Announcements, Book Announcements, Celebrations

ANNOUNCEMENT! “Social Possibilities – Poetic Voices of Hope” has been released!

Social Possibilities – Poetic Voices of Hope is the result of a submissions call with the focus about possibilities to improve society. We asked the question” ” How can we bring hope?”

Zaneta V. Johns, Contributor and Co-Editor says it best with her introduction:

Social Possibilities”is a literary sanctuary at a time of heightened uncertainty and distress. We assembled global poetic voices to ease our growing anxieties. We are faced with conflicting perspectives and occasional despair. This anthology is filled with thoughtful optimism. Rather than ignore the challenges facing our humanity, we lean in to acknowledge them while remaining hopeful. Poetry promotes understanding, empathy and compassion, which are crucial to bridging social and political divides. Featured poets illuminate a path to help you uphold justice. Similarly, we encourage you to challenge the status quo and not remain silent. Silence does not promote justice for the underserved. With unwavering devotion, please share your voice and light for the betterment of our global community.

This collection features poems that address themes of unity and serenity, ranging from calm to intense. From the first poem, “I Let Go,” through the last poem, “Into the Light,” these expressions are a compelling call to action. You will find personal insights, reassurance, and invaluable alternatives to fear and adversity. We celebrate these profound aspirations for a future of social connectedness.

It is not too late for The Beloved Community, envisioned and coined by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Armed with these impactful messages, let’s normalize kindness as an essential initial step toward harmony.”

Thank you to all the contributing poets for their prolific work.

You will find the links for purchase on ProlificPulse

Announcements, Personal Essay, poetry, social justice, writing

The Talk is Released and MORE to Come – Let’s Revisit this Discussion

This is The Talk and .it is now OUT!

The Talk is available on Lulu.com and other online retailers.

November 2022 I posted about The Talk.

This project is of vital importance and I am so grateful for the brave souls who came forward to tell their stories through essays and poetry. There is a strong representation with these author’s words.

On April 12, 2023 at 7 p.m. we are going to have a Book Launch for The Talk. You are invited to attend, to particpate as we continue the discussion behind the talk, the walk, the way of life, the way to survive that people of color have to deal with every day of their lives.

You can register by signing up with the EventBrite link. Then you will get a zoom link on the day of the launch so you can participate in this virtual event.

books, poetry, social justice, writing

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

Photo by Brett Sayles on Pexels.com

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.

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)

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.