What:

My new poetry collection, entitled Lovely, which is an eclectic poetry collection that takes the reader on a journey as the speaker of the poems travels from childhood through young adulthood, to finally become a “woman of a certain age” who has gained insight and wisdom along the way. Many subjects are touched upon including loss of innocence, mother/daughter relationships, aging, self-acceptance, grief, the sharp pain of violence against women and the LGBTQIA community, and the deep pleasure of long-term love. Written with Lesléa Newman’s signature passion and wit, these well-crafted and accessible poems are full of startling, poignant, and powerful imagery and will stay with the reader for a long time to come.

Why:

Because the world needs more poetry! As William Carlos Williams said, “It is difficult/ to get the news from poems/ yet men die miserably every day/ for lack/ of what is found there.” I would agree (though I would change the quote from “men” to “human beings”). Poetry—both the writing of it and the reading of it—nourishes the soul. I strive to write poetry that is accessible and I love when I am told, “I don’t usually like/understand poetry but I love yours.”

How:

Through blood, sweat, and tears. By putting butt in chair (BIC) every morning and as Gene Fowler said, “Staring at a blank piece of paper until three drops of blood appear on your forehead.” (Yes, I still write with a pen—actually a Bic pen—and notebook every day). By digging deep. By listening to the wise women in my writing group and revising and revising and revising. By finding delight in language and imagery. By keeping at it. By reading the fine work of other poets. By living a literary life (which I am very grateful for).

Bio:

Lesléa Newman is a poet, fiction writer, children’s book writer, and anthologist, whose 70 books for readers of all ages include most recently the poetry collections, Lovely and I Carry My Mother; the teen novel-in-verse October Mourning: A Song for Matthew Shepard; and the picture books Heather Has Two Mommies (new edition), Sparkle Boy, Here Is The World: A Year of Jewish Holidays and Ketzel, The Cat Who Composed. Her literary awards include poetry fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Massachusetts Artists Foundation. A past poet laureate of Northampton, MA, currently she teaches at Spalding University’s low-residency MFA in Writing program.

Links:

Leslea Newman.com/
Solsticelitmag.org/
Lilith Blog Review
Reviews by Amos Lassen
Twitter
Facebook

Order Lovely

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Linda K. Sienkiewicz is the author of the award-winning novel In the Context of Love, a story about one woman’s need to tell her truth without shame.

2017 New Apple Book Awards Official Selection
2016 Sarton Women’s Fiction Finalist
2016 Eric Hoffer Book Award Finalist
2016 Readers’ Favorite Finalist
2016 USA Book News Best Book Finalist

“…at once a love story, a cautionary tale, and an inspirational journey.” ~ Bonnie Jo Campbell, author of National Book Award Finalist, American Salvage, and critically acclaimed Once Upon a River,and Mothers, Tell Your Daughters