Lisa Tomey-Zonneveld

Announcements, Book Announcements, Poets & Events

Three Amazing Women and Right When Women’s History Month Begins – Open your calendars & save the date.

February 22, 2024 Lisa Tomey-Zonneveld

Join us on March 3 at 3 p.m. EST for the Virtual Book Launch featuring the Colorado CoAuthors of Voices of the 21st Century: Women Empowered Through Passion and Purpose.

Colorado CoAuthors are:

Zaneta Varnado Johns is a 5-time bestselling author of three poetry collections: Poetic Forecast, After the Rainbow, and Encore, as well as the What Matters Journal, a unique weekly guide for organization, reflection and gratitude. She is a coauthor in Voices of the 21st Century (2021, 2022 & 2023), and her poems are featured in over seventy anthologies and international publications. Johns is an administrator for the Passion of Poetry and editor of Fine Lines Journal. www.zanexpressions.com

Laura Rochelle Ragin is a certified life coach with a practice focused on holistic self-care and wellness. Recognized as a Top 15 Denver Coach in 2022 by Influence Digest, she empowers overwhelmed professionals to achieve balance and success. Ragin will publish The ABCs of Self Nurturing, a journal for self-discovery and renewal in Spring 2024. www.laurarochellecoach.com

Carolyn Sawyer is a native of Colorado, a recent retiree, and a mother of three. An aspiring writer and bestselling author, Carolyn’s goal is to inspire and encourage others through love, honesty, and compassion. Sawyer’s book of multiple biological family discoveries is underway. Ceesaw712@gmail.com

About the Women Speakers Association (WSA)

Based in Canada, the Women Speakers Association is an extensive global network of women in over 120 countries across six continents. WSA Founder and CEO Gail Watson established the vision as follows: At Women Speakers Association, our vision is of a world in which women are empowered to authentically express themselves; to build a thriving, prosperous business; and feel a part of something greater. A world in which women take ownership of and step into being the leaders that they are; using their voice to powerfully inspire others, thus causing transformation in the lives of their clients, their companies, communities and the world. https://www.womenspeakersassociation.com/

Announcements, Book Announcements, poetry

ANNOUNCEMENT: Loss X Mental Illness is Available

February 22, 2024 Lisa Tomey-Zonneveld

Loss X Mental Illness is a collection of poems written by Aariona Harris during one of the most emotionally and mentally challenging times of her life. Harris offers solidarity to other readers who may go through something similar and ensure they know they are not alone. While doing so, Harris was able to address her grief and expel all of the feelings associated with it, along with the emotional reactions caused by her diagnoses.

About Aariona Harris:

Aariona Harris is currently studying English Literature full-time. She balances a full-time job and college while also finding time to write. Her passion is reading, especially classic literature. Writing provides her with a sense of belonging.

She has a passion for literature, just like other members of literary history. Her desire is to share this love with everyone.

Aariona has had her poetry published in various journals. This book is a product of a chaotic life. Every poem and word brought Aariona healing and acceptance.

What Reviewers Have to Say About Loss X Mental Illness:

There were moments reading this when I could see the 13-year-old I was sure would be a lawyer, throwing out a witty retort to any would be offensive adult, and there were times I saw the young woman clinging desperately to a hand she would never get to hold again, which remains the single most heartbreaking thing I have ever witnessed. Her mother was a huge fan of poetry, and meaningful lyrics; and she was incredible at spoken word, and I think she’d be really proud of what her daughter has accomplished here. I can’t wait for the next book.

Christeena L. Putzer

Aariona Harris captured so many emotions and feelings in her book “Loss X Mental Illness”. With each poem you can feel the emotions that are wrapped around every word. You can tell that the author has gone through so much in her short life. While reading I was shocked and amazed by what she has faced in a short amount of time. Not only does she bring attention to very important topics, she expands on them. This is a raw and honest view of mental health struggles at a young age. Grappling with life challenges that seem almost insurmountable including the loss of a mother, this narrative resonates deeply as it mirrors the silent battles that many young individuals face into today’s world. Aariona’s writing is viewed with a sense of resilience and hope as she navigates these challenges. It encourages a deeper understanding and empathy of those who battle mental health issues often in silence. The book is a beacon of hope and understanding. A reminder that even in our darkest time there is light to be found.

Rebecca Durgin

In Loss X Mental Illness, Harris bares her scarred and beautiful soul. Her poetry could not be more honest as she has sought to understand herself in the context of painful losses.

