Creating Luck

As you know I recently debuted my first e-chapbook, Twelve for the Record. Somewhere along the way I mentioned here that I'd had some help from others who had already done this. Without those people, I'm not sure I could have figured out the challenges of the correct formatting. At the very least, it would have taken me more time. I'm very glad that I did take on this challenge as a number of nice things have come about as a consequence.

One of the people who helped me was Joanne Merriam who runs Upper Rubber Boot Books, a press that does e-books only. She also has a blog at the website called Couplets where this past Poetry Month she ran a huge blogathon. She invited poets who would be posting interviews with other poets or related pieces to send her their links which she then compiled into single list. Joanne also did some interviews herself. As a result of our new connection, she invited me to be interviewed. Check out this 4-question interview HERE.

Joanne also asked if I'd be willing to be interviewed by another blogger-poet, Wendy Brown-Baez. I was indeed. So that resulted in a second interview on a wide range of topics, such as how I warm up to write, the use of humor, the making of a trailer, and the future of poetry. Check it out at Wendy's Muse.

Joanne's entire list of 133 links is available HERE.

Then Jama Rattigan, who purchased the chapbook, did the lovely feature at Alphabet Soup that I blogged about recently. And that led to several of her readers purchasing the chapbook.

I've also received several nice emails from people who either purchased the chapbook ($3) or took advantage of Amazon's free download promo. A few people have also thanked me for helping them figure out how to download the free e-reader.

All good things and proving once again how important it is to take advantage of opportunities. You never know where they'll lead you or who you'll meet along the way. 

Feasting on Good Fortune

At her blog, Jama's Alphabet Soup, Jama Rattigan—fantastic author of children's books, foodie, and poetry lover—has posted a lovely feature in her weekly "Friday Feast." Entitled Talk Almost Dirty to Me, Diane Lockward, the piece is a write-up of my new e-chapbook, Twelve for the Record, of which she says, "You just never know when you’ll get a sudden craving for an exquisitely crafted poem that gleams and glistens; it’s nice having a few choice nuggets in your back pocket."

The feature also includes "The Best Words," a poem from the chapbook. As she always does, Jama has beautified the feature with some wonderful pictures. Check out the picture of Humpty Dumpty's very original fan note!

In addition to her generous and enthusiastic discussion of the chapbook and my other books, Jama has created a very useful resource for anyone interested in checking out some of my other poems. She includes links to six other poems that were previously featured at Alphabet Soup. She also includes a link to a recent interview at Wendy's Muse and a link to last April's podcast at Dave Bonta's Via Negativa.

Thank you, Jama Rattigan!

Kicking Off Poetry Month

How nice to learn yesterday that Michael Snell, owner of the Michael Snell Literary Agency in Massachusetts, is featuring me on his website's Welcome page. There's a photo of me and a recording of my poem, "My Husband Discovers Poetry," read by Betty Rauch. What a delightful surprise and what a great way to start Poetry Month. Thanks to Michael and Betty.

Go HERE to listen to the poem. This will remain in its spot for a week.

If you'd like to see the poem, "My Husband Discovers Poetry" can be found online at The Writer's Almanac.

This poem is the last one in my first book, Eve's Red Dress. It's also the first poem in my new e-chapbook, Twelve for the Record. If you were here on Saturday, you know that Amazon had a 24-hour free download of the chapbook. An amazing number of people downloaded it. During those 24 hours I enjoyed some very nifty numbers in the sales rankings. Check this out:

 And check this out. Yes, number 1!

Now if you missed this bargain, do not despair as you can still get the chapbook for your e-reader. It's only $3 which hopefully won't break your bank. Available for quick download HERE.

Twelve for the Record: A New EChapbook

I have a new chapbook! Previously published as part of the Greatest Hits series, the collection is now available as an ebook and can be downloaded onto any of your ereader devices. The collection consists of 12 poems, the ones most often requested, and an essay tracing the history of the poems.

Teachers might find this collection a convenient and cost-effective resource for their poetry students.

Twelve for the Record can be purchased for $3 at Amazon. Click HERE to purchase.

Don't have an ereader? No problem. Amazon has applications that you can download for free. Then you can read right on your computer, tablet, Blackberry, iPhone or Android. Click HERE to download.

As always, thanks for your support of poetry.