Tag Archives: POETRY

The HWA Poetry Showcase Vol. IX Virtual Book Tour

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The HWA Poetry Showcase Vol. IX cover

Horror, Poetry

Date Published: 11.07.2022

The Horror Writers Associations presents their ninth annual Poetry
Showcase, featuring the best in never-before-published dark verse. Edited by
Angela Yuriko Smith, this year’s featured poets are Stephanie M. Wytovich,
Geneve Flynn, and Naomi Simone Borwein, plus dozens of poems from the
talented members of the Horror Writers Association.

 

This volume is edited by Angela Yuriko Smith, and she worked with judges
Lee Murray, Maxwell I. Gold, and Frances Lu-Pai Ippolito to choose the 50
poems that make up the TOC.

 

This year’s featured poets are Stephanie M. Wytovich, Geneve Flynn
and Naomi Simone Borwein.

The following poets have also been selected to have their work included in
this year’s showcase: Mary A. Turzillo, Christina Sng, Alessandro
Manzetti, Victoria Nations, K. H. Vaughan, Cassondra Windwalker, Jacqueline
West, Carina Bissett, Hillary Dodge, Lucy A. Snyder, Colleen Anderson, E. F.
Schraeder, Sara Tantlinger, Ann K. Schwader, Corinne Hughes, Monica S.
Kuebler, Janine Cross, Kathryn Ptacek, Holly Lyn Walrath, Gary Robbe, Marge
Simon, Stephanie Ellis, R. Leigh Hennig, Austin Gragg, M. Lopes da Silva,
Denise Dumars, Gordon Linzner, Saytchyn Maddux-Creech, Ross E. Lockhart,
Teel James Glenn, Bruce Boston, John Claude Smith, Roni Stinger, Dan B.
Fierce, Madison McSweeney, Steven Clapp, Rook Riley, Timothy P. Flynn,
Dianthe West, Lori R. Lopez, Terrie Leigh Relf, Lisa Becker, Donna K. Fitch,
Ai Jiang, J.E. Erickson, and Gerri Leen.

The HWA Poetry Showcase Vol. IX tablet

EXCERPT

INTRODUCTION

BY ANGELA YURIKO SMITH 

When I was first asked to edit the next two Showcases my first thought was what an honor it was. That was quickly followed with fear. Can you blame me? I would be following in the footsteps of dark poetry giants like David E. Cowen, Stephanie M. Wytovich, and the late Peter Adam Salomon. Those are big shoes to fill. 

It was remembering Peter that encouraged me to say yes. An accomplished poet, Peter was a BramStoker Award® nominated author, his poem “Electricity and Language and Me” was performed by The Radiophonic Workshop on BBC Radio 6 and two of his poetry collections were nominated for the Elgin Award. He founded not only the HWA Poetry Showcase series, but he also lobbied to establish October 7 as National Dark Poetry Day. But despite his many accomplishments, he always seemed to have time to encourage new poets. I know this because I was one of them. 

Peter bought the first poem I ever sold for the HWA Poetry Showcase volume II, “The Braid.” I stalked Peter in between panels at some convention to ask if he remembered my poem and if it was accepted or not. Kind Peter acted as if he did remember my one poem out of hundreds, told me it was wonderful and said I should keep going. Whether he remembered “The Braid” or not doesn’t matter to me. The fact that someone I respected and admired pushed me forward did matter. While I’d been publishing nonfiction for years, that small $5 payment made me feel rich and accomplished. 

Peter’s push kept me going to where I am now. Really, I can say I owe my success with poetry to Peter. If he had discounted me I’m certain my fledgling poet wings would have failed. That’s why I would like to dedicate this volume to him, and his face features in the cover design. 

It is with humble gratitude that I steer volumes IX and X. Peter, wherever you are now, thank you. 

Angela Yuriko Smith HWA Poetry Showcase editor 2022 

P.S. I should mention that payment has been doubled at the suggestion of current president John Palisano and poets now receive a payment and a contributor copy. Thank you always to John P. and the HWA for the continued support of dark poetry

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Infinite Sea of Stars Blitz

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Poetry

Release Date: November 14, 2022

Publisher: Naked Armadillo Press

 

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EVERY POEM IS A LOVE LETTER. AND THESE LETTERS ARE FOR YOU.

For all the times a piece of you was missing, for all the days you
didn’t know where you belonged, for each tiny moment when you
transformed—and still transform.

Infinite Sea of Stars is an ode to love and human resilience. A map of deep
scars and faint laugh lines. Instilling an unwavering sense of hope into
those who decide to dive soul-first into this mystical journey in book
form.

