Tag Archives: dalliance a collection of poetry and prose

Reread, Reread And Reread Again

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You have spent eons polishing that poem. Read it through until the words swim like spectres before your eyes and, finally, being satisfied with the results of your labour pressed publish. What a feeling of satisfaction at a job well done flows through one when one’s perfectly crafted words our out there for the great reading public to pour over. A few days later you sit down and reread your pearls of wisdom. Oops your writing which seemed to constitute perfection personified suddenly reveals imperfections.
To take an example from my own work. Below is my poem “Fire” rendered twice. The first rendering appeared on this blog, newauthoronline.com and the second (polished) rewrite can be found in “Dalliance; A Collection of Poetry and Prose”.

Fire As It Appeared On Newauthoronline:

“I have felt the fire at midnight’s hour

It kindles brightly and sinks within the hour.

I have gazed at embers dying fast

Looked into the future and gazed into the past

I have raked the ashes cold, felt the bleakness in my soul”.

Fire As Published in “Dalliance: A Collection of Poetry and Prose”:

“I have felt the fire’s power;
It kindles brightly and sinks within the hour.
I have watched the embers dying fast;
Looked into the future and gazed into the past.
I have raked the ashes cold, felt the bleakness in my soul”.

In the first rendering the word “hour appears in the first and second lines while, in the second (rewrite)it is replaced by “power” in the first line. Again, in the original version the word “gazed” appears in lines 3 and 4 while, in the poem as published in “Dalliance” it is changed (in line 3 to “watched”, with “gazed” shown in line 4 only. Word repetition has a place in poetry. However in “Fire” the utilisation of “hour” and “gazed” so close together served to render my poem less than perfect, hence the rewrite.
Most of my writing takes place during daylight when my brain is firing on all cylinders. “Fire” was, if memory serves written during late evening which may explain in part at least the excessive repetition employed in the poem. The lesson I draw from all this is the importance of writing when one’s brain is at it’s sharpest or, if writing does take place when sleep is calling put one’s creation to one side and revisit it when the mind is fresh. Finally reread, reread and reread again.

For “Fire” as it appeared on my blog please go to (http://newauthoronline.com/2015/03/14/fire/). For “Dalliance; A Collection of Poetry and Prose” please visit (http://www.amazon.com/Dalliance-collection-poetry-prose-Morris-ebook/dp/B00QQVJC7E).

Kevin

‘Dalliance; a collection of poetry and prose’ by K Morris is available to borrow from Liverpool Libraries

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As those of you who follow this blog will know, I am originally from that great sea-faring city Liverpool. I moved to London in 1994 but retain a tremendous affection for the city of my birth. I was therefore delighted to receive a letter from Liverpool Libraries confirming that my book, ‘Dalliance; a collection of poetry and prose’, has been added to the shelves of the Central and Parklands [Speke] libraries. I am pleased that the people of Liverpool will have the opportunity to read my book.

‘Dalliance’ is available in both print and ebook formats. For the ebook please go to: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Dalliance-collection-poetry-prose-Morris-ebook/dp/B00QQVJC7E for the UK and http://www.amazon.com/Dalliance-collection-poetry-prose-Morris-ebook/dp/B00QQVJC7E for the US. For inquiries regarding the print edition please contact me at newauthoronline ( at ) gmail . com

How To Get Your Poetry Published

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A good article on the Poetry Book Society’s website about how to get your poetry published, (http://www.poetrybooks.co.uk/poetry_portal/getting_your_poetry_published).

My book, “Dalliance; A Collection of Poetry and Prose” was self-published using Amazon and can be found here, (http://www.amazon.com/Dalliance-collection-poetry-prose-Morris-ebook/dp/B00QQVJC7E). A print edition is also available and can be obtained by contacting me via newauthoronline (at) gmail dot com.

 

Kevin

In Praise Of My Local Bookshop

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I am delighted to announce that my local independent bookshop, The Bookseller Crow (http://booksellercrow.co.uk/) informed me today that they will stock my book, “Dalliance; A Collection of Poetry and Prose”. I had popped in with a copy several weeks ago and was uncertain as to whether The Bookseller Crow would be prepared to take “Dalliance”. However, nothing ventured, nothing gained and, in this case venturing into my local independent book store paid off. I am excited that my book will soon be available for the people of Upper Norwood to browse and (hopefully) purchase.

 

“Dalliance” is available in both print and ebook format. For enquiries regarding the print edition please email me at newauthoronline (at) gmail dot com. To download the ebook please go to http://www.amazon.co.uk/Dalliance-collection-poetry-prose-Morris-ebook/dp/B00QQVJC7E (for the UK) or http://www.amazon.com/Dalliance-collection-poetry-prose-Morris-ebook/dp/B00QQVJC7E (for the rest of the world).

 

Kevin

The Author/Editor Dynamic

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Several days ago, while travelling by train I fell into conversation with a lady. Our interaction began by her admiring my guide dog, Trigger and proceeded on to a discussion of our respective occupations. It transpired that my companion was an editor for a small publisher. She mentioned how some authors could be “difficult” at which point I felt it only fair to reveal that in addition to my day job (the one which keeps me in Bentleys and fine cigars) I am, in addition a writer. Being blind I was unable to discern the lady’s expression and, to be frank it is one of those occasions on which the lack of vision irked me. In any event we continued our chat and we parted without even a drop of blood having been shed by either party!

