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So pleased to announce that I was recently interviewed by super talented @gilliancourtneypoetry about my poetry and writing experiences and will be featured this week, along with poetry, at @theporchswingpoetry on Instagram!
Check out the first part of our interview today and return later this week for poems by yours truly. 😊
Read more work at this amazing new poetry venue and return often for inspiring poems, interviews, and posts by many talented poets. 🍁
One of the many meaningful parts of publishing a new book is reading the reviews. Much appreciation to readers and fellow writers who take the time to leave a review.
Stay tuned for some great reviews of my latest book as well as some tips for leaving reviews for your favorite authors. Please check out the hotlinks and support the social media and books of the mentioned authors—they are super talented, riveting writers. 😊
Also, if I’ve inadvertently missed anyone’s post or review: my sincerest thanks for your time and effort on behalf of my writing—writers rock and are so generous!
These awesome reviews might give you inspiration for the many easy ways you can spread the word about your favorite writers as well as the many fun, articulate ways you can describe their books. 😊
Excerpts from What Readers Are Saying about Does It Look Like Her?:
From Martha Engber Reads Reviews:
“Melanie Faith’s Does It Look Like Her? is a narrative poetry book that reads like a novel. But rather than rely on a lot of words as novels do, each of the 26 poems in the three-part fictional story of Alix is a brushstroke like the kind used by a renown artist to render her likeness into fame…
Image Courtesy of Martha Engber.
If you’re new to poetry, this book should be your entry. It’s accessible, but not simple, beautiful, but not “cute.” Best of all, each poem’s ending packs an insightful punch that caused me to think about, and find, new angles to my own life, rendering me to murmur, ‘Ah.’”
Amazon and Goodreads feedback:
From Carolyn R Russell’s review:
“With each reading, forwards or backwards, my connection to this examined life, this character, and the language of this stunning little book intensified. Certain narrative threads receded while others popped. Linguistic phrases seemed to leap at me with new significance as context for them deepened.”
From Laurie’s @lauriemiller2015 [Instagram]’s review:
“This collection is passionate, melancholy, loving, and to me, an homage to artists who may struggle with their writing, painting, or creating their art. My favorite pieces were the three in which Alix’s son, Sam, speaks about a famous portrait of his mother—the first at age eight, the second at age 20, and the third at age 39. Through those three poems, the reader sees Sam’s perspective, and his relationship with and understanding of his mother, evolve. As the mother of a grown son, I related to the changes in their relationship, and it was beautiful.”
From an Etsy review by Janessa Haley @janessahaleyauthor [Instagram]:
“Melanie's book is so inspiring! This lovely book of poems has been added to the special place on my bookshelf full of Melanie's other books :) If you love beautiful words and poems that tell a story, this book is a must for all poetry lovers!”
From an Etsy review by Jessie Carty:
“So excited to read Melanie's newest poetry book!”
From an Instagram post by Ian M. Rogers:
“Psyched to get Melanie Faith’s new poetry collection, Does It Look Like Her?...If you haven’t already, check out her new innovative, story-based poetry book and her first foray into independent publishing, the latest of many new endeavors—she has signed copies available on her Etsy store (just Google Melanie Faith Etsy), or you can buy it from the Big A (Amazon). Here’s to more creative adventures, and I can’t wait to dive in!”
From a Goodreads review by Terri McCord:
“This book rings true as not only an inventive tribute to creativity and family, but also to the rich history of art and artists. Does It Look Like Her? is also a wonderful collaborative chat with art-makers, past and present, and shaped with such great care by this writer/poet, and art-maker herself. The language is musical, and the relationships are tender, and the portrait that emerges is well worth reading.”
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If you’ve ever thought about reviewing anyone’s book, here are 5 helpful ideas:
*Don’t have much time right now? No problem—click on the number of stars you wish to give a book at Amazon, Goodreads, or another site. You can return later to write your review, and in the meantime, you have contributed to a better rating for the book. Win-win.
*Unlike formal reviews, you can literally leave just a sentence or two. [See “running short of time” above.]
*Not sure what to say? Here are a few options. Compliment:
characters you connect with
good pacing
funny passages or passages that made you think
a resonant line or two you liked
the conflict or main goal of the protagonist
how this book compares to others in the same genre (you can even name-drop a book or two it reminds you of)
your favorite chapter/poem/essay/line
what you like about the dialogue
POV or alternating POV in the book
what you like about this author’s writing style
*In addition to the book sites listed above, some writers (like myself) also sell their books through an Etsy shop or a personal website. Etsy, in particular, has a feedback box which is another great place to reach readers who are interested in the book.
* Post a few words about a book you love at your own socials and tag the author if you’d like.
*There were also many generous Facebook posts and Facebook replies that I deeply appreciate. Facebook and Facebook Groups can be a great place to share reviews.
To writing beautiful book reviews that make a difference to readers and authors alike!🥳
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Would you like to read a copy of Does It Look Like Her?:
Signed copies of Does It Look Like Her? available at my Etsy store: clickety-click. Also, available (unsigned) through Amazon: clickety-click.
Cover design and photography by moi 😊
Super excited that my article about narrative poetry was published at Women on Writing today in the Craft Corner. 🪻🥳
I had a blast talking about this meaningful type of poetry as well as my own writing practice, and I packed it with tips for writers exploring this exciting form of verse!
Signed copies of Does It Look Like Her? available at my Etsy store: clickety-click. Also, available (unsigned) through Amazon: clickety-click.
Also, If you, your friends, or your students or writing group are interested in learning more about writing poetry, I have a lot more writing advice and fun prompts for poets in my Vine Leaves Press book, Poetry Power (scroll to the second book on the page for links to Poetry Power ) ! Check it out: Poetry Power: clickety click and at Amazon:clickety-click.
Great news: my copies for signing have arrived. If you’d like a signed copy, here’s the link to my Etsy shop:
Does It Look Like Her: Signed Poetry Book— Clickety Click!
Copies [unsigned] are also still available through Amazon: Book Clickety Click!
I also had a ridiculous amount of fun creating this self-portrait with my book. 😁
Thanks for all of your support, and here’s to books and poetry! 📔
