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.