books

HOT NEW RELEASE!

How do we reconcile the outdated notions of being a selfless matriarch with a modern-day understanding that being a mom is about learning to give back to yourself in order to give to others?

How do we learn to accept what it is we wish to hold from our matriarchs and yet also release to become empowered mothers with our own wants, needs, and values?

In Hoods of Motherhood: A Collection of Poems, Lindsay Soberano Wilson, a first-generation Jewish Canadian granddaughter of Romanian Holocaust survivors and Spanish Moroccan immigrants, compiles a bittersweet portrayal of becoming a mother. From the highs and lows of recurrent miscarriages to contending with c-section shame, to larger issues such as intergenerational trauma, and everyday issues like breastfeeding, Soberano Wilson’s first full book of poetry, is relatable, lyrical, and confessional with evocative imagery, allusions, wordplay, rhyme, and rhythm.

What Others Say

The at once soft and brash reality of motherhood is paired with the beauty and nostalgia
of mothering in Hoods of Motherhood by Lindsay Soberano Wilson. The poet’s truthful treatise on both the resilience and challenges and joy and humor of motherhood will be familiar to anyone who has been a mother or had a mother. Soberano Wilson masterfully captures the dance we mothers create as we find balance between being mothers and self-flourishing. While the poems are rooted in the experience of motherhood, fierce and tender, they catalyze the ancestral healing of past, present, and future generations.
Hoods of Motherhood earns a permanent place on my bookshelf.

Aimee Brown Gramblin, Writer and Poet

***

This lyrical collection buzzes with energy, beautiful imagery and memorable ruminations on everything from parenthood to art to our natural world. Soberano-Wilson is definitely a
poet to watch.

David Silverberg, founder and former artistic director of Toronto Poetry Slam,
author of As Close to the Edge Without Going Over (ChiZine Books)

***

Lindsay Soberano Wilson’s “Hoods of Motherhood” is a collection of deeply personal and introspective poems that offer a lyrical and evocative exploration of the themes related to the experience of motherhood, including personal history and self-care. In her poetry, Wilson contemplates the challenges of raising a child while reflecting on the impact of her family’s history and trauma, including the Holocaust and the experiences of its survivors. Through her writing, Wilson engages in a healing ritual, using poetry to cleanse herself of these experiences and find solace and understanding. Her evocative language and poignant imagery invite readers to immerse themselves in the emotional landscape of motherhood, where the mundane details of daily life blend with the weight of historical memory, creating a rich and textured tapestry of human experience.

Michal Mahgerefteh, Managing Editor, Poetica Publishing

***

This is a powerful collection about the challenges of motherhood. Readers will be drawn
equally to the relatability of the themes and the impressive wordplay. Fuelled by a passion, each poem deftly explores the polarizing nature of parenthood with a jaunty writing style that is as explosive as poignant. Whether the stereotype challenging “Down With Cool Girl” or the lyrical “Our Sanctuary”, this collection is consistently engaging and enlightening.

Scott Carter author of Blind Luck and Barrett Fuller’s Secret

About The Author

Soberano-Wilson graduated from Concordia University’s Creative Writing program and went on to earn a Master of Arts degree in English Literature from the University of Toronto. She is a member of the Canadian League of Poets. Her poetry has been published in Fine Lines Literary Journal, FreshVoices, The Embrace of Dawn, PoetryPause, Quills Erotic Canadian Poetry Magazine, Canadian Woman Studies
Journal, Poetica Magazine, and various anthologies, and online literary magazines and blogs.

Her debut chapbook, Casa de mi Corazón: A Travel Journal of Poetry and Memoir (Poetica Publishing), is a hybrid journal of poetry and memoir about how her sense of community, identity, and home was shaped by her past travels.

She has demonstrated that her brazen, yet gentle voice, speaks to an audience as reflected by her growing following across social media platforms, such as Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and Medium.

