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Journeys of Reflection
45 is a captivating collection of poetry that shares with readers your exploration of balance, spirituality, and journey of personal growth. Why was this an important book for you to write?
I wanted to explore balance, spirituality, and personal growth because I believe that it is crucial for my self-awareness and fulfillment. Writing about these topics helped me clarify my thoughts and my understanding. I also wanted to inspire others on their own journeys of reflection, growth, and connection with oneself and the world around us.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this collection of poetry?
My ideas were self-discovery, purpose, and connection to the universe. I blended personal experiences with universal truths to help encourage readers to reflect and grow spiritually through poetic words. I also used religious concepts like karma, forgiveness and faith, moral dilemmas, spiritual journeys, and divine interventions.
What is one piece of advice someone gave you that changed your life?
Have faith and believe.
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when is that book due out?
I working on a poetry book about positive and negative energy. I believe that positive energy fosters joy, empathy, and harmonious connections. Negative energy leads to conflicts, stress, and misunderstandings. I believe that understanding these energies influences moods, personality, and thoughts. This book will be available by the end of this year.
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Exciting Life of Joe Sorenson
In Exciting Life of Joe Sorenson, Joe Sorenson masterfully narrates his personal stories and shares introspective poems, inviting readers to join him on a journey through the various stages of his life. He sheds light on his childhood struggle with an eye defect, detailing a treatment that left him with limited vision in his left eye and complete blindness in his right. Despite this significant challenge, Joe pursued a life of his own choosing with unwavering determination. Growing up in Saint Paul, Minnesota, Joe left home at 24 and moved to Worthington, Minnesota, in 1966 to live independently. His subsequent tales delve into his career choices and relationships, painting a vivid picture of his life’s milestones. From operating a retail stand in a post office to securing his dream job, falling in love, and enduring heart-wrenching loss, Joe’s stories are both compelling and inspiring.
I found Joe’s lyrical and engaging book thoroughly enjoyable. His poems and remembrances are rich with deep reflections and provoke thoughtful contemplation on life’s diverse experiences. Some poems are personal tributes, such as “A Tribute to My Dad” and a heartfelt homage to his mentally ill brother, Peter. Others explore various subjects, including mornings, learning braille, and the institution of marriage.
Exciting Life of Joe Sorenson captivates from start to finish, with Joe’s evocative experiences and relationships taking center stage. Despite their brevity, his recollections form a rich tapestry of intriguing themes that resonate deeply. For instance, his account of a long-distance relationship and the resulting heartbreak reminded me of my own similar experiences, sparking a profound connection with his writing. Joe emerges as an inspiring figure with an upbeat personality, undeterred by life’s challenges. His relentless pursuit of his dream job in radio and his efforts to sustain love despite distance showcase his remarkable determination. The author’s cheerful and expressive writing style, combined with his impressive acts of resilience, make this book an inspiring and energizing read.
Exciting Life of Joe Sorenson is a must-read for anyone who appreciates stories that highlight the importance of cherishing love, family, and following one’s dreams. Joe Sorenson’s life is a testament to the power of perseverance and the beauty of living authentically, making this book an unforgettable experience.
Pages: 59 | ASIN : B08STJL5FQ
The Dreamer and the Dreamed: Collected Poems of Joseph Leahey Vol 1
The Dreamer and the Dreamed, by Joseph Leahey, is an evocative collection of poems that delve into themes of queer love, memory, and self-discovery. Spanning decades from the 1980s through 2020, these poems offer glimpses into personal and global moments, including the profound impacts of the pandemic. Leahey’s poetry is deeply personal and reflective, presenting love and identity in a way that resonates with a wide audience.
The contemporary, intimate genre explores universal themes of love, life, and death, weaving them into a tapestry that speaks directly to the reader’s heart. A central focus of the collection is on queer love and the complexities of heartbreak. Leahey shares raw and emotional narratives about relationships, struggles, and the joys and pains experienced within the queer community. His use of clear and vivid language to express love, self-acceptance, and the yearning for connection renders the collection both touching and accessible.
