Social Justice Inks Available NOW!!

Thanks to Lisa Tomey, Editor, and Zan Johns, Co-editor, for selecting my three pieces – Priorities, Ravaged, and Man-made – for this anthology! I’m so proud to be among all this talent on such relevant topics. Please consider picking up a copy, and supporting their efforts!

Social Justice Inks has been published, and is available now! You can find them at these links below:

Lulu
Amazon

The book launch is scheduled for June 20, 7 p.m. EST. Here is the Registration link to sign up: MEETUP Unfortunately, I have a prior commitment, but I hope to see the recording after. Would love to see all your lovely faces! 🙂

Published in Pine Cone Review – Survival Issue

I am so pleased and grateful to Susmita Paul – Founder and Editor-in-Chief, and all those on the editorial team facilitating the selection process at Pinecone Review, for accepting my piece Sleeping in Colors for this special edition! How wonderful to have been chosen to be amongst these talented writers, poets, and artists in this issue on such a relevant topic in today’s world. Thank you so much! I am honored to be in this publication.

You can find this online edition by clicking HERE. I do hope you enjoy all the valuable contributions presented there. You can find all their thoughts by clicking on the Prose, Poetry, and Visual Artworks tabs at the bottom of the post.

Rising Published on MasticadoresUSA!

Life is hard; we all know this. But I always hope that each of us retains a bit of hope and strength to get through the bad times. I’m sure that most of the readers who visit here, know that about me. This piece, which I’m so happy that Gabriela Milton, Editor of MasticadoresUSA, has accepted for publication, speaks about the heaviness of days gone wrong and the determination in spite of it. Enjoy!

Rising

already exhausted upon awakening
the day begins anew

while the brain is slow
the body is even slower

what weighs me down
isn’t easily lifted…

Please read the rest of the piece at MasticadoresUSA

Sheltered Published on MasticadoresUSA!

I’m thrilled to again have a piece picked up by Gabriela Marie Milton at MasticadoresUSA. This is one of my favorites, so happy to share it with all of their readers across the globe!

Sheltered

by Susi Bocks
Twitter Handle @susibocks
Site: https://iwriteher.com/

mother
protecting innocents
with heartwarming love
her devotion so evident
attentive

@Susi Bocks

ABOUT US – SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

MONTHLY CONTRIBUTORS

Gabriela Marie Milton
#1 Amazon Bestseller Author
Books:
Woman: Splendor and Sorrow :I Love Poems and Poetic Prose
Passions: Love Poems and Other Writings
site: https://shortprose.blog/

Pure Haiku – Ghostlight theme Acceptance!

So happy Freya to have this piece selected for the Ghostlight theme and to be in a group of such talented writers! ❤

purehaiku

travel to the stars
past conscious experience
into the surreal

© Susi Bocks

If you enjoy the short and succinct, join me at I Write Her for the minutiae! 

This haiku is part of our Ghostlight theme.

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July 1 is almost here! :)

Just a reminder all you micro-poets and short, short story writers! The Short of It will be open to submissions from July 1 thru December 31, 2021. All selected pieces from this year will be featured in 2022.

CLICK HERE FOR CURRENT SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

I look forward to seeing previous favorites and a large influx of new talent!

My review of ‘The Sound of Brilliance’ by Ingrid

Huge shoutout to Ingrid for a wonderful review! Her continued love and support of our efforts is appreciated. THANK YOU!!

I’ve just finished reading The Sound of Brilliance, an anthology of poems from ‘The Short of It’ series edited by Susi Bocks. As Susi herself states of the book:

This publication aims to find people with an interest and talent for micro-writing, whether their preferred form is poetry or stories, expressing themselves in 150 or fewer words. The other goal is to become an outlet for those desiring to read short bursts of meaningful expressions.

It’s a great idea, because many people lead hectic lifestyles, and can perhaps only spare a few minutes per day to read something at their leisure. Susi has curated this collection in such a way as to ensure that even the shortest time spent reading will be meaningful.

Featured authors

The Sound of Brilliance features many authors whose work I already know and love from the WordPress community, including Jaya AvendelLorraine Lewis and Ken Gierke. However, Susi’s contributor list extends beyond this community, and has enabled me to discover new authors who primarily feature their poetry on Instagram and Twitter, or have websites hosted elsewhere.

As well as being a delight to read, this book also serves as a great reference if you are looking to connect with other poets who write short-form poetry and read more of their work. You can read interviews with some of the authors on Susi’s website.

My Verdict

The Sound of Brilliance is an appropriate title for a book in which the words shine from the page. I have tried my hand at writing short-form poetry myself, so I understand the skill and craftsmanship involved in getting the words exactly right. Susi has curated a fine collection of authors who know how to do this perfectly.

If you are looking for an introduction to short-form poetry, a ‘who’s who’ guide to the online poetry world, or simply some words of wisdom to brighten your day, this book is for you! The Sound of Brilliance is available from Amazon.

Looking for something to read? Take a look at my Book Reviews section. If you have a poetry book you would like me to review, please contact me at experimentsinfiction@protonmail.com. My reviews are not sponsored, and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Through The Looking Glass: Reflecting on Madness and Chaos Within has published!!

I am so thrilled that the book has published!! Thank you to Senior Editors Candice Louisa Daquin and Kindra M. Austin, and Editor-in-Chief Christine E. Ray for including my work in this amazing Anthology! The pieces Downpour, Ennui, and Going Down are three of my favorite pieces and I’m happy they found a home in this publication.

This anthology is a collection of pieces which describe the experiences of “those who are living, or have struggled, with mental illness such as mood disorders, anxiety disorders, eating disorders, personality disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, or psychotic disorders.” My experiences, and observations of others, with anxiety and depression over the years were the inspiration for pieces I wrote.

Indie Blu(e) Publishing has produced so many other noteworthy anthologies and publications. They feature many strong voices and talent. I highly recommend you check them out for yourself. The two books below also contain several pieces of mine.

Should you submit to The Short of It?

That would be a resounding YES!

In just a few months, I will be accepting submissions again. July 1st is right around the corner and the window of opportunity will close on 12/31/21. If you intend to send in your work, PLEASE read the submission guidelines first as they have changed from the previous submission period. I encourage you to read the featured artists from 2020 to get a feel for the work I am looking for to highlight in 2022. January 7th will lead us off and every Friday thereafter, you’ll be fortunate to read another exquisite poet or writer. If you haven’t subscribed to MailChimp to stay up to date, please sign up on the submissions guidelines page.

If you’d like to hear some of the poet interviews and readings of their work, please subscribe to my newly created YouTube Channel. Click here to be redirected. There isn’t any content yet but sometime this week, I will begin streaming them. Subscribing now will get you notifications when any new videos are loaded up in case you miss the post here. I’m hoping to feature a wide variety of content there in the future.

For those who are interested in purchasing a copy of the first anthology – The Sound of Brilliance – which published last week, you can click on the image and it will take you straight there!

The paperback is $10 and the eBook is $3.

As always, thanks so much for your continued love and support! I appreciate you all very much!

On Amazon