Susan Rich's Blog, page 93

The Top 25 Words in The Alchemist's Kitchen

Today on Book of Kells,  Kelli Agodon posted a link to Word Counter where writers can put the entire text of a book into the site and within seconds find out their most frequently used words. I remember that with The Cartographer's Tongue my top words were light, body, and cream. This time I was utterly surprised that one is my top word. I wonder if that includes "someone" and "everyone" because after reading several poems, I don't see many ones. The positive nature of the words is also unexp...

The Writing Life: Poet-Preneurs

I learned the world "poet-preneur" at January O'Neil's site Poet Mom today. Here is  an excerpt from her very smart posting. Why Poets Are Like Entrepreneurs I have often said that poets and entrepreneurs have a lot in common. We're self-starters. We often work alone, and work long hours for little or no pay. We're creative types willing to take risks in our craft and in our development as writers. But we have a vision, so we know how to arrange our lives to follow our passion—writing...

Do-It-Yourself Book Tour ~ Virtually Speaking

I have been thinking lately about why, how, and if I would like to do a virtual book tour. Since I have had a blog for only six months, I'm still unsure about how all these new technologies translate into traditional readers who like to sit curled up with a book, a cat, and a cup of tea.

My imagination likes the idea that I could be "appearing" in London and the next day in Lahore. I love to travel, so why not virtually?

But what happens on a virtual book tour? I could create files of me readin...

Poetry of the Sacred: Seeds by Alfred Nicol

I found this poem this morning at the Thomas Merton Institute site. The poet, Alfred Nicol, is completely new to me. I love the surprises throughout the poem - that first image of the watermelon giving elephants holds my attention and lets me know that the poet is playful as well as smart. Looking at Nicol's poems on line, I feel I should know his work -- or rather -- his work makes me happy. It makes me wonder how many other poets on the other side of the country I am missing. Although I am ...

Changes ~

Maybe beginning this project at 10:00 PM was a little late, but here we are. I have not made up my mind yet on whether I like this new style better than what I had -- but I do like the large size, more options for columns, and the background texture. It's been six months since I began this blog - guess it's time to put away the winter clothes and try on the new spring wardrobe. What do you think?

My Favorite Picture of My Favorite Poet: Elizabeth Bishop

I am in need of Elizabeth Bishop tonight. Here is one of my favorite of her poems of travel.






Arrival At Santos
...

She Said: Women's Lives Through Poetry and Prose

You are cordially invited to hear Elizabeth Austen, Janna Esarey, Monica Lemoine, Corbin Lewars, Midge Raymond, Katherine Whitcomb, and me for a wild reading at Hugo House, Wednesday, May 5th at 7:00 PM. Rumor has it that the bartender will serve special drinks to go along with our reading. I have suggested a "Myra Wiggins Mojito" and a drink with ingredients that promise eternal youth called "The Alchemist." Please join us!

Interviewing the Publisher Behind White Pine Press: Dennis Maloney

I am a loyal fan of Dennis Maloney, founder and publisher of White Pine Press. At twenty-two, after returning from Japan, Dennis began publishing translations of Japanese poets into English --  typing up the poems on an IBM Selectric -- "the technology of the time" as Dennis explains here.

In view of full disclosure let me say: I am honored  to be a White Pine poet with all of my books published by Dennis. It's been a little over ten years since I first received his email with the subject hea...

We Are All Winners! The Editors' Choice Award - Broadsided Winner for My Alchemist Reading!!!

II am so happy to announce that this photograph (taken by staff photographer, Kelli Agodon) won the Editor's Choice Award at Broadsided Press for their Post-a-Thon. I love that this photo of friends Esther Helfgott, Martha Silano, and Linda Bowers (to name only a few) is now "famous." This group effort, this human broadside, this group of smiling people, allowed me to feel relaxed at my book launch because look at the positive energy that my friends and family -- along with a broadside...

Editors Choice: Broadsided Winner for My Alchemist Reading!!!

I I am so happy to announce that this photograph (taken by staff photographer, Kelli Agodon) won the Editor's Choice Award at Broadsided Press for their Post-a-Thon. I love that this photo of friends Esther Helfgott, Martha Silano, and Linda Bowers (to name only a few) is now "famous." This group effort, this human broadside, this group of smiling people, allowed me to feel relaxed at my book launch because look at the positive energy that my friends and family -- along with a broadside...