James W.A. is no stranger to epiphanies but recently he received his first credit in a literary magazine in Tampa based bi-annual journal Neptune. His poem, Words Amongst Ashes, talks about his life as a writer, and all that it encompasses. You can check out his and other poets work in the newest issue of Neptune which you can find at the following link: https://www.blurb.com/bookstore/invited/10229810/dde501e6de9c36500760aeb56a92d696b0fbc39a Congratulations James at such an epiphanic achievement.
About the book:
In his sophomore title and first pure poetry collection, James W. A. explores the duality
found in the journey of one’s soul. Drawing from his own history, observations, and
imagination, he conjures the misery of younger days, the peace of more mature ones,
and the meanings of life and love in both. Found within these pages are stories,
musings, dreams, hopes, and emotions that show a progression from sorrow into joy,
and the shades of each in the other. Pour a glass, open your heart, and prepare to
venture forth with the titular concepts to experience for yourself the darkness of
Desolation and the triumphant elation of Epiphany.
About the Author:
James W. A. was born, raised, and lives in the Tampa Bay area. After graduating from the University of South Florida, St. Petersburg’s Honors College, he
published his first book, In the Library, in 2015. Since then, he has honed his ever-
evolving, contemporary style, both creatively and as a professional content writer. While
moving away from the dark subjects of younger days, James W. A. seeks to use his
experiences, joys, sorrows, and wonders he sees in the world around him to lead others
to truth and beauty and share meaningful stories to last the ages.
The author is available for interviews, readings, appearances, and features. For bookings and information, contact his publicist at chelseadevries@thesmartcookiephiles.com
James W.A. recently won two Bookfest Awards for his second collection Desolation and Epiphany. He won both for Outstanding Cover Art, Second Place and Contemporary Poetry-Modern, Third Place. Both awards were awarded during the Spring Bookfest Ceremony ending on April 7, 2024. You can see a list of past and previous winners on Bookfest’s website here: https://www.thebookfest.com/book-awards-spring-2023-first-place/ Congratulations to James and artist Ashton Lay for their subsequent award wins.
About the book:
In his sophomore title and first pure poetry collection, James W. A. explores the duality
found in the journey of one’s soul. Drawing from his own history, observations, and
imagination, he conjures the misery of younger days, the peace of more mature ones,
and the meanings of life and love in both. Found within these pages are stories,
musings, dreams, hopes, and emotions that show a progression from sorrow into joy,
and the shades of each in the other. Pour a glass, open your heart, and prepare to
venture forth with the titular concepts to experience for yourself the darkness of
Desolation and the triumphant elation of Epiphany.
About the Author:
James W. A. was born, raised, and lives in the Tampa Bay area. After graduating from the University of South Florida, St. Petersburg’s Honors College, he
published his first book, In the Library, in 2015. Since then, he has honed his ever-
evolving, contemporary style, both creatively and as a professional content writer. While
moving away from the dark subjects of younger days, James W. A. seeks to use his
experiences, joys, sorrows, and wonders he sees in the world around him to lead others
to truth and beauty and share meaningful stories to last the ages.
The author is available for interviews, readings, appearances, and features. For bookings and information, contact his publicist at chelseadevries@thesmartcookiephiles.com
Technically I don’t write poetry, I am certain that it writes me, or forces me to write it. Words are constantly circling my mind, as if they are creating a story and it’s my responsibility to then write them down. It was never my desire to write poetry. Somewhere in my teenage years it just became clear that I was given a skill set in this life, and I decided to take the time to nurture and attempt to improve this ability that was given to me by the universe. Over the years I have studied and educated myself on different forms of writing, which is why I like to call myself a creative writer. I am currently finishing up my MFA in creative writing, poetry and fiction, and have taken courses in film and television writing in the past. But poetry is my first choice and what comes naturally to my mind. Writing poetry helps me deal with my emotions and to better process this life through the act of writing poetry.
2. Tell us about your most recent collection.
My only published collection to date is entitled: Notes I Wrote Along the Way, which was published back in October 2020. The collection holds 50 poems written in English and Spanish, and focuses on themes such as life, death, purpose, love and letting go. I will say, if I were to do the collection today, I would rework them and restructure the poems to match my current writing style. I think that is a process most writers must deal with, looking back at older work and realizing how you would change some things and edit them to match the growth of your writing style. Currently, I am working on a collection of 75 poems that I started to write while working on my MFA. I am hoping to have them published in the near future.
3. Give the backstory behind one of your poems
Often, I like to write about painters, poets or writers that I am fond of and in one ekphrastic poem entitled: My Artistic Loneliness, which is based on the painting of Edward Hopper. The poem focuses on the loneliness of the characters painted into each poem, and then connected to my own feelings of loneliness and I am connected to those characters in each painting.
4.Who are 3 poets you always recommend?
Pablo Neruda, Charles Bukowski, and Joanne Kyger are three I would recommend at the moment. Neruda is a poet that I recommend often, especially if you are looking for love poems. Bukowski is a poet that I am new to, but I love the realness and authenticity of his words and statements he makes in his poetry. Kyger is a poet that I read in a poetry course recently, and I found the structure of her poems to be interesting and unique, and so I have tried to mimic that in some of my poems as of late. I think it’s important to read a wide variety of poetry from different authors, as it will help you with your own writing and to gain inspiration that can be implemented into your poetry.
5. I am currently reading….
Currently, I am reading Another Country by James Baldwin. I tend to read more for guidance or wisdom, rather than reading for fun. I am currently working on my MFA thesis which is a fiction novel, so I prefer to read the genre that I am writing in order to gain some insight to writing and expand my knowledge of writing through great books from great writers.
This is an exclusive interview with Matthew Gutierrez to commemorateNational Poetry Month. The Smart Cookie Philes is a small business and PR firm dedicated to helping indie authors and musicians espresso themselves.
For marketing services and to request my PR deck, email chelseadevries@thesmartcookiephiles.com
I write poetry because I have to! It is what’s most natural for me, and it’s been that way for most of my life. When I write fiction, there is a lot of planning, plotting, and forethought, whereas my poetry is written in flourishes of inspiration and spontaneity. I began writing poetry seriously when I was deployed to the Middle East as a soldier, as a means of self-preservation and self-medication, and I suppose all these years later, I still write poetry for the same reasons.
Additionally, as my writing has matured, an added focus has evolved in which I wish to show the sacredness of our shared world and our existence on it. And I endeavor to bring my readers with me to the places I travel to and explore.
Tell us about your most recent collection.
My most recent release is my poetry collection Purgatory, released in January 2024. My sixth published full-length poetry collection, Purgatory is perhaps most heavily influenced by the poetic works of Dante Alighieri and the holiness I find interwoven in the mountainscapes of the American West, where I live and explore. Dante’s The Divine Comedy has been the most influential work of literature I’ve read. I read it once a year and every time I take away something new. My last three poetry collections have all been influenced by The Divine Comedy, but Purgatory really doubles down on the journey from despair and suffering toward healing and acceptance. It has already been my most successful book, spending quite some time as the #1 New Release in American Poetry on Amazon, and the reviews for it have so far been a pleasure to read.
