Book Spotlight: Star Things

Today we are back with another book spotlight, this time for the poetry book, Star Things by Jess Parker. Enjoy.

Star Things by Jess Parker

In Star Things, Jess Parker pulls down the cosmos as if a blanket, hangs the firmament itself as if a string of festive lights to illuminate the magic in the worldly mundane. These sixty-one brief yet powerful poems work in a broad array of forms, at once playful and serious, taking risks, toying with readers’ expectations and delivering seemingly effortless coups de grâce with a sly wink.

Praise for Star Things

Josh Norman (Telescopes and Other People): “Every love, every scraped knee, every abandonment, every moon is at once familiar yet alien.” 

Cynthia Marie Hoffman (Call Me When You Want to Talk About the Tombstones): “If the stars’ reflection in a pond creates a ‘morse code’ that communications with the constellations, so do these poems transmit the intricacies of being human in orbit among the stars...holding close to the knowledge that ‘we were moondust and will be again.’”

You can preorder the book directly from here:

https://dynamoverlagcat.tumblr.com/post/657177889147617281/coming-soon-star-things-by-jess-l-parker-winner

About the Author

Originally from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, Jess L Parker lives in Madison, Wisconsin with her husband, son, and French bulldog. Her work has appeared in Bramble, Poetry Hall, Millwork, Wallop Zine, and elsewhere. She holds an MA in Spanish Literature from UW-Madison and an MBA.

Book Spotlight: To Drown A Man

I have a spotlight for you today, on the poetry collection To Drown a Man by Tyler James Russell. Enjoy.

To Drown a Man by Tyler James Russell

To Drown a Man is a sincere, plainspoken collection about fear, vulnerability, and radical honesty. At once delicate and visceral, the poems chronicle the long gauntlet from a life of secrets to a life of intimacy. Exploring the meaning of redemption and shame as related to the personal, the marital, and the spiritual, these poems read like chunks of ore being burned of their dross.

To Drown a Man is available at:

Amazon

Unsolicited Press

About the Author

Tyler James Russell is the author of To Drown a Man (2020), a poetry collection, and When Fire Splits the Sky (2022), a novel, both from Unsolicited Press. A high school English teacher and a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and the University of British Columbia, he now lives in Central Pennsylvania with his wife Cat and their children. His other work has appeared in or is forthcoming in Riddle Fence, Montana Mouthful, the Sepia Journal, and Solum, among others, and was a nominee for the Rhysling Award. 

You can find him at Tylerjamesrussell.com, or on Twitter at @TJamesRussell.

October Frights Day 3: Dark Poetry Corner

Today I bring you my Dark Poetry Corner, with three poems dripping blood...

Rhythm

Can you hear the drumbeats pound?

Thump, di di dum, thump, di, di dum

Calling, calling, against the midnight moon

Can you hear the drumbeats quiver?

Thump, di di dum, thump, di, di dum

Singing, singing, to raise the dead

Can you hear the drumbeats quicken?

Thump, di di dum, thump, di, di dum

Screaming, screaming with the darkened moon 

Now the drums fall silent

and the midnight air is still

The dead emerged from the dark

in blood have claimed their due

Ghost

A reflection 

dancing in a silver mirror

A whisper 

floating past the staircase

An echo 

of footsteps in the hallway

You ignore what you can

tremble at the rest

You never thought...

You are afraid

Alone

Surrounded by 

the consequence

of what lingers

Surrounded by

your death

Shadow of the Grave

I can feel Death creeping ever closer. It lingers in the shadows, its footsteps outside my door. Soon I will hear the knock of its bony fingers and I will let it in. Then we will sit, Death and I, and talk as friends before I save good-bye to this mortal world.

In the night, knocking

A shallow breath, a cold shade

Hello, my old friend

And today I come bearing gifts as well. Until October 15 you can download one of my Horror Haiku books from Prolific Works for free!

Horror Haiku and Other Poems

Download for Free

So that ends today's post. Be sure to hop on over and check out the offerings of the other participants as well. Here's the list.

October Frights Blog Hop

Are You Afraid of the Dark?

The Word Whisperer

Hawk's Happenings

Carmilla Voiez Blog

M'habla's!

