Poetry Blogging Network for 2019

Who Wants to Record a Poem of Mine?

    One of the joys of the poet's life is when friends/readers want to record one of your poems. I have been so blessed, but would like some more examples. If you would like to, contact me here in a comment, find me on Facebook, or e-mail me at aturfa@aol.com, and we can make it happen one way or another.

    Audrey Keel does a fantastic rendition from Places and Times, eLectio Publishing, ©2015

https://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=rT8dkR9xeh8

    Thanks, Audrey! 

Prince Charles' Musical Tastes

   I am not the only one with wide-ranginf and eclectic musical tastes! The Prince also says some importa nt things about arts education.

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/dec/26/prince-charles-i-find-leonard-cohen-music-bbc-radio-3

RIP:, Paddy Ashdown

On this page I post different types of things. Reflecting on the current political crises in the USA, UK,. Germany, France, Eastern Europe, and elsehwere, good leaders are needed. The UK lost one today. 
Years ago a Penn State radio buddy who had studied in the UK told me the Liberals were the only sensible party, but had no chance. The Liberal Democrats under Paddy Ashdown bucked that trend; he himself gave solid leadrship and was respected by other parties.
To many Americans, "Liberal" is a dirty word, once that sets them into fits and causes even the more eloquent among them to sputter.
Paddy defied that stereotype. A Royal Marine commando with combat experience, he was a linquist and diplomant. . No one party owns patriotism. Rest in peace, Lord Ashdown. https://www.theguardian.com/…/22/paddy-lord-ashdown-obituary

  I posted this on my Facebook "Gemini" page. Here I look at more than one of my poetry books or things poetic.  If you are so inclined, please come over and check out the page, as well as my others!

https://www.facebook.com/GeminiTurfa/?modal=admin_todo_tour

Interview With Author Esther Rabbit

    Being a writer in any genre puts you in contact with other writers from a wide range of genres, styles, and locations. It is my pleasure to intriduce you to Esther Rabbit!

- Arthur Turfa

Introduction to the interview:

Esther Rabbit is the author of Paranormal Romance, Lost in Amber, digital marketing specialist, and content creator for upcoming authors.

Find Esther on:

Author Website: https://estherrabbit.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rabbit_esther or @rabbit_esther

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/esther.rabbit/ or @esther.rabbit

1. What is your favorite genre to read?

I try to read as much as I can in all genres, but my heart always gets a tingle when I read Fantasy/Fiction novels. Escaping in an imaginary world and living the adventures of entertaining characters is a dream I like to keep living.

I love real life, but when I read, there’s room for a little magic.

2. What separates you from the myriad of writers out there?

To be honest with you, I think all writers are hardworking individuals creating magic with their imagination. My aim is to add value to the writing community by assisting upcoming and veteran authors in their endeavors.

It’s true I’m on a double mission, on one hand I write for the reading community, all those curious eyes who need to fall in love with a story and identify with its characters as they embark on their next adventure – a cocktail of fiction, supernatural and romance.

On the other hand, I write for the writing community who wants to get better at the craft.

I put together a selection of articles meant to help writers with their struggles, such as: how to write your first draft, how to work with a professional editor, how to approach book cover design and so on.

The writing industry is constantly evolving, new tools are becoming available every day and I plan on testing them out in my quest of helping authors waste the minimum amount of time with their research, and concentrate on their books.

3. What challenges have you had in publishing or in your life as a writer?

I’ll risk being repetitive, but research has been the longest, scariest part out there.

Google is an ocean of information, but we have to simplify this information as much as possible because as it is right now, to avoid going bankrupt, an author needs to encompass a multitude of professions.

A writer today must be:

·        A Professional Editor

·        Skilled in Photoshop or online tools for Book Cover Design

·        Skilled in formatting a novel in Word or In Design

·        A Digital Marketing Specialist and professional Blogger

·        Savvy at knowing where to publish and when to promote their book

By the time you finish your novel, you realize it’s not enough being a writer, but you have to become all these professionals in one and that is both expensive and terrifying. For me at least, it’s been all of these things at the beginning.

If we want quality writing, authors need to be helped throughout their journey, so this is my second mission after writing.

If you’re curious, you can visit my guide From Writing to Publishing here: https://estherrabbit.com/category/writing-publishing/

4. Tell me about your friendships with fellow authors.

The strength of a beginner author lies in the community. Before and after people get to know author you, they must know person you.