Give the backstory behind one of your poems
My poem “Tomato” from my collection Purgatory seems to already be a favorite among my readers. It’s one of several long poems contained in Purgatory. There’s a lot to unpack in this poem, which was written primarily in the spontaneous composition style championed by Jack Kerouac’s poetry. It’s a poem about rejuvenation, healing, and regrowth after destruction, comparing a relationship healing to the new verdant growth that rises from a landscape after wildfires. During the time I wrote the rough draft of “Tomato” my wife and I were growing tomatoes in our garden at my home, so that imagery got interwoven into the context of the poem as well. Like the collection Purgatory as a whole, “Tomato” shows that overarching journey in a microcosm, recovery and growth after suffering.
Who are 3 poets you always recommend?
I would say Dante Alighieri because his The Divine Comedy changed my life. I’d also say my other favorite epic poets, John Milton, Virgil, Walt Whitman, and Homer. But any of those can be a tall order to dig into, and epic poetry isn’t for everyone.
So, I suppose I would recommend to modern poets and poetry lovers: Jack Kerouac (who’s wild and spontaneous poetry has heavily-influenced my own), Gary Snyder (who so perfectly blends the themes of nature, sacredness, and adventure in his poems), and Swedish indigenous poet Linnea Axelsson (who has written what I consider to be the finest poem of the 21st Century, the epic poem Ædnan).
I am currently reading….
I am currently reading Cockeyed Happy by Darla Worden. I picked up this hardcover nonfiction book at a bookstore in Jackson Hole, Wyoming in late March. It’s about Ernest Hemingway’s Wyoming adventures in my state of Wyoming with his second wife. I’m already familiar with Hemingway’s excursions and adventures in Wyoming’s Yellowstone region and in the Bighorn Mountains of north-central Wyoming, where I frequently hike and go backpacking. But the additional details and research undertaken in this book have been fascinating, even for a longtime Hemingway aficionado like myself who thought I’ve learned all there is to know about the greatest fiction writer of the 20th Century.
This is an exclusive interview with Nicholas Trandahl to commemorateNational Poetry Month. The Smart Cookie Philes is a small business and PR firm dedicated to helping indie authors and musicians espresso themselves.
For marketing services and to request my PR deck, email chelseadevries@thesmartcookiephiles.com
Well I started writing poetry during lockdown 2020. By taking the time to understand nature better the words just came, almost as photographs. So I wrote, I found it a way to get emotions from my head. I joined and later became an admin of a Facebook Poetry Group called Dark Poetry Society,where i soon learned to write many different genres and interact with poets on a daily basis.
In short :
Poetry massages my mind and is a spring cleaning of my soul.
2. Tell us about your most recent collection.
The second book I released is called The Saga of Sir Bumble and Tales From the Butterleaf Realm. Part of what will be my inner child series it is meant to appeal to a wider audience.. from 8 to 80 and maybe more. It puts animals and insects centre stage and whilst it reads like a poetic novel
It has many messages and lessons to teach.
3. Give the backstory behind one of your poems
The Saga of Sir Bumble. A Bumble bee who has no sting. As a drone he would normally idle is time away waiting for a chance to mate. Not this guy, he became a poet Knight, grabbed a Holly leaf for a shield and a hawthorn for a lance and off he went.The quest for the sacred honey tree.
The idea came from sitting in the garden in lockdown when a hive of bees set up In the eaves of my house and I became intrigued at their behaviour. Hopefully while giving many characters human like traits, the Saga reads something like a chivalrous pursuit of adventure.
4. Who are 3 poets you always recommend?
Always I have to mention the masters first
Frost, Longfellow and of course Edgar Allan Poe. They have helped to guide my journey
But I now read a hundred or so poems a day from modern poets.
4. Who are 3 poets you always recommend?
Always I have to mention the masters first
Frost, Longfellow and of course Edgar Allan Poe. They have helped to guide my journey
But I now read a hundred or so poems a day from modern poets.
5. I am currently reading….Not Poetry but I am in the middle of The Wheel Of Time series by Robert Jordan, a 14 book series that creates a world of fantasy rivalling Tolkein’s Middle Earth. Those keep me sane after my daily dose of poetry, my admin duties and of course writing my own poetry and ‘ Sinister Short Stories.’
My first collection ‘ My Black Swan Calling’
Shows a little of my darkside as well as my affinity for nature.My books, as have my poems, are evolving and I have a number to be proof read and published when time allows.
This is an exclusive interview with Carl Butler to commemorateNational Poetry Month. The Smart Cookie Philes is a small business and PR firm dedicated to helping indie authors and musicians espresso themselves.
For marketing services and to request my PR deck, email chelseadevries@thesmartcookiephiles.com
Poetry is my favorite type of writing because it is the format I’m most comfortable and proficient in that also allows me to tell the stories I want to. I tend to feel emotions strongly and I discovered a long time ago that writing was a good outlet for these emotions, be them positive or negative. In writing a poem, I can let my feelings drive the piece and jam as much of that into a single poem as possible or take the angle I want to. The freedom that comes with poetry is staggering, more so than any other form of writing I’ve tried out and that leads to some fun experimenting that other forms don’t always offer.
I’ve also found that I’m not very good at telling a long form story in prose or sticking to the writing process of one long enough to get it all out. I’ve dabbled in trying to write novels or short stories before, but I find that I often am missing a piece: either I have some really cool characters with no plot, a great beginning and end with no middle, a beginning and middle without an end, or some permutation thereof. In a poem, I can tell a concise story or showcase an emotion, without getting super bogged down in the details or “lore” of a story. I guess you could say I like the short-form better and I think they can be just as powerful stories, if done right.
2. Tell me about your most recent collection.
Desolation and Epiphany, my most recent poetry book, is a collection of 95 individual poems, split into two parts (technically three, but the last is just a conclusion mostly). The first part, Desolation, contains poems that are somber, depressing, angry, darker things like that. The second part, Epiphany, contains poems that are uplifting, joyful, enlightened, spiritual, and things of that nature. The collection overall is meant to show a progression; some themes and individual poems in the first part find their resolutions and counterparts in the second, although most pieces can be read as stand-alone poems.
Desolation and Epiphany holds a special place in my heart for a few reasons. Firstly, it’s been a long time in the works. The oldest poem in the book is about 13 years old and there are some from every stage of my life since then. In some ways, this book is my “greatest hits” of poems I’ve been writing over the years, and once I felt I had enough that fit well together, I compiled the collection and published it.
