Interview :)

Great news! I was interviewed by writer Annalisa Crawford. We dish on writing, new projects, and more. Check it out: interview.

Enjoy Annalisa’s amazing book: Grace and Serenity.

Also, check out Photography for Writers and my other writing craft books to get that inspiration flowing: Books.

Image by Nacho Capelo on unsplash.com.

My Poem Featured :)

Cool news this week: I was honored that a poem from my This Passing Fever collection was chosen and read online by Lee Ann Berardi Smith as a part of an awesome poetry project. Catch it here.

Care to get your own signed copy of This Passing Fever? I’ve got you. Here.

Want to learn more about writing poetry? I’ve got that, too: here.

I’m in the midst of exciting music collaborations with the poems. More details later this year. Stay tuned!

Poetry in a Time of Pandemic

It’s my honor to have a poem published in the St. Charles Arts Council’s project, Poetry in a Time of Pandemic. My poem, “Quarantine III,” was just published. May these poems bring comfort, insight, and hope to us all as we wait out this terrible virus.

“Quarantine III”

I cracked open a window, to be touched

by chilled arms: shrill April winds better

than nothing. Sister says she’s started

having nightmares about social distancing.

She wandered through a hall, body shaking,

shaking a fist at duos in sweaters carelessly

entwined in chaste hugs. Last night, I dreamt

of an anniversary party in a giant ballroom.

I asked at every festooned food table for

pretzel rods. I was that specific; they weren’t

just pretzels. The punch was Hawaiian red but

all I could scoop into my cup was pale pink,

square ice pellets that tasted of run-off and

blankness. Not even water could quench

as it vanished.  I took more anyway.

National Poetry Month <3

Break out your pens! Happy National Poetry Month!

Here are a few ideas for sharing, writing, reading, and enjoying poetry while quarantining.

Let’s make bunches of verse this month!

• 30 Ways to Celebrate Poetry Virtually

• Teaching Poetry Online: Resources for all Levels of Writers

• Poetry Power: Writing, Editing, & Publishing Dynamic Poetry

Image courtesy of Nicole Honeywill at unsplash.com

Backchannels

It’s been a terribly difficult, tiring, anxious, confusing time, hasn’t it? Feels like we went to sleep at the end of February, and woke up in a stark dystopian novel in March.

My emotions are a snarl of quicksilver uncertainties and kindnesses and fears and back again. I feel so inarticulate, because even this attempt at description doesn’t come anywhere near close enough to the realities we’re living in.

We’ve been self-quarantining for three weeks here on the East Coast, and the governor has just issued a stay-at-home warning through April 30th; I know many states and communities have already been stay-at-home quarantining. May this keep us safe and save many, many lives. <3

As we all try to adjust to unprecedented circumstances that COVID-19 has triggered, sending you my best.

A special shout out to medical personnel, emergency crews, store clerks and other necessary-business personnel, my fellow teachers, and parents at this time— your compassion and bravery make a difference.

I’ve been making art, pondering and reflecting, walking into rooms only to stare into space with perplexity, sharing with students and friends and family, trying to listen more than I usually do, grateful for work online, and attempting to get rest whenever it’s possible (sometimes, it’s just not been possible, as we all know).

How are you coping, dear ones?

I’ve waited to blog until I had GOOD NEWS. Can’t we all use some good news right about now? One of my poems was just published at Backchannels.

Please feel free to share your good news and gratefulness, no matter how big or small, to uplift us in the barrage of near-constant virus coverage.

Sending big virtual hugs (I so miss hugging) and much love and health to you all.

By Ron Smith on Unsplash

New Year, New Writing: I've Got the Inspiration Station for You

This is your year! Invest in your writing dreams in 2020!

• Write poetry? Try Poetry Power! for signed copies or Poetry Power for print and ebook copies via Amazon.

What writers are saying about Poetry Power: “After reading Poetry Power, I feel confident that yes! I could be a poet. Melanie takes her readers by the hand and walks them through the whole process of writing, publishing, editing and loving poetry. Little personal vignettes scattered throughout Poetry Power made me feel like Melanie was a friend. It was as if we were in a writing group together and she was sharing her writing secrets. Each chapter ends with a Try this Prompt that are easy and exciting to try.” —Tricia L. McDonald, Writer and CEO Splattered Ink Press

• Write fiction or nonfiction? Try In a Flash for signed copies or In a Flash for print and ebook copies via Amazon.

What writers are saying about In a Flash: “Written in lively prose, and full of terrific prompts and great examples of the form, this book captures all the potential of flash prose pieces and crystallizes it expertly for the reader, whether novice or advanced.” Fred G. Leebron, director of writing programs in Charlotte, Roanoke, Gettysburg and Latin America, and Pushcart Prize and O.Henry Award recipient

• Love photography AND writing? Try Photography for Writers for signed copies or Photography for Writers for print and ebook copies via Amazon.

  What writers are saying about Photography for Writers: “If you’re a writer (or photographer!) that’s tired of the same old how-to books, then you’re in luck. Melanie’s advice takes you on a delightful tour of the creative world in a way you haven’t seen yet. Her voice and ideas will spark ideas - you’ll be laughing and learning but also producing! This book is a treat!"
  –Kandace Chapple, publisher and writer of Grand Traverse Woman magazine

• Signed book bundles available at: WritePath Productions.

I'm Featured Author at Burningword Literary Journal :)

Super excited to announce that I’m Featured Author this month at Burningword Literary Journal.

• Check out my poetry here: “Clean out” and “First Bite” poems.

• Consider submitting your work  (between now and March 10th), here: Submissions.

• Also, consider supporting the journal and purchasing the issue, jam-packed with wonderful artistic works, here: Issue 93.

Welcome to the World, Photography for Writers!

At long last, it’s release day for my new book, Photography for Writers!

Buy your copy today at Vine Leaves Press. Signed copies also available, via my WritePathProduction Etsy Shop or via pm.

Photo by Adi Goldstein on Unsplash .

Poem Publication : "Lines Composed after Purchasing a 2020 Planner"

Thrilled to announce that my poem, “Lines Composed after Purchasing a 2020 Planner” was published in the current issue of Verse of Silence.

For my fellow poets and writers, the editors accept submissions at Verse of Silence Submissions.

Like this image I made? Prints available at Write Path Productions.

Like Writing down the Bones and The Artist's Way?

Just in time for NaNoWriMo! If you liked Bird by Bird and other craft books, check out In a Flash and these nifty videos my awesome publisher created.

Writing down the Bones style

Writing coach and publishing advisor style

Invest in your writing today. All three titles in my Flash Writing series are now available, including the pre-order for Photography for Writers.