Tag: poetry

Jodee Speaks

What Makes a Great Poem

April is National Poetry Month, so it is a great time to break out your notebook and start writing poems. But what makes a great poem? While poetry is often about personal interpretation and preference, here are a few general guidelines.

  • Use language correctly. Poetry needs to be well written, even though there is room for ambiguity. If you are going to break the rules, make sure you are doing so intentionally.
  • Make it valueable to the reader. People connect with poetry for a number of reasons. For instance, the poem might illustrate emotions that are difficult to express or reveal a reality.
  • Offer hope. Poetry is a powerful medium for overcoming difficulties in life, and great poetry can offer hope to the reader.
  • Be sincere. Great poetry is written from the heart. It is not forced. It is genuine.

I’d love to know, how you define great poetry?

ABOUT JODEE THAYER: With over 20 years of experience in sales and management, Jodee Thayer works as the Manager of Author Services for Outskirts Press. The Author Services Department is composed of knowledgeable customer service reps and publishing consultants; together, they all focus on educating authors on the self-publishing process in order to help them publish the book of their dreams. Whether you are a professional looking to take your career to the next level with platform-driven non-fiction or a novelist seeking fame, fortune, and/or personal fulfillment, Jodee Thayer can put you on the right path.
Book Reviews, Self-Publishing Book Review of the Week

Weekly Self-Published Book Review: Touchpoints

Book reviews are a great way for self-publishing authors to gain exposure. After all, how can someone buy your book if he or she doesn’t know it exists? Paired with other elements of your book promotion strategy, requesting reviews is a great way to get people talking about what you’ve written.

When we read good reviews, we definitely like to share them. It gives the author a few (permanent) moments of fame and allows us to let the community know about a great book. Here’s this week’s book review by Midwest Book Review:

Touchpoints

Touchpoints

Sally Shirley

Publisher: Outskirts Press

ISBN: 9781432779504

Reviewer: William Phenn

“Touchpoints” is a bit different from the norm; its 132 pages contain poetry that is rhyming in spots and somewhat like prose in others. They vary in length from short to extending over into the next page and completely span the range of the author’s emotions from A to Z. In “Death Unnerves Us,” she speaks of the grief suffered when a loved one dies, the pain and loneliness that is felt by all concerned. Another touchpoint brought out is the romantic dance that two people in love will engage in. Sally emphasizes this point in the poem called “Dance with Me.” Ms. Shirley makes a very good point for everyone to think about in the poem “Promise Me.” She tells her lover to promise her many things, but not to promise her love “if you can’t love me.” I thought this a very good line and one that is worth remembering.

Her “Touchpoints” poetry takes the reader into her soul, her heart and her head. Giving the reader an inclination of the emotions she was feeling in all the different aspects of her life. Ms. Shirley seems genuine and down to earth in her writings. You can tell in the first few pages that this was a heartfelt write.

I think Ms. Shirley has written a book that could possibly be a piece of her personal diary. That is what I sensed as I read page after page of this emotional volume. I was very happy to give “Touchpoints” a high B rating for her well written, nicely covered and decently edited book of poetry. I recommend it to the general audience because it does not contain any offensive language or graphics.

Self-Publishing, Wendy Speaks

Top 5 Reasons to Self Publish in April

April is one of my favorite months. The weather is getting warmer, and the flowers are in bloom. Everyone is slowly starting to come out of winter hibernation. Plus, April is a great month to self publish a book! Here’s why:

You can put your tax refund to good use.

Instead of letting it sit in the bank or wasting it on material items you’ll forget in a month, invest in something great: you! Whether you’re a creative writing wanting to publish your debut novel or a professional wanting to increase your platform, publishing a book is a wonderful investment.

April is National Poetry Month.

April is the perfect time for poets to publish their collections. Take the jump, and do it in honor of all your favorite poets.

Spring is a time for new beginnings.

Spring is often associated with new beginnings and rebirth. So start your new beginning today by going from aspiring author to published author.

Celebrate April Fool’s Day by proving you’re not a “fool.”

Too often people dream of writing a book and never do it. Whether you want to share your family’s recipes, write the next best-selling young adult book, or build your credibility with a nonfiction book, now is the perfect time. Stop waiting for the right moment, and take the plunge.

Save 20% off an iPad.

Every month, self-publishing companies such as Outskirts Press offer promotions. This month, Outskirts Press is offering 20% off an iPad. For details, visit their website by clicking here.

ABOUT WENDY STETINA: Wendy Stetina is a sales and marketing professional with over 30 years experience in the printing and publishing industry. Wendy works as the Director of Author Services for Outskirts Press. The Author Services Department is composed of knowledgeable customer service reps and publishing consultants; and together, they all focus on educating authors on the self-publishing process in order to help them publish the book of their dreams. Whether you are a professional looking to take your career to the next level with platform-driven non-fiction, or a novelist seeking fame, fortune, and/or personal fulfillment, Wendy Stetina can put you on the right path.
Contests, Kelly Speaks

Balcones Fiction Prize

The Creative Writing Department at Austin Community College is committed to recognizing outstanding works of literary merit through its Balcones Literary Prizes. The program is currently accepting submissions for books published in 2011. The deadline for submission is January 31, 2012.

Last year’s winner, Linh Dinh, was awarded $1,500 and was flown to Austin, Texas for a public reading. Congratulations Linh Dinh!

For more information on how to enter, please visit http://www.austincc.edu/crw/html/balconescenter.html.

ABOUT KELLY SCHUKNECHT: Kelly Schuknecht is the Vice President of Outskirts Press.  In addition to her contributions to the Outskirts Press blog at blog.outskirtspress.com, Kelly and a group of talented marketing experts offer book marketing services, support, and products to not only published Outskirts Press authors, but to all authors and professionals who are interested in marketing their books and/or careers. Learn more about Kelly on her blog at http://kellyschuknecht.com.
Book Marketing, Kelly Speaks

5 Ways to Promote Your Book in April

Today’s post is by book marketing industry expert, Kelly Schuknecht.

Book marketing is an ongoing effort.  Here are five ways to promote your book in April:

  1. April is National Poetry Month.  If you have published a book of poetry, this is an excellent opportunity to take advantage of National Poetry Month events.  Visit Poetry.org to find a full list of Poetry Month events.
  2. April 2nd is International Children’s Book Day.  If you are a Children’s book author, call your local library and elementary school(s).  Volunteer to read your book during storytime.
  3. Speaking of libraries, National Library Week is April 10-16.  Contact your local library, offer to donate a free copy of your book.
  4. The London Book Fair takes place April 11-13.  If you have not already made arrangements for your book to be represented this year, consider this opportunity for next year.
  5. April 22nd is Earth Day. If your book is about environment issues (or even if it’s not), contact your local schools and environmental agencies and ask about Earth Day events you can get involved with.  Even if you are not directly promoting your book, you will be doing something to help the environment and networking with individuals who have similar interests.

DISCUSSION: How are you planning to promote YOUR book this month?

ABOUT KELLY SCHUKNECHT:
Kelly Schuknecht works as the Director of Author Support for Outskirts Press.  In addition to her contributions to the Outskirts Press blog at blog.outskirtspress.com, Kelly and a group of talented marketing experts offer book marketing services, support, and products to not only published Outskirts Press authors, but to all authors and professionals who are interested in marketing their books and/or careers. Learn more about Kelly on her blog at http://kellyschuknecht.com.