It’s also a sort of “rebranding” for me as a writer. My first collection, In the Library, was a much darker, more psychological book that was indicative of my headspace at the time. As I’ve grown as a person, my poetry evolved too and I felt the desire to leave that sort of dark worldview behind. That said, I figured it would be a shame to waste poems I worked hard on, so the idea to have the two halves and show both sides was born. As a meta theme, it speaks to my belief that we as people shouldn’t pretend that the bad times, the things that have happened to us and the mistakes we’ve made , didn’t happen, but rather we should put them in their proper place and learn from them, so as to grow stronger as we move into the future. Publishing this collection was kind of therapeutic in that way, like accepting the past and showing both myself and the world how much I’ve grown and how much stronger I’ve become and that’s a great feeling.
Finally, this collection features some incredible artwork from one of the greatest artists in the world on the cover and in its corresponding promotional items and that’s made it even stronger as a complete book. I think this may be the only time I’d want a book to be judged by its cover and I’m super proud to showcase that artwork along with the poetry inside.
3. Tell the backstory of one of your poems.
I think the poem in Desolation and Epiphany that has gone on the most interesting journey is “Just an Observation.” Found in the second part of the book, the message and theme behind it is pretty clear. I think most of us know someone that, despite the fact that we think they’re incredible, is really hard on themself. I have a friend like this, one of my most favorite people in the world, who used to make a lot of self-deprecating comments and jokes (she’s gotten a lot better about it now, to her credit) and so I was inspired to counter this and write about her strengths instead, in a heartfelt yet somewhat comedic manner.
The interesting thing about this poem (other than it being the first poem I wrote about this particular individual) is that at one point it was meant to be used as song lyrics. At a certain time in my creative journey, I dabbled in learning how to write music to complement my words. In hindsight, perhaps it was strange that I both played bass guitar and was learning music theory, but jokes aside, I wanted to take a poem I’d written and write a melody to go along with it. After looking through some of my recent writings, I chose the one I thought would fit best and took what was once “Just an Observation” and added music to go with it. Thus the song version of this piece was born.
In my amateurishness, I could not sing and play at the same time and in my foolishness could not figure out how to record the bass-played melody correctly and so I put this piece in my metaphorical back pocket until such a time I could present the world (and this girl) with the complete “banger” I had sought. Then, one night in a church in Colorado, I had an idea: I could ask my cousin, musical master and melodic virtuoso, for assistance in really honing in the tune and recording. With her guidance and the powerful fusion of bass and piano, we came up with a version that I was quite proud of. Unfortunately, due to time constraints, we did not record a vocal version and so both parts, music and poem, were incomplete on their own and fell short of what I hoped for in the finished piece.
Later still, when I decided to focus solely on poetry and began compiling the poems that would make up Desolation and Epiphany, I knew I had to include this notable Observation of mine and so I took to editing the piece once again. Thus this poem turned song turned back into a poem and found its completion and home in my newest book and is honestly one of my personal favorites in it. If I ever get the desire to pick up music again, I’d like to revisit it, maybe with guitar, but in the meantime, I think this version is the best one of it.
4. What are three poets you recommend?
Not including the classics, Billy Collins is one of my favorite contemporary poets that I always recommend to people. My uncle got me one of his books a few years ago and I’ve read most of the others since then. I really like how he can capture a powerful emotion in a small amount of space and ranges from wistful to whimsical and everything in between.
I recently discovered the works of Flor Ana after meeting her at a Fair in Ft. Lauderdale. I found her poetry really interesting, both in themes and in the form her poems are written in. She’s doing some really great stuff down in South Florida too; you can really tell she has a passion for poetry and life.
Finally, something of a guilty pleasure of mine that I won’t apologize for is the poetry of Kristina Mahr. The sheer volume of poetry that she writes and with such a dedicated, focused approach is something I personally greatly admire and she’s definitely top of my “famous authors I’d love to meet and collaborate with” list. I can read her poetry in the same way that I devour a tube of Pringles in one sitting: I know it’s gonna bum me out afterwards, but I’m doing it anyways and enjoying every second.
5. I am currently reading…
While I mostly read poetry books these days, I’m actually reading something a little different right now. It’s a book about living a heroic and virtuous life called “Deep Adventure: The Way of Heroic Virtue” by Bear Woznick. Theological books are probably my second favorite genre and this one has some really great insights and ways of explaining things I’d known in a new light that I’m thoroughly enjoying.
Check out James W.A.’s collection Desolation and Epiphany today. Available wherever books are sold.
Tampa Native Releases Brand New Poetry Collection Celebrating Trials and Triumphs of Human Experience
Tampa, FL native James W. A. releases his sophomore collection Desolation & Epiphany. The book officially released on October 1, 2023 with a release party being held at Coppertail Brewing Company in Tampa, FL. The book is available on Amazon, Apple Books, and Barnes and Noble. To see pictures from his festive release party, visit https://www.instagram.com/p/Cx8MkXwsnmh/?img_index=1.
About the book: “Welcome to a wondrous display of
beauty, vanity, humor, and sorrow, a tragedy of squander and a comedy of enlightenment.”
James W. A. Desolation & Epiphany
In his sophomore title and first pure poetry collection, James W. A. explores the duality
found in the journey of one’s soul. Drawing from his own history, observations, and
imagination, he conjures the misery of younger days, the peace of more mature ones,
and the meanings of life and love in both. Found within these pages are stories,
musings, dreams, hopes, and emotions that show a progression from sorrow into joy,
and the shades of each in the other. Pour a glass, open your heart, and prepare to
venture forth with the titular concepts to experience for yourself the darkness of
Desolation and the triumphant elation of Epiphany.
About the Author: James W. A. was born, raised, and lives in the Tampa Bay area in Florida. After graduating from the University of South Florida, St. Petersburg’s Honors College, he
published his first book, In the Library, in 2015. Since then, he has honed his ever-
evolving, contemporary style, both creatively and as a professional content writer. While
moving away from the dark subjects of younger days, James W. A. seeks to use his
experiences, joys, sorrows, and wonders he sees in the world around him to lead others
to truth and beauty and share meaningful stories to last the ages. The author is available for interviews, readings, appearances, and features. For bookings and information, contact his publicist at chelseadevries@thesmartcookiephiles.com
Sticks and Stones Now available in Audiobook Format
Put together by Audiobook Network, the poetry collection Sticks and Stones that won book of the year in Poetry by OnlineBookclub.org is now available in audiobook format on various audio retailers. The Full Story Edition with themes of mental health and loving the person you are is narrated on the audiobook version by Ashton Haughen. Her voice work adds a personal and pulling perspective to the poetry that packs even more power than when read individually by the reader in either e-book and hardcover format. You can purchase the audiobook on Audible,Amazon, and Itunes. It’s run time is three hours and three minutes and was officially published on July 11, 2023. Fall in love with the raw honest and emotional words of the poet while also learning to accept your own truths and relearning and empowering yourself to love yourself for exactly who you are.
