Tag Archives: newauthoronline

I am Puzzled

I must confess to being puzzled as regards why reviewers who (by their own admission) do not care for a particular genre choose to review books which (clearly) fall within it. Very recently I came across a review which awarded a book 2.5 stars. By their own admission the reviewer is not a lover of romance which contributed to the low rating, (the work in question is, in part at least a romance).

I don’t review many books. However on those rare occasions when I sharpen my favourite quil pen, dip it in the ink well and write a review it is for a book which falls within my range of interests. I would not, for example review a Mills and Boon romance because romantic fiction is not, on the whole my cup of tea. The writing would, almost certainly not captivate me leading to a review which wouldn’t do justice to the author’s hard work. I could not, in fairness post such a review because, in my heart of hearts I would no that my own personal tastes had influenced it.

I have not read the book in question and have no acquaintance with either the author or the reviewer. I have taken the decision not to name the book or the reviewer because my comment is a general one and I have no desire to get into a discussion with the reviewer regarding their review. I would, however make a plea to reviewers to ask themselves prior to embarking on a book review whether their dislike of a particular genre could impact negatively on what they write.

(Note: I have reviewed one work of romance due to being intrigued by the author’s blog. You can find my review here, http://newauthoronline.com/2014/01/22/book-review-12-days-the-beginning-by-jade-reyner. I enjoyed the book). /

A Cup Of Tea

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A cup of Earl Grey, no sugar, just milk. I lift and sip. Bits of china, fragile as a life disintegrate and fall away. Tiny pieces of broken existence nestle in my hand. A chip crater-like decorates the fragile under belly of the handle. I continue to drink. The handle holds. Once finished the plain white cup will be discarded, it’s utility at an end. The landfill beckons.

The Reverie – A New Poetry Journal

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Thank you to Laura A Lord for her guest post announcing the launch of a new poetry journal, The Reverie. Good luck to Laura with her project and do please check out her site.

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The Reverie is a poetic publication that features submitted original work in a biannual journal. A themed anthology is published once a year.

Which is a fancy way of saying, we are looking for your work! We will be hosting weekly prompts here to get the creative juices flowing, but during our reading periods you are welcome to submit work to us for potential publication.

Please check out our Prompts Page and our Submission Guidelines for information on both of these options.

Visit our anthology page for information on submitting for this year’s theme.

What are we looking for?

We are looking for poetry that is real, brutal, honest. We want the words you are afraid to speak out-loud. We want strong voices that cut through to the heart of the matter at hand. We want to step away from your poetry feeling a little raw. We want words that awaken emotion.

Check out our About page for more info!

Laura A. Lord

historyofawoman.com

thereveriejournal.wordpress.com

The Power Of The Mindless Task

My First Independently Published Poem, Dalliance Is Here

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I am extremely pleased that one of my poems, Dalliance has been accepted for publication by Calamities Press. Dalliance first appeared on Newauthoronline in August 2014. It can be found on Calamities Press, in slightly amended form by following this link, http://calamitiespress.com/2014/09/21/dalliance-poetry-by-kevin-morris/.

The Second Coming By W B Yeats

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Turning and turning in the widening gyre
The falcon cannot hear the falconer;
Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;
Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,
The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere
The ceremony of innocence is drowned;
The best lack all conviction, while the worst
Are full of passionate intensity.

Surely some revelation is at hand;
Surely the Second Coming is at hand.
The Second Coming! Hardly are those words out
When a vast image out of Spiritus Mundi
Troubles my sight: a waste of desert sand;
A shape with lion body and the head of a man,
A gaze blank and pitiless as the sun,
Is moving its slow thighs, while all about it
Wind shadows of the indignant desert birds.

The darkness drops again but now I know
That twenty centuries of stony sleep
Were vexed to nightmare by a rocking cradle,
And what rough beast, its hour come round at last,
Slouches towards Bethlehem to be born?

National Poetry Day Thursday 2 October

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Thursday 2 October is National Poetry Day. I was reminded of this fact by an e-mail from the Poetry Society on 18 September. The Society plans a number of interesting events which you can access here, http://www.poetrysociety.org.uk/content/info/npd/.

I have been a member of the Society for many years now but, to my shame have only attended one event at their headquarters in London’s Covent Garden. This time around I will be sure to attend at least one event!

In honour of the forthcoming National Poetry Day I have included below one of my favourite poems, Ernest Dowson’s April Love:

“We have walked in Love’s land a little way,

We have learnt his lesson a little while,

And shall we not part at the end of day,

With a sigh, a smile?

A little while in the shine of the sun,

We were twined together, joined lips, forgot

How the shadows fall when the day is done,

And when Love is not.

We have made no vows–there will none be broke,

Our love was free as the wind on the hill,

There was no word said we need wish unspoke,

We have wrought no ill.

So shall we not part at the end of day,

Who have loved and lingered a little while,

Join lips for the last time, go our way,

With a sigh, a smile?” (http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/242548).

Possible Anthology To Raise Money For Guide Dogs – Update

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Many thanks to everyone who expressed support for the idea of producing an anthology to raise money for the Guide Dogs For The Blind Association (http://newauthoronline.com/2014/09/17/possible-anthology-to-raise-money-for-guide-dogs/). Thanks go especially to everyone who reblogged my post and to those who have offered to provide stories for inclusion, or other forms of assistance.

I have been asked about the theme of the anthology (a perfectly reasonable question if ever there was one)! I suggest that stories in the anthology deal with interactions between dogs and humans. However I don’t wish to preclude stories about other animals either as sole characters or as part of an animal/human relationship.

I don’t yet have an editor and would be grateful if any editor who is able to offer their services free could please get in touch. As previously explained, I lack editorial expertise and do not have the capacity to produce the final product. I will, of course render any assistance possible, including liaison with Guide Dogs. However I need the assistance of an editor to progress the project.

Many thanks for everyone’s continuing support,

Kevin

Possible Anthology To Raise Money For Guide Dogs

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I lost the majority of my vision at around 18-months-old as a consequence of a blood clot on the brain. In my early 20’s I received my first guide dog, Nixon (no jokes about Watergate please)! And a world of enhanced mobility was opened up to me. Since Nixon I have had 3 other dogs: Zeff, Drew and now Trigger my current four legged friend!

The Guide Dogs For The Blind Association receives no money from the government (see http://www.guidedogs.org.uk/supportus/fundraising/donate#.VBnqcBZUFb0) and relies wholly on donations from individuals/organisations.

As an author and beneficiary of the work of Guide Dogs I thought it would be worthwhile to give something back by producing a book of short stories and poems with all proceeds going to GDBA. I would, of course contribute a story. I am, however lacking in editorial/proof reading expertise and (if the project turns out to be viable) would be looking for someone to donate their time free of charge as regards editorial services. I am also looking for people who would be happy to provide a story or poem, free of charge for inclusion in an anthology.

At present this is the germ of an idea which may or may not have traction. If you can help in any way please do contact me at newauthoronline (@) gmail . com (the address is rendered thus to try and defeat spammers)!

Please note that I have not contacted GDBA regarding this concept as it is, at present the mere germ of an idea.

Many thanks and kind regards,