memoir – Prolific Pulse Blog

Would you believe that it’s been three years since this book was published? This means I have known Zan for over three years. And what a celebration this is!

What is After the Rainbow about?

Throughout the storms of the pandemic and other challenges, #1 bestselling poet Zaneta Varnado Johns wrote to capture her rainbow of intense emotions. In After the Rainbow, maturity oozes throughout the golden lyrics penned in her highly anticipated second book of poetry. The collection captures her transition to a woman in full pursuit of her passion, loving aloud through reflection. As she expresses deep feelings, appreciation for nature, and life’s simple pleasures, this book covers more than a steppingstone path, but a deep dive into the realities of life. From these depths, the eagle soars as we get to experience transitions and triumphs, all a grand, escorted travel through faith and hope.

Prepare to be amazed at the levels this author is willing to share. As a prolific force with her dedications, Johns has expressed her admiration for souls before her, luminaries among us, and precious ones we have lost. Be inspired by the senior citizen with spunk, Ms. Maggie. Wipe a tear at the photo of the author’s granddaughter as she reads Amanda Gorman’s poetry. Sandwiched between generations of inspiration, Johns beautifully celebrates the people who touch her life. You will be introduced to two esteemed poets from the United Kingdom, Sarfraz Ahmed and Pratibha Savani. Each poet collaborated with Johns on poems, including the award-winning poem, “New Wonderland,” co-authored with Savani.

After the Rainbow will captivate the reader with full on experiences, relatedness to life in life’s terms, and ultimately these golden expressions of poetry. We get to see inside the humor of this creative author as she shares about bubble baths, morning sounds, and a glimpse of her closet’s contents. Travel with her in the poem, “Casa Magdalena,” a cozy adobe spot in Santa Fe, New Mexico that captured her heart. Before we dip into the waters of this journey, Johns’ husband, James J. Johns II, offers a beautiful foreword and his own heartfelt poem. With this grand send off, this is a book which will be revisited time and time again.

We couldn’t let three years go by without a bonus for dedicated poetry lovers. Here’s what we have:

An exclusive discounted offer for each version of this beautiful poetry collection.

After the Rainbow Golden Poems Gold Signature Edition for 14.95 US until February 28, 2025

After the Rainbow: Golden Poems

Johns, Zaneta, Varnado

Buy Now

After the Rainbow Golden Poems for 10.95 US

After the Rainbow: Golden Poems

Johns, Zaneta, Varnado

Buy Now

Book Announcements, Interviews, poetry, Poets & Events

Interview with Joni Karen Caggiano, Author of “One Petal at a Time.”

March 19, 2024March 19, 2024 Lisa Tomey-Zonneveld

Joni Karen Caggiano is an internationally published author, poet, and photographer. She was a 2022 Pushcart Nominee for her poem, “Old News is Not Old News,” published by The Short of It Publishing. She was privileged to write the Foreword for the Best Seller, I Am In Itself Poetry in the Dark, by the five-time Amazon Best Selling Author Michelle Ayon Navajas. On SpillWords Press NYC, Joni won Publication of the Month in November 2022 and Co-Winner of Socialite of the Year 2023 and 2024. Joni was a Co-Author of both #1 Amazon Bestselling books, Hidden In Childhood and Wounds I Healed. She is also in seven additional Poetry Anthologies. Her first book of poetry, Joni is also proud to be included in the poetry anthology, A Safe and Brave Space, published by Garden of Neuro Publishing (2024). She is currently a writer for Hotel Masticadores. Joni formerly contributed four combined pieces a month for one year to MasticadoresIndia and MasticadoresUSA. Joni is a retired nurse, ACOA (Adult Children of Alcoholics) survivor, and environmental advocate. Follow Joni: the-inner-child.com Twitter: @theinnerchild1 Instagram: @jonicaggiano Stay tuned for the upcoming link for One Petal at a Time.

Also available by Podcast

Announcements, art, poetry, prose, writing

ANNOUNCEMENT! Dear Heart has been published!

September 27, 2023 Lisa Tomey-Zonneveld

Before computers, we wrote letters. My mother’s letters were like little novellas, several pages long. Her family members and friends loved to get her “books.” Letters from mom were heartfelt and brought tears of love. As her pen moved passionately across the pages, sometimes her clear, blue eyes would well up. Letters were her release. They were her way of expressing herself in ways she could not voice. Occasionally, she would write letters to people out of anger and then tear them up. These could have been to politicians, relatives, and those are the ones I knew about. She would express her heart’s desire, open up her soul, and pour out her thoughts.

While I did not have the beautiful penmanship of my mother, I learned that the pen was my power. Some of my letters were releases which I destroyed. At age 15, I even wrote one about the need for a doctor in our little town. The letter and story was published in the newspaper.

As a writer and a poet, I write as if my words are letters to the world, perhaps to express the desires of my heart. Other times I write to simply write.

When we do express our desires within our heart this has a way of stirring up thoughts and even action plans to make things happen. They could be acceptances of things that can’t be changed, but often are steps toward courage to make something happen.

I posed this question and requested to others: What is the desire in your heart? This is my challenge to you. I would like to read about the desires in your heart in the “Dear Heart” anthology of letters, poetry, art, photography, and whatever ways helps you express your passion.

There was a caveat to this. In honor of my mother, the expressions were to be sent to me via good old fashioned snail mail.

Now, it is my pleasure to bring to you these beautiful heartfelt responses via Dear Heart.

Lisa Tomey-Zonneveld

Contributirs: Alice Taylor, Chyrel J. Jackson, Danielle Martin, Jia-Li Yang, Jill Sharon Kimmelman, Jodi Lynn Nehring, Karen Monteith, Max H. Tomey, Nanci Arvizu, Pratibha Savani, Rebecca Herz, Richa Dinesh Sharma, Robin Klammer, Sarah Ryan, Shiela Denise Scott, Steve Anc, Terri Michels, and Zaneta Varnado Johns.

Special Shout out to Kay Doiron for the cover art and to Zan Johns for her wonderful editing skills.

Get your copy today on Amazon

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, Book Announcements, non-fiction, poetry, Poets & Events

She Did It! Have a look & listen to the video – this was so much fun!

February 25, 2022March 4, 2022 Lisa Tomey-Zonneveld

It is with great pleasure that we announce the release of Two Time-International Best-Selling Author Zaneta Varnado Johns latest book of poetry “After the Rainbow: Golden Poems.” A celebration was held on Sunday, February 27 at 4 p.m. EST