About The Book: In Sticks and Stones, DeVries paints a poetic picture of rising above toxicity, love found and love lost, and delves into what it means to find strength in the human spirit. Through poetry, the reader finds a voice of strength and the rebuilding of one’s heart a home with all the sticks and stones thrown upon it. Newly expanded with more full color photos, 41 new poems, and a rewrite of Drowning in An Ocean of No Tomorrows, DeVries shows a full poetic picture of turning pain into poetry in order so you can rise above whatever is pulling you under. About the Author: Chelsea DeVries wanted to be a writer at the age of 7. Her first publishing credit came at the age of 14 with a poem in a student anthology. She then wrote nonstop while doing IB classes in high school. She published two YA novels while still in high school which after over 10 years she rewrote as a NA romance that she looks to put out as her next publication.She is a seeker of justice and uses her words to free this world’s outcasted, peculiar, and underdogs from the chains that bind them. When not writing she runs and does PR for authors and musicians with her bookish brand The Smart Cookie Philes. Though she’s Florida born and raised, she has New Jersey in her veins. She currently lives in Hudson, FL with her squad of two dogs.You can follow her on Instagram and TikTok at @chelsealynnpoetry, and her squad at @dasquad26. In October 2020, DeVries was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome which is a form of Autism.
For this author’s latest press kit, you can download it below.
Today we have the privilege and honor of sitting down for virtual coffee with best-selling poet Antonio Eramo.
His book is in the Top 100 in all 3 Kindle Categories, and even in the Top 20 in 2 categories with more than 168 reviews.
My review of his book is available on Instagram here.
What was your purpose behind writing Cicadas Serenade
Cicadas Serenade was written to be my own version of “song of myself” (Thoreau). My song, like the song of the Cicada, is loud and can be perceived as annoying…but it is nonetheless natural and beautiful in its own right. As far as purpose goes…well, it serves the same purpose as any song within nature, it means everything and nothing at the same time.
2. What’s your favorite thing about nature?
My favorite thing about nature is that it almost mocks man in its perfection. Every lesson I have ever learned I can see expressed in nature…and there is a great irony that we can only see the wisdom of nature after our own failures.
3. What do you hope people gain from Cicadas Serenade?
I hope to gain several things from this book. The number 1 thing would be understanding. Although the manner I express myself isn’t straightforward, I hope that those close to me can read between the lines and understand the overarching meanings. The number 2 thing I hope to gain is a bit of traction within the poetry community. The poetry community is oversaturated and it is very difficult to stand out or be heard. I am hoping that this book can help usher in a return to form for poetry. Most modern poetry is full of bromides and bad line breaks, and I think the reader deserves a bit more than surface level thoughts masquerading as a poem (insta-poetry).
4. As a poet and a writer, where do you see your career going next?
As a poet, I see myself slowly climbing the ranks on amazon and establishing my work as an indie publisher. I am adamantly against big name publishers, so I do not see myself submitting to any of them anytime soon. I do not foresee myself ever being able to live off my work as a poet, which is definitely a blessing in disguise…I feel that if you treat art like a job/career then the work suffers
5. Any new books currently in the works?
I have a new book out called “The Day Prior” which features AI artwork. Most people have been using AI to create art…but I was more curious as to how ai interprets art. I plugged each poem in as the input and had an ai generator interpret the poetry and create a corresponding image. The point of the collection is to analyze the process of interpreting art. In general we have a major issue with something I like to call the “coerced consensus”…in school we interpret things as we are told to interpret them…likewise, ai can only interpret things based on its algorithm (how it is told to interpret). I am curious to see if the images impact the readers ability to interpret the poetry and if it influences their perceptions before they even read.
6. Who are some of your favorite poets?
T.S. Eliot and Robert Frost
7. Who inspired you to become a poet or was there a pivotal moment that made you become a poet?
I don’t really remember what kicked off my fascination with words, but I do recall that it was a sudden snap. One day I just started writing poems.
8. Anything else you want to share with my readers about poetry or your writing career?
A bit of advice for anyone new to poetry…learn the forms and learn poetic devices before embarking on the journey. After you learn the rules you can break them…but for the love of god, learn them first.
Today, we have the honor and privilege of sitting down for virtual coffee with Matthew Gutierrez, author of Notes I Wrote Along The Way. A review of it can be found here.
What was the exact moment you decided to begin writing Notes I Wrote Along The Way? I had been writing for years before 2019, so I had quite the collection, but in 2019 it dawned upon me that I should release them into the world so others may enjoy them and not keep them locked in my computer.
One of my favorites from the collection is Universal Control? Can you tell us more about the backstory behind the piece?
This poem speaks about the complete control that the universe has over all living things; the universe maintains complete control, and we are subject to the twist and turns that are thrown our way. I believe that our existence is part of the universe’s plan and we must all play a part and complete a purpose to that plan.
Besides poetry, what else have you written? I have written screenplays, short stories and currently I am working on more poetry and a longer fiction piece that will become a novel.
Do you plan to write another poetry collection? If so, do you know what the themes may be? I am currently working on writing more poetry and editing and rewriting pieces that I already have picked out for my next collection. I want the next book to be more personal, more direct about pieces of my life and things that have happened in my life. The themes will remain the same as the first collection, I like to focus on the universe, a higher power, love, life and death.
Who inspires you most in your life? I inspire myself… my life inspires me and the people that come In and out of my life inspire me in some manner. Life is full or inspiration and sparks ideas to write.
Who are some of your favorite poets? I would say that I am a fan of Pablo Neruda, John Keats, Langston Hughes, Sylvia Plath, Phillip B. Williams, Roger Reeves.
7.What’s your favorite thing about poetry? I love poetry because you can find the right words for a poem that you cannot seem to discover when speaking to another human being. I started writing poetry due to the lack of courage I had to say a few things on my mind. I found it easier to write them as poems instead.
What is most misunderstood about poetry in your opinion?
The state of being abstract. I hear often, in my MFA program, that I can be a bit too abstract, and I need to be more grounded and concrete when writing a poem. While I am working on being more focused on describing a scene, I do believe that I am that poet and have to stay true to what I do.
Chelsea DeVries, author of Sticks and Stones, is going on a 3 stop book tour. On May 6, 2023, DeVries will appear at the Community Appreciation Event at the Gulf View Square Mall, 9409 US 19 Port Richey, FL 34668, from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. She will be selling her poetry stanza artwork and copies of her award-winning poetry collection Sticks and Stones.
