How to Get Your Book Reviewed, Living in Hospitals, and Hoping for Better

Hummingbird in last fuchsias

Living in Hospitals, Missing My Muse

Sorry to have been absent so much, my friends. Unfortunately, I was recently (up til the last few hours) in the hospital. And I’ve been in the hospital more than out in the last few weeks. Short version: can’t seem to keep down food, doctors don’t know if it’s because of brain problems or GI problems, but it’s certainly gotten old in a hurry. I have talked more to doctors lately than my muse, and I have more needle marks in my arms from the last month than, well, seems entirely wholesome. I have missed thinking about you, about poetry, about the beauties of nature (although the view of trees from my hospital did help.)

I am hopeful that after this last hospitalization I will be at least on track to being better and able to do more that I love. I love this season, and I have already missed too much of Seattle’s shy and brief fall beauties. Not to mention writing, editing, and reading time. Please, I know you all have troubles, but if you have some spare prayers or good wishes, send them my way.

How to Get Your Poetry Book Reviewed

While I was away, Trish Hopkinson kindly hosted a blog post of mine about the most frequently asked question I get at presentation on PR for Poets, and that is, “How do I get my poetry book reviewed?”

A challenging topic to answer in just a few bon mots in a presentation, so here is a longer form answer; I hope it is helpful to you, but if you have any extra advice, please leave a comment at her blog or here at mine! I’m always learning and certainly could always use more reviews of my books, LOL.

Hoping for Better

Yes, I’m hoping to turn a corner on the health front, but until then, I may be a little slower getting back to people (lots of doctor appointments, and the drugs I’m on right now to contain nausea don’t exactly make me the sharpest.) September is a wonderful time to read and discover poetry, to write, and to celebrate poetry by going out to readings, book launches, etc. I miss going to bookstores and readings.  I’m sorry I’ve been so isolated lately. I do hope you all forgive me if I continue to be away more than here for a while. When you see me next, hopefully my brain and internal systems will be functioning more normally. Halloween is around the corner, which is one of Glenn’s favorite holidays. He’s been so great at taking care of me while I’ve been barely humanish and a great deal of trouble, so I hope to make it as festive as possible around here. There’s my raven headband for luck!