The Dreamer and the Dreamed offers a heartfelt exploration of the poet’s journey through life and his search for love and meaning. It captures the essence of the universal human experience, appealing to anyone who has ever sought to understand themselves and the world around them. The collection takes readers on a beautiful journey through the peaks and valleys of love, encapsulating what it means to be deeply human and to love with intensity. The poems are crafted with a lyrical quality that often feels cinematic, akin to a film’s opening scene or the chorus of a song. Standout pieces like “Lover Boy,” which explores themes of loneliness and hopelessness among mere acquaintances, and “The Prayer Mat,” touching on grief, distress, and longing, are particularly moving. “Strange Boy” vividly captures a fleeting, yet powerful, interaction, with emotions almost bursting from the brief verses. Leahey excels at conveying the intense emotions and deep yearnings within his poems. While some pieces may not resonate equally with all readers due to stylistic differences, the collection as a whole reflects the poet’s profound emotional experience. The inclusion of titles referencing songs from the 1960s adds a nostalgic layer, enriching the reading experience and making the collection more profound.
Reminiscent of the work of Richard Siken, another queer poet exploring love and longing, The Dreamer and the Dreamed captures the essence of the human experience, making it a compelling and memorable read.
Pages: 130 | ASIN : B0CS96SWQS
Devotion to Chaos
CHAOS: Remnants of Ruptured Reflections is a collection of poetry that offers readers a reflective exploration of the omnipresent tug-of-war between order and chaos. What was the inspiration for this collection of poetry?
Fundamentally, Chaos (and Chaosophy) was the inspiration for this collection. It began the creative process and this collection is in some ways a bit of a sequel to my first release The Sibyl. My debut collection had a slightly extended investigation of chaos amongst other topics but this collection is more succinct. I also intended to create chaos within the readership of this text so it is a lot more pure than The Sibyl. The text may begin at either end of the book and then collapses into itself in the middle section. Chaos is ignored by many people in an everyday context but truly is the primordial condition of the spheres in which we operate and function in.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
The book examines themes in conflicting dichotomies that end up turning on each other within the poems. For instance, in “Virgin and Whore,” I write to turn the virgin into a whore and the whore into a goddess. Apart from some of the more obvious ones, life/death, reading/writing, and strength/weakness are explored in the poetry. Another interesting theme that was written about is the kinds of magic practitioners that are around today: the legitimate practitioners of magick vs. the ‘Wichstagram’ type practitioners who do it more for glamour and money than actual magick. Christian/Catholic themes and those of good and evil are also brought into question throughout the text.
I found the poem “Breath” especially meaningful and thought-provoking, shining a light on how fleeting life is. Do you have a favorite poem in this collection, if so, what is it that makes it stand out?
I am glad you enjoyed “Breath” as much as I enjoyed writing it. More than a poem about the awareness of being alive, it is ironically about the death of ego. My favourites from this collection are “A Wave of Words” and “The Warlock,” which is a personal hymn to the goddess Babalon.
What is one thing that you hope readers take away from CHAOS: Remnants of Ruptured Reflections?
It may be my hand that wrote this book, but I often feel that there are other forces that work through me. This book is not of my creation even though I physically worked to put this together. There are energies that need to communicate messages to the world through my mortal shell and by my name. I am not certain what messages were intended for the readers but on a personal level, I hope that my poetry is enjoyed over and over again. Perhaps some of the poetry might inspire thought or even devotion to Chaos.
While reading this text, it is hoped that readers do not read the poems in a traditional manner. Instead, readers should experience the chaos and partake of the words and themes in a disorderly fashion.
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CHAOS: Remnants of Ruptured Reflections
In CHAOS: Remnants of Ruptured Reflections, Hamant Singh offers a reflective exploration of the omnipresent tug-of-war between order and chaos. This poetry collection, rich in symbolism and mysticism, encourages readers to consider how our emotions similarly navigate this continuum amidst life’s inevitable changes. Structured into three segments—Head, Chaos, and Tail—the book traverses themes from dreams to fears, employing language as a tool to guide us between enlightenment and the dark corners of societal injustices.
Singh’s fearless approach to truth-telling is commendable; he opts for clarity and directness over subtlety. His poem “Sheep” exemplifies this, probing the dynamics of care and control between shepherds and sheep while subtly discussing themes of obedience and rebellion. The poems generally employ this technique, blending perspectives to forge new insights into familiar dilemmas, thus revealing the intricate interplay of opposing forces within human nature. While the collection occasionally adopts a robust tone and confronts with blunt ideas, Singh acknowledges the provocative nature of his work, inviting readers to delve deeper than the surface. The conciseness of his expression, where each word is meticulously selected, suits readers ready to face stark realities and engage with a world where unpredictability is the norm. This book is a compelling and energetic read that does not hesitate to place life, death, and resilience on the same spectrum, offering a balanced reflection on the existential constants that shape our experiences.