CURIOSITIES

Frighten Me

Winnie Jean Howard

Always Another Chapter

Balancing Act

James P. McDonald

greydogtales

Looking for some new books? Check out our October Frights Spooktacular

Interview With Author JD Estrada

Today I have an extra special treat for you with the ever delightful and multi-talented author JD Estrada. He chats about, books, writing, and inspirations, plus his upcoming release, the middle-grade fantasy novel, Given to Fly. Enjoy!

Interview With JD Estrada

Why don’t you begin by sharing a little about yourself.

Hi there, lovely readers of our dear Madam Stewart. My name is JD Estrada and I’m an indie author from Puerto Rico although I currently reside in Atlanta, Georgia. I say reside because home shall always be in the Caribbean and with how fun it’s been to enjoy 30-degree weather, TRUST me I’m reminded how much of an Island boy I am.

Apart from that, I’m a multi-genre author who enjoys a good challenge in life and in writing. For me, writing is liberating for several reasons, but to be able to get to know myself better by tapping into different creative wells is something I recommend to everyone. Besides, if you see my music collection and you see my music history on Pandora, Spotify, and YouTube, it’s clear to see that I’m a fan of variety. But more than that, I’m also a fan of creativity and would like to consider myself on the way to being a type of ambassador to that because I certainly think being creative is immensely healthy since it lets you use the good and bad from life to perform emotional alchemy and create something new.

As for writing, I go from Gaiman style urban fantasies to Bukowski poetry and also Alice in Wonderland like short stories, which is part of the reason why I was invited here.

Could you tell us a bit about your latest book?

Given to Fly is my first full-length middle-grade fantasy and a book where I worked tirelessly to bring forth a world of wonder and adventure without the use of violence. We follow the adventures of John Rivers, a kind 11-year-old boy who finds himself now living in the Pacific Northwest. A curious kid, he looks all around his house in search of something adventurous and comes up empty… but after playing on a hill next to his house, he discovers a cove below with a huge tree and on that tree, nestled gingerly on its side sits a magical house called Od Manor. John sees a shadow and thinks someone in trouble so he climbs down the cliff face and into the house only to realize that things are not as they seem, especially when he bumps into talking furniture in the living room and the owner of Od Manor, Fäet Odstein, a wonka-esque character with a flair for the random and the commitment to help John with his dream of flying. Room after room, John and Fäet touch base with all his house guests to see if anyone can help John to fly, which is half the fun. As per usual, JD Estrada includes a chock-full of Easter eggs along with wordplay, dust bunnies, Library pillaging bookworms, and even an angel, because why not?

How long have you been writing, and how many books have you published to date?

I’ve been writing for well over 20 years but began my author career 5 years ago when I published my first novel Only Human (Book 1 of the Human Cycle). It’s been a wild ride and all in all, I’ve published 12 books…. And now it’ll be a lovely baker’s dozen thanks to Given to Fly.

Do you have a favourite character? If so, why?

From all of my books, there are too many to choose from but I think it’s close between Mrs. Fawn, Captain Jane, Bill, and Daniel from the Human Cycle. After I officially publish Given to Fly (December 1^st), it’s VERY likely I’ll add some names to this list. It’s been a joy to write.

You write in several genres. Do you have a favourite? And if so, why?

I think the variety of genres responds to my personality and I get a LOT of satisfaction from that freedom and that variety. I love the immediacy of poetry but love weaving a long tale that leaves people wanting more.

Why did you write this book? What was your inspiration?

I got an amazing gift inspired by my favorite song by my favorite band and I needed to write something without violence. In short, this is a love letter to Hayao Miyazaki, to Pearl Jam, to Tori Amos, to my wife, my mom, my friends, to the band Elbow, to my favorite restaurants from back in Puerto Rico, and so many other things. I wanted to write something that would break someone’s writing slump, that would cheer them up when they’re blue, that would have a chance at being the first book someone loves and countless other things.

What did you enjoy most about writing your book?

It was immensely liberating to write without violence to the point that I’ll be doing a series of books and labeling them as Odventure Novels. I think we’re at a point in time where we could use some kindness and smiles and I want to do my best to invest in that.

Can you tell us about your writing process? Where do your ideas originate? Do you have a certain writing routine?

