“Fairy tales are more than true: not because they tell us that dragons exist, but because they tell us that dragons can be beaten.”Neil Gaiman, Coraline [recommended]
Neil Gaiman (10 November 1960) is an English author of short fiction, novels, comic books, graphic novels, audio theatre, and films. His notable works include the comic book series The Sandman and novels Stardust, American Gods, Coraline, and The Graveyard Book. He has won many awards, including the Hugo, Nebula, and Bram Stoker awards, as well as the Newbery and Carnegie medals. He is the first author to win both the Newbery and the Carnegie medals for the same work, The Graveyard Book (2008). In 2013, The Ocean at the End of the Lane was voted Book of the Year in the British National Book Awards. [Wikipedia] Neil’s Amazon page is HERE.
If you are viewing this post from an email subscription, it’s likely your have to link through to the site to view the video: An Interview witih Neil Gaiman.
Poet and writer, I was once columnist and associate editor of a regional employment publication. Currently I run this site, The Poet by Day, an information hub for poets and writers. I am the managing editor of The BeZine published by The Bardo Group Beguines (originally The Bardo Group), a virtual arts collective I founded. I am a weekly contributor to Beguine Again, a site showcasing spiritual writers.
My work is featured in a variety of publications and on sites, including: Levure littéraure, Ramingo’s Porch, Vita Brevis Literature, Compass Rose, Connotation Press, The Bar None Group, Salamander Cove, Second Light, I Am Not a Silent Poet, Meta / Phor(e) /Play, and California Woman.
Thank you for sharing your love of words. Comments will appear after moderation.
“Outside of a dog, a book is a man’s best friend. Inside a dog, it’s too dark to read.” Boys Life Magazine, 1954
CALLS FOR SUBMISSIONS
Opportunity Knocks
32POEMS is open year-round for submissions of poems 32 lines or less. $3 reading fee. $25 payment. There is an interest in reviews as well. Details HERE.
ABRAMELIN accepts submissions of literary poetry year-round. Details HERE.
ABSINTHE: A JOURNAL OF WORLD LITERATURE IN TRANSLATION, foreign literature (fiction, poetry and creative nonfiction by living authors) in English translation. The journal is hosted by University of Michigan, College of Literature, Science, and the Arts. Details HERE.
AUTUMN HOUSE PRESS has a call for submissions of poetry, fiction, and nonfiction books, which is open from August 1 – November 1, 2018. Details HERE.
BLOODAXE BOOKS considers submissions from poets who are published poetry in reputable literary magazines or in a pamphlet from a reputable small press. Details HERE.
COFFEE HOUSE PRESS publishes literary novels, short story collections, poetry, creative nonfiction, book-length essays and essay collections. Check the site in March 2019 for the next reading period for Coffee House Press. Emily Books is an imprint of Coffee House. Emily Press is open for reading through September 1. No poetry. Details HERE. Scroll down on the page.
THE FROGMORE PAPERS publishes poetry and will open for submissions to its March issue 2019 from 1-31 October, 2018. Details HERE.
FRONTIER POETRY is a “quality home” for new and emerging poets with no more than one full-length published work. Details HERE.
THE HUNGER JOURNAL publishes fiction, poetry, nonfiction, hybrid/experimental, art/photograph is open for submissions through August 15 for its Fall Issue. The Journal’s theme “is not confined only to food, but hungers and thirsts of all kinds: the craving for connection, the human need to be filled or emptied, the devastating desires that define our most alive moments. Hungers can be sexual, romantic, familial, individualistic, spiritual, creative, sorrowful, conflicted, humanistic, and/or existential.” Each issue also features The Glutton’s Digest, which is “dedicated to filling the emptiness.” Submissions by email. No submission fee. No payment. Details HERE.
THE MATADOR REVIEW is open or submissions to its Fall 2018 issue. The editors seek poetry, fiction, flash fiction, and creative non-fiction, inviting all unpublished literature written in the English language (and translations that are accompanied by the original text) as well as many forms of visual art. The call for submissions will end August 31.
