Journal Entry #42-A Goodreads Author Page

Even though I’ve visited Goodreads occasionally throughout the last few years, and enjoyed getting book recommendations from browsing all the great titles archived on their site, I hadn’t realized how easy they make it for new authors to showcase their works and connect with other authors. This past week, I was able to join their

Journal Entry #40–Reviews and Happiness

It felt wonderful to start 2023 with a self-published book on Amazon, Literary Observations, and being able to publish a book has been a huge dream for me. But, what really made me smile during this past week was that two people gave the collection very thoughtful reviews, alongside five-star ratings. One of those people

Journal Entry #38-Literary Observations has been published!!!!

Good news! Amazon has accepted the Kindle/E-book and paperback versions of Literary Observations, a collection of my short stories and poems, and it is now available on their site. It also means that I’m an author of my own self-published book, which is a wonderful feeling–especially right before Christmas. Here is a link to Literary

“Natural Magic” and “Mindfulness” by PrecariouslyPeculiar

[Note: The two poems that follow are both by PrecariouslyPeculiar (but you can also call her Ku ^_^), a masterful and compassionate writer whose works are awesome on many levels. I would encourage you to check out her whole gallery on DeviantArt. Enjoy!] Natural Magic A winterstruck carnival Sits on a winding hill, Draped all

Journal Entry #32–Writers of the Future Contest

Has anyone here entered the Writers of the Future Contest? It is an impressive event where writers can submit fantasy and science fiction tales, which get judged by professional authors and can really help to launch your career as a writer as well. I’ve entered pieces on occasion, but a few days ago I got

Formation of an Idea (A Poem)

By Joyce Jacobo [Author’s Note: An experimental poem that I wrote quite a bit ago, and which eventually got expanded into a whole interactive tale called, “The Castle of Countless Compositions,” posted on DeviantArt. It’s fun how certain ideas develop in unexpected ways.] I needed a caretaker for an old castle    long abandoned                then

Ekphrasis of A Poem

By Joyce Jacobo [Author’s Note: Ekphrasis, or basically describing the visual aspects of various mediums for artistic effect, offers a much of different possibilities. I once read an Ekphrasis of the Adventures of Rin Tin Tin comic, and it was incredible. So I wanted to do something similar…. with poetry.] Inked letters stretch across a

Side by Side (A Poem)

By Joyce Jacobo [Author’s Note: It’s fun to share stories with others. They become experiences we can enjoy together.] Two wooden swings tied with ropes      hang from the branches of an oak tree that      stands upon a grassy knoll      beneath skies brushed      by an orange hue from the sunset      just

A Character of a Poem

By Joyce Jacobo [Author’s Note: Some more musings on the nature of fictional characters.] I am a character   born from the words of this poem        a fiction given textual life by a writer My existence is a mystery to me             Who am I at this very moment but a voice?                    Do

A Quirky Ghost Tale

By Joyce Jacobo [Author’s Note: I remember hearing about a ghost who liked to rearrange furniture, and then got inspired to write this story.] A writer (let’s call her Susan) decided to rent a place out in the countryside. She needed a quiet place to complete her novel and finally managed to find a cheap