On May 10, 2023, DeVries will appear at the Spring Hill Library 9220 Spring Hill Drive Spring Hill, FL 34608 from 3-5 p.m. for a poetry reading and presentation of her collection Sticks and Stones: Full Story Edition. On May 24, 2023 DeVries will appear at New Port Richey Public Library 5939 Main Street, New Port Richey, FL 34652 from 3-5 p.m. Books will be available to purchase at this event on May 24. Past appearances for Sticks and Stones Poetry readings include Centenniel Park Library, Hudson Library, and Neat Coffee Bar. For more information about each event, please email chelseadevries@thesmartcookiephiles.com
About The Author: Chelsea DeVries wanted to be a writer at the age of 7. Her first publishing credit came at the age of 14 with a poem in a student anthology. She then wrote nonstop while doing IB classes in high school. She published two YA novels while still in high school which after over 10 years she rewrote as a NA romance that she looks to put out as her next publication.She is a seeker of justice and uses her words to free this world’s outcasted, peculiar, and underdogs from the chains that bind them. When not writing she runs and does PR for authors and musicians with her bookish brand The Smart Cookie Philes. Though she’s Florida born and raised, she has New Jersey in her veins. She currently lives in Port Richey, FL with her squad of two dogs.You can follow her on Instagram and Facebook at @chelsealynnpoetry, and her squad at @dasquad26. In October 2020, DeVries was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome which is a form of Autism.
About The Book: In Sticks and Stones, DeVries paints a poetic picture of rising above toxicity, love found and love lost, and delves into what it means to find strength in the human spirit. Through poetry, the reader finds a voice of strength and the rebuilding of one’s heart a home with all the sticks and stones thrown upon it. Newly expanded with more full color photos, 41 new poems, and a rewrite of Drowning in An Ocean of No Tomorrows, DeVries shows a full poetic picture of turning pain into poetry in order so you can rise above whatever is pulling you under.
Venturing to check on my own poetry collection at the local library, I happened upon another local poet’s collection. Checking it out, I was immersed in a short narrative poetry experience that reminded me of one of my favorite childhood books that became a movie The NeverEnding Story.
James W. A. writes of the freedom from rules and counted meter with the poet’s choice of free verse and also shares how that freedom then trickles down to the reader who can then interpret the poem as they see fit even if it differs from the way the poet intended it.
In The Library is a dark poetry narrative that utilizes a main character who’s dialog throughout the book is expressed through poetic stanza and verse, all while utilizing the image of a library to be similar to a graveyard where the main character is asked to read or “remember” 11 different traumatic events.
The library then becomes like the post-traumatic brain and the poetry is the inner workings of coming to terms with said trauma.
It is a different take on poetry but it is unique in it’s own light, and worth a read.
I found it to be hopeful to me as a free verse poet, and I am grateful that on a trip to the library I happened upon In The Library.
If you are anything like me, you read poetry to feel something. To feel sad, to feel angry, to resonate with the feeling of heartbreak expressed in a piece. Rarely ever, do I find romantic poetry a genre that I vibe with these days. That is until I happened upon a poet climbing the social media ranks named Celia Martinez.
What struck me most was the absolute effortless delivery with which Martinez delivers her poems, almost like she’s just saying what first comes to mind, and in terms of poetry and the complexity of language barriers, that is a rare find.
Her poetry reads like diary entries but follows a rhyme scheme with themes ranging from future love, past love, love as a concept, romance, fictional men, heartbreak, and themes of anxiety and depression as well.
The absolute best thing about Martinez’s collection is her imagery. You can literally picture two people meeting in the street, the young woman carrying bread. How she blushes when the man speaks to her, wondering if he’s actually addressing her or someone else entirely. It’s like paintings of romantic storylines come to life, and it fills the readers soul with such wonder, curiosity, and even dare I say, fulfillment similar to that of a romance novel you can’t stop reading.
I finished Martinez’s collection in two days simply because I had trouble putting it down like an insatiable romance novel, and that to me is poetry done absolutely right in a time of social media and short attention spans.
Thank you Celia for reminding us all that love is possible even if it hasn’t been returned to us yet.
It’s a new package i offer with my book and music publicity firm The Smart Cookie Philes. I would basically find 20 bloggers to review and feature your book that are genre specific and 10 Instagrammers to review and feature your book.
All for $400. I would also make a custom graphic that i feature on my website to help promote you that i would cross feature across all my social media platforms.
If interested, please email Chelsea to get started.
Author of Sticks and Stones wins Finalist place in Art Contest
Chelsea DeVries, author of Sticks and Stones: Full Story Edition, was recently named a finalist in a Art Show International Figurative art contest. Her piece “Drowning in an Ocean of No Tomorrows” was awarded the prize.
For more on the list of winner’s, visit here. To purchase this art piece, visit the author’s etsy shop here.
Author Bio:
Chelsea DeVries wanted to be a writer at the age of 7. Her first publishing credit came at the age of 14 with a poem in a student anthology. She then wrote nonstop while doing IB classes in high school. She published two YA novels while still in high school which after over 10 years she rewrote as a NA romance that she looks to put out as her next publication.She is a seeker of justice and uses her words to free this world’s outcasted, peculiar, and underdogs from the chains that bind them. When not writing she runs and does PR for authors and musicians with her bookish brand The Smart Cookie Philes. Though she’s Florida born and raised, she has New Jersey in her veins. She currently lives in Port Richey, FL with her squad of two dogs.You can follow her on Instagram and Facebook at @chelsealynnpoetry, and her squad at @dasquad26. In October 2020, DeVries was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome which is a form of Autism.
About Art Show International: A virtual online art gallery soon to be housed in a physical location in Los Angeles, CA. check out artshowinternational.com for more information.
Author of ‘Sticks & Stones’ Interviewed on Podcast Themed Around Resilience
Chou Hallegra, mental health consultant and owner of grace & hope consulting, recently interviewed Chelsea DeVries on The Grace & Hope Consulting Podcast. The 17 minute episode is focused on DeVries’s experience working in a toxic workplace and how it impacted her mental health but yet she found the strength to overcome from that experience by writing and compiling her poetry collection Sticks and Stones: Full Story Edition. This episode is available here or on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts.
About The Podcast: This podcast is an outreach marketing effort expanded on Grace & Hope Consulting, LLC is a person-centered and community-focused company providing mental health, personal development, and inclusion supports to individuals, families, organizations, churches, and communities. Through con
sulting, counseling, coaching, training, writing, and publishing, we help individuals achieve mental and emotional wellness, reach their full potential, and live fulfilling lives. We are committed to promoting social-emotional learning, human potential, diversity, inclusion and belonging. Find out more at www.graceandhopeconsulting.com
About the Author: Chelsea DeVries wanted to be a writer at the age of 7. Her first publishing credit came at the age of 14 with a poem in a student anthology. She then wrote nonstop while doing IB classes in high school. She published two YA novels while still in high school which after over 10 years she rewrote as a NA romance that she looks to put out as her next publication. She is a seeker of justice and uses her words to free this world’s outcasted, peculiar, and underdogs from the chains that bind them. When not writing she runs and does PR for authors and musicians with her bookish brand The Smart Cookie Philes. Though she’s Florida born and raised, she has New Jersey in her veins. She currently lives in Port Richey, FL with her squad of two dogs.You can follow her on Instagram and Facebook at @onegirlrevolution26_, and her squad at @dasquad26. In October 2020, DeVries was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome which is a form of Autism.
