The New Book Review

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Showing posts sorted by date for query inspiration. Sort by relevance Show all posts

Friday, May 1, 2020

Carol Smallwood Interview Poet Jaylan Salah



Print Length: 67 pages
Publisher: PoetsIN, 2019
Language: English
ASIN: B07YMZVDGL
Purchase on Amazon


Interview by Carol Smallwood

Award-winning Jaylan Salah is a Writer, Poet, Translator, Content Expert and Film Critic.Workstation Blues is a collection from the cubicle which resonates with white-collar workers worldwide passing the time between meetings and computer screens. The poems blur: monsters are replaced by monitors, flame-throwers by LED lights and swords by client comments. Cristina Deptula, executive editor of Synchronized Chaos Magazinehttp://synchchaos.com
commented: “With energy and spunk, Jaylan Salah celebrates imagination, beauty, and most of all, freedom through her poetry and prose.” 

Smallwood: What is your educational, literary background and when did you begin to writeprose and poetry?

Salah: I graduated in the faculty of Pharmacy at a prestigious private university in my hometown Alexandria, Egypt. You see, being a pharmacist and learning all the drugs in the pharmacopeia have nothing to do with literature or poetry, but it all started with school years at Sacred Heart Catholic School when the Sister senior encouraged me to be the next William Wordsworth and my mother told me to write the book I wanted to read.

Smallwood: Please share with readers what motivated you to write Workstation Blues? How long did it take you to write it?

Salah: A grueling, awful year of being bullied while working at a corporate. I faced multiple difficulties and threatening situations. A tough tooth to pull. I didn’t expect the worst when I first applied to the job as a medical copywriter of course. But the experience overall was demanding, abusive and emotionally-draining. I wanted to cope with the toxic work environment so I wrote a poem a day until I had a notebook containing 200 poems. It took me one year to quit the job and have my manuscript ready for publishing.

Smallwood: How do you decide if something should be prose or poetry? Please include apublished sample of each kind of your writing:

Salah: There are texts that you plan before sitting down to write. But others drag you into a mud fight and leave you breathless at the end. 
Workstation Blues is the sample of poetry which requires inspiration but the planning and editing processes are heavily sought out. This piece of prose on the other hand, is a real trip:

Smallwood: In a poetsin.com interview, you shared: “My first heartbreak, pain was so demanding and incomprehensible. The only way with which I overcame its heaviness was through drafting my first short story collection which went to win a major national literary prize.”  What was the major national literary prize and what are some awards have you won?

Salah: I won 2 major prizes in my home country, the Young Talents National Competition for my short story collection titled “Thus Speaks La Loba” and 2nd place in the Organization of Cultural Palaces Competition for my novel titled Bogart…Play a Classic for Me.
I also won the “Bleed on the Page” Competition for Poetry and Prose organized by theProse.com for my poem “Poof, Vagina”.

Smallwood: Please tell readers about your work as a translator, content expert, film critic:

Salah: My translation career started with Goethe Institute where I translated articles, press releases and booklets. I became specialized in film criticism translation from various English and French publications to Arabic through my work with the Jesuits Cultural Center Publication, El Fim, in addition to Cinematograph Online Magazine. My big break came with Cairo International Film Festival when I translated prolific film critic,Mahmoud Abdelshakour’s book, Mohamed Khan: Searching for A Knight. My work as a content creator started in 2017 when I started my fulltime career at medical companies creating, curating, editing and translating content. 

Smallwood: What do you think of the role of women today?

Salah: I think women have a long way to go, especially if they are not White or Western.

Smallwood: What are some magazines in which you’ve appeared?

Salah: My writings were featured in multiple national and international publications such asAl-Ahram National NewspapertheProse.comSynchronized ChaosGuardian Liberty VoiceCinematographEye on Cinema, ZEALnyc,Africiné, Elephant Journal, Vague Visages, and Cinema Femme Magazine.

Smallwood: Please share something about your love of animals:

Salah: I have always had a spirit animal, even way back before I fully understood the concept. My dream job is anything related to the care and rescue of animals; dog trainer, wolf reservation intern, cat hugger. I find myself in the company of animals—dare I say—more than that of humans. I have not known a love beyond my family that is stronger, purer and more earthly than that of my feline, canine and feathered buddies. You can read this to reflect on what I mean: https://theprose.com/post/26944/we-need-to-talk-about-the-frog

Smallwood: Has your writing appeared in audio? 

