Category: writing

Announcements, Book Announcements, books, Children's Books, illustrator, interview, kindness, Poets & Events, writing

Writer Talk with Emma L. Sembly – With her Debut Children’s Book “Mr. Krippet”

Lisa Tomey-Zonneveld

From Classroom to Children’s Books — An Interview with Emma L. Sembly

For Emma L. Sembly, every story teaches a lesson, and every life is a story.

Emma is a life-long storyteller and lover of stories. As a child, Emma loved telling fantastical tales, starting with a captive audience consisting of her little sister. After she grew up, Emma continued to create stories that her students loved.

With a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Elmhurst College and a master’s degree in reading from Johns Hopkins University, Emma set out on a thirty-seven-year journey as an educator in the Baltimore City Public School System, where she taught children with different abilities on both elementary and high school levels. During that time, she also created stories for her own daughter and niece, then for her grandchildren and great nieces.

Now, Emma creates stories for children of all ages, especially the young at heart.

Emma also has a podcast, Just Folks: Conversations with Emma, in which she provides a platform where regular, everyday humans can share their own stories with listeners of all persuasions. Life lessons shared.

Drawing and writing poetry are among Emma’s favorite things to do. She also enjoys planting red flowers around her home. And when she’s not chatting it up with her kitty of thirteen years, she’s having a blast with both of her Favorite Number One Grandchildren.

“What I have learned as a writer and podcaster, is that our stories, our bedtime stories, our fables, are the gateways to life’s lessons,” Emma says, “and we all have a story to tell.”

https://emmaleesembly.com/
https://www.prolificpulse.com/emmalsembly

In a meadow full of chirping, squawking, climbing, crawling creatures, Mr. Krippet is the most industrious, well-mannered, and well-respected of them all. Known for his magnificent tenor voice and his skill as a shoemaker for the ants, he’s spent all summer singing, working, and making friends. But winter is coming — and Mr. Krippet has nowhere to live and nothing stored away to eat. Will he make the baker’s acquaintance — and earn a place by the fire — before the first snow falls? Written by veteran educator Emma L. Sembly and illustrated by Lesley Scoble, with a foreword by celebrated poet Zaneta V. Johns, Mr. Krippet is a gentle, richly imagined tale about dedication, preparation, and friendship. It’s a natural companion to classic fable-and-fall stories about industriousness and community — perfect for bedtime, classroom read-alouds, and quiet corner adventures. Author: Emma L. Sembly – Illustrator: Lesley Scoble – Foreword: Zaneta V. Johns

Get the book: https://www.prolificpulse.com/emmalsembly #MrKrippet #ChildrensBooks #ReadAloud #BedtimeStory #KidsBooks

Celebrations, Poets & Events, short story, writing

A Celebration of Poetry

Lisa Tomey-Zonneveld

We gathered together on Tuesday night to celebrate prolific poetry. I thought I would share this event. There are some announcements included and more.

A Celebration of “Prolific Poets of 2025” #poetrylovers #poetry

We gathered together to celebrate many of the poetry books published in 2025 by Prolific Pulse Press LLC If you see a book or books you would like, the links follow each presenter below or go to https://www.prolificpulse.com/ Be sure to sign up for our mailing list! https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/1262629/142795590456050886/share

Roberta Batorsky is a Biology teacher and freelance science writer. Her poetry reflects her interest in people, their lived experiences and science. She lives in NJ with her husband and has 2 children and 2 grandchildren. she writes with empathy, knowledge and humor and has been published in Heron Clan, Fine Lines, NJ Bards, Delaware Valley Poets and other collections. This is her first book. https://www.prolificpulse.com/robertabatorsky #poetrycollection #poetsofnewjersey #perihelion

Loralee Clark is a writer who grew up learning a love for nature and her place in it, in Maine. She resides in Virginia now as a writer and artist, with two awesome kids and a loving husband. She writes poetry and non-fiction. Myth is her love language. https://www.prolificpulse.com/loraleeclark #myth #poetsofvirginia #solemnity #rites

Zaneta V. Johns is a world-class author of three poetry collections and What Matters Journal. She has co-authored five international bestselling collaborative books and co-edited three poetry anthologies. Johns is an editor of Fine Lines Journal and Women Speakers Association Poet Laureate. Johns resides in Colorado, USA. https://www.prolificpulse.com/zan-johns #poetlaureate #coloradopoets #colorado #awardwinningpoet #poetryeditor

Melissa Lemay lives in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, with her children and cats. She writes about God, addiction, trauma, healing, motherhood, and many other things. She enjoys spending time with family, drinking good coffee, and being outdoors. She loves animals. Her poem, “Ephemeral,” was chosen as Poetic Publication of the Year for 2023 at Spillwords Press; she was Author of the Month for July 2024 and Author of the Year for 2024. Find her at melissalemay.wordpress, collaborature.blogspot, and at dVerse Poets Pub. https://www.prolificpulse.com/melissalemay #rengay #pennsylvaniapoets #poetrycollection #collaboration #humor

LindaAnn LoSchiavo is a dramatist, writer, and poet. A native New Yorker, LoSchiavo has received nominations for the Pushcart Prize, Rhysling Award, Best of the Net, the IPPY Award, CLMP’s Firecracker Award, Balcones Poetry Prize, and Dwarf Stars. She is a member of Science Fiction Poetry Assoc., The British Fantasy Society, and The Dramatists Guild. She has won Two Awards for Cancer Courts My Mother. https://www.prolificpulse.com/lindaannloschiavo #cancer #grief #caregiving #parentchildrelationship #newyorkpoets #awardwinningpoet

Never until recently did Ken Tomaro consider writing poetry. Not when he slid from the womb. Not when he felt the first tingle of teen hormones. Not after he got married, divorced, moved to another city, lost a couple jobs, moved back. It just sort of happened. Ken Tomaro, self-proclaimed poet laureate of the Cleveland sewer system, has been writing poetry for a few short years. He’s not famous, rich, recognized or read in schools across America. He has been published in several literary journals, done a couple podcasts, started the YouTube channel, Screaming Down the Poetic Highway, and that’s pretty damn impressive. Ken Tomaro.com https://www.prolificpulse.com/kentomaro #poetry #lifesterms #contemporary #ohiopoets

Prolific Pulse Podcast

Book Announcements, poetry, writing

Poet & Writer Talk with Juntu Ahjee

Lisa Tomey-Zonneveld

What a wonderful time we had discussing this and that and, oh yeah, writing and poetry. Juntu Ahjee is as much a friend as an artist in his own right. It’s been four years since our last talk and a lot of changes have happened. Just sit back and listen in on this fun interview. When you’re done, go check out Ahjee’s books. There’s not a one I have not fallen in love with. Give it a shot. https://www.amazon.com/Kindle-Store-Juntu-Ahjee/s?rh=n%3A133140011%2Cp_27%3AJuntu%2BAhjee

Poet & Writer Talk with Juntu Ahjee – Podcast