Well, dear blog friends,
Here I am again, rather embarrassed and apologetic for abandoning my blog for SO long! Since my last post months ago, I retired from my university teaching (yippee) and am making the transition to more travel and family time, but still working on tons of poetry projects! I may not be blogging as much, but I am reluctant to "retire" the blog entirely-- especially my "sneak peek" list. So, please be patient with me and I'll try to keep rolling!
Meanwhile, I continue to collaborate with the amazing Janet Wong in our PomeloBooks.com venture in creating poetry projects. This year, we've focused on building the poetry community and nurturing new and emerging poets into the world of publishing poetry anthologies and collections. Our first three ventures were alphabet poetry collections organized along a theme: Things We Do, Things We Eat, and Things We Feel. (We're working on Things We Wear right now!) Those are full-color collections for our youngest poetry fans, ages 1-8.
That led us to expand our focus to create poetry collections for older kids, ages 8-12 (and up). Our first venture for that tween reader is out today: What Is a Friend? This is an anthology of ekphrastic poems written to a black-and-white photo prompt-- all related to the theme of friendship. Backwater includes Ways to Share Poems with a Friend, Poetry Books About Friendship, Ekphrastic Poetry Books, Poets Write about Writing, Kinds of Poems, and Web Resources.
We are so pleased to have a wonderful variety of very talented new and established poets featured in this book:
All profits from the sale of this book benefit the IBBY Children in Crisis Fund. The IBBY Children in Crisis Fund provides support for children whose lives have been disrupted through war, civil disorder, or natural disaster. The program gives immediate support and help — and also aims for long-term community impact, aligning with IBBY's goal of giving every child the right to become a reader. For more info: ibby.org/awards-activities/ibby-children-in-crisis-fund To donate: usbby.org/donate.html
We're also excited that What Is a Friend? has been selected as a "Hot Off the Press" book for October by Children's Book Press. Check it out here!
Janet and I use Zoom to meet with our poets, share information, answer questions, and celebrate together. Here's one pic of our group celebrating each of their poems in What Is a Friend? Enjoy!
Congratulations on organizing and creating another sweet book - and for such a good cause! I’m very honored to be a part of this!
ReplyDeleteI’m the above - not anonymous!
DeleteGlad you're back -- and that you don't plan to retire this blog quite yet. Congratulations on the new Friendship anthology! And good luck with all your ongoing poetry projects. You and Janet are the best!
ReplyDeleteHooray for retirement and a new book!
ReplyDeleteSylvia, it is always good to read your posts! I can't wait to hold What is a Friend? in my hand! I love all the previews today online and the wonderful postcards you made are lovely and oh so helpful for those of us who are very slow on the tech thing.I try but I am stymied so often when I do what I call make progress, then "hit the wall" and have no idea what to do next. I google for help but sometimes my questions are so basic it is hard to find the answers!!! I think What is a Friend? is going to make Pomelo and IBBY many friends all over. So much food for thought! Thank you to you and Janet again!
ReplyDeleteJanet F.
Sylvia, I am excited about Janet and your adventure into a new poetry anthology. I have been interested in taking your course but because of my husband's medical issues and my son's disability case, I am knee-deep in just trying to keep above water. Is there a date that you have determined for the courses?
ReplyDeleteSylvia, congratulations on such a fabulous anthology! I've been loving all the celebratory posts today, and can't wait to get a copy. It looks wonderful! And, I'm so appreciative that it's raising funds for IBBY. Thank you for your work, and happy Poetry Friday!
ReplyDeleteWhat an exciting project - can't wait to get hold of a copy. And congratulations on your retirement :)
ReplyDeleteThat group photo came out great (and I like knowing the graphic secret behind it!). Thanks for leading us so ably!
ReplyDeleteAnother amazing anthology! I know it will be very popular with middle grade readers. You and Janet are making such a positive impact on the lives of others. Thank you for all you do!
ReplyDeleteThank you all for your kind comments and support. It's so much fun to work with all these poets (including many of YOU) in creating more poetry anthologies for more readers! Let's keep the momentum going!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your retirement! I look forward to checking out this new collection.
ReplyDeleteWelcome back, and thanks for the fantastic new anthology!
ReplyDeleteI'm so honored to be included in WHAT IS A FRIEND? Thank you so much Sylvia for your generosity in nurturing new poets!
ReplyDelete"This year, we've focused on building the poetry community and nurturing new and emerging poets into the world of publishing poetry anthologies and collections." What a lofty goal, one you and Janet are putting into action. I feel lucky to have benefited from your classes and opportunities for submission. You are actively creating a dynamic and vibrant community, and I'm so glad to be a part of it!
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