NARRATIVE MAGAZINE publishes fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. Submission fee for unsolicited manuscripts. Paying market. $150 for a Story of the Week, with $400 each for the annual Top Five Stories of the Week; $150 to $350 for 500 to 2,000 word manuscripts; $350 to $1,000 for 2,000 to 15,000 word manuscripts; Rates for book-length works vary, depending on the length and nature of the work; $50 minimum for each accepted poem and audio piece. ($25 for poetry reprints.); $200 each for the annual Top Five Poems of the Week; $100 for Readers’ Narratives. Details HERE.
SEQUESTRUM is open or submission through July 15 for Issue 17. Sequestrum publishes fiction, creative nonfiction and poetry. Details HERE.
SYCAMORE REVIEW publishes fiction, poetry, nonfiction, and art and book reviews and works of translation. Query first for reviews. Submissions open on September 1. Details HERE.
WASAFIRI INTERNATIONAL CONTEMPORARY WRITING publishes academic articles, essays, fiction, interviews, book reviews and review essays, and poetry. Submission details and style sheet HERE.
XI DRACONIS BOOKS is currently reading through 31 July 2018 for its 2019 publication year. The interest is in fiction, nonfiction, poetry and visual arts. Xi Draconis publishes one fiction, one nonfiction and one poetry title yearly. Details HERE.
Caveat Emptor: Please be sure to verify information for yourself before submitting work, buying products, paying fees or attending events et al.
THE BeZINE, Be Inspired, Be Creative, Be Peace, Be. Submissions for the September issue – themed Social Justice – close on August 10 at 11:59 p.m. PDT .
NEW NOTATION: There will be a subsection themed Be the Peace. Submissions are invited to that section as well and you can submit to both sections.
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 September 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. We DO NOT publish anything that promotes hate, divisiveness or violence or that is scornful or in any way dismissive of “other” peoples.
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.
The Poet by Day
WEDNESDAY WRITING PROMPT
Reminder:
Response deadline is Monday, July 9, at 8 p.m. PDT. Poems are on theme are published on this site on Tuesday, the July 10. Details HERE.
CONTESTS
FRONTIER SUMMER POETRY AWARD 2018 is open or submissions through July 15. $20 entry fee. $2,000 award to winning poet. $100 for honorable mention. Details HERE.
The Wasafiri New Writing Prize 2018 is open for submission through 5 p.m. GMT on July 13, 2018. Details HERE.
A POEM AND A PINT poetry competition is open through 16 July 2018. Entry fee. Snail mail submissions only. Details HERE.
SIX-FOLD PRESS, short stories and poetry / the completely writer-voted journal. Entry fee: $5 by July 24, 11:59 pm ET. Details HERE.
EVENTS
ENQUIRE for places or reserve list places at Holland House, Worcestershire, July 30th to August 3rd 2018, Second Light Network of Women Poets… Anne Stewart 01689 811394 / 07850 537489 straight to booking form
100,000 Poets for Change, 2018, virtual event at The BeZine on September 29th with Master of Ceremonies, American-Israeli Poet, Michael Dickel (Meta/ Phor(e) /Play). You will be able to participate in this event no matter where you are in the world and there’s no reason why you can’t do both our virtual event and an offline event should you choose to do so. Between them Michael Dickel and Jamie Dedes will keep the virtual event going for at least 24 hours. Yes! It’s a marathon. Watch The Poet by Day for details on how the virtual event works soon. It’s easy-peasy, as they say. You’ll enjoy.
100,000 Poets for Change, Voices on the Bridge, The National Assembly for Wales, Cardiff Bay, C99 1NA Cardiff. September 29, 1 pm – 4 pm UTC+01. Details HERE.
Irish Poetry Therapy Network Annual Conference Weekend Sat and Sun 13 and 14 October 2018 in Ashdown Park Hotel, Gorey with IPTN and Lapidus and iaPoetry – a tripartite programme of self-discovery through poetry and writing for well-being. Details HERE.