CHAOS: Remnants of Ruptured Reflections serves as a mirror to the complexities of the human experience, artfully weaving the abstract with the tangible. Through his vivid imagery and thought-provoking themes, Hamant Singh crafts a poetry collection that challenges readers to embrace the multifaceted nature of life itself. This work is an invitation to those who are ready to engage deeply with their internal and external worlds, offering a unique perspective on the delicate balance between chaos and order that defines our existence.
Pages: 28 | ASIN : B0D1WS8LQ9
Tranquility, Peace, and Love
Love and Nature/Amor y Naturaleza is a collection of bilingual poetry centered around the themes of love, nature, and fantasy presented in both Spanish and English. What inspired you to write this collection?
What inspired me is found within the title of the book. Recalling feelings and emotions of love inspired me. Being in and analyzing nature and my surroundings inspired me. Love and nature are universal subjects and thus I wanted my first book to have themes that a large number of people could relate to. Life itself and all of my experiences inspired me to create this. God himself and the universe inspired me. I wrote this book out of a place of tranquility, peace, and love hoping to elicit positive emotions for the readers.
Do you have a selection within this collection that particularly resonates with you?
It’s hard to pick a favorite one, now I know how it feels when I ask my friends which one is their favorite. One of my favorites would have to be Like The Earth. Love and nature are found within the earth itself. A true love is nurturing and kind just how the earth is described in the poem. I remember enjoying trying to come up with the similarities found within love, a woman, and earth. I think it shows how we are connected to earth and nature in a deeper way, a way which we many times overlook or don’t even think about.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore within your poetry?
For me, the important themes were love, nature, reflection, analyzation, self-reflection, self-love, and connectivity to nature. We get so caught up being on the hamster wheel of life and in the bustle of life that we forget to slow down and take in the beauty of life and nature. Although life can be hard and is not always peaches and cream it is important to be grateful for the beauty and the positive things around us. This is something I hope my readers can relate to.
Can readers look forward to more from you soon? What are you currently working on?
I would like to think that writers and poets are always writing and brainstorming. I will continue to write poetry, and I have ideas on what my next book will be. I can’t say exactly what my next poetry book will entail but I can ensure that there will be more poems as this first book was a relatively short read. Before writing my next book I would like to feel content with the amount of support I have received with my current book. Even if it does not get the amount of support I want I will most likely still release another book as I believe it is important to create things and share your thoughts, feelings, and emotions and connect with other people. Connecting with others is what makes us human after all.
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El libro es una colección de poemas escritos en la naturaleza o mientras la observábamos. El libro se inspira en los fuertes sentimientos que pueden suscitarse cuando amamos a alguien o incluso en cómo nos sentimos cuando somos conscientes de cómo nos amamos a nosotros mismos. Es una inspiración de la belleza que se encuentra en la naturaleza y también de los pensamientos, sentimientos y emociones que se derivan de estar enraizados en ella. El libro incluye algunas metáforas que explican cómo experimentamos los sentimientos de amor. Finalmente, el libro incluye la intersección entre naturaleza y amor y cómo el amor puede encontrarse en la naturaleza. El autor espera conectar con los lectores, ya que el amor y la naturaleza son universales y, por ello, espera que el lector se sienta identificado con algunas de las palabras escritas en este breve libro. Si el autor es capaz de suscitar un pensamiento, un sentimiento o una conexión con cada lector, entonces ha hecho su trabajo.
It Started with a 1968 Impala
Automobilia is an anthology of short stories and poems that use automobiles as a central motif to explore a tapestry of human experiences. What was the inspiration for the original and fascinating idea at the center of the book?
I’ve loved automobiles since the day my father bought a new 1968 Impala from a dealer and drove it home. I was seven years old. He pulled into the driveway with the shiny, big car and it was a huge moment of excitement for the family. I still have that car today. In my early years of writing–when I was learning how to write a good story or poem–I had experiences related to automobiles that made me write about them. One was a poem I wrote about a high school acquaintance who was killed in an automobile crash just a few years after our graduation. A few years later I had a dream about someone killed by an automobile. And then I read a poem in a copy of Modern Maturity magazine that featured a writer’s memory of being a boy riding in the backseat of the family car, watching the moon following along on the ride. Those three things made me think that assembling an anthology of stories (and poems) by others featuring the automobile might be a cool idea that some readers might enjoy.