Each and every writing project is its own beast. Ideas come from everywhere and I have a wide variety of capture tools. From idea dump documents and notebooks to loose napkins with notes. My writing routine is to find the time when I can and make it count. Sometimes you have hours, other times you have minutes. Don’t complain is my mantra, just get the story on the paper. Writing by longhand definitely helps me in this because all I need is some paper and ink (Note to up and coming writers who want to try this, ALWAYS carry at least 3 pens :D).

What is your greatest challenge as a writer?

Time and energy are my biggest challenges. Working in advertising, I have to find motivation even when there isn’t any, energy even when I’m exhausted, and time even if I have to take a notebook to a bathroom and lock the door. I don’t lack determination and the hoops are testing me to see how much I want to pursue that dream and this time around it’s 13 times I’ve beat the odds and challenges and offered a slice of my soul for others to hopefully read and review.

What’s your next project? Any upcoming book secrets you care to reveal?

There’s ALWAYS something in the pipeline where I’m concerned and next up for me is the conclusion to the Human Cycle and am also working on a collaboration with Cate Evans, a fellow author from the UK and a wonderful friend I’ve received on my writer journey.

You can find JD Estrada and his wonderful books at these sites:

Libros 787 - Books2Read - Amazon - Website - Twitter - Instagram

Google+ - Facebook Page - Goodreads - Soundcloud

#OctoberFrights Day Five: Dark Poetry Corner

And now dear readers, we come to the day of poetic reckoning, the day when the raven flies on dark wings and brings verse most disturbing and wicked...

Welcome to my Dark Poetry Corner

The Red Queens

Rivers flow in crimson streams

with blood a thousand-fold

and tears of the blackened damned

Seared demon mists

roil from the wormy earth

blown on brimstone winds

Can you hear them call?

Can you hear them laugh?

The Red Queens walk tonight

Spirits claw from beneath their graves,

born again with baneful verve

from cracking bones and rancid flesh

And while they howl their spite

toward this forlorn night,

they scurry to heed the summons

Can you hear them call?

Can you hear them shriek?

The Red Queens walk tonight

The Red Queens stalk the night

~*~

Fifty Fathoms Deep

Stygian squelch and salty brine

where the carrion fall to slumber

Inky black and a wet drowned hell

with the monsters coloured umber

It’s where I live

Fifty fathoms deep

The raven grave and eternal abyss

for ships that sunk from battle

flesh picked clean and washed away

Nothing left but a dead bone rattle

It’s where I live

Fifty fathoms deep

It’s submerged tears of last regrets

in the face of your abandoned faith

Whispers and screams come empty

in the home of the devil’s wraith

It’s where I died,

and rose again

Fifty fathoms deep

~*~

Shadow’s Breath

One breath

quantum shadow of your life

One breath

held shallow inside the night

One breath

clutching back your last scream

One breath

scratching against your neck

One breath is all you have left

~*~

Hellfire Moon

Upon the dead man’s hour

cradled by the graveyard wind,

sulphurous and dank,

the Hellfire Moon unfurls

Crimson glare, cast down

over shrivelled trees

dripping charcoal ichor,

as blasphemous tongues

spew virgin blood and lies

Along the shadow’s path

creep the legged beasts

their barbs so sharp and ready

The Hellfire Moon commands

their minds, their thoughts

they will bring you to your doom

~*~

And we also have a giveaway!

The October Frights Giveaway

For more October Frights Blog Hop

Scath Oran Blog Tour: The Banshee

Today, the blog is a stop on the Scath Oran book tour and I have a guest post by author Stacy Overby on one of my favourite subjects, the Banshee. I also have a look at Stacy's new poetry book, Scath Oran, so enjoy.

The Banshee

Banshees. They’re the quintessential mythical creature when it comes to creepiness and death. Many movies and stories include them, but what—beyond their shriek—do the stories tell about banshees? That question drew me to explore the myths surrounding banshees when writing Scath Oran.

Banshee Origins

The origins of the banshee are somewhat clouded, but one drew my attention. It is said that the banshees came from women who died during childbirth. These women-turned-banshees roamed, portending death, until they reached what would have been the end of their natural life. None of the myths talked about what happened from there, but the implication is that they passed into their version of Heaven or paradise. Other legends talk about banshees being created from women who were murdered. It seems that, regardless of the method, legends say banshees are created from women who meet tragic ends.