My own experience of editors has been positive. The gentleman who edited the anthology to raise money for The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association (GDBA) generously donated his services free. I was impressed with his work and subsequently paid him to proof read my book, “Dalliance; A Collection of Poetry and Prose”. Again I was very happy with the results and would recommend his services to other writers.

I would be interested in the views of both authors and editors on this matter.

 

Kevin

 

Kevin

 

A 5 Star Review Of My Book “Dalliance; A Collection Of Poetry And Prose”

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On checking my Amazon author page today, I was delighted to see that my book, “Dalliance; A Collection of Poetry and Prose has received the following 5 star review:

 

“The book contains an interesting collection of poems, short stories and one essay and I found Dalliance a very pleasant surprise. It’s a sometimes entertaining,

sometimes thoughtful, at other moments heartfelt, but never boring read.

The short pieces touch familiar subjects like love or the seasons and others are also quite unusual. There’s a poem dedicated to a withheld number phone

call, which woke the author in the small hours, or one, where he wonders, why we hang photos of dophins on the wall, the animal forever caught there in

one endless wave and swim.

The short stories (there are some swear words, so beware, if that isn’t your cup of tea) are again an interesting mix of a man having an affair or a girl

being scared on the way home after a fight with her boyfriend, when someone follows her down a dark alleyway.

 

My favourite poems are Dark Angel, which has an unexpected twist at the end and the one where the porcelian cup breaks, where a small occurrence leads

carefully to a philosophical reflection of life’s circle interspersed with the right amount of humour.

 

There’s something else, which makes this collection unique and special, the author, K. Morris, is blind, and therefore he can pick up on small things,

for which I am too blinded by my eyes to see”.

 

Many thanks to the reviewer for the above review which can be found here, (http://www.amazon.co.uk/review/R3OOOF1ICYPFC0/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B00QQVJC7E).

 

Kevin

 

 

Two Free Print Copies Of “Dalliance; A Collection of Poetry and Prose” Available

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I am offering two free print copies of my book, “Dalliance; A Collection of Poetry and Prose”, to the first two people who email me at newauthoronline (at) gmail dot com.

The books will be sent, at my expense via surface mail.

Dalliance 64 page cover (small)

For my guest post on Chris the Story Reading Ape’s blog, in which I discuss my poetry please visit, (http://thestoryreadingapeblog.com/2015/02/01/read-about-author-kevin-morris-explaining-his-poetry/).

For a recent review of “Dalliance” please go to (https://nimbus432.wordpress.com/2015/05/04/a-review-of-dalliance-a-collection-of-poetry-and-prose/).

Please note, I will never share your personal details with anyone.

Once your copy of “Dalliance” is dispatched, your information will be permanently deleted by me.

How To Get Your Book Into A Library

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I am fortunate to live within 10-15 minutes walking distance of Upper Norwood’s Joint Library, the oldest and, I believe the only independent institution of it’s kind, (http://uppernorwoodlibrary.org/).

In search of ways to get my book, “Dalliance: A Collection of Poetry and Prose” into the hands of more readers I visited the library to ascertain whether they would add it to their shelves. To my delight a librarian confirmed the library would be pleased to accept my book. Its wonderful to know that “Dalliance” is available for the residents of Noorwood to enjoy.

The following article contains useful advice on getting a self published book into a library, (http://www.wikihow.com/Get-a-Self-Published-Book-into-Libraries). The article mentions the importance of specifying that you wish your book to be added to the library’s stock rather than sold. This is good advice and I asked the librarian to add “Dalliance” to the library’s shelves rather than selling it.

My experience diverged from the advice contained in the article in the following manner. The article refers to many libraries requiring more than one copy of a book. I offered the Upper Norwood Joint Library 2 copies of “Dalliance”. However the librarian politely advised me that it is their policy to only accept 1 copy of a book.

On my next visit to the city of my birth, Liverpool I will make a point of popping into Liverpool’s central library and donating a copy of my work.

 

Kevin

The Package Arrives!

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On Wednesday evening I collected a package from the local drop off point for one of the leading courier firms. The box contained copies of my book, “Dalliance: A Collection of Poetry and Prose” (http://www.amazon.com/Dalliance-collection-poetry-prose-Morris-ebook/dp/B00QQVJC7E). The parcel should have been delivered while I was at home to receive it. However, the courier company having the laudable desire to enhance my physical fitness chose to leave it at the drop off point thereby necessitating the use of Shanks Pony. I am eternally grateful to this philanthropic firm for their efforts in improving my physical health – thank you unnamed courier company!

Leaving aside the public spirited actions of the courier firm, I was delighted, on reaching home to open my parcel and see “Dalliance” nestling in amongst assorted packaging. It felt great to hold the product of my labour and know that I had created something which will, I hope provide pleasure and entertainment to readers.

I have been distributing copies of “Dalliance” to family, friends and one neighbour who had expressed an interest in reading my writing. In addition I left a copy on the book shelves in my local station’s waiting room. Casually I approached the shelves and unobtrusively placed “Dalliance” on the top shelf. I then sauntered towards the door intent on catching my train.

“Is this your poetry?” a gentleman said.

So much for my cunningly designed plan to unobtrusively leave copies of “Dalliance” in public places for people to find and (hopefully) read!

“Yes. If you read it, I hope you enjoy doing so”, I said exiting the waiting room.

Have any fellow authors left copies of their books in public places? Have any of this blog’s readers found a book which you know or believe was left by a writer for you to find?

 

Kevin