi, Afua Ansong, Adedayo Agarau, Fatima Camara, Sadia Hassan, Safia Jama, Henneh Kyereh Skaku, Nadra Mabrouk, Nkateko Masinga, Jamila Osman, and Tryphena Yeboah. 

 

 

MORE ABOUT THE REVIEWER

 

Carolyn Howard-Johnson is the author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugallyseries of books for writers including her most recent How to Get Great Book Reviews Frugally and Ethically (http://bit.ly/GreatBkReviews ) that covers 325 jam-packed pages covering everything from Amazon vine to writing reviews for profit and promotion and a whole lot you didn't know including how to use blurbs from reviews to sell books to catalogs. Reviewers will have a special interest in the chapter on how to make reviewing pay, either as way to market their own books or as a career path--ethically! Learn more about her and her poetry at http://howtodoitfrugally.com.

 

 

LB Sedlacek Earns Prolific Poet Designation

Four New Books: Chuck Town, Suicide Pumpkin,

   The Blue Eyed Side, The Poet Protection Plan

Author: L. B. Sedlacek

Publishers: See author bio in this post.

Purchase URLs listed with each synopsis

NEW FROM POET AND AUTHOR, LB SEDLACEK

Head on down the cobblestone streets onto Rainbow Row in this Charleston, South Carolina 

themed poetry book from award winning poet, author and poem critic, LB Sedlacek. Visit Folly 

Beach, Murray's Lighthouse, Waterfront Park, the Battery, the USS Yorktown, Mt. Pleasant and 

more in this brand new collection.  

https://www.amazon.com/Chucktown-Charleston-New-York-South/dp/B08RR363FG

Mikeal is a kite surfer in North Carolina, raised by his grandparents.  After they are murdered, he 

rents the inherited cottage to Alexis, an actress.  Together this unlikely pair decides to investigate.  

Award winning poet, LB Sedlacek, takes you into a dark mountain tale in this new poem novel 

published by Cyberwit, “The Blue Eyed Side.”   Cover photo of Blue Ridge Parkway by LB Sedlacek. 

https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Eyed-Side-L-B-Sedlacek/dp/9388319303  

The suicide plans of a would-be actress in Hollywood fall apart when she meets her Prince Charming 

who comes complete with a white Porsche & a pumpkin. Get to know Jessica & Jeremy in this 

humorous but twisted Cinderella story.  

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08PPNQ4GG

From the Publisher and Editor of the long time free resource for Poets, "The Poetry Market Ezine," 

comes a book on being a poet!  The essays or articles in this new book are about writing, or 

marketing yourself as a writer. Navigating your life as a writer or poet, may be difficult. Do you 

have another job besides writing? Even if you have a writing related job, you are probably doing 

that to supplement your writer life income. There’s hope! At least, that’s what these essays are 

all about, how you can gel your regular work life with your work as a writer.  

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08L1H8948

More About L.B. Sedlacek

L.B. Sedlacek's is the former editor of "The Poetry Market Ezine" and a prolific poet. She has written many poetry chapbooks, like Mars or Bust, many of them reviewed here on MyShelf.com and here on the #TheNewBookReview. (Use this blog's search engine to find them.)  Synopses of some of her latest books are included in this post. Recent books include  "The Blue Eyed Side" (Cyberwit), "Happy Little Clouds" (Guerilla Genesis Press), "The Poet Next Door" (Cyberwit), "The Architect of French Fries" (Presa Press) and "Words and Bones" (Finishing Line Press).  Her short story collection, "Four Thieves of Vinegar & Other Short Stories" is available from Alien Buddha Press.  

FIND OUT MORE:  

Facebook - @lbsedlacekpoet  @poetryinla

Twitter: @lbsedlacek   @frugalpoet

Instagram:  @lbsedlacek    @poetryinla

http://www.lbsedlacek.com

MORE ABOUT BLOGGER AND WAYS TO GET THE MOST FROM THIS BLOG

 The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. Of particular interest to readers of this blog is her most recent How to Get Great Book Reviews Frugally and Ethically (http://bit.ly/GreatBkReviews ) that covers 325 jam-packed pages covering everithing from Amazon vine to writing reviews for profit and promotion. Reviewers will have a special interest in the chapter on how to make reviewing pay, either as way to market their own books or as a career path--ethically!

This blog is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by genre, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor.

Note: Participating authors and their publishers may request s social sharing images like the one in this post by Carolyn Wilhelm at no charge.  Please contact the designer at:  cwilhelm (at) thewiseowlfactory (dot) com. Provide the name of the book being reviewed and--if an image or headshot of the author --isn't already part of the badge, include it as an attachment. Wilhelm will send you the badge to use in your own Internet marketing. Give Wilhelm the link to this post, too!

 Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor. #TheFrugalbookPromoter, #CarolynHowardJohnson, #TheNewBookReview, #TheFrugalEditor, #SharingwithWriters, #reading #BookReviews #GreatBkReviews #BookMarketing

Acclaimed Poetry Chapbook Doubles as Valentine Greeting Card

Title:  Cherished Pulse

Subtitle: Unconventional Love Poetry 

Series: Celebration Series of Poetry Chapbooks
Authors:  Magdalena Ball and Carolyn Howard-Johnson  
Publisher: Independently Published
Publisher Website Address http://www.compulsivereader.com/ISBN-10: 1449546056

ISBN-13: 978-1449546052

ASIN: B004HB1W9Q
Price $ 5.95 paperback, $2.99 Kindle
Page Count 42 pages
Formats (PB, Kindle)

Reviewed by Carolyn Wilhelm

The Celebration Series of Poetry Chapbooks covers many aspects of life, seasons, and holidays. Cherished Pulse is appropriate for loved ones. It is small enough to fit inside a greeting card envelope or could be used instead of a card for a memorable gift. 

