books – Page 6 – Prolific Pulse Blog

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.

Announcements, books, poetry, Poets & Events, writing

If These Walls Could Talk

November 6, 2022 Lisa Tomey-Zonneveld

If These Walls Could Talk

If these walls could talk
they’d tell mom’s stories
of her younger years
and the adventures of
family and friends
throughout our lives

They’d tell of wonders
how that first date would go
while sister curled my hair
and put makeup on
my 12 year old face
while I perspired in her dress

They’d offer witness of each brother
who came home on military leave
to celebrate accomplishments
and share family life
and visits to old buddies

They’d tell of phone calls
from far away, from old friends
who never forgot relationships
were more important than things

These walls would tell of tears
laughter, hugs, kisses goodnight
and all the life held in between
these floral papers, these quiet walls
if only, they could talk

Lisa Tomey-Zonneveld (c)

Memories of happy times in our lives are such blessings. I wish there had been a record of all the stories my mother alone would tell. As I am working on recording these, to the best of my memory, tears come and my heart warms. Later in his life, I recorded stories of daddy and his telling of his World War II service. I treasure that tape and the document created.

As I was working on Caring for Souls, what helped me is to look at old photographs of growing up. This has brought up so many memories that I am continuing to work in this process for another book.

Sometimes, we end up being the one who has been involved with caring for others or having others care for us. Mom did not care for having to be cared for, but it happened just the same. It was the love that was shared between and outside the walls that built these kind of relationships.

Are you caring for someone now? Please share in the comments. I want to hear about it, if you are comfortable.

May all your walls be covered with memories via photos, art, and more.