Salah: Yes, some of my articles have audio versions:



Smallwood: What are you working on now and what is your writing schedule?

Salah: Currently I am working on a writing project, for which I have not yet decided a description nor a solid genre. The preliminary title is “Zorro”, it will be in Arabic and contains 4 main characters; 3 women and the titular male protagonist. I am also preparing my second English poetry collection. My writing schedule is not as you would expect. There is daily writing involved of course but it is not consistent. I do not have a certain time of the day where I am more productive. I also invest heavily in the creation, preparation and research processes which include meditation, self-care and talking to strangers. 

Smallwood: Please list links for readers to learn more about you:

Salah: Interviews with me can be found herehere and here.


 MORE ABOUT THE REVIEWER

Carol Smallwood, MLS, MA, Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, is a literary reader, judge, interviewer; her 13th poetry collection is Thread, Form, and Other Enclosures (Main Street Rag, 2020). 

Carol Smallwood Interview Poet Jaylan Salah


MORE ABOUT THE  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 the social sharing image 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!
 #TheFrugalbookPromoter, #CarolynHowardJohnson, #TheNewBookReview, #TheFrugalEditor, #SharingwithWriters, #reading #BookReviews #GreatBkReviews #BookMarketing

Saturday, March 14, 2020

Dr. Bob Rich Reviews Inspirational Poetry


Title: Lost in Wonder
Author: Matthew Buonocore 
Available on Amazon
ASIN: B0842QDHKM
Genre: Inspirational Poetry

Reviewed by Dr. Bob Rich

When I read, I like to get immersed in a story. Poetry doesn’t allow this, so I thought twice before accepting a review copy of this collection of poems from Matthew Buonocore.
I made the exception because each of these little snippets of thought expresses exactly my philosophy. Matthew and I are kindred spirits, on the same path.

The reason for life is to progress in spiritual growth, until we reach enlightenment. In our very different ways, Matthew and I are showing you the path for achieving the meaning of life: Love; seeking god inside instead of chasing happiness outside; inner beauty.
My roadmap is a story. Matthew’s is a few carefully chosen words that force you to think, and then to feel.

You can’t race through this book. I suggest, read one poem, then let it germinate and flower before reading the next. This may give you months of meditation in words.
If thoughtful, gentle inspiration is your thing, you can’t go past this jewelry case of a book.

The Author Shares

I'm a poet and a writer from Central New York. My work consists of affirmations, quotes and poems of the divine nature. My work tells my story, it conveys each step I’ve taken in my journey towards personal freedom. My books are dedicated to my lovely girlfriend Alaina, who helped me see my worth and grasp the meaning of unconditional love. Growing up I always felt the call to do something beyond the “norm”; to follow my heart regardless of what others told me. Beneath everything, I find myself called to put out my message and my “heart-song”. It's very easy to forget that life is completely subject to each individual choice made, and these writings helped me to grasp the potential of trusting my true self.

This is a book of poems and affirmations to awaken the soul. Each poem provides a new vibratory experience that guides the reader towards spiritual growth. This book is my journey from awakening to present day. The book is meant as a catalyst for spiritual growth, the goal being to ignite the fire that lies dormant. We are all called to serve, to serve ourselves and then the world. Let this be a message to all that would choose the path of service, the true path. As each fear disintegrates we walk closer to the truth of our nature, and this is my truth.

About the Reviewer

Dr. Bob Rich is an apprentice Buddha. But, did you know, so are you? In fact, every sentient being in our universe is an apprentice Buddha.

If you want to know what that entails, visit Bob’s blog, Bobbing Around https://bobrich18.wordpress.com and look around. You are guaranted to be entertained, amused, informed, possibly outraged — but never bored. You can learn more about him at http://bobswriting.com  and/or subscribe to his eclectic newsletter, Bobbing Around, at https://bobrich18.wordpress.com. Tweet with him @bobswriting. His motto is: 

Commit random acts of kindness

Live simply so you may simply live


Dr. Bob Rich Reviews Inspirational Poetry

MORE ABOUT THE BLOGGER, THIS BLOG, AND ITS BENEFITS FOR WRITERS

 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 everything 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 the social sharing image 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.