Where to Find

Hoods of Motherhood: A Collection of Poems is available on several platforms and can be accessed via the following:

and Other Online Retailers

EVENTS

Virtual Book Launch

Live Book Launch

Hoods of Motherhood will be featured at a live book launch where you can meet the author. This will be held at Flying Books・784 College St.・Toronto, ON More June 22, 6:30-8 p.m. EST

Announcements, books, Podcasts, poetry

Announcement! Wil Michael Wrenn has Released his Latest Book of Poetry: “Fog”

April 26, 2023April 26, 2023 Lisa Tomey-Zonneveld

Prolific Pulse Press LLC is pleased to announce that Wil Michael Wrenn’s latest poetry collection “Fog” has been released.

This book is about losing loved ones and the world of imagination and experience surrounding that, and it is dedicated to those who have passed over, in the hope and belief that souls never die … and love never dies.

Wil Michael Wrenn is a poet/songwriter who lives in rural north Mississippi. He has an MFA from Lindenwood University and is a songwriter/publisher member of the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP). His work has appeared in numerous journals, magazines, and anthologies, and he has published three books of poems, the most recent two having been published by Silver Bow Publishing, BC, Canada. Fog can be found by going to prolificpulse,com where links can be found.

Have a look or listen to my interview with Michael:

Announcements, Book Announcements, books, Celebrations, novella, prose, writing

ANNOUNCEMENT! The Good Dog by Laura Stamps is Available!

March 30, 2023March 30, 2023 Lisa Tomey-Zonneveld

It is so exciting to announce the release of The Good Dog by Laura Stamps. Let’s check out what this fun and touching novella is about:

Summary

Ashley is not a dog person. She’s not. Just ask her. Yet for some reason she’s obsessed with Chihuahuas. And she’s not happy about it. No, not at all. Not when she has other issues to deal with. Like chronic anxiety. And panic attacks. And a crazy ex-husband who can’t stop stalking her. Yeah, the last thing Ashley needs is a dog. Or so she thinks. Until a stranger at PetSmart tells her a dog is better than a husband. Could this be true? Ready or not, Ashley is about to find out. Endearing, empowering, entertaining, and laugh-out-loud funny. THE GOOD DOG is all of that and more!

Excerpt from the Book

Don’t know how it happened. Have no idea. But I’m obsessed with dogs. It’s a new thing for me. This obsession. Relatively new. Just in the last month. Okay, maybe two months. Possibly three. Okay, four. Whatever. And not all dogs. Just small dogs. The smallest. Chihuahuas. I’m obsessed with Chihuahuas. And I have no idea why. Makes no sense. Absolutely none. The last thing I need is a dog. Dogs are too needy. Everyone knows that. Needy. Not what I want. Not what I need. Even from a dog. And yet, and yet. I seem to be obsessed. With these little Chihuahuas.

But here’s the thing. I know nothing about dogs. Don’t even like dogs. Never wanted a dog. Never owned a dog. Well, not technically. Not me personally. Okay, we had a dog when I was in high school. A big dog. But it wasn’t my dog. It was my brother’s dog. Dogs were his thing. He was the one who wanted a dog. Not me. He was the one who promised to take care of it. Pleaded, begged, pestered our parents for a dog. Relentless, he was. Then one night dad took too many pills (he called them his “mood elevators”), ended up in the pet department at Richway (we still don’t know how that happened), and bought a puppy. Pill poppers, my parents. Both of them. Mom was just as bad. Worse, even. Filled her prescription every month at the local pharmacy. One hundred pills at a time (what was her doctor thinking?). Those green and black capsules. Everywhere. All over the house. I’ll never forget them. High anxiety. That’s what she said she had. Too bad those pills never worked. On the anxiety. As for the high? Oh, yeah. Worked like a charm.

We only had a dog for a year. Ran away the first chance it got. The quest for greener pastures, I suppose. Or maybe it just wanted to be fed. Dogs need to eat. And drink. It’s important. But my brother wasn’t so good at that. Or brushing or walking or playing with a dog. He was lousy at that too. It was probably the weed. Quite the doper, my brother. A year later we were dogless again. And my brother never mentioned dogs again. And dad. He never went to Richway again. But then he never remembered how he got there the first time. He was good at that. Never remembering. But that was dad.

