Tag Archives: moyhill publishing

A Compliment From A Stranger

This morning, I popped out for breakfast. As I was in the process of leaving the pub, a gentleman acosted me and asked, “are you the guy who writes poetry?” somewhat surprised, I replied in the affirmative. He then proceeded to relate how he had bought 2 of my books in the local bookstore as a birthday present for his sister, and how much she had enjoyed reading them. Naturally I thanked him for having purchased my books, expressed pleasure that his sister had enjoyed reading them, and left the pub with a feeling of happiness at the thought that a reader had derived enjoyment from my work.

The books purchased by the gentleman where “Lost in the Labyrinth of My Mind” http://moyhill.com/lost/, and “My Old Clock I Wind” http://moyhill.com/clock/, both of which have been kindly stocked by my local bookstore, The Bookseller Crow on the Hill, https://booksellercrow.co.uk/.

Whilst I have received many lovely comments on this website regarding my poetry, and compliments from family and friends concerning my books, its a rare treat to receive a compliment from a stranger. So via this post I would like to take the opportunity to thank the gentleman who purchased my books and, of course his sister for reading “Lost” and “My Old Clock”. I am delighted that she derived pleasure from my poetry.

Kevin

“My Old Clock I Wind And Other Poems” By K Morris

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On Monday 9 July, I ran into an acquaintance. After exchanging the usual pleasantries, he remarked on how much he had enjoyed reading my collection of poems, “My Old Clock I Wind and Other Poems”. It is a great feeling to receive a compliment, particularly when it is unsolicited. While the gentleman in question has not (to my knowledge) written a review, “My Old Clock” has received several reviews, including the below, from Audrey Driscoll:

“The first poem in this collection of 74 contains the theme that pervades the entire work – the relentless passage of time. Morris’s verses are products of reflection and mature thought, expressing both resignation and a zest for life.

This poet is not fighting advancing age and eventual death, but lives with an intense awareness of the temporary nature of human lives and preoccupations. “Passing By,” for example, sums this up perfectly in only three lines.

The fleetingness of beauty and attraction are pictured in “Chiffon” and “Dark and Light.” As sadness frequently follows delight / Mourn not, for there can be no dark without the light. The poet’s mixed feelings about his relationships with others are exemplified by “Shall I Sit Out This Dance?” whose last five lines are especially poignant. “What Is A Double Bed?” further explores love, joy, and pain.

Humour is not absent from the collection. “Howling At the Moon,” “Count Dracula Went Out To Dine,” and “It’s Raining Out There,” along with a group of limericks, celebrate the absurdities and quirky angles of life.

A certain amount of social commentary appears in “Crack” and “Girls in Unsuitable Shoes,” which has a touch of wry brilliance.

Climate change is acknowledged by the short poem “Melting Ice.” Of the poems that question progress and technology, perhaps the finest is “Man’s Destiny,” which contrasts the poet’s enjoyment of life’s small pleasures with grandiose aspirations and predictions.

Most of the poems feature pairs of rhyming lines – not rhyming couplets, exactly, because the lines often differ in length and metre. The effect is one of ticking, bringing to mind the clock of the title. In densely packed sequences of short lines, this rhyme pattern can become a bit tedious. “Understanding,” which features a more complex rhyme scheme, is a notable departure. Morris’s poems are distillations of thoughtful life experience, and thus best savoured slowly, like good wine.

Readers will find something here to match any mood, to celebrate life or commiserate with sorrow”.
(For the above review please visit, https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/customer-reviews/R1S1VEBI73BGP1/ref=cm_cr_dp_d_rvw_ttl?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B0735JBVBG.

You can find “My Old Clock I Wind” in the Amazon Kindle store here, http://amzn.eu/gelHFDE. It is also available from Moyhill Publishing and can be found here, http://moyhill.com/clock/).

Starting Work On A New Poetry Collection

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In June 2017, I published “My Old Clock I Wind And Other Poems”. My collection has received some great reviews and I am delighted that the book is available in electronic, paperback, braille and (most recently) audio format.

I have many unpublished poems lurking in various places, mainly (but not exclusively) in the My Documents folder on my trusty old laptop! The time has come to remove the virtual cobwebs, perform requisite editing and, in due course publish a further collection.

The above task will, I know be highly rewarding but also time consuming. I shall, of course keep you updated on my progress via this blog.

(“My Old Clock I Wind” is available in ebook and paperback from Moyhill Publishing, http://moyhill.com/clock/.

It can also be found in the Amazon Kindle store, https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0735JBVBG.

For the audio version please visit https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/Arts-Entertainment/My-Old-Clock-I-Wind-and-Other-Poems-Audiobook/B077VYT3X6?ref=a_a_search_c3_lProduct_1_1&pf_rd_p=c6e316b8-14da-418d-8f91-b3cad83c5183&pf_rd_r=GNF53RPHAAHBXWSFCGHP&.

