Having used self-publishing to create a chapbook of my own poetry three years ago, I can appreciate any other poet who does the same. Poetry can be very personal, and often goes under appreciated in the publishing world. Many readers will admit they don’t understand poetry. So any poet choosing to put their words out there in front of others, whether it be at an open mic reading at a coffee house or in a small book on Amazon.com, is often revealing a lot about themselves as a person, their emotions, their feelings, their beliefs.
Take one look at the cover of Michael Sweet’s book and your interest is perhaps immediately aroused. The title – Nude – one single word that catches a second glance and makes us privately take notice. Its black and white image of skin and shadow laced with a touch of peachy fuzz, like remnants in a cotton candy machine, makes us look closer. That curve, that dimple, that place just out of the six by nine frame…you know the place. It’s poetry, isn’t it? And you’re right.
I was a poet long before I was a novelist or book reviewer. My first self-published book was a pop up book of poetry which was literally assembled by hand in the 4th grade for a young author’s grade school event. In college, I continued to write poetry and fell in love with the words of Frost and Dickinson. Having only recently rekindled my affair with Miss Emily’s words, I was eager to read more verse and from a fresh new voice.
I’ve been a reader, writer, and lover of poetry all my life. Many many years ago, I self-published a pop up book of my poems back in the 6th or 7th grade with some pieces of cardboard and pretty contact paper for a class project. Two years ago I used Lulu to self publish a book of every poem I’d ever written. So, since beginning the LLBR in March, I’ve been on the look out for another inspiring poet. I found one in Kevin King.
Do you love to read?
Do you support the POD community?
Can you be critical, yet positive?
Do you like to review books?
If so, we'd love to hear from you. LLBR is looking to add a few more reviewers to its team. Email us at llbookreview@gmail.com for details.
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