Accessible anytime from anywhere in the world:
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.
Poet and writer, I was once columnist and associate editor of a regional employment publication. I currently run this site, The Poet by Day, an information hub for poets and writers. I am the managing editor of The BeZine published by The Bardo Group Beguines (originally The Bardo Group), a virtual arts collective I founded. I am a weekly contributor to Beguine Again, a site showcasing spiritual writers. My work is featured in a variety of publications and on sites, including: Levure littéraure, Ramingo’s Porch, Vita Brevis Literature,Compass Rose, Connotation Press, The Bar None Group, Salamander Cove, Second Light, I Am Not a Silent Poet, Meta / Phor(e) /Play, and California Woman. My poetry was recently read byNorthern California actor Richard Lingua for Poetry Woodshed, Belfast Community Radio. I was featured in a lengthy interview on the Creative Nexus Radio Show where I was dubbed “Poetry Champion.”
Pearl Buck (1892-1973) photo circa 1932 around the time “The Good Earth” was published. It was take by Arnold Genthe and is in the public domain
I give you the books I’ve made, Body and soul, bled and flayed. Yet the essence they contain In one poem is made plain, In one poem is made clear: On this earth, through far or near, Without love there’s only fear.
Essence by Pearl Buck, novelist and humanitarian
“One merit of poetry few persons will deny: It says more and in fewer words than prose.” Voltaire
So often I have the idea for a story that ends up in a poem instead. Poetry is such an efficient medium and economically captures the essence of what I want to say, which is always – no matter what the story – an expression of love. It was interesting to me to discover that one of the novelists I admire, Pearl Buck, felt the same.
June 26th was the anniversary of Pearl Buck’s birth in 1892 in Virginia. Pearl Buck was the daughter of missionaries. She grew up in China and spoke Chinese before she spoke English. She was a prolific writer, poet and a human rights activist. She was black-listed because of her advocacy work and the values reflected in her writing. Of her novels, The Good Earthis probably the best known.
To my knowledge, there is only one small book of her poems. It was published in 1974, a year after her death. It is now out of print. The book is titled Words of Love. It is gracefully illustrated with Asian art by Jeanyee Wong and was published by The John Day Company, the publishing firm founded by Ms. Buck’s second husband. Occasionally copies are available on Amazon.
I view Ms. Buck – I started reading her books when I was twelve – as a sort of spiritual mother, so I felt fortune smiled when I found a copy of her one book of poetry in a used bookstore some years ago. In brief, eloquent, deft strokes, the poems do indeed express the themes of her novels.
A few years ago in an interview with me British poet, Myra Schneider, said this about Pearl Buck’s poem, Essence:
Myra Schneider
” This spiritual poem is an expression of what Pearl Buck feels is at the heart of living and writing – love. Without it life would have no meaning, nothing to offset the negativity, dangers and fears of living. What I understand too is that in all else she has written, all she has given body and soul to, love is the essence. I’m glad she used the word essence because for me the poetry that really matters – both what I read and what I write – is spiritual poetry, poetry which searches below the surface for meanings . This is not say that I write or look for poetry which is very solemn or far removed from the everyday or humorless – rather that I want to explore what lies beneath the ordinary, what raises it, makes it not ordinary.”
Poet and writer, I was once columnist and associate editor of a regional employment publication. Currently I run this site, The Poet by Day, an information hub for poets and writers. I am the managing editor of The BeZine published by The Bardo Group Beguines (originally The Bardo Group), a virtual arts collective I founded. I am a weekly contributor to Beguine Again, a site showcasing spiritual writers.
My work is featured in a variety of publications and on sites, including: Levure littéraure, Ramingo’s Porch, Vita Brevis Literature,Compass Rose, Connotation Press, The Bar None Group, Salamander Cove, Second Light, I Am Not a Silent Poet, Meta / Phor(e) /Play, and California Woman.
Thank you for sharing your love of words. Comments will appear after moderation.