My best friend thinks my obsession with Chihuahuas is a guilt thing. Like I feel bad about the way my family treated that dog. Like I could make up for it by adopting a dog and taking good care of it. Like this would fix all the bad things that happened back then. To the dog. To me. To my brother. Like that would make everything right. But would it really? No. Not even close.

And if you think I like being obsessed with Chihuahuas, think again. Just because I joined a national group for Chihuahua rescue on Facebook. Just because I comment with little hearts on all the posts for homeless and abused Chihuahuas. Just because I cruise my local Petco every week to look at dog sweaters. Just because I know the color, size, weight, age, and sex of the Chihuahua I would want if I wanted one (which I don’t). If I ever adopted one (which I won’t). None of that means anything. Nothing. Not a thing. Nada. Do you hear me?

However, speaking of that Facebook group, you should have seen yesterday’s post. The one about the tiny Chihuahua, the tan one (the color I want), four pounds (the weight I want), about three years old (the age I want), female (the sex I want) in a precious pink sweater. Such a tiny little thing. Tiny, tiny. And then there’s this. This! She only has one eye. Can you imagine? Poor abused, neglected dog. Poor little Polly. That’s her name. Fully vetted. Available for adoption. And she’s in Dallas. Thirty minutes from where I live. How amazing is that? I hope a good person adopts her. She deserves it. A good person with a loving home. Someone who knows what it’s like to be abused. To escape. To finally get away from the people who hurt you. Someone like me. But not me. Someone to spoil her. To give her more love than she can imagine. That. That’s what Polly deserves. Someone who likes dogs. Someone who wants a dog. A dog person. But not me. No. Not me.

And yet, and yet. She’s so adorable. In that little pink sweater. I do love those tiny dog sweaters. Too cute. Too bad I’m not interested. And I’m not. Well, maybe. One day. I don’t know. Dallas is only thirty minutes away. Maybe I could go. Just to look. Nothing more. A good, loving person. Like me. But not me. A dog person. That’s what Polly needs. Someone to love her. Like she deserves to be loved. Someone she can love. Like me. But not me. What do you think? Should I go? Maybe. I don’t know. Okay. Just to look.

AMAZON BARNES & NOBLE BAM INDIE BOUND

To order a signed copy from the author, email: laurastamps18@yahoo.com

About the Author

Laura Stamps loves to play with words and create experimental forms for her fiction and prose poetry. She is the author of 50 novels, novellas, short story collections, and poetry books. Most recently: IT’S ALL ABOUT THE RIDE: CAT MANIA (2021, Alien Buddha Press), DOG DAZED: A NOVELLA (2022, Kittyfeather Press), and ADDICTED TO DOG MAGAZINES: A NOVELLA (Impspired, 2023). Her fiction and poetry have appeared in over 2000 magazines, anthologies, broadsides, and literary journals worldwide. Laura has won numerous awards, including the Muses Prize. She is the recipient of a Pulitzer Prize nomination and 7 Pushcart Prize nominations. You can find her every day on Facebook (Laura Stamps). Website: www.LauraStampsFiction.blogspot.com

books, poetry, social justice, writing

Social Justice Inks – The Turn of the Year into the Forever of Justice

December 28, 2022 Lisa Tomey-Zonneveld

Each year, we create an anthology and this year we are so proud of the passionate and absolutely honest “Social Justice Inks-Anthology of Poetry.”

It all started with a panel through Living Social. This included C. Miller, Chyrel J. Jackson, Lyris D. Wallace, and LaVan Robinson.

https://prolificpulse.blog/2021/08/18/social-justice-inks-poetry-on-point/?fbclid=IwAR24nT41necbztOqhZ0xXHo-pO3PtkfRaAml5UcgOvnck8lEyru7cxDCXG8

After this meetup an open mic was held and from then on it was all systems go to produce this anthology. After the open mic, it became obvious that the next step would be to publish the anthology. With a call for submissions and tremendous response, we worked together to make it happen. We are grateful for all the support, including that of ShugaShuga Publishing LLC, SistersRoc’nRhyme, Garden of Neuro Institute, and Living Poetry.