I encourage all authors to give more than they expect to receive, to help and support other writers by doing guest posts, interviews, retweeting, sharing and getting involved.

Support nowadays has to be mutual, so if you’re an author and you’re reading this, feel free to contact me, I’d love to promote your work!

I used to Beta Read for free for years and I’ve had the pleasure to work with both little and big names of the industry.

The very best part is the fact that I got to know heaps of amazing people from whom I’ve learned so much and some of these professional relationships have evolved into friendships.

5. How do you find the time to write and promote?

I’m a dedicated workaholic with everything it entails, I never procrastinate and take everything seriously. As easy as that.

Marketing is a craft any writer needs to learn eventually. Whether you’re a traditionally published or self-published author, you still need to do the work.

There are tips and tricks, strategies to be followed, so if you’re naturally curious and you keep yourself updated, you’re on the right path.

As far as I’m concerned, paid promotion has to happen after your book has received enough reviews to have credibility on the market.

Regular promotion needs to happen in the months prior to your book launch, just to stir curiosity among readers of your genre and make some noise to be seen among others of your kind on Goodreads and Social Media.

Last but not least, I’d like to thank you for taking the time to read this interview and I wish you all the best in your endeavors!

As Walt Whitman Lay Dying.....

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/18/books/walt-whitman-final-death-illness-archives.html?action=click&module=Features&pgtype=Homepage

America's greatest poet.......

Four poetry books

From top left, and then counter-clockwise:
Places and Tkmes, eLectio Publishing ©2015

Accents, Amazon KDP, ©2017

Saluda Reflections, Finishing Line Press, ©2018

Gemini, Broad River Books, ©2018

Reminder about my poetry books

As if you needed one, I know! But new people come here all the time.

"Places and Times" appeared in 2015 from eLectio Publishing. This is my first book, and one dear to me for that reason.

I was thrilled to see this come to light, and it contains some of my favorite poems. The artwork, as always, is by the talented Carol Worthington-Levy, a friend of mine for many years.

https://www.electiopublishing.com/bookstore/  Type in my name!

http://worthington-levy.com/

Thanks!

A Storm Like None Other- Ach!

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/05/world/europe/merkel-storm-translation-germany.html

I am surprised that German has to equivalent, given their use of the s-word. Oh well. Interesting that John Irving coined it about Günter Grass- two of my favorite authors. 

Poem from "Places and Times"

https://soundcloud.com/arthur-turfa-1/the-conversation-take-2

A poem about recognizing that while some things change, others never will.

"Gemini" from Broad River Books

http://muddyfordpress.com/broad-river-books/

Buy it directly from the publisher! Thanks! In this book I look at the dualities in my life, and how I (not merely by my own doing) used them to enhance my life.

From "Places and Times"...a Quartet of Books for Gifts

https://soundcloud.com/arthur-turfa-1/audio-recording-on-thursday

A recording of a well-received poem from my first book.

All four books are available at the usual places, and also from the publishers!

eLectio Publishing

Finishing Line Press

Amazon KDP

Broad River Books (part of Muddy Ford Press)

From "Places and Times", a Soundcloud Recording

https://soundcloud.com/arthur-turfa-1/the-island

Check out my other tracks there if you wish! Thanks!

Orange County is dead! Long Live Orange County!

http://www.latimes.com/opinion/op-ed/la-oe-arellano-orange-county-obit-20181107-story.html

   When my wife saw this, she shared the link with me. I lived in Orange County so long ago that Jerry Brown was governor of California the first time.

   In Summer of 1975 I was a graduate student in German at the University of California -Berkeley. Originally I had agreed to go to Georgetown University, get a Master's in German Linguistics (I was an remain a literature person), and then ease into he federal bureaucracy.  But California was a dream for many of us then, and my sense of adventure found my on a red-eye flight in the last week in 1974.

   Graduate school was challenging in every way, and so was Berkeley. With my coming in the middle of the academic year, there was no hope of a teaching assistantship. In the late Spring I found myself the eighth alternate for ten spots. People even split them, two each taking a half. I began to despair. Here I was, wanting to teach, and not being offered a chance to see if I would be any good at it.

  I spoke with some friends about how one could transfer with some honor. one day someone told me that a professor from UC-Irvine was offering teaching assistantships. I asked where Irvine was, and recoiled when I heard "Orange County".