“Pithy and powerful, poetry is a popular art form at protests and rallies. From the civil rights and women’s liberation movements to Black Lives Matter, poetry is commanding enough to gather crowds in a city square and compact enough to demand attention on social media. Speaking truth to power remains a crucial role of the poet in the face of political and media rhetoric designed to obscure, manipulate, or worse.” MORE, Poetry Foundation
OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS, I’m inviting all Facebook friends – and this post is an open invitation – whether you are poets or not – to Like 100,000 Poets (and friends) for Change 2018 GLOBAL EVENT. Of course, there’s no obligation to do so, however given the state of the world at this time, it’s important to throw our energy and support behind this effort. It sends out a message to those who . . .
use their power to harm people, culture and environment,
to the folks on the run who don’t know we care, and
to each other that we are together – have one another – in support of PEACE, SUSTAINABILITY & SOCIAL JUSTICE.
Really I think we outnumber the bad guys. We just don’t get the press. We have to make our own.
FROM MICHAEL ROTHENBERG:
“Do you want to join other poets, musicians, artists, mimes, dancers, photographers, performing artists, clerics, and friends of the arts around the USA and across the planet in a demonstration/celebration of poetry to promote serious social, environmental, and political change?
“September 29th is the global 100 Thousand Poets for Change Day, 2018!
“This is our 8th year!
“If you would like to organize an event in your community, join us here and write to us directly to register your event at
– Michael Rothenberg, Co-founder of 100TPC with Terri Carrion
UNIQUE EVENT AS PART OF 100,000 POETS (and friends) for Change 2018, Global
American-Israeli Poet, Michael Dickel (Meta/ Phor(e) / Play) and others are organizing a 100TPC event in Jerusalem during Sukkot this year. Sukkot is a harvest holiday celebrated in temporary structures (a sukkah, singular; sukkot, plural) to commemorate the time when the Jews wandered in the wilderness. It is traditional to eat meals and sleep in the sukkot during the week of the holiday. The plan is to offer poetry, shared food, and comfort in one or more sukkah in Jerusalem in the spirit of peace, justice, and sustainability. More details to come. This year Sukkot ends during the weekend of 100TPC Global, 2018.
Connect with Michael HERE on Facebook for more information if you want to help with and/or attend the Sukkot event. You can also leave a message for Michael Dickel here at The Poet by Day in the comments section below. I’ll make sure he sees it.
Non-Jews living in and near Jerusalem are welcome.
This event in Jerusalem suggests another way to organize around 100TPC, which could be emulated elsewhere.What holy days or feast days are celebrated in your tradition near September 29, 100TPC Global 2018? Or, do as Rev. Terri Stewart (Beguine Again) did one year: 100,000 Peacemakers for Change. Egypt did 100,000 Mimes for Change. There have been 100,000 Drummers for Change … and Musicians and Photographers as well. All these registered their events with 100,000 Poets for Change. Our only limits are a lack of energy, imagination and passion, so rev up your engines and let’s do it …
Let’s do it … and, let’s get the word out with Joy! Gratitude! Caring! Sharing!
If you are organizing a registered 100TPC event in your area, I’m happy to include details about your event on The Poet by Day if you send your announcement to me at thepoetbyday@gmail.com
Poet and writer, I was once columnist and associate editor of a regional employment publication. Currently I run this site, The Poet by Day, an information hub for poets and writers. I am the managing editor of The BeZine published by The Bardo Group Beguines (originally The Bardo Group), a virtual arts collective I founded. I am a weekly contributor to Beguine Again, a site showcasing spiritual writers.
My work is featured in a variety of publications and on sites, including: Levure littéraure, Ramingo’s Porch, Vita Brevis Literature,Compass Rose, Connotation Press, The Bar None Group, Salamander Cove, Second Light, I Am Not a Silent Poet, Meta / Phor(e) /Play, and California Woman.
Thank you for sharing your love of words. Comments will appear after moderation.
Jamie Dedes' THE POET BY DAY Webzine 