Upon first releasing the poetry collection in 2020 during a pandemic, Sticks & Stones has now charted on Amazon Kindle Top 100 in Inspirational and Religious Poetry four times. The first was on Amazon India at #54 which held for an entire month following the release of the collection. The second time was on Amazon Canada at #11 upon releasing the Full Story Edition, the third was on Amazon US at #67 and the fourth time was #74 on Amazon US alongside other world renowned poets in that category such as Rupi Kaur and Morgan Richard Olivier. DeVries just held her first LIVE poetry reading last week on May 25, 2022 in Pasco County, FL in conjunction with Mental Health Awareness Month.
About The Book: In Sticks and Stones, DeVries paints a poetic picture of rising above toxicity, love found and love lost, and delves into what it means to find strength in the human spirit. Through poetry, the reader finds a voice of strength and the rebuilding of one’s heart a home with all the sticks and stones thrown upon it. Newly expanded with more full color photos, 41 new poems, and a rewrite of Drowning in An Ocean of No Tomorrows, DeVries shows a full poetic picture of turning pain into poetry in order so you can rise above whatever is pulling you under.
Author Bio: Chelsea DeVries wanted to be a writer at the age of 7. Her first publishing credit came at the age of 14 with a poem in a student anthology. She then wrote nonstop while doing IB classes in high school. She published two YA novels while still in high school which after over 10 years she rewrote as a NA romance that she looks to put out as her next publication. She is a seeker of justice and uses her words to free this world’s outcasted, peculiar, and underdogs from the chains that bind them. When not writing she runs and does PR for authors and musicians with her bookish brand The Smart Cookie Philes. Though she’s Florida born and raised, she has New Jersey in her veins. She currently lives in Port Richey, FL with her squad of two dogs.You can follow her on Instagram and Facebook at @onegirlrevolution26_, and her squad at @dasquad26. In October 2020, DeVries was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome which is a form of Autism.
Chelsea DeVries to give Author Talk at Centenniel Park Library
Author To Read Poems From Her Collection ‘Sticks and Stones’
Chelsea DeVries, local poet and author of Sticks and Stones Poetry and Prose: Full Story Edition will do a reading/discussion or author talk at the Centenniel Park Library on Wednesday May 25, 2022 from 4-5:55 p.m. A small signing will follow the live reading and discussion of her poetry. The author talk event is Chelsea DeVries’s first live local appearance regarding her poetry collection that details the story of her experience working in a toxic workplace with themes of mental health, suicide, love and heartbreak. The Centenniel Library is hosting her during May in order to honor Mental Health Month, and the library is located at 5740 Moog Rd, Holiday, FL 34690. For more about the event, visit https://pascolibraries.evanced.info/signup/calendar?&lib=1 or contact Chelsea DeVries at chelseadevries@thesmartcookiephiles.com
About The Book: In Sticks and Stones, DeVries paints a poetic picture of rising above toxicity, love found and love lost, and delves into what it means to find strength in the human spirit. Through poetry, the reader finds a voice of strength and the rebuilding of one’s heart a home with all the sticks and stones thrown upon it. Newly expanded with more full color photos, 41 new poems, and a rewrite of Drowning in An Ocean of No Tomorrows, DeVries shows a full poetic picture of turning pain into poetry in order so you can rise above whatever is pulling you under.
Author Bio: Chelsea DeVries wanted to be a writer at the age of 7. Her first publishing credit came at the age of 14 with a poem in a student anthology. She then wrote nonstop while doing IB classes in high school. She published two YA novels while still in high school which after over 10 years she rewrote as a NA romance that she looks to put out as her next publication. She is a seeker of justice and uses her words to free this world’s outcasted, peculiar, and underdogs from the chains that bind them. When not writing she runs and does PR for authors and musicians with her bookish brand The Smart Cookie Philes. Though she’s Florida born and raised, she has New Jersey in her veins. She currently lives in Port Richey, FL with her squad of two dogs.You can follow her on Instagram and Facebook at @onegirlrevolution26_, and her squad at @dasquad26. In October 2020, DeVries was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome which is a form of Autism.
They tell you about the dangers of riptide but no one warns you that you could be swept down into the riptide of who someone else is.
-Drowning In An Ocean of No Tomorrows
In Sticks and Stones, DeVries uses poetry to paint a poetic picture of her experience working in a toxic workplace, toxicity and bullying she faced in her youth, her struggles with anxiety and depression due to undiagnosed Asperger’s, and turning the pain of love and heartbreak into poetry to help any reader find the strength to overcome whatever is pulling them under. The book is available in hardcover and ebook wherever books are sold but in the US at Amazon, Etsy, Barnes and Noble, Walmart.com, and Target.com.
About the Book: In Sticks and Stones, DeVries paints a poetic picture of rising above toxicity, love found and love lost, and delves into what it means to find strength in the human spirit. Through poetry, the reader finds a voice of strength and the rebuilding of one’s heart a home with all the sticks and stones thrown upon it. Newly expanded with more full color photos, 41 new poems, and a rewrite of Drowning in An Ocean of No Tomorrows, DeVries shows a full poetic picture of turning pain into poetry in order so you can rise above whatever is pulling you under.About the Author: Chelsea DeVries wanted to be a writer at the age of 7. Her first publishing credit came at the age of 14 with a poem in a student anthology. She then wrote nonstop while doing IB classes in high school. She published two YA novels while still in high school which after over 10 years she rewrote as a NA romance that she looks to put out as her next publication. She is a seeker of justice and uses her words to free this world’s outcasted, peculiar, and underdogs from the chains that bind them. When not writing she runs and does PR for authors and musicians with her bookish brand The Smart Cookie Philes. Though she’s Florida born and raised, she has New Jersey in her veins. She currently lives in Port Richey, FL with her squad of three dogs.You can follow her on Instagram and Facebook at @onegirlrevolution26_, and her squad at @dasquad26. In October 2020, DeVries was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome which is a form of Autism.
If you are looking for greatness, where would you picture you would find it?
Most people picture greatness as Olympic athletes and during Sunday night football but I’ve been visiting a place that’s full of greatness all year long.
William Shakespeare is famously known for the quote from his play The 12th Night, “Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon ’em.”
Greatness is easy to see and spot at the Skatepark of Tampa specifically during the annual Tampa Pro contest.
Each year for the past 27 years, the Skatepark of Tampa has hosted the Tampa Pro skateboard contest. The prize has greatly increased since the first one, and both the sport and the venue have evolved with the constant progression of the times but you can expect to go to the local skatepark on the West Coast of Florida and be inspired, be handed a free beer, and a chance to tell your favorite skater how much that backside smith grind down the hubba they did in their last run, stoked you from head to toe.
Here is what a weekend at the Skatepark of Tampa looks like during Tampa Pro weekend. Welcome To Town parties start Thursday evening followed by trivia usually at the Bricks in Ybor City. Yes, that means you can share a pitcher of beer with Mark Appleyard or Mike Valleley, it’s a free country and you can do it.