Friday, February 7, 2020

Adoption Matters: Orphan Train to Modern Day Nonfiction Short Stories of Adoption & Foster Care

Title Adoption Matters: Orphan Train to Modern Day Nonfiction Short Stories of Adoption & Foster Care 
Author Dianne L. Rowe
Publisher:  Dianne L. Rowe
ISBN-10: 057861524X
ISBN-13: 978-0578615240
ASIN  B0847J48XX
Price $10 paperback, $4.99 Kindle
Page Count 208 pages
Formats (PB, Kindle)

Adoption Matters: Orphan Train to Modern Day Nonfiction Short Stories of Adoption & Foster Care

A brand new book with a variety of adoption stories has just been published. Fifteen writers tell of their own experiences. The children were in orphanages abroad, adopted directly from hospitals, were foster children, or even arrived by orphan train. We hope you will enjoy our book!

Adoption Matters: Orphan Train to Modern Day Nonfiction Short Stories of Adoption & Foster Care
Dianne L. Rowe had the initial inspiration for this book. She wrote three stories for it which included one about her mother who was adopted from an orphan train. She adopted a child through Catholic Charities and so that is one of her other stories. 
Adoption Matters: Orphan Train to Modern Day Nonfiction Short Stories of Adoption & Foster Care
Ann Kalin writes a detailed story as she adopted two children from two different adoption agencies in Minnesota. When one agency said they were only placing one child per family, she found she could adopt another with a different one.
Adoption Matters: Orphan Train to Modern Day Nonfiction Short Stories of Adoption & Foster Care
Christopher Luehr is a storyteller, attorney, professional speaker, coach, dinner-table comedian, and North Minneapolis resident. Through his organization, Joyful Noize (joyfulnoize.net), he helps mission-driven organizations promote their message through story. You can be assured he has an excellent story in the book.
Adoption Matters: Orphan Train to Modern Day Nonfiction Short Stories of Adoption & Foster Care
John Strahan says, “This is a story that I have told more than once and am willing to tell it to anyone who will listen. Without fail, it brings tears to my eyes and warmth to my heart. I gladly responded to Dianne Rowe’s request to share our story. It is over 53 years old but still worth telling.” It is a charming story.
Adoption Matters: Orphan Train to Modern Day Nonfiction Short Stories of Adoption & Foster Care
Lois Miller Caswell has two stories in the book as she also adopted two of her three children. With her fantastic memory for details, readers will feel like they are talking to her over a cup of coffee in the kitchen while enjoying the stories.
Adoption Matters: Orphan Train to Modern Day Nonfiction Short Stories of Adoption & Foster Care
Leif Wallin received a phone call and the caller said, ““Leif sit down. We found her. She was from Great Falls, Montana. Her name was Sandy.” Intriguing, isn’t it? The story is pretty amazing.
Adoption Matters: Orphan Train to Modern Day Nonfiction Short Stories of Adoption & Foster Care
Esther Holgate beings her story this way:
“There once was a very little girl who was born in the far-away country of South Korea.” This is a story of adoption from an orphanage in Seoul, South Korea.
Adoption Matters: Orphan Train to Modern Day Nonfiction Short Stories of Adoption & Foster Care
David Zander was born in London. In July 1940, During WW2, at a time that America had not yet entered the war. He says, “My first memories are of war, being carried down into an Air raid shelter during the nightly air raids.” To top it off, he found out his first family was not his birth family when he was still very young. His story is quite interesting.  
Adoption Matters: Orphan Train to Modern Day Nonfiction Short Stories of Adoption & Foster Care
Dawn McClean learned she was not the eldest child in the family after all. How could that happen? You can imagine, but this story tells of her feelings about learning the truth.
Adoption Matters: Orphan Train to Modern Day Nonfiction Short Stories of Adoption & Foster Care
Mary (Marge) Smith had to have her family vote about a situation related to adoption, It was not for the actual adoption, but part of a rather complicated story. In the picture on the left, you can see Marge with Patti.
Adoption Matters: Orphan Train to Modern Day Nonfiction Short Stories of Adoption & Foster Care
E. Irene Theis says, “Saturday, July 30th, 2016, was the special day when I first met Stephanie, my granddaughter, and Susan, my great-granddaughter.” 