  The home of conservative Republicans, old-fashioned values. I thought I wold end up imprisoned or worse. But my practical nature told me to try it anyway.  Why not get some experience in teaching? I was assured that I could return to Berkeley. Whether or not I could have was besides the point. I needed to hear that, even if it was not true. My other options were to return to Pennsylvania and work in the cement plant, join the Navy, or try to work for an alternative newspaper.

  I needed two things for Orange County: a car and a community outside of academia. My father bought a 72 Duster back home, and my brother drove it out to me. I had reconnected with organized religion, Lutheranism (I had taken a Luther course and had checked out the student chapel). I found an unconventional Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod parish that accepted me, nurtured me, and where I received the call to ordained ministry, Sadly, St. Matthew's did not exist long.

  In the Orange County of 1975-1977, I was exotic. People thought I was Italian, and were amazed to find I was Hungarian. Really different form home! Also different was that all of the towns looked the same! Thank goodness they had signage like "Garden Grove City Limits". I was used to ethnic/economics variations. Not so in the OC.

   I discovered that teaching was fun, and that altough I had some things to learn, and still do, I was okay at it. While I did not spend a lot of time on the beaches or in the mountains,  did some exploring.We found a nice English pub in some double wide trailers, the shops and bars of "Fascist Island" (really Fashion Island). As long as the facade of respectability was maintained, we could do what we wished. My California Girl came from Hong Kong!

   In the OC I saw my first Community Church, and still shake my head at what it's all about. We survived disco by checking into the Hotel California. I saw the Kinks on campus. More importantly, I kept my values and made strides in becoming an adult.

   OC/California appears in my poetry now and then. I've been back for two Annual Trainings when I was in the New Mexico National Guard, and had no desire to return. My wife even had a job offer in San Bernardino, but she took one in Pennsylvania instead.

   But the article linked above shows the shift politically and culturally. And it's all right.

   

Local Author Showcase-Richland County Main Library

Some pictures from today's event. It was a nice time!

https://manicsylph.wordpress.com/2018/11/05/poetry-review-saluda-reflections-by-arthur-turfa/amp/?__twitter_impression=true

A wonderful review of Saluda Reflections  by Manic Sylph. I am so humbled and honored! Thanks so very much!

https://www.poets.org/poetsorg/poem-day?gclid=CjwKCAjwsfreBRB9EiwAikSUHR2FywshAxUkWH5y2LRsWtjIT0_GmlEjDXPjb_KaKTn31sBMq8zYGBoCxNcQAvD_BwE

2LT Wilfred Owen died exactly 100 years ago this day, a week before the Armistice. His better-known Dulce et decorum Est can easily be found, so I will not provide a link. I enjoy teaching that one in my college classes.

I am also working on a poem about my great-uncle Edmond Schollaert, who was wounded in October 1918 and died two weeks after the Armistice.

A movie about Owen and Sassoon's war experience- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regeneration_(1997_film)

Two events next week!

First time at this, but not my first time in the renovated library!

https://www.richlandlibrary.com/inform/eat-local-read-local?fbclid=IwAR09A3VUSuIv4FHoaIIKuZoqUogNqrvKGEJlJEqVXAMX8WctEqOOUCttknw

Great venue...my seconf home, almost!
https://www.facebook.com/events/525345544555180/

All four poetyr books available!

Can/t make these?

https://www.amazon.com/Books-Arthur-Turfa/s?ie=UTF8&page=1&rh=n%3A283155%2Cp_27%3AArthur%20Turfa

Or contact me!

Thanks!

Upcoming events

https://twitter.com/accessfreely/status/1052923174826983425

These will be relaxing times. Indoors, minimal set up, being with friends, and on November 10, lots of good hot tea!

Two local events- November 7 & 10

https://twitter.com/accessfreely/status/1052923174826983425

https://www.facebook.com/markettearoom/photos/gm.525345567888511/2180748002197533/?type=3&theater

Two upcoming local events.....all four poetry books available.

Praise for "Saluda Reflections" on Twitter

https://twitter.com/NovelDianne/status/1053468521156567040

Tisiphone Nyx was one of the first to pre-order the book from Finishing Line Press. Imagine how thrilled I was to see this tweet!

https://www.richlandlibrary.com/inform/eat-local-read-local

https://www.facebook.com/ArthurTurfa/videos/2016717851750358/

Two events within days of each other in November!

https://www.amazon.com/Books-Arthur-Turfa/s?ie=UTF8&page=1&rh=n%3A283155%2Cp_27%3AArthur%20Turfa

If you cannot come, see all my books at one place! Thanks!