As an avid 17 year fan of street skateboarding who doesn’t actually skate, people ask me all the time what I love about skateboarding or about the Tampa Pro.
For me, this year I was insanely moved by Felipe Nunes. Seeing out there on the course killing it made me feel that this is a place and an event where anyone can come and feel like they are a part of something greater than what they are currently facing in their day to day life. Sure, books, music, and movies are a great escape but hands down, I’d rather be at the skatepark during Tampa Pro weekend.
Two young guns smile from ear to ear because they are stoked to be here!a super fan asking for a pro’s autograph.
Whether it’s your first time or you’ve been here 10 times, Tampa Pro is an event that’s high vibrational, continuously gets better every year, and even allows women skateboarders to compete. One thing is for sure, it certainly will have you coming back again next year because everyone who’s anyone can come and just hang loose.
Thanks Paul and all who put on such a fun time down in hot and sunny Tampa, FL. I can’t wait for next year’s event in April.
It happened. The dreaded moment in an author’s book launch when social media was no longer pushing sales.. so i took a page out of the book I always use for my clients as their publicist and said: you need to be out in the open and meet people in real life. So I found […]
Chelsea DeVries is delighted to announce they will be participating in the Author Expo at the 3rd Annual RVA Booklovers’ Festival this Saturday, May 8, 2021 from 11 am to 5 pm EST! This year’s event, RV(irtual)A Booklovers’ Festival, will be accordingly hosted online on Hopin. Register for your free ticket here!
The Festival’s Author Expo will feature books by authors of many genres from around the country, as well as indie presses and literacy organizations. The Main Stage will boast several excellent panels like Framing History through Fiction, Middle Grade Magic, and Get Lucky: Romance, featuring authors like Amanda Quick and Simon Van Booy. The Kids’ Stage will feature book readings all day long, while the Poet-tree Stage will explore some spoken word, readings, panels, and more, emceed by Virginia’s first ever…
For Immediate Release April 13, 2021 Chelsea DeVries, Publicist smartcookiepr26@gmail.com Sticks and Stones currently #1 in Drama and Poetry Sticks and stones by Chelsea DeVries, which is a collection of prose and poetry for anyone healing from a painful experience bringing up themes of mental health, suicide, and love and heartbreak. It is currently nominated […]
As most of you know, I love my dogs more than anything. They are my world and basically give my life both meaning and purpose.
Yet, so many dogs and cats are killed in shelters around the USA and I don’t think any furry friend should have to die just because it hasn’t found a home. About 3 or 4 years ago, I came across Best Friends Animal Society. They are a non-profit that advocates entirely for both dogs and cats to be rescued from kill shelters so that they have a chance at a decent and humane life. Every animal has it’s purpose, right?!
In order to help them in their no-kill 2025 initiative, every hoodie and dog bandana will 100% benefit Best Friends Animal Society and their life-saving work for this planet’s most precious and vulnerable creatures.
The Hooman Hoodie is available in a selection of primary colors and runs at $48 with $20 being donated to Best Friends Animal Society.
The dog merchandise has the same “fur-ever friends” design and is available in my new Squad shop but also still benefits Best Friends Animal Society. I will be adding more designs from past squad days in the shop soon but for now get a matching Dog Bandana here. The Dog Bandana is only available in white but is very large to fit any size furbaby. It is priced at $15.97 with 10% of that going to Best Friends Animal Society.
If you or someone you know is an animal advocate, please share this with them.
Until next time, We wish you a Happy Valentine’s Day!
It all started with a dream five years ago…just like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. I was not going to let anything come between me and my dream of helping authors and artists get the right exposure for their project.
Like a fairy dust kiss from above, only one month after launching the site, I got the news that I was selected as a member of Rachel Platten’s Wildfire Tour Crew.
And I will never forget her words before she sang her anthem “Fight Song” the night of the concert. They had me tearing up and I knew without a doubt that this was what I wanted to do, where I belonged, and I wanted others to feel this way too.
So I began by building my audience. I started posting book and music reviews that nobody paid me for. And I launched both my Twitter and Facebook page so I could network with the people in my niche: other writers, musicians, and people who were just looking for a place to express themselves freely without any judgement.
I created a hashtag game to get people aware of my brand messaging without cramming it down their throat.
#ESPRESSOYOURSELF was a trending hashtag on Twitter when the game launched and it was fun for a while.
Yet, it became more of a burden than a blessing and I ended it in 2018. Yet, the site began to get offers for affiliates, brands that wanted to work with us, and even a queue filled to the brim with review requests.
I took a leap of faith the following year and launched my PR firm in hopes that I could be paid to do the work that I earned a college degree in. Turns out, authors were willing to work with me because they knew me to be a genuine supporter of all things creative and especially authors. (I am a bibliophile to my core).
Today, my first ever signed client is still with my firm!
In 2018, I wanted to begin giving back in a new way so I created a merchandise line through Teespring that is 100% cause based. Each design is created with love for a cause that I believe in. And I felt like maybe there were other people who would believe in them too. In 2021, we now have over 19 products currently available and 6 cookie based designs that 100% came from my brain, although I hired an artist to create them for me, and 7 causes that they 100% support.
In 2019, I gained the most clients I ever had at one time in my firm but sadly lost most of them at the beginning of the 2020 pandemic. Yet, do to supportive donations and an ad campaign featuring my dogs, I was able to withstand the stormy weather and I learned how freeing it is to dance in the rain.
My reviews and marketing services are sought after from traditionally published authors, independent authors, other publicists, and even independent music blogs and musicians. My clientele and brands that we’ve worked with span from small to huge but it hasn’t at all changed the reason why I began this site: if I have a dream and a vision, chances are other people like me do too so why not work together to create a community that is inclusive and welcomes art and projects from people of all walks of life.
This year I am excited to announce that my goal for 2021 was to READ MORE and Worry Less.
With that being said, I am making reading a daily priority this year because books are the world I choose to live in, and I refuse to apologize for that. Yet, this is a business that I truly care about and want to continue to see it succeed which is why I am revamping all my services this year.
First I am launching my review service for a nominal fee and you get a lot for a little chunk of change (As always). And this week only, if you request a review for your book, I will guarantee you I will get it done in 20 days or less or it’s free. For me, I want to be accountable this year and every year to come so this guarantee will allow me to do that to start. The guarantee is only good for this week only. After 1/24/21, it’s $40 regardless of how long it takes me to read your work. Sign up here today! This unfortunately means I will no longer offer free reviews so please let people know that I no longer offer those.
Second, I am re-launching my PR services. There will be two types I offer: freelance and contract.
My freelance services are perfect for artists or authors on a limited budget or local businesses looking for marketing assistance.