Magdalena Ball’s poems focus on nature and deep feelings at the same time. “Ocean,” “Great Sky,” “Aurora,” and the rest speak beautifully of deep love, longing, and intimate relationships. 

Carolyn Howard-Johnson’s portion of the book includes poems such as “A Woman’s Heart,” and “Watching My Daughter Say Goodbye to a Fleeting Love” speak of life and how perspective changes through the years regarding love. 

The poems are profound and moving. The book is definitely a read and read again. 

 -----

MORE ABOUT THE REVIEWER

Carolyn Wilhelm is a regular contributor to #TheNewBookReview where she reviews books and writes occasion study guides for popular books turned to film. (Teachers and parents can use this blog's search engine to find her guides on works like Black Klansman and Green Book.) She is also an author. Her most recent book is Climate Change Captives 2035. Learn more about her with links below. 

Carolyn Wilhelm Climate Change Captives 2035 and Project Save, Wise Owl Factory LLC cwilhelm@thewiseowlfactory.com  The Wise Owl Factory

MORE ABOUT THIS BLOG

 The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. Authors, readers, publishers, and reviewers may republish their favorite reviews of books they want to share with others. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read and love. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page and in a tab at the top of this blog's home page. Reviews and essays are indexed by genre, reviewer names, and review sites so it may be used a resource for most anyone in the publishing industry. Writers will find the search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor. #TheFrugalbookPromoter, #CarolynHowardJohnson, #TheNewBookReview, #TheFrugalEditor, #SharingwithWriters, #reading #BookReviews #GreatBkReviews #BookMarketing

Writing, The New Yorker, and Christmas

This is a not-so-usual Christmas editorial from my SharingwithWriters newsletter. True to my time-saving advice to recycle (no one person--even one with a paid publicist) has enough time to do everything they want to!), it is never too late to download a pdf copy my newsletters from the archive at http://bit.ly/SWWNewsletter--or subscribe so you don't miss a single issue!

Dear SharingwithWriters subscribers and New Book Review readers, authors, and reviewers: 

I love The New Yorker. My son Trenton sent a subscription to me for Christmas for a couple years, but I told him not to do it anymore because I always felt guilty when I couldn’t read it from cover to cover.

Recently I reconnected with my cousin who had gone AWOL for a while and she sent me a link to a lovely essay on dying (and living!) in The New Yorker. It was written by a well-known memoirist, Cory Taylor. I love how that she wove the pleasures of writing into the other joys of her life. It made me think of the publisher who told my agent that he loved my memoir, but couldn’t publish it because it was just too sad. It also made me think of what I have come to think of as California’s Christmas fires. I have been affected only slightly (breathing smoke and getting less done because of time taken to help fire refugees), but the misery is everywhere. The sky, the freeways, the news.

It seems to me a memoir has no value without the sad parts that make us grateful for life’s delights. So, the upsides and downsides, the yin and yang of The New Yorker? Hard to believe there is too much of a good thing! And the fires? Well, maybe we have had enough of those!

You may already subscribe or decide to subscribe to The New Yorker after reading this. (You may be better at picking and choosing from an overabundance of readable material than I!) Even if The New Yorker has never been your cup of tea, you will want to read this essay. To absorb the author’s wisdom now, when gratitude is such a big part of the holiday season or take a lesson from this author’s writing style. I am sure that it will renew your appreciation of your chosen career.

The essay is “Questions for Me About Dying” by Cory Taylor. An interesting title, but one that in no way does justice to what is contained therein.

Happy writing, editing and promoting and happy holidays,

Carolyn Howard-Johnson,

http://HowToDoItFrugally.com 

PS: I know we think of Dec. 25 as a bit too late to be doing Christmas shopping, but that's why e-books were born.  The chapbook I wrote with Magdalena Ball is available today on Amazon and it's part of Amazon's Matchbook program for prime members--meaning the e-book is free when you buy the chapbook. Wouldn't one of your friends who loves literature like to have a e-greeting card of poetry in their e-mail box today? Here is more about it.  

Blooming Red:

Christmas Poetry for the Rational

Coauthored by Carolyn Howard-Johnson and Magdalena Ball
Artwork by Vicki Thomas

Self-Published in the fine tradition of poets everywhere

Awards: USA Book News finalist, Silver Award from Military Writers’ Society of America

ISBN: 9781449948245

To order paperback or e-book on Amazon: http://bit.ly/BloomingRed

Celebration Series fan page on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/CelebrationSeriesPoetryChapbooks

Part of the Celebration Series by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, this little $6.95 book was written with passion and love for those who understand all the ramifications of the holiday that dominates celebrations throughout most of the English-speaking world. It is a lovely tuck-in gift that goes beyond the typical greeting card and is available in quantity discounts to use as a holiday greeting by contacting the authors at HoJoNews@aol.com.

MORE ABOUT THIS BLOG

 The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. Of particular interest to readers of this blog is her most recent How to Get Great Book Reviews Frugally and Ethically (http://bit.ly/GreatBkReviews ) that covers 325 jam-packed pages covering everithing from Amazon vine to writing reviews for profit and promotion. 

This blog is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by genre, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor.