Showing posts with label poetry. Show all posts
Showing posts with label poetry. Show all posts

Friday, May 21, 2021

Totally fun brain teasing poetry with Kelleyina Johnson

 


I HAVE A QUESTION FOR YOU: Treasure hunt your mind and house for answers to these brain teasing poems
Kelleyina Johnson
 
April 2021
58 pg, print $13.99
Buy on Amazon

About the book
The selected poems are brain-teasing, mentally stimulating, and fun! What makes them unique is that each poem asks a series of questions. After hearing them, the listener has to figure out what those questions are revealing about the answer. I provide the answers, but I don't just give them to the reader, they have to unscramble them.
 
A brief interview with the author:
 
Kelleyina, share a little about your writing journey. What prompted you to write a book, and how did you go about learning how to do it?
What prompted me to write this book was a little journal I purchased. I saw it and it was just the cutest most delicious looking cover. I looked at it and said, "I know just what I'm going to do with you, I'm going to put poems in you, then put them in a book and get it published." In my mind all of that was happening. After I had gotten enough poems, so I thought, I sent my manuscript out to get my copyright  registration. After that I was not sure what to do, so I prayed. That's when God sent a young lady named Robyn Norwood to me. She was starting an authorship class and  she was the answer to my prayers. Her class taught me what I needed to do to complete the process of getting my book published.
 
How did you come up with your lovely, intriguing, and fun poems?
The way I came up with most of my poems were spirit led. I would arise, after sleeping, with a thought in my head to write something down. Of course I was obedient. Even throughout my day when I got an idea I always stopped to jot down what I was thinking. 
 
What are your favorites? Which gave you the most trouble and why?
OK, so, I have to be biased here and say, "they are all my favorites." Even when I had about twelve poems and thought I was done, and Robyn challenged me to add a few more, I was always consulting my Heavenly Father for the words.
 
What do you like to read in your spare time? What are you reading now?
In my spare time I like to read books on leadership, positive thinking, creating a better future for myself, relationships and prayer verses. Right now I am reading Think Big by Terri Savelle Foy, In The Meantime by Iyanla Vanzant and Kicking Over Sacred Cows by Charles Capps. It depends on whichever room I'm in that determines my read for that moment.
 
What’s next for you?
My next project is a children's book as well. Except This one will consist of illustrations for the poems. It will be about the yellow school bus.

Sneak peek from Lisa: it's really cute. Can't wait to see it. Thank you for your time today, Kelleyina.
 
About the Author:
Kelleyina Johnson is a wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, friend, woman of God and teacher to preschoolers in-home daycare. Many years ago she survived a car accident, totally uninjured, after the car she was in flipped over three times before coming to a stop. This was a blessing because God has used her as a vessel to do so many things outside of her box. She’s a member of the Franklin Road Community Association in Marietta, Georgia and the secretary of “Advance To Excellence,” Toastmasters Club, District 44. She also teaches in the Junior class at her church, World Changers Church International, Marietta Satellite location, which consists of middle schoolers from eleven to thirteen years of age.


Friday, November 16, 2018

Write Now Tour with poet Tolu Akinyemi


Hello! I’m Tolu’ A. Akinyemi and this is one of my tour stops during my one-month book tour for Dead Dogs Don’t Bark and Dead Lions Don’t Roar. This virtual book tour is organized by Write Now Literary Book Tours. The tour runs Nov 5-30, 2018.  Authors book your own tour here.
Genre: Poetry
         
Introducing Tolu’ Akinyemi
Tolu’ Akinyemi was born in Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria and currently lives in the United Kingdom. Tolu’ Akinyemi is an exceptional talent, out-of-the box creative thinker, a change management agent and a leader par excellence. Tolu’ is a business analyst and financial crime consultant as well as a Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS) with extensive experience working with leading Investment banks and Consultancy Firms. Tolu’ is also a personal development and career coach and a prolific writer with more than 10 years’ writing experience; he is a mentor to hundreds of young people. He worked as an Associate mentor in St Mary’s School, Cheshunt and as an Inclusion Mentor in Barnwell School, Stevenage in the United Kingdom, helping students raise their aspirations, standards of performance and helping them cope with transitions from one educational stage to another.


Tolu’ has headlined and featured in various Open Slam, Poetry Slam, Spoken Word and Open Mic events in the United Kingdom. He also inspires large audiences through spoken word performances, he has appeared as a keynote speaker in major forums and events in the United Kingdom and facilitates creative writing masterclasses to all types of audiences.

In March 2018 he was endorsed by the Arts Council England as an "Exceptional Talent."

About The Book

Dead Lions Don’t Roar is a collection of inspiring and motivating modern day verses. Addressing many issues close to home and also many taboo subjects, the poetry is reflecting of today’s struggles and lights the way to a positive future. The uplifting book will appeal to all age groups, anyone going through change, building or enjoying a career and facing day to day struggles. Many of the short verses will resonate with readers, leaving a  sense of peace and well-being.
Amazon:http://a.co/d/bLCmMt1    
Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/2CAY9N5

About The Book
Dead Dogs Don’t Bark is the second poetry collection from the acclaimed author, Tolu’ A. Akinyemi. With a similar tone and style to Dead Lions Don’t Roar (Tolu’s first poetry collection) this follow up masterpiece is nothing short of pure motivation. The poems cover a range of topics that many in life are aware of, that the Author himself has experienced and that we all, whatever our age, need support in. Beautifully written, the poems speak volumes to all age groups as they feature finding your inner talent, celebrating your individuality and distinct voice. The poetry collection has didactic elements for evaporating the effects of peer pressure and criminality amongst many others. Also covering mental health, relationships, career focus, and general life issues, the poetry is bitter sweet, amusing and thought provoking in turns.
Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/2qaFPml
                                                Amazon:http://a.co/d/g3BVQBO

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Sunday, November 10, 2013

Book review: Inspiring Poetry


Life Inspired

Michelle D Evans 
Poetry

Kindle. 1.99

ASIN: B00G58G87A
 


My review:

This lovely collection of inspirational and inspiring free verse poetry will quiet your soul and encourage you to sit back and take rest. Often using one word to capture the moment, the accompanying beautiful photographs take the reader to the author’s home country of Australia and add depth to the music of the words.

From the mostly quatrain stanzas of Nature, the longest of the fifteen, to the close-up photograph of a thistle in Inconsistencies, to the wonder of pain in The Crash, the strength and flow of the poetry touched me.

Life Inspired is a sensual ride through emotion, a visual and empathetic feast. A delight for all who enjoy free verse poetry.

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Israeli Anthology Selects American’s Poem



Los Angeles, CA--Carolyn Howard-Johnson's poem “Sympathizing with Tantalus” was published in Voices Israel 2012 poetry anthology.

Editor Johnmichael Simon says, “This promises to be one of our most diverse and exciting anthologies and contains more than 220 poems from Israel and overseas.” It also includes the winning entries of the 2011 Reuben Rose Competition and details for entering the 2012 competition. See our website www.voicesisrael.com . Voices will be released in June of 2012.
Voices is affiliated with Cross-Cultural Communications in New York; World Poetry, Vancouver; and University English in Israel.

Howard-Johnson has studied at UCLA with Suzanne Lummis, editor of Speechless the Magazine (http://www.speechlessthemagazine.org ) which featured her chapbook Tracings (Finishing Line Press). Her poem “Endangered Species” won the Franklin Christoph prize and her chapbooks have been honored by MyShelf.com, The Compulsive Reader, and Military Writers Society of America.

She also coauthored the Celebration Series of chapbooks with Magdalena Ball. Find them at http://www.howtodoitfrugally.com/poetry_books.htm. Here is an excerpt from the poem that combines the unfathomable beauty and complexity of the universe with the time-honored myth.

Science challenged, I manage
            with Achenbach's translations,
                        KC Cole's poetic file-folders
                                    for the cosmic-impaired.

Like Tantalus, I grapple
            exhausted,
                        forever
                                    thirsty,
            fruit I desire beyond my reach.
 

Learn more about Carolyn Howard-Johnson’s creative work at http://carolynhoward-johnson.com.

Thursday, October 6, 2011

Book Review: Fingerprints


Fingerprints

By Chantal Obasare

c. 2010

Xlibris Publishing

ISBN: Hardcover 978-1-4535-5316-9

Softcover 978-1-4535-5315-2
$15.99
$7.69


Chantal Obasare shares lovingly crafted poetry that reads like a cry from her heart on an intimate walk of faith with Christ. From the closing refrain of the opening song, “The Grand Climax,” “Then no other will I see, But my Jesus Christ,” to the poignant black and white photographic illustrations reflecting a number of the poems, the reader will share a piece of the author’s soul.


Obasare uses short phrases and rhyming or wrenched rhyming lines in her quatrains.


The simple beauty of worship in her poem “Beyond the Veil” reminds us that the things of this world are changeable pictures while God is real.


You gave me breath

You gave me life

And endless hope

Amidst trying times


I enjoyed Obasare’s word pictures like “Where ‘parents’ is not a fraction” in “Somewhere” and “When my eyes refuse to stop flooding” in “It’s not you…it’s me.”


The poetry showcases her passion for love and family as well. “I Was Made For You” is lovely marriage talk.


Obasare changes pace a bit with “Jamaica: Land We Love.” Octets describe the pain of crime and hurt in a land of beauty and the need for faith to remember God’s blessing.  “Missing” could be anyone, anywhere, as the poetess decries today’s lack of morals. “Where was God?” is a question most of us ask at some point in our lives. Obasare replies in the voice of Job.


“Lovely” reads like an undulating ocean wave, each line a declaration of “I love you” followed by no matter what. Obasare’s end piece, “Pieces of Me,” is like sitting down to a cup of tea with a friend.


Nicely done! Readers of spiritual folksy poetry will enjoy this book—Fingerprints will leave its mark.

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Wasll Scrawls

Literary Journal Selects Best for Wall Scrawls
Los Angeles, CA--Editors of the literary journal Solo Novo Wall Scrawls Vol 1 was just published. It will include the poetry of UCLA Extension Writers’ Program instructor Carolyn Howard-Johnson.
The journal is published by Solo Novo Press, Carpinteria, CA and North Wilkesboro, NC. Editor Paula C. Lowe says, “Wall Scrawls” is inspired by an Iowa farm house wall. Eighty years abandoned and orphaned, it is a “hive of letters, a busy kitchen of words. Every kid with a can of spray paint somehow gets here and leaves his or her native tongue on the walls.” One of those walls has become the cover art of this journal.
The selected poem by Howard-Johnson is "Inevitably Walls.” It is inspired by the poet’s extensive travels where she has come upon walls that only occasionally impart hope for the future of mankind. A quote from the poem:
[This wall] like the one we foundyears ago when we lost our way
in a dark forest somewherein Germany, cried when we
found it there—unexpected…
Howard-Johnson’s poetry has appeared in literary journals like the Mochila Review, Banyan Review, Pear Noir, Manzanita and Poetic Voices. One of her poems won a reader award at The Pedestal Magazine.
Howard-Johnson has studied at UCLA with Suzanne Lummis, editor of Speechless the Magazine (http://www.speechlessthemagazine.org/ ) which featured her chapbook Tracings, winner of Military Writers Society of America’s Award of Excellence and published by Finishing Line Press.
The poet's literary novel, This Is the Place, won eight awards. Her book of creative nonfiction has won three. She is developing a new Celebration Series of poetry chapbooks with Magdalena Ball. Among them are She Wore Emerald Then: Reflections on Motherhood (www.budurl.com/MotherChapbook) and Cherished Pulse: Unconventional Love Poetry (www.budurl.com/CherishedPulse ). She also advocates with authors as the author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers (www.howtodoitfrugally.com).
Learn more about Solo Novo and how to order a copy at: http://www.solopress.com .
Learn more about Carolyn Howard-Johnson at http://carolynhoward-johnson.com.