It is a memoir someone else wrote about you. A diary you didn’t know
you kept. The manual you needed but refused to open.

Crafted by decades of introspection and meditation practice, Shannon
Crossman’s poetry is familiar yet enlightening.

Infinite Sea of Stars will pave the reader’s way to self-love,
acceptance, and inner growth, moving through the caverns of discontent and
the soul’s oldest wounds to arrive at the trailhead of a life filled
with deep joy and wonder.

Great for fans of Hafiz, Rumi, Chelan Harkin, and Adyashanti.

 

Early Reviews
“…adds a fresh perspective to the age-old topic of divinity.” -Manik Chaturmutha for Readers’ Favorite, ★★★★★
“Deeply powerful words and thoughts.” -Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Readers’ Favorite, ★★★★★
“…beautiful poems that delve into the wants, needs, and desires of the human heart.” -Pikasho Deka for Readers’ Favorite, ★★★★★
“…probes into the powers of praise and the infinite beauties that surround us every moment we’re alive.” -Self-Publishing Review

About the Author

Shannon Crossman

Published in two anthologies, Goddess When She Rules and Hidden Lights, as
well as online at The Urban Howl and Wildheart Writers, Shannon’s work
centers on themes of belonging, resilience, wonder, and the ecstatic.

Nothing excites her more than a blank page or an unexplored path through a
solitary forest. Words and the natural world are and have always been, her
way back home.

In her heart of hearts, she still believes in magic, craves the ocean like
a landlocked mermaid, and dreams of a life without shoes.

 

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Infinite Sea of Stars Teaser

Infinite Sea of Stars banner

 

Infinite Sea of Stars cover

Poetry

Release Date: November 14, 2022

Publisher: Naked Armadillo Press

 

photo add-to-goodreads-button_zpsc7b3c634.png

 

EVERY POEM IS A LOVE LETTER. AND THESE LETTERS ARE FOR YOU.

For all the times a piece of you was missing, for all the days you
didn’t know where you belonged, for each tiny moment when you
transformed—and still transform.

Infinite Sea of Stars is an ode to love and human resilience. A map of deep
scars and faint laugh lines. Instilling an unwavering sense of hope into
those who decide to dive soul-first into this mystical journey in book
form.

It is a memoir someone else wrote about you. A diary you didn’t know
you kept. The manual you needed but refused to open.

Crafted by decades of introspection and meditation practice, Shannon
Crossman’s poetry is familiar yet enlightening.

Infinite Sea of Stars will pave the reader’s way to self-love,
acceptance, and inner growth, moving through the caverns of discontent and
the soul’s oldest wounds to arrive at the trailhead of a life filled
with deep joy and wonder.

Great for fans of Hafiz, Rumi, Chelan Harkin, and Adyashanti.

 

Excerpt

 

Small Birds

Beautiful sister,

rest in the palm of the Beloved.

Nothing, oh nothing,

can push you over the edge of

that Divine cradle.

 

No tornado of rage,

sea of shame,

mountain of guilt or fear

can pull you from

the Beloved’s gentle caress.

There is no falling.

You are as the small bird

guarded in the nest…

loved and delivered safe

to the day you remember

your own wings.

About the Author

Shannon Crossman

Published in two anthologies, Goddess When She Rules and Hidden Lights, as
well as online at The Urban Howl and Wildheart Writers, Shannon’s work
centers on themes of belonging, resilience, wonder, and the ecstatic.

Nothing excites her more than a blank page or an unexplored path through a
solitary forest. Words and the natural world are and have always been, her
way back home.

In her heart of hearts, she still believes in magic, craves the ocean like
a landlocked mermaid, and dreams of a life without shoes.

 

Contact Links

Website

Facebook

Goodreads

Pinterest

Instagram

 

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The HWA Poetry Showcase, Volume IX Blitz

The HWA Poetry Showcase, Volume IX banner

The HWA Poetry Showcase, Volume IX cover

Horror, Poetry

Date Published: 11.07.2022

The Horror Writers Associations presents their ninth annual Poetry
Showcase, featuring the best in never-before-published dark verse. Edited by
Angela Yuriko Smith, this year’s featured poets are Stephanie M. Wytovich,
Geneve Flynn, and Naomi Simone Borwein, plus dozens of poems from the
talented members of the Horror Writers Association.

 

This volume is edited by Angela Yuriko Smith, and she worked with judges
Lee Murray, Maxwell I. Gold, and Frances Lu-Pai Ippolito to choose the 50
poems that make up the TOC.

 

This year’s featured poets are Stephanie M. Wytovich, Geneve Flynn
and Naomi Simone Borwein.