John Zimmerman

You can check out the page for Aariona Harris at ProlificPulse.com/AarionaHarris and access links for online stores.

Coming Soon!

Set your calendars for the virtual Book Launch for Loss X Mental Illness. March 23, 2024, at 5 p.m. EST. Watch for the upcoming registration link on this blog.

books, Podcasts, poetry

Poet Talk with Michael Poage

February 7, 2024 Lisa Tomey-Zonneveld

I recently brushed off my podcast tools and had a lovely interview with Michael Poage. Check out our discussion about his latest book “Why the Will to Punish?” and other things that two poets like to discuss…you know…life.

You can locate Poage’s book online at many stores or go to Blue Cedar Press to get your copy.

By the way, this isn’t my first rodeo with Poage. Go back in memory lane by viewing this video.

TTOT

Ten Things of Thankful-February 4, 2024

February 4, 2024 Lisa Tomey-Zonneveld

Photo by Monstera Production on Pexels.com

Happy TTOT time! Let’s pour a cuppa and have a chat.

So, how has you week been? I have been super busy but finding time to meditate on being thankful. Some of the events of this week have been: 1 The Call for Submissions for the Cadence anthology closed, and I am grateful that most of the entries were still available when I sent contracts. We won’t talk about the elephant in the living room that sat on the criteria. 2. I have been focusing on getting more movement in and that is going super well. We just came in from a walk to the drug store. It’s nice to be a safe walking distance from there. 3. It’s cool, but sunny and has been that way most of the week. 4. My sweetheart did a lovely presentation at the Raleigh Content Creators Group yesterday. 5. Cabbage. We have an abundance of cabbage. I put two heads in the crock pot with some carrots. This is such a healthy food. I can make a meal of just that. We will see about the rest of them. My mother and I used to have cabbage for lunch. I would cook it while she was working in the gift shop. We never had it for supper. We had to air out the apartment so when dad came home there was no evidence. He had the best nose and could detect cabbageness. There are some other things we fooled dad about. By the time I was a teenager, I knew how mom cooked her meals. She usually liked to be left to cook by herself and asked when she needed someone to do something. I am the same way. Mom was so tired of cooking by then that we traded off. She would work in the gift shop, and I would cook supper. It was our little secret. If dad knew someone else had cooked his meals, he wouldn’t have liked it. Yes, we were sneaky, but it was mom approved and dad was none the wiser. I did tell him much later in life when he would come to our house to eat. He just smiled and said I was taught by the best. 6. Groceries are high, that’s for sure, but I am grateful for stores like Aldi’s and Lidl. The quality is not sacrificed for the names. 7. Daughter is having a birthday on the 12th and is excited about her upcoming Night to Shine event, sponsored by the Tebow Foundation. 8. Daughter did the prayer at church today, during the sacrament service. 9. I have on reading left to do. Or so they say… 10. YOU! What’s your thankful? Please share in a post or add in comments. Have a blessed week.

TTOT

Ten Things of Thankful-January 28 2024

January 28, 2024January 28, 2024 Lisa Tomey-Zonneveld

Happy TTOT time! Let’s get started!

I am grateful for a productive January. I reviewed my calendar and to do lists and found I was crossing a whole lotta things off.
I am grateful that on Fridays there is a group of writers who get together in actual person at a local coffee shop. We visit, share pluses and challenges, and we write.
As a bonus to #2 us that a coffee shop moved in right across the street from where we live. This has been a wish of mine ever since we moved here. It is the perfect shop, too. It’s locally owned and operated.
They had one of my favorite people on Sunday Morning today. Charles Osgood passed away and the whole show was about him. Here’s the link about his loss.
Charles Osgood was a poet, among his many talents, and it was always a joy to hear him recite a story in poetry.
I have done so well with my sleep hygiene and it’s starting to show up on this wrist device. That’s another thankful. My insurance company gave me a device at no charge. I have wanted one, but I didn’t want to spend the money. It does help me to see how much I actually move and sleep. It’s not 100% accurate, but it’s pretty nice.
I am grateful that since going on medicare advantage that there are better benefits than traditional medicare. I probably sound like a commercial HAHAHA
A friend has informed me that her daughter is going back to her home since she is now recovered from a serious bout with Covid, being hospitalized with pneumonia and covid altogether. I am grateful that mom could have her daughter at home and care for her vs having to go to rehab. Not that rehab is bad, but home is always nicer.
It has been very pleasant weather here. While I would love to see one nice little snow, I won’t say it too loud.
You! What are your thankfuls? Post in comments or add a blog post to share. We can always use more posts!