Another amazing story!

Adoption Matters: Orphan Train to Modern Day Nonfiction Short Stories of Adoption & Foster Care
Jackie Maher and Katie DeCosse now see each other often, but it wasn’t true over the decades they could not find each other. They each have stories in this anthology.
Adoption Matters: Orphan Train to Modern Day Nonfiction Short Stories of Adoption & Foster Care
Irene Reuteler tells a family story which is about the adoption situation for relatives. She was able to predict the future to some extent and help guide them to successful adoption.
Adoption Matters: Orphan Train to Modern Day Nonfiction Short Stories of Adoption & Foster Care
Carolyn Wilhelm also has a story of an adoption from South Korea through the Children’s Home Society located in St. Paul, Minnesota. She has also authored children’s picture books about the experience.
Thank you for reading, Carolyn Wilhelm

Carolyn Wilhelm is the author of The Wise Owl Factory site and blog. She has an MS in Gifted Education and second educational masters in Curriculum and Instruction K-12.

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

Sunday, September 15, 2019

Tiny House Living Through the Eyes of a Child Picture Book, Sissy Goes Tiny


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.


Tiny House Living Through the Eyes of a Child Picture Book, Sissy Goes Tiny
Sissy Goes Tiny a Children's Picture Book about Living the Tiny Life
Last summer, two graduates of Brainerd High School in Minnesota had a stroke of inspiration when catching up over coffee. B. A. Norrgard had been living the tiny life for six years when the idea struck that how would downsizing and going tiny might look through the eyes of a child.
B.A. Norrgard’s personal lifestyle and career within the tiny house community gave her insight about the nationwide movement. She teaches others and leads by example.

Becky Flansburg is an award-winning writer and wondered if “going tiny” might be scary for a child. Rebecca is the long-time project manager of Multicultural Children’s Book Day and Head Elf for Audrey Press. She is a member of Brainerd Writers Alliance and readers can also find her at BeckyFlansburg.com or on Instagram.
They both used their imaginations and talents as they discussed a possible story, and the idea for this innovative book began. They wanted children to know living life unconventionally is full of big possibilities.

Sissy Goes Tiny a Children's Picture Book about Living the Tiny Life
You have probably seen some of the popular TV and Netflix shows about living in less space, downsizing, and repurposing. Norrgard says when preparing for such a lifestyle, keep only items that serve a purpose, meet a need or bring joy.

Norrgard’s Tiny House is named Sisu to help remember her mother. Sisu is a Finnish word and means having grit, determination, and perseverance. She needs plenty of that to live in her hand-built 78 square foot home. She has traveled over 14,000 miles with her house and writes about her minimalist, vegan life on her website, banorrgard.com.

Sissy Goes Tiny a Children's Picture Book about Living the Tiny Life
Sisu sort of sounds like the name, Sissy. So, the main character of the book is Sissy. She is eight years old. During the story, she learns stuff is just stuff. Somehow illustrator Penny Weber knew just what she looked like, and was perfect for the project. Don’t you agree?

Often our lessons in elementary school (yes, I’m saying it again) for children end at recycling. Downsizing, repurposing, and tiny living are not usually mentioned. This book is unique. It was brilliant of Norrgard and Flansburg to come up with the idea and see it through to completion.
Would you be able to decided what to take with and what to leave?

·  Title: Sissy Goes Tiny by Rebecca Flansburg and B.A. Norrgard
·  Publisher: Audrey Press (CEO Valarie Budayr)
·  ISBN: 978-1-936426-22-5
·  This project was supported by Five Wings Arts Council with funds from the McKnight Foundation.
·  This diverse picture book can be purchased at AudreyPress.com  IndieBound, and Amazon

tiny-house-living-for-children-book-review-of-Sissy-Goes-Tiny


Thank you for reading, Carolyn from Wise Owl Factory