Honestly, there are times
when the taste of baklava
finds my tongue and speaks to me
in the language of my grandmother’s hands,
when the honey and fresh mint in tea
vitalizes my very being ~
and I remember everything . . . . .everything
even the scent of you, your eyes
the way we lingered over dessert,
tapered candles flaming wisps of hope,
your red roses wilting in a crystal vase,
dropping velvet petals like dreams
on the white damask of our forever
A singular moment – romantic or otherwise – that is etched in mind, yesterday or years ago, full of color and vigor. Write about your moment in poem. Fill it with detail: scent and hues, setting (indoor or out), include one object that references another in the scene and makes their role evident and alive. Take your time and have fun with this.
Leave your poem/s or a link to them in the comment section. Feel free – encouraged – to participate no matter the status of your poetry career: novice, emerging or pro. If this is your first time responding to Wednesday Writing Prompt, send you bio and a photo to thepoetbyday@gmail.com. These will be used to introduce you to readers. PLEASE DO NOT EMAIL YOUR POEM. PLEASE USE THE COMMENTS SECTION FOR THAT. Thank you! 🙂All poems shared on theme will be published here next Tuesday, April 24. You have until Monday evening, April 23, 8 p.m. PDT to respond.
Thank you to bogpan (Bozhidar Pangelov), Paul Brookes, Frank McMahan, and Sonja Benskin Mesher for coming out to play. Of special note, Sonja has once again shared her art along with her poetry. Paul has created an ekphrastic poetry challenge for himself in honor of National Poetry Month. Visit his blog to see what he’s been up to. Worth your time.
Do join us tomorrow for the next Wednesday Writing Prompt.
New Soft
nervous she does
what she knows
pushes a pram
cuddles a baby
moves others’
toys that get
in her way
chews her toast,
sups her juice
asks where mummy is.
where her sisters are.
sobs at a boy
in a Spiderman mask,
rough and tumble
older boys.
wants her comfort cloth
At some unnamed night,
and it will be bright,
I’ll go away.
The door I will never
close
the flowers will keep
fragrance.
My children will have fallen asleep
the most deeply
covered and caressed
and somebody will cant to them again
a cradle song.
It will be light like in a temple
and clear like a voice
in mountains.
Then I’ll leave
forgotten all the words…
… at least one of them is about walking fearlessly through the understated beauty of San Mateo downtown at night. I’ve been thinking of that as I settle into my new city and my new home in an area that doesn’t lend itself to evening walks with their peace and their quiet inspiration.
“Night is a time of rigor, but also of mercy. There are truths which one can see only when it’s dark.” Isaac Bashevis Singer
BORROWED SOLACE, a journal of literary ramblings, is open now for submissions of poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, art and photograph to its fall issue themed Home. This journal publishes twice a year, one themed issue and one without theme. Details HERE.
GLASSWORKS MAGAZINE, A publication of Rowan University’s Master of Arts in Writing program, will open its reading period from August 1 through December 15. It publishes poetry, prose (including essays and flash fiction) new media and art. Guidelines HERE.
THE MASTERS REVIEW NEW VOICES CATEGORY is open for submissions of fiction under a free category. There’s a submission option for “fast response.” Payment of $0.10 per work up to $200 for fiction or narrative nonfiction up to 7,000 words. Details HERE.
MICHIGAN QUARTERLY REVIEW, an interdisciplinary journal of arts and culture, publishes poetry and prose (fiction, creative nonfiction, critical essays) and is next open for submissions from June 1-30 and August 1-November 30. $3 submission fee. Details HERE.
TRANSFERENCE, A literary journal featuring the art and process of translation, features previously untranslated tests as well the older and well-known works. Submissions by translators are welcome for consideration. Details HERE. This is a publication of the Department of World Languages and Literature, University of Western Michigan at Kalamazoo.
THE TURNIP TRUCK(S), an im-possible publication, accepts submissions of essay/story, poems, and visual arts year-round for its online publication. Details HERE. It leans toward works concerned with the dialectics, human and environmental, that are creative and critical. It also publishes a themed journal.
URBAN FARMHOUSE PRESS accepts submissions from April through August online and via mail. It seeks work to be consider for: Crossroads Poetry Series: minimum 50-60 pages of poetry,single spaced, and one poem per page; Fiction: minimum 150 pages of prose, 12 pt font, double-spaced; Novellas: 60-145 pages of prose, 12 pt font, double-spaced; Cities of the Straits Chapbook Series: 20-40 pages of poetry or fiction. 12 pt font, double-spaced. Details HERE.
WEST TEXAS LITERARY REVIEW seeks submissions of poetry, essays, flash fiction and photography for consideration year-round. Publishes quarterly in print and online. Submission fee. Details HERE.