The following poets have also been selected to have their work included in
this year’s showcase: Mary A. Turzillo, Christina Sng, Alessandro
Manzetti, Victoria Nations, K. H. Vaughan, Cassondra Windwalker, Jacqueline
West, Carina Bissett, Hillary Dodge, Lucy A. Snyder, Colleen Anderson, E. F.
Schraeder, Sara Tantlinger, Ann K. Schwader, Corinne Hughes, Monica S.
Kuebler, Janine Cross, Kathryn Ptacek, Holly Lyn Walrath, Gary Robbe, Marge
Simon, Stephanie Ellis, R. Leigh Hennig, Austin Gragg, M. Lopes da Silva,
Denise Dumars, Gordon Linzner, Saytchyn Maddux-Creech, Ross E. Lockhart,
Teel James Glenn, Bruce Boston, John Claude Smith, Roni Stinger, Dan B.
Fierce, Madison McSweeney, Steven Clapp, Rook Riley, Timothy P. Flynn,
Dianthe West, Lori R. Lopez, Terrie Leigh Relf, Lisa Becker, Donna K. Fitch,
Ai Jiang, J.E. Erickson, and Gerri Leen.

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Twitter

Purchase Link

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Euphoric Wonderland Tour

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Euphoric Wonderland cover

An Eclectic Collection of Psychedelic Poetry to Stimulate the Senses and
Open the Mind

Poetry

Date Published: 03-21-2022

Publisher: Trippy-Ass Books

 

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Open your heart to a compilation of musical poetry and surreal expression
drawn from madness and mania.

Artfully weaving a rhythmic tapestry of touching poetry that flows like
music, this deeply personal memoir invites readers on a fascinating deep
dive into the author’s raw and heartfelt world of living rhythms and
authentic feelings. As a deft amalgamation of spoken word, truth to power,
clever wordplay, and thoughtful reflections, Euphoric Wonderland illuminates
a mad spark of creativity as it draws uplifting inspiration from even the
darkest of times.

Stimulate your imagination and open your mind to a psychedelic and
enigmatic assemblage that ranges from tributes to The Beatles, Pink Floyd,
head-banging heavy metal, to vinyl records, slam-poetry, superheroes,
mind-altering possibilities, and the Jekyll and Hyde living inside each of
us. Euphoric Wonderland blossoms out of madness, grappling with
psychological issues through humorous and uplifting vibes.

Shining like a beacon for curious minds, this eclectic collection offers a
moment of reprieve for those who want to forget about their mental
health-related challenges, gifting you with light, laughter, and inspiring
you with a message of hope. Euphoric Wonderland carries you down a rabbit
hole of unusual and trippy experiences that gives you a newfound perspective
on love, pain, life, and the joys – and struggles – of
existence.

*Now in Full-Color with art by Matthew Revert*

 

Euphoric Wonderland tablet

 

About the Author

Ryan Becker

Euphoric Wonderland is Ryan Becker’s seminal literary work which was
largely inspired by the relationship he has with his parents, both of whom
are poets in their own rights and words. His father is a self-taught
classical pianist, as well as an avid Shakespeare fan and aficionado. Those
two elements of the fine arts were instilled in Ryan at an early age and
were quickly absorbed through his father’s reading to him about famous
musicians and writers.

As an avid collector of vinyl records, upon hearing the music of The
Beatles for the first time, specifically their Abbey Road album, Ryan knew
his destiny was to write. “Every step of this life’s journey is
a learning experience,” proclaims Mr. Becker. He further adds,
“The Beatles taught me how not to have hate in my heart, why we must
help people in need, and to never hesitate to openly express my feelings in
any situation.”

Ryan credits his even-tempered, soft-spoken mother for his development as a
human being. He tries to emulate her cool-under-pressure manner as well as
her kind and empathetic heart, which she shares with anyone in need. It is
those characteristics he’s inherited that allow him to express himself
through his writing.

Ryan’s childhood carried with it some undeniably emotional bumps and
bruises, explaining “Everyone has struggles, and many have their inner
demons. The only way for me to exorcize them is by taking them out of my
brain and putting them down on paper.”

Writing can be a wonderful escape from reality as well as a fantastic way
of feeling comfort within one’s true reality.

Watching reruns of Smallville on repeat, Ryan asserts that the character of
Clark Kent, portrayed by Tom Welling, has taught him a few things about
growing up. For example, it helped him learn how to speak and interact
better with others—trust in people who treat him right and never
disregard someone who has his best interests at heart.

It is why he proclaims, “Don’t ever let anyone take a torch to
your dreams. Use that fire to motivate you to achieve your greatness, no
matter in which arena you might be endeavoring!”

 

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