With this origin myth, the banshees would presumably appear as young women. While that was sometimes the case, it did not always hold true. This is one place where the Celtic belief in Maiden, Mother, Crone shows up. Just as often as the banshee appeared young, she also would appear as an older woman to an old “hag”. Another image from Scotland painted of the banshee was a woman washing bloodied clothes at the ford in a river. The one who saw her there washing the bloodied clothes would soon die.

The Banshee Cry

The keening and wailing of the banshee is perhaps the most classic aspect of the banshee, and the one most often thought of when the banshee are mentioned. Most legends agree that this cry is about warning someone of impending doom. Some legends say the banshee only cry at the death of a true blood Milesian Irish. Others talk about the number of banshee keening signified the greatness or holiness of the person who died.

Scholars believe the wailing of the banshee stems from a different Irish tradition. At funerals, the Irish would hire keeners to wail laments at a death. The better the keener, the more in demand she was. With this association with death and funerals, it is easy to see how this tradition crossed the line to become something more in legends.

The Fairy Connection

Another interesting aspect of banshees is that some Irish believed the banshee was a fairy woman who would bear the news of a loved one’s death. This held true even when the person died far from home and family. Thus, the banshee would be the herald bearing the news of the death before any human messenger could bring the sad tidings.

Also Known As

The banshee had multiple other names as well. She could be known as the bean chaointe, or keening woman. Bean nighe, or other variants, meaning little washerwoman or washer at the ford, is a Scottish variation to the banshee myth. The hag of the mist was yet another variation of the banshee stemming from Welsh legends. Which name was used depended on the region in which the story originated.

Other Facts

The intentions, and dangerousness, of the banshee also varied depending on the legend being studied. Some banshees were said to be closely tied to their families and their cries were sorrowful laments of the loss to the family. Other banshee legends talked of angry and vengeful female spirits who frightened and tormented those who heard her cries. A few even speak of the banshees causing the deaths they sang of, rather than just reporting them.

One of the most intriguing pieces of information on the banshee I found was about the beliefs in banshee. For many centuries, not believing in banshee was blasphemous in the British Isles—Ireland in specific. While this has waned in modern times, there are still those who believe in the existence of banshees as something more than myth and legend.

So, there you have it, a brief history of the banshees. They are featured several times in Scath Oran, including a story about how one banshee came to be. Scath Oran is available on Amazon and Draft2Digital. You can find me at www.thisisnothitchhikersguide.com.

Scath Oran: poetry from the Otherworld by Stacy Overby 

The Wee Folk. The Fae. Fairies.

Whatever you may call them, they have whispered secrets in this collection of poetry plucked from the halls of Tír na nÓg. But, be forewarned, not all is as it seems on a journey through the shining realm. Come, take a step into the fairy ring as songs of the Fae drift on the damp night air. 

Scath Oran: poetry from the Otherworld

releases September 22nd, 2018 and is available at

Amazon

Draft2Digital






For more stops on the tour check out the list: Scath Oran Blog Tour

Interview With Author Thomas McRae

Today I have an interview for you with author Thomas McRae. He's here to talk to you about his writing and his new book, Pimp in the Pulpit Part 2. Enjoy.

Interview With Thomas McRae

Why don't you begin by sharing a little about yourself? 

My name is Thomas McRae and I'm a self-publishing author who has written numerous poetry books and short fiction novels as well. I am also a hard-working young man who is trying to save and buy a nice home for myself and my parents. I don't have any kids or wife but I do look forward to the day I have both just like my buddy Islam Martin who by the way is a phenomenal father, loving husband and a genuine true friend. I only hope when I do find that special lady in my life and we become husband and wife and have kids of our own I sincerely pray I'm half the man Martin is.

Could you tell us a little bit about your latest book?

My latest book is titled Pimp in the Pulpit Part 2 which is the sequel to the first. Both are fictional short novels inspired by my life and the lives of several friends of mine who was generous enough to share some stories about their own families as well. Both Pimp in the Pulpit 1 and 2 are samples of several stories from different sources blended together along with a splash of imagination and creativity.