Back to Aiken for Indie Author Day

   In a way Aiken, SC, has become a second literary home for me. This will be my third time at this event. Previously I have been on a panel as well. I have also been at three Wine & Signs with Diann Shaddox and the Essential Tremor Foundation. 

   Once Hurricane MichaelSaluda Reflections from Finishing Line Press, Gemini from Broad River Books, Accentsfrom Amazon KDP, and Places and Times from eLectio Publishing. These are small presses, and as such allow me to participate in an Indie Author gathering. 

passes through (rain as I write this), things will calm down and the event will go on. I will have all four poetry books there::

I will be back here for the third time this coming Saturday, 13 October. All four poetry books of mine will be available. Come and see the other authors and friends of books!
Aiken Public Library, Aiken, SC, 10 am-5:30 pm.  http://www.abbe-lib.org/locations/aiken-county-public-library/

Some pictures from yesterday's spectacular Rosewood Art & Music Festival in Columbia, SC. I am with fellow poet and friend John Starino (in the one with us both wearing hats), and some new friends who took home signed copies. 

https://www.facebook.com/GeminiTurfa/?modal=admin_todo_tour

    I started a new page on Facebook? Why, you might wonder?  My third book of poetry Gemini. is from Broad River Press. True to its name, the new page will double as a forum for literary and artistic thoughts as I have them. Like it, read, share the link, and let me hear from toy? Gemini is available from the usual vendors, and from the publisher.

One Week from Rosewood Art & Music Festival in Columbia, SC

https://www.facebook.com/ArthurTurfa/videos/1172094706281329/

Video for next week's event! 

Rosewood Art & Music Festival 2018

http://rosewoodfestival.com/artists-2-2/2018-artist-gallery/

All four poetry books available!

Here is a link to the artists appearing at the Rosewood Art & Music Festival, September 39. 11a-7p,

• Location:
  Rockaways
  2719 Rosewood Drive
  Columbia, SC 29205
• 
  

Market Tea Room November 7

https://m.facebook.com/events/525345544555180?acontext=%7B"ref"%3A"3"%2C"action_history"%3A"null"%7D&aref=3

West Columbia Launch for Saluda Reflections-  plenty of fine teas and tasty treats available!

Arts in the Heart of Augusta Still Going on Sunday, 9/16

    Fantastic event! Stop by the Author's Alley at the Book Tavern, 936 Broad Street, and see the authors on for today. And go inside the bookstore itself! Signed copies of Saluda Reflections are there also

.

Going 24 hours earlier was good in all ways

https://www.facebook.com/ArthurTurfa/

     Awesome time in Augusta as Florence loomed next door over South Carolina!  met some fabulous people, strengthened by status as a regional poet, and left some signed copies behind.

   

Going to Augusta TODAY!

    Due to Florence's coming, I switched my day to be in Author's Alley at the Book Tavern for Arts in the Heart of Aiken. Thanks, Book Tavern!  I will still be there from 5pm-8pm, but TODAY, September 14th, NOT the 15th!

    All four poetry books will be available. With any luck, I can leave some of what I do not sell behind!

First Review of "Saluda Reflections"

Marie Lentz

5.0 out of 5 starsBeautiful expressions of nature!

September 3, 2018

Format: Paperback

Saluda Reflections brings nature into each poem. As I read each poem, I could clearly visualize the words. I especially liked “One Morning You Will Decide” because, there were times in my life I simply wanted to be spontaneous by packing a bag and drive off to an unexpected place to enjoy my love’s company. I could picture us driving off all the while enjoying the natural beauty around us as well as touching your heart. The book is well-worth the read because it takes you places as you read each poem. Arthur is truly a gifted writer!

Who's next? 

This has been a real delight in a week dominated by Hurricane Florence's approach. Some of my events this weekend might be cancelled or postponed. 

At Author's Alley-Book Tavern, Arts in the Heart of Augusta 9/15, 5p-8p

https://www.facebook.com/thebooktavern/photos/gm.1917518961884070/10156727682885742/?type=3&theater

   Going back to this event in Augusta, GA, with all four poetry

books!One week from today!

