A Poets View

Shadow Poetry is a chapbook publisher, magazine publisher, resource center and hub for anything poetic. As a writer I was looking to publish my first poetry chapbook and literally researched publishers for a couple of months.  I decided Shadow Poetry was best suited to my needs.  They had much to offer and also let me be in control of the entire process. A myriad of styles, fonts, covers and all sorts of choices available was what sold me on their services.  Since this was my first book I had no idea what to expect.  Marie, the head honcho there was extremely patient, helpful and efficient during the entire process.  I did not expect to have the book published for at least a month after I emailed the submission. To my complete and utter amazement my chapbooks were at my door within eight days of Shadow Poetry receiving my manuscript.  They are just awesome!!! If you are a writer of any type, you should check them out.  They not only publish poetry but can publish other styles of writing as well.  Their website is a cornucopia of information and resources.  The best decision I’ve ever made going with them.  The result, well after one year almost to the day, my book was on their bestseller list and  won an award for best chapbook of the year 2005 by a local magazine.  Of course my writing had much to do with it however I have Shadow Poetry to thank for it - BIG TIME!

I’ve been known to be
inspirations flowing
through my veins
energy of the muse.

speechless!

There is a virtual cornucopia of good resources for poets and writers all over the Internet as well as hard-copy sources. What I have found to be the absolute bible for poets is Poet’s Market through writer’s digest books. It can be found online at http://www.poetsmarket.com or in any bookstore around the country. The new issues come out each year around September. The publication is hundreds of pages full of markets for your poetry both on and offline as well as contests, tips, resources, how to’s and so much more. It’s a must have for any poet whether beginner or seasoned. Writer’s digest is also a good source.Another website I’ve personally found to be good for resources, links and extra tidbits is the Shadow Poetry site at http://www.shadowpoetry.com  I’ve learned so much from this site and also made some wonderful friends and networking contacts as a result. So these are just two of the many out there. Poetry Superhighway is also an excellent source for poets and writers. The main thing is to keep reading and writing.

First let me say that I do not smoke and never have.  That being said I totally disagree with the new ban imposed on Walgreens drugs here in San Francisco.  While I respect and like our Mayor, Gavin Newsom, I don’t always agree with him and this is one instant where I do not agree.The point of this ban on selling cigarettes at Walgreens and a few Rite Aid drugstores is based on the premise that these drug stores are supposedly geared towards a healthy shopping experience and therefore cigarettes should be banned and will begin tomorrow October 2nd.  I don’t remember any of us voting for this ridiculous law.  Even though, I do not like cigarettes or people smoking around me, I dislike it even more when I am told what I can or cannot do.  I firmly believe that if people want to smoke it is their choice and is also their choice where they can buy their cigarettes.  I don’t think the government whether on a federal, state or local level has the right to tell businesses what they can or cannot sell.  I mean seriously what’s next? Are they going to start banning candy because it’s not healthy? or certain magazine because they have a somewhat erotic content? 

There are stores all over the bay area selling guns - guns which kill yet they are not banned.  What about liquor stores?  People drink and drive all the time yet liquor is not banned.  Yet they impose this ban which will inevitably cause major financial losses for Walgreens and as a result the trickle down will result in lost jobs, wage cuts and in this economy - another business down the tubes.  It just doesn’t make sense to me and I detest these dictatorship rules.  Walgreens stated that they would lose an estimated one million dollars per year as a result of this ban and took it to superior court.  The court ruled in favor of the ban.  So, for now Walgreens has to comply with that ruling.

My point here is let’s work on the real problems and let’s lose the dictatorship attitude.

How many times do we awaken in the middle of the night with thoughts and ideas swirling around in our heads? Some of the most poignant poetry and stories have erupted as a result of insomnia. I think sleep can be disrupted by thoughts of the day, unfinished business and creative spurts which seem to howl in the night for many writers and artists of all genres. It is important that we jot down these thoughts as they arrive whether it be 4 in the morning or 2 in the afternoon. Once these ideas have been put to paper or computer or canvas etc… then the natural flow of sleep again will imbue our brain stems. I think insomnia definitely helps creativity though it may hinder our regular 9 to 5 work responsibilities. Whatever your artistic talent, if you work your passion and make a living doing what you love to do then insomnia is just a part of the creative process and helps with that natural creative flow we all have as artists.