Who is your intended readership?

My intended readers are anyone and everyone who can appreciate a good and entertaining book filled with drama comedy and suspense. I sincerely believe this book and the original one has all the trimmings in being turned into a Motion Picture film. I only need the right person to read it and see the vision that I see every time I read the books.

Why did you write this book? What was your inspiration?

The reason why I wrote this book is because I like telling stories that are entertaining and hilariously funny. What inspired me was when I was talking to a friend of mine and we both was sharing stories about each other's family. After that I started talking to other friends who had similar or more funnier stories than I. Which led to a vivid imagination and a uncomprehensible story that needed to be told.

What advice would you give a new writer?

The first piece of advice I would give a new writer  is to be patient and focus because your blessing is coming your way. My second piece of advice would be don't allow anyone to discourage you because everyone has a talent and no one has the right to kill a dream or break a soul. And last but not least always give it your all because life is too short to have doubts or regrets.

What did you enjoy most about writing your book?

I enjoyed a great deal first I really like writing things down and rereading it out loud. So I could get a feel of what was going on with the characters and the lives they portrayed and wanted to be. I also enjoyed just being in my own personal headspace living in my own little fantasy bubble and building a story that was not only sincerely entertaining and funny but extremely well said.

What did you hope to accomplish by publishing your book?

My main objective was to expand my horizons and branch out. Most people see me as Thomas the poet which is fine, there is nothing wrong with that but truth be told there is so much more about me I want people to see. And that is why I'm working hard to promote my short fiction novels and any and every book I write from this point on.

What's your next project? Any upcoming book secrets you care to review?

I have so many book projects in the back burner but I'm sincerely leaning towards putting out my newest poetry book I've been working on and its title is fatal impact. Which is going to be a combination of love poems, spiritual poems, personal poems and even a couple of Street Anthem poems. The point of this project is to push myself into a much more deeper and more profound level in regards of my poetry writing. I'm quite certain most people will enjoy this book especially if they keep an open mind.

What is your greatest challenge as a writer?

My greatest challenge as a writer is mostly promoting and marketing myself and trying to get as much exposure as possible. That is one of the tough parts about being a self-published author. But on the plus side you reap the benefits of being independent and self-sufficient at the very least you control what happens with your book and your marketing and you don't have to answer to anyone.

Thomas McRae is an accomplished  poet and author who has written numerous poetry books and short fiction novels. He has been writing since the early 2000s.

Halloween Week: The Dark Poetry Corner

Welcome to Day Three of my Halloween Week!

Today I present my Dark Poetry Corner...

(Plus a great giveaway!)

Seraphim Woods

Beyond the dark, in the faraway worlds,

past the wispy zephyrs of a lost horizon

the whippoorwill calls, and the raven sings

of death and pain, and the shadows sharp

Keep to the path, don’t stray a step

Don’t walk alone in Seraphim Woods

Beyond the twilight, in the murky mists

moonlight nocturnal will waltz with the dead

while ancient rhymes disturb mortal sanity

and lullabies croon to forgotten beasts

Keep to the path, don’t stray a step

Don’t walk alone in Seraphim Woods.

Beyond the realms, where the ravening dwell,

where the footsteps crackle on the empty wind

and the trees shiver as strange creatures pass,

their muted voices whispering secret names

Keep to the path, don’t stray a step

Don’t walk alone in Seraphim Woods.

© A. F. Stewart 2017 All Rights Reserved

Ashen

Path of stones, pale bones

to carry them down

Hear the wild wind howl

The crow caws, give pause

Shadows shift around

Hear the wild wind howl

Wolf in white, need bite

savagery unbound

Hear the wild wind howl

A scream lost, in frost

countless echoes sound

Hear the wild wind howl

None to save, buried grave

The dead, in the ground

Hear the wild wind howl

  

From Colours of Poetry

© A. F. Stewart 

All Rights Reserved 

🎃

And now for the Instafreebie giveaway...

Over 30 Free Books and Stories in this horror giveaway!

Check it all out here!

Halloween Horror Giveaway!

And be sure to return tomorrow for a look at the book Under the Hunter's Moon by Timothy Bateson.