Ask me a Question, here or on Facebook!

https://www.facebook.com/ArthurTurfa/photos/a.166793727338449/234877123863442/?type=3&theater

A Tribute to a Hard-Working Man

 

  I believe his given name was James Douglas. Out of respect we all called him Cap'n. When I met him he was in his 70s, and still working despite a bad back. He worked his own machine at Resco Products, Inc., along the banks of the Schuylkill River between Conshohocken and Norristown, just outside Philadelphia. We made heat-resistant cement to line tanks and pipes in refineries. 

     The Cap'n actually worked for the Labor Pool, located at 4^th and Girard Streets in Philly. Like several other people I worked with, he migrated from the South (in his case South Carolina or Virginia) with thousands of African-Americans in the 1940s.

   He always had a smile, a kind word, and everyone’s respect. The poem is form Saluda Reflections, from Finishing Line Press.

https://soundcloud.com/arthur-turfa-1/sounds-from-wednesday

A Must-Read Column from Paul Krugman

    I sensed something was wrong a few years back, and Krugman confirms my hunch. Hungary is the homeland for my father's side of the family, and I enjoyed my visit there in 2004.

    Krugman is also correct about such things happening here. May we work to prevent that!

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/27/opinion/trump-republican-party-authoritarianism.html

ATLANTIC article on Poetry- from the Spetember 2018 Issue

   
   Regular reads of this blog know I love the Atlantic.When I saw this article, i made sure to read it. The issue came as high school classes began, so I was busy.

    On the whole it is an excellent article, and I like it very much. Whenever I teach poetry (sadly my class at the local two-year school where I adjunct did not make) I look for good poems from poets who come from various backgrounds. While that is hard to do sometimes, I may look for some who were neglected; these are whites from a Western background,

    As everything in America appears to be polarized these days, poetry is also. I do not see anything that is pro-Trump, for instance, but there may be some. In poetry the fault line seems to be between slam poetry and the rest of us.

   I have been called a "page poet". It was not meant as an insult, but there is a competition. I am not necessarily against slam. After all, I like to read in public and think I am rather good at it. In my educational and ecclesiastical careers, I know about poise, etc. But a lot of slam is just for show, and the poems are not always......poetic.

   Putting a poem, even a not very good one, one a meme, or with music and/or a picture, is not something that I like. Those things are forbidden in the one Google poetry group where I am a moderator, and for god reason.

   All in all it is good that people are interested more these days in poetry, especially youth. Let's hope they are interested in learning more, and not having it be all about them.... 




   https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2018/09/chen-chen-aziza-barnes-layli-long-soldier/565781/

Book Tavern- Author's Alley at Arts in the Heart of Augusta 14-16 September

https://www.facebook.com/events/1917453045223995/

Scroll down to details. It will expand and you can see that I am there on Saturday, September 15, from 5-8pm. I will have all four poetry books available.  Come and see the other writers and me! Thanks!

Return to the Rosewood Art & Music Festival

     A few years back I had a wonderful time at this event, and a poem resulted from the experience. One year we had a horrible flood in South Carolina, which we are only recently recovered from with respect to repairing roads and bridges.

     Looking at the bottom of the Participant's Badge, some might wonder what I am doing there. "Southern Arts and Culture? But you're from Pennsylvania!"

     That's true. but I spent three years in Virginia, and have lived (and paid taxes) in South Carolina for thirteen years. I am not interested in discussing ethnicity, place of birth, talking about the Civil War, or anything of the sort. I am married to a Southerner.

     But this is what I will talk about. My poems have been for the most part written in the South. Here there is a strong sense of place, and while that is not unique to these parts, I resonate to it. A few years back I asked in a Facebook group if one can be considered a Southern writer without having been born here. The overwhelming answer was "no", usually but not always politely stated. One reply said it all depended on marketing.

     I am comfortable here, and quite frankly would not want to face another winter in the North or Midwest. So in the South I live, write, and enjoy life. Saluda Reflections, my latest book of poetry, from Finishing Line Press, is named after the beautiful county where we live.

My Quartet of Poetry Books

https://www.facebook.com/ArthurTurfa/videos/219314942086327/

Video with all four poetry books

Accents now has a video......now on Amzazon Kindle Direct Publishing in both paperback and e-books!

https://www.facebook.com/AccentsTurfa/videos/693375984344608/?modal=admin_todo_tour