What were some goals you set for yourself as the editor of this book?
I wanted to assemble a collection of stories featuring automobiles as an integral part of the plot from famous or established authors like Matheson, Finney, and Nolan, along with newer writers. I also included some poems because the first professional sales I made as a new writer were poems to a couple science fiction and horror magazines. Stories from all genres were welcome in the anthology — from mainstream to science fiction to ghost stories — since the automobile is such an influential technology on the planet. Just about every perspective for a possible story can be connected to an automobile.
What was the process you used to collect the stories and poems for this collection and then narrow them down?
First, I set about looking for stories from known writers I might be able to buy reprint rights from. Each of those authors–or their agents for those no longer living–were very accommodating. I cannot thank them enough. Then I issue a call-for-submissions to the major writer’s markets listed on the internet, like Duotrope. I believe in paying writers (since I’m a writer too) a fair wage for their work. So, I offered the Science Fiction Writers Association per-word minimum at the time, which was eight cents per word and a dollar a line for poems.
I hope the series continues in other books. If so, where will the next anthology take readers?
Thank you for that good hope! There were so many GOOD stories featuring automobiles I could not get the rights to or include in a single volume I plan to publish two more anthologies featuring autos to make a trilogy. Right now, however, I already have a call for submissions out for the next two thematic anthologies. One is ALIENS AMONG US and the other is TRAIN TALES. I’m open for submissions for those until November 30, 2024. I’m paying a little more this time: 10 cents per word and $2 per line for poems. Publication for both books is planned for the first quarter of 2025.
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41 stories • 9 poemsSince the first automobiles rolled down a street, the range of human emotions attached to these machines has run from love to hate, humor to horror, joy to sadness. This book is a sampling of how fiction writers have viewed the automobile, from yesteryear to tomorrow.
Famous writers, experienced story tellers, and new literary voices are mixed together between these covers.
Automobilia is the first in a trilogy of stories and poems featuring that one machine that has changed the face of the earth, for the good and for the bad…the automobile.
Authors include: Jack Finney, George Clayton Johnson, Richard Christian Matheson, Richard Matheson, J. P. Seewald, Bruce Boston, Marge Simon, Kevin David Anderson, Katherine Tomlinson, James S. Dorr, William F. Nolan, Dean Wild, Sarah Key, Robbie Sheerin, and J.R. Hayslett, among many others.
God Got Me Too
God Got Me Too is a collection of poems narrating the poignant journey of a man named Jason, grappling with depression, suicidal thoughts, and anxiety. As the narrative unfolds, Jason finds a respite and burgeoning hope through his faith. The opening stanzas vividly depict his mental turmoil and desperate pleas for divine intervention. He seeks solace in prayer and scripture, oscillating between profound despair and a strengthening faith.
The poems artfully transition between Jason’s internal struggles and his experiences of divine presence, which imbue him with the strength to persevere. A particularly striking moment occurs when Jason witnesses a Bible that miraculously burns without being consumed, symbolizing God’s enduring presence and guidance. As Jason’s spiritual journey progresses, his poems reflect a transformation from overwhelming darkness to a trusting reliance on divine mercy. His narrative is a testament to the power of faith to offer not just solace but also a renewed sense of purpose.
Through intimate dialogues with God, revealed in verse, Jason shares his battles, aspirations, and the profound impact of his faith. For readers of faith, this collection serves as a reminder of the steadfast love and support of the divine, even through the darkest times. Jason’s story, rendered through his deeply personal and evocative poetry, offers hope and encouragement to anyone facing their own moments of darkness, emphasizing the redemptive power of faith and the possibility of finding peace amidst turmoil.
Jason’s poetic narrative is a heartfelt reminder that hope and renewal can emerge even from the depths of despair. His journey encourages us to seek out our own paths to healing and reminds us that we are never alone in our struggles. God Got Me Too is not just a set of poems, but a beacon of hope for anyone searching for light in the shadows of life.
Pages: 117 | ASIN : B0CD8N17F2
LITERARY TITAN 