news – Page 2 – I Write Her

The Short Of It Update

Published on July 11, 2025July 11, 2025 by Susi Bocks3 Comments

I’ve already received fourteen submissions in the first week. AMAZING! But there is a BUT. I’ve also had to remind eight additional people to PLEASE follow the directions on the Submissions Page. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but if you don’t follow the submission process as outlined, your work will not be accepted.

**Another Update – I’ve received a total of seventeen now, but unfortunately, four more have been declined for not following the guidelines! I want to emphasize how important it is that you do!

So…

First, go to this LINK…

Second, thoroughly read the rules in that link…

Third, where it says…

Click this hyperlink to take you to the online Submission Form. Due to the amount of work involved in all facets of The Short of It that I’ve done on previous submission cycles, I had to streamline the process. I love what I do with this, but I also don’t want to get burned out from managing all the details the way I have in the past. THIS submission process will work efficiently for you and me, but it won’t if you don’t follow the directions. Please and thank you!

The Short of It – It’s OFFICIALLY OPEN Again!

Published on July 1, 2025June 29, 2025 by Susi Bocks6 Comments

Welcome back, all you fabulous micro-poets! The excitement I feel every time I open it up again is palpable. Each submission cycle sees our veteran writers returning, as well as new and talented individuals checking in for the first time. I am always amazed at the work they submit!

I invite everyone interested in participating to read the guidelines on the submission page, whether you’ve been with us since the beginning or are new to our publication. Please follow the rules to ensure your submission is accepted. This year is significantly different from previous years, as I’ve tried to streamline it as much as possible. It should make it easier for us all! Should you have any questions, I’m an email away. :)

Click here – Submissions Page

Also, a quick reminder, only the first 52 accepted submissions make it into the features and the book, so don’t dilly-dally! Get them in as soon as you can.

Since The Short of It‘s inception in 2020, I’ve been honored to publish these three volumes – The Sound of Brilliance , Reflections & Revelations, and Natures Discovered on Amazon.

All the books contain incredible thoughts, which I’m proud to have been privy to initially and then feature publicly, not only with my audience here but also around the world. If you haven’t gotten your copy yet, feel free to click on the links. I’d appreciate it!

I look forward to receiving the first submission!

Join Some Of The Poets From Natures Discovered!

Published on May 3, 2025 by Susi Bocks15 Comments

On April 30th, we had the opportunity to get together to talk to each other, some for the first time! I enjoyed seeing, meeting, and talking to the people of Natures Discovered!

Go team! :) Enjoy the video, everyone!

Natures Discovered is AVAILABLE NOW!

Published on April 27, 2025 by Susi Bocks34 Comments

I am thrilled to announce that Volume 3 has been published! The paperback and the eBook are now live on Amazon. It may take a little time to populate on the foreign Amazon sites, but be patient; it’s coming. To get your copy, CLICK HERE, and it will take you right to the sale page.

The entire process – soliciting submissions, featuring the selected ones, curating, and creating the next volume of poetry – is a tremendous amount of work (almost two years for each cycle) but one I never regret doing. It is a pleasure to watch all these talented people get the recognition they deserve. :)

THANK YOU again to all the poets and writers who have supported my efforts from the beginning and all the new members of THE SHORT OF IT family! I’ve enjoyed every minute of this experience. I hope you have, too!

#1 Bestseller – Tranquility: An Anthology Of Haiku HAS PUBLISHED!!

Published on April 26, 2025 by Susi Bocks12 Comments

Barb’s Wordy Blurbs: Tranquility (An Anthology of Haiku)

Read Barb’s Wordy Blurbs for a sampling of the quality that lies within the pages of this beautiful book!! Thanks so much for including one of mine, Barbara!! <3

Announcing The 2024 Pushcart Prize Nominees!

Published on April 25, 2025April 26, 2025 by Susi Bocks13 Comments

This is now year three of The Short of It‘s hunt for the best of the best who have submitted, been featured, and ultimately, were curated for the latest volume, Natures Discovered.

It was great to review them all once again, in one sitting, and to find those which had that extra something. The poets & writers who take the time to create these pieces have my admiration and great thanks for providing me and the readers with such amazing pieces!

I am pleased to announce that the following poets’ pieces have been submitted to the Pushcart Prize Committee! These selected pieces are included in Volume 3 – Natures Discovered—a collection of the best featured in The Short of It’s online publication.

Lollipop days by Eugenia Hoffman

Handoff by John Grey

Landing by Layla Todd

Parched by Amrita Valan

Tapestry by Ken Gierke

First Thing in the Morning by Bartholomew Barker

The Pushcart Prize nominations are accepted from Oct 1 – Dec 1, and I will be submitting them at that time.

Natures Discovered – COMING SOON!

Published on April 23, 2025April 17, 2025 by Susi Bocks9 Comments

Here in Seattle, I am still working diligently to have Volume 3 (paperback and eBook) published by the end of April, and I believe I am on track to succeed. :) The eBook is giving me a few headaches though – formatting it sucks!! Fellow book self-publishers will understand. lol

Keep your eyes open, the publication will hit before you know it!

A New Poetry Prompt – SenHai Saturday! Join Me!

Published on April 19, 2025April 19, 2025 by Susi Bocks25 Comments

Welcome to SenHai Saturday #1!

I will provide the image to get your creative juices flowing, and your mission (should you choose to accept it) will be to contribute one senryu and one haiku to this poetry prompt. Remember that a traditional haiku describes nature or a season, and senryu tends to focus on human nature and emotions.

Please provide a link in the comments below or do a ping-back to this post on your blog.

I’ll provide the roundup and the next SenHai prompt the following Saturday. Does it sound simple yet challenging? I hope so!

Can’t wait to see what your brains and your senses reveal!

It Was A Bust!

Published on April 18, 2025April 17, 2025 by Susi Bocks25 Comments

I was here, but NO ONE showed up! :(

While it wasn’t what I had wished would happen, I’m still grateful that I had the opportunity to learn how to do it better next time. As they say, live and learn! Luckily, it was not a great big expenditure; the public transportation cost only amounted to $6. Where I spent the most effort was all the walking I did by getting off at the wrong stops! LOL My legs may be sore tomorrow.

The city of Seattle is nice though, reminds me a bit of San Diego, with all it’s hills and houses butted up right next to each other. A little too crowded for me – too many houses, cars, people, etc. After living in a rural town that affords me a lot of breathing room, it just feels a tad claustrophobic. That’s just me. So while that didn’t pan out as I would have hoped, I’m ready for the next adventure! :)