For the braille edition please contact The Royal National Institute Of Blind People, quoting order number 25870603. You can call RNIB on 0303 123 9999 or visit RNIB’s Library, http://www.rniblibrary.com/iguana/www.main.cls?p=b3ba52c6-5bac-4699-afb9-0dfb99409462&v=c1f4a42f-ad5f-4c9d-bed5-105fe0d1b35f.

When entering the library, click on “Search” and enter “morris k my old clock I wind and other poems”. Hit search and my book should be displayed).

Poet Kevin Morris reading his poem Night Duty

Shadows

Results of the competition to win a signed print copy of “My Old Clock I Wind” by K Morris

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I am pleased to announce that Jaye Tomas is the winner of the above competition.

Congratulations to Jaye who wins a signed copy of my collection of poetry, “My Old Clock I Wind”.

You can visit Jaye’s blog here, https://chimerapoetry.wordpress.com/.

The question asked was, which novel begins as follows:
“1801.–I have just returned from a visit to my landlord–the solitary neighbour that I shall be troubled with”.

The answer is “Wuthering Heights” by Emily Bronte.

For anyone who hasn’t read this excellent novel, I strongly recommend doing so. I recently took down my four-volume braille edition and greatly enjoyed re-reading this dark and tempestuous novel.

There are many electronic versions of “Wuthering Heights” available (the novel has long been out of copyright).

You can find one such version here, https://www.wuthering-heights.co.uk/wh/novel/html/chapter_01.

To find out about “My Old Clock I Wind” please visit, http://moyhill.com/clock/.

Getting your self-published books into libraries

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A useful article on how to get self-published books into libraries.

I know from my own experience, that approaching libraries directly is a productive means of getting your work onto their shelves.

I was delighted when Liverpool Central Library, wrote to confirm that they had added 2 copies of my collection of poetry, “My Old Clock I Wind”, (http://moyhill.com/clock/), to their shelves.

As a result of me contacting Swansea University (my former place of study), they kindly accepted my donation of one copy of “My Old Clock”.

Consequently, from my own experience I can say that getting your self-published books into libraries is perfectly possible.

“My Old Clock I Wind” will soon be available as an audio download

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Following on from my post of 8 August, in which I said that I was exploring the possibility of having “My Old Clock I Wind and Other Poems” recorded, using Audiobook Creation Exchange, I am pleased to announce that my work is now in the process of being recorded. I will, of course post here once the audio version of “My Old Clock” is available.

In the meantime, anyone who is interested in reading “My Old Clock” can find it in paperback and ebook formats on the publisher’s website http://moyhill.com/clock/

The book is also available in braille, for sale or loan from the Royal National Institute of Blind People

“Lost in the Labyrinth of My Mind” is available to purchase, in braille from RNIB

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I am pleased to report that my collection of poetry, “Lost in the Labyrinth of My Mind” is available to purchase, as a braille book, from the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) and can be found by clicking HERE.

Enter “morris kevin. lost in the labyrinth of my mind“, into the search field and click on search.

My book should then be displayed.

Alternatively “Lost in the Labyrinth of My Mind” can be ordered by emailing them directly at: library@rnib.org.uk, or by calling them on 0303 123 9999.

When contacting RNIB please quote order number 25686204.

“Lost” was originally brailled in 2016 (and I was provided with my own copy at this juncture), however it has only now been added to RNIB’s catalogue, meaning that it can be purchased by any braille user who wishes to do so.

“Lost in the Labyrinth of My Mind” is also available in print, from Moyhill Publishing, http://moyhill.com/lost/, and as an ebook in the Amazon Kindle store, https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01AF5EPVY

Now you see it, now you don’t

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The internet is a place of impermanence. Now you see content, now you don’t.
In 2016 I was privileged to be interviewed by Tom Cannon of Croydon Radio, regarding my collection of poetry “Lost in the Labyrinth of My Mind”. A podcast of my interview subsequently appeared on Croydon Radio’s website and I linked to it as a permanent record of the event. Sadly anyone who visits Croydon Radio’s website today will receive the following message
“Croydon Radio has now closed. Thanks for listening.

Fortunately my interview still exists and can be found on my publisher’s website, http://moyhill.com/lost/assets/km-interview-croydon-radio-2016-04-09-16-00-53-edited-64k.mp3. However there will, I am sure be many others who did not obtain edited copies of their podcasts, who’s broadcasts are forever lost.
Authors and other creatives put considerable time and effort into obtaining radio interviews and it is a feather in one’s cap when a broadcaster agrees to interview you. However, as demonstrated above nothing is forever. Consequently (if you possibly can) its well worth obtaining your own copy of that interview of which you are so proud as it may not be where you think it should be (on the broadcaster’s website).