The BeZine
Call for submission for the June issue.
THE BeZINE, Be Inspired, Be Creative, Be Peace, Be.Submissions for the June issue – themed Sustainability – close on May 10 at 11:59 p.m. PDT.
New rules: Please send text in the body of the email not as an attachment. Send photographs or illustrations as attachments. No google docs or Dropbox or other such. No rich text. Send submissions to bardogroup@gmail.com.
Publication is June 15th. Poetry, essays, fiction and creative nonfiction, art and photography, music (videos or essays), and whatever lends itself to online presentation is welcome for consideration.
No demographic restrictions.
Please read at least one issue and the Intro/Mission Statement and Submission Guidelines. We DO NOT publish anything that promotes hate, divisiveness or violence or that is scornful or in any way dismissive of “other” peoples.
June 2018 issue, Deadline May 10th. Theme: Sustainability
September 2018 issue, Deadline August 10th, Theme: Human Rights/Social Justice
December 2018 issue, Deadline November 10th, Theme: A Life of the Spirit
The BeZine is an entirely volunteer effort, a mission. It is not a paying market but neither does it charge submission or subscription fees.
Previously published work may be submitted IF you hold the copyright. Submissions from beginning and emerging artists as well as pro are encouraged and we have a special interest in getting more submissions of short stores, feature articles, music videos and art for consideration.
Fine Arts Work Center in Provincetown, Fellowships
CONTESTS
Opportunity Knocks
THE MASTERS REVIEW FLASH FICTION CONTEST “The winning writer will be awarded $3000 and publication on The Masters Review site. Second and third place will be awarded $200 and $100, respectively, as well as publication in The Masters Review. So here it is: a home for your very best small fiction. Send us big worlds in tiny packages, large ideas with a low word count. Dazzle us with your best fiction under 1000 words. $20 entry fee. Deadline: May 31, 2018. Details HERE.
THE PATRICA GRODD POETRY PRIZE FOR YOUNG WRITERS “recognizes outstanding young poets and is open to high school sophomores and juniors throughout the world. The contest winner receives a full scholarship to the Kenyon Review Young Writers workshop. In addition, the winning poem and the poems of the two runners-up will be published in The Kenyon Review, one of the country’s most widely read literary magazines.” Details HERE.
TOM HOWARD/JOHN H. REID FICTION & ESSAY CONTEST is open through April 30, 2018for published and unpublished work. $5,000 in awards for short fiction, essay or short work of nonfiction. Top twelve entries to be published on line. This is their 26th contest. Any theme. No demographic restrictions. Submission fee. Details HERE.
WERGLE FLOMP HUMOR POETRY CONTEST for best humor poems published and unpublished. No entry fee. $2,219 in prizes. Open through April 1, 2019. Details HERE.
The Poet by Day always available online with poems, poets and writers, news and information.
The Poet by Day, Wednesday Writing Prompt, online every week (except for vacation) and all are invited to take part no matter the stage of career or status. Poems related to the challenge of the week (always theme based not form based) will be published here on the following Tuesday.
The Poet by Day, Sunday Announcements. Every week (except for vacation) opportunity knocks for poets and writers. Due to other Sunday commitments, this post will often go up late in the day.
THE BeZINE, Be Inspired, Be Creative, Be Peace, Be – always online HERE.
Beguine Again, daily inspiration and spiritual practice – always online HERE. Beguine Again is the sister site to The BeZine.
YOUR SUNDAY ANNOUNCEMENTS may be emailed to thepoetbyday@gmail.com. Please do so at least a week in advance.
If you would like me to consider reviewing your book, chapbook, magazine or film, here are some general guidelines:
send PDF to jamiededes@gmail.com (Note: I have a backlog of six or seven months, so at this writing I suggest you wait until June 2018 to forward anything. Thank you!)
nothing that foments hate or misunderstanding
nothing violent or encouraging of violence
English only, though Spanish is okay if accompanied by translation
your book or other product should be easy for readers to find through your site or other venues.
TO CONTACT ME WITH ANNOUNCEMENTS AND OTHER INFORMATION FOR THE POET BY DAY: thepoetbyday@gmail.com
TO CONTACT ME REGARDING SUBMISSIONS FOR THE BeZINE: bardogroup@gmail.com
PLEASE do not mix the communications between the two.
Often information is just that–information – and not necessarily recommendation. I haven’t worked with all the publications or other organizations featured in my regular Sunday Announcements or other announcements shared on this site. Awards and contests are often (generally) a means to generate income, publicity and marketing mailing lists for the host organizations, some of which are more reputable than others. I rarely attend events anymore. Caveat Emptor: Please be sure to verify information for yourself before submitting work, buying products, paying fees or attending events et al.
Jamie Dedes' THE POET BY DAY Webzine 