We offer the utmost gratitude to Zaneta Varnado Johns, who served with dedication as the co-editor. What an honor to have the help of someone so in tune to what needs to be heard. And if anybody has an editor’s eye, it’s Zan.

Contributing authors to Social Justice Inks were:

Bartholomew Barker, Binod Diwadi, C. Miller, Chanah Wizenberg, Christopher D. Sims, Chyrel J. Jackson,

Dan Brook, Doug Stuber, Elliot m rubin, Howard Moon, Indy Samra, Ivor Steven, Jaya Avendel,

Jia-Li Yang, Jill Sharon Kimmelman, Joan McNerney, Joni Caggiano, K. Ann Pennington, Karuna Mistry,

LaVan Robinson, Lisa Bolin, Lyris D. Wallace, Marisela Brazfield, Marjorie Maddox, Nanci Arvizu,

Norbert Gora, Nayanjyoti Baruah, Pratibha Savani, Rebecca Herz, Reena Nag, Richa Dinesh Sharma,

Richard Fireman, Richard O. Ogunmodede, Robin Klammer, Robin Oakman, Rupa Rao, Sarfraz Ahmed,

Steve Anc, Susan Brearley, Susan Hering, Susi Bocks, Timo Schmitz, Yumica P. Thompson,

Zaneta Varnado Johns, Lisa Tomey=Zonneveld, and cover artist Kay Payne.

We are indeed grateful for the heartfelt contributions to this anthology, a true work of art.

Following the publication of Social Justice Inks we held an open mic for the contributors and guests. Today is the first day it has been shown, saving this until the turn of the years.

May 2023 bring us all a year of hope and action to make certain that we use the powers we hold to make a change for justice.

Blessings and Peace to You All.

Lisa Tomey-Zonneveld, Manager, Prolific Pulse Publishing LLC

books, non-fiction, writing

Author Talk with Reginald D. Jarrell who Talks About 31 Days (Nights)

December 8, 2022 Lisa Tomey-Zonneveld

Have a look and listen to this podcast video. I know that I gained so much from this book and this interview.

Reggie Jarrell currently is an instructor of communication at Southwestern College in Winfield, Kansas. His professional education experience includes teaching at St. Ambrose University, Davenport, Iowa; Southern University – New Orleans, New Orleans, Louisiana; and Alcorn State University, Lorman, Mississippi; as well as adjunct positions at two Iowa and Illinois community colleges. His legal experience includes work as an assistant public defender, Rock Island County and staff attorney, Prairie State Legal Services both in Rock Island, Illinois. His communications experience includes, but is not limited to, television production staff, Family Radio, Oakland, California; newspaper staff reporter, The Moline Publishing Company, Moline, Illinois; and television news reporter, WHO-TV, Des Moines, Iowa. He has also worked as a janitor and shoe salesperson. His ministry experience includes serving as interim pastor, Progressive Baptist Church, Davenport, Iowa. Jarrell has earned Doctor of Ministry and Master of Divinity degrees from the Berkeley School of Theology (formerly the American Baptist Seminary of the West) Berkeley, California; Juris Doctor degree, University of Iowa College of Law, Iowa City, Iowa; Master of Science degree, Mass Communication and Journalism, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa; and a Bachelor of Arts degree, Communication, The American University, Washington, D.C. Jarrell and his wife, Canetha, live in Wichita, Kansas, and they have three adult children and six grandchildren. His hobbies include creative writing, having previously published a memoir, “31 Days (Nights),” and a children’s book, “Wings.” His other interests include theater, film, guitar, and travel. Dogs are his favorite animal and the family pet is a small Yorkie/Poodle mix. You can learn more about 31 Days (Nights) and purchase your copy here: https://bluecedarpress.com/product/31…

This podcast is also available on Spotify, along with all other podcast platforms.