Lastly, I am pleased to announce that I am raising my publicist fees. Anyone who now signs with my firm will now be required to sign an annual contract and agree to the monthly retainer fee to secure me as your publicist. Big time agencies charge way more than I am but I am willing to believe the value of my work is worth every single dollar. And besides, every dollar earned is always re-invested in making my services or my brand more curated to fit the needs of any and all clientele, and with these new prices I hope to do that but I honestly also hope to attract clients that value my services 100% and want to grow together, and trust me above anything else.
Before I end this rather long personal statement, I wanted to announce that The Smart Cookie Philes is featured in a Book Promotion Directory for 2021. It includes 180 bloggers who will feature your book as well as 40 companies (mine included) who want to help you promote your work at affordable efficient rates.
As always, you can reach me by email at smartcookiepr26@gmail.com 24 hours a day!
And thank you to everyone who has allowed me the chance to work with you, given you a safe haven to belong to, and supported me and this dream for five years!
I am so glad I took a page out of Dr. King’s book and boldly declared “I HAVE A DREAM…”
To the unicorns, the outcasts, and the dreamers,
We welcome you and I just want to say thank you all so much for sticking around.
2020 was a rough year for everyone for various reasons but I never felt so far away from everyone myself but thankfully within the book community, we always end up meeting people who are both on the same page and also inspire us to share more of our story on blank pages..
Kriti from Armed With a Book is one of those people who I came into connection with through a client but I also really liked her review style as well as her professionalism. She has a unique way of sharing about authors, creators, and even about the people who support them such as myself as a publicist. Honestly, as I come up to my 5th year as a publicist and my own boss, it felt like such a nice way to cement that into being.
You can read her amazing post by clicking my custom creative roulette wheel below.
When I graduated college, I knew without a doubt I wanted to be a publicist.
Not for all the perks but because I wanted to use marketing in a fun way.
As someone who made a career since her teens as a fangirl, I have a gift for encouraging others and highlighting the good that others say and do.
Some within the writing and music community, especially indie artists, are unfamiliar with the term “publicist.”
A publicist is a person whose job is to generate and manage publicity for a company, a brand, or public figure or for a work such as a book, film or album. Publicists are public relations specialists who have the role to maintain and represent the images of individuals, rather than representing an entire corporation or business.
Publicists are also hired by public figures who want to maintain or protect their image.
Publicists brand their clients by getting magazine, TV, newspaper, and website coverage. Most top-level publicists work in private practice, handling multiple clients.
One of the publicist’s main functions is to generate press coverage on behalf of their clients and serve as the bridge between clients, their public and media outlets. A publicist manages campaigns and performs other public relations functions. It usually takes many years to develop the media contacts, experience and relationships necessary to be an effective publicist.
The main role of publicists is to get good press coverage for their clients. One way that publicists can do this is by sending press releases to journalists. A press release is written like a news story; including a headline, and attention grabbing quotes. However, because of the high traffic of e-mails, today, many press releases sent by publicists are lost within the other e-mails that journalists receive.
Publicists tend to have good working relationships with journalists, TV news producers, and producers. In order to have these relationships, publicists usually network with these media professionals.
To protect a client’s image, publicists will often ask journalists what questions will be asked during interviews to prevent any surprises and discussion of any unwanted topics.Publicists determine how to manage a person’s or brand’s image by what is being said about them in the media. This pertains to websites and social media. More recently, publicists have the need to network with bloggers and scope out their websites to make sure the content on their client is appropriate.
A typical day for a publicist consists of being on the phone, networking through e-mails, and can make themselves available at all times of the day for when conflict arises.
Out of the office, publicists go to gatherings to network with media professionals.
The #1 I became a publicist is because I wanted to use my gift for writing from a marketing standpoint. And as someone who published novels before without an ally, I wanted to be that specifically for authors and musicians.
Publicists always do the work with the best interests of the client being served, and most of the times, it is a very thankless job.
If you’ve stumbled upon this post, and you believe you need a publicist with a heart for writers and artists who the world has tried to silence, let me be your voice. Let me help you shine.
Poetry is an underrated art form. Yet, it remains a staple of humanity for it’s precise and skin-carving descriptions and word pictures that help us better understand the perspective of what it truly means to be human. James W.A.’s book is no exception. It shares both the trials and triumphs of the human experience without repose. It is a beautiful work of art and a definite must-read
Some poems I enjoyed:
They’ll Drain You Slowly, Man: a look at love and how it really can be the ultimate prize and also your ultimate demise depending on your perspective of it.
Mistletoe: a look at this antiquated holiday tradition
Defiant Pursuit: How the cycle of life and following your dreams can feel like you are going in circles at times, making you wonder if it’s all worth it
Muscle Memory: a piece by piece look at the makings of a human’s strength
The Mark of a Writer: My absolute favorite piece in the entire collection because it talks about the makings of a true writer…the highs, the lows, the feeling of never being good enough.
Fevered Scribblings: Another about the endless cycle of wondering what really matters as a human
Just an Observation: A unique look at how woman always seem to find something wrong with how they look; a overall poem about outer beauty
Waiting For a Table: a poem about signs and how they come from anywhere and remind us about the posterity and bigger picture in life
A Bottle of Dr. Pepper: a comical tale of suicide that ends with salvation and hope with much unexpressed thanks to the carbonated beverage
To purchase his book, check it out by clicking the picture above.
Poet Releases Second Poetry Collection Centered Around The ‘Art of Job Hunting’
Anastasia Fenald is no stranger to the job hunt. With a B.A. in Global Studies and an M.A. in Globalization and Development respectfully, she knows the anguish, torture, and frustration of the endless cycle of applications, assessments, job interviews, and rejection emails which led her to write her second poetry collection about just that. With stout observations and blunt truths sharper than a 24k ballpoint pen across company letterhead, Fenald’s new collection is sure to showcase capitalism for what it is: a corporate game of russian roulette while still appealing to the unemployed and corporate game players alike. The collection releases everywhere in paperback, ebook, and audiobook on November 28, 2023 from Riot of Roses Publishing.
About The Book: Capitalism got you down? Me too.THE ART of JOB HUNTING is Anastasia Helena Fenald’s second poetry collection, a classic one-two punch of humorous satire and blunt truth. While taking inspiration from job applications, skill assessments, and interview questions, each poem delivers wit and sarcasm sprinkled with plenty of uncomfortable (read: honest) vulnerability. THE ART of JOB HUNTING is for anyone living paycheck to paycheck, plotting to cannibalize the rich, and still hopeful enough to think they have a chance against nepo babies.
About the Author:
Anastasia Helena Fenald (b. 1992) is a second-generation Ukrainian-Hispanic-American
poet from California’s windy High Desert. She has a B.A. in Global Studies from the University of Riverside, California (2014) and an M.A. in Globalization and Development from the University of Sheffield, United Kingdom (2015). Known for her energetic attitude and poignant poems, she spends most of her free time devouring fanfiction, performing at open mics, and forgetting to drink water until bedtime.
The Smart Cookie Philes 