A Pen Magnipoem and Digital Review Copies of My Next Picture Book!

Guess what? My next picture book, Line Leads the Way, is available on Netgalley! If you’re a book lover, a blogger, a reviewer, a librarian (big library tie-in in this book!), or a teacher, Capstone Editions and I would be thrilled if you would like to access the digital review copy, read it, and share your opinion anywhere you talk about books! Fair disclosure: This is not a poetry book. I used a lot of wordplay and poetic techniques like alliteration, but it’s a story. I really love this book and can’t wait for it to come out on August 1. It features fabulous art from Alice Caldarella, and I hope you enjoy it! <3 <3 <3

Also, I contributed an essay to Poetry from Daily Life, a wonderful weekly column (that runs in several newspapers) founded by Missouri Poet Laureate and fabulous children’s poet David L. Harrison! You can check it out here. It features a fun new column every week from a new contributor and is an awesome resource for ideas and inspiration.  

 

And now on to Poetry Friday! (Wondering what Poetry Friday is? Click here.) I’m swamped with a six-book work-for-hire series at the moment, and I’m not on social media much. But I so love visiting everyone’s Poetry Friday posts during April so that I can check out your National Poetry Month projects. What an amazing, creative group! (And if you’re simply reading, not blogging, you are just as welcome here!)

During National Poetry Month, I’m posting a magnipoem each day that I can. That’s a poem inspired by my simply looking at an object under a magnifying glass for 1 minute each day, and then jotting a poem. Feel free to try this with students (you can have them just get up close and personal to something and study it closely for a minute). If you want to share online, tag me (@LauraPSalas) or share here in the comments!
 

It’s funny. I do most of my creative writing on a keyboard–my laptop, my portable keyboard, my phone…But I’m never without pen and paper for making lists and notes and capturing quick thoughts. And…I’m writing my magnipoems mostly in longhand. That’s because 1) I’m not in my writing studio when I write most of them; 2) they’re short; and 3) I’m trying to show my process a bit. Somehow showing typed notes and drafts doesn’t resonate with folks as much as showing handwritten notes. So…I’ve been using my pen for actual writing lately! And that’s what today’s magnipoem is about.

And here’s my process. Notice I wrote my initial notes in pencil, because my pen was under my magnifying glass! I despise writing in pencil. Shudder.

For lots of wonderful poetry, be sure to visit Jone, who’s hosting the Poetry Friday Roundup this week!

24 Responses

  1. Iam a book reviewer on FB as Ever Ready Book Reviews. I also have another FB page which I post reviews/literary happenings etc. My sockfairies blog is mostly foods. I could not figure out how to get on netgallery is there a link could send me? Doesn’t seem to let me create an account.

  2. For someone who is very busy, you manage to pack a lot into this wonderful post, Laura! Your magnipoem is wonderful, and I loved seeing your process. Like you, I don’t enjoy writing in pencil, though I tend to use pencils for crossword puzzles. Your essays, too, is excellent — I’ve enjoyed your equation poems before, but love that you have shared the form with newspaper readers. I can imagine an eager reader drafting their own equations in the margins of the paper.

  3. I love it all, Laura, especially “my heart is a hammer” and that “pounding”! It does get exciting when one finds the words you know are right! I got your book & will read & share soon! It looks great! Keep “pounding”!

  4. Laura, I am hosting Poetry Friday the last week in May and would be happy to review your book there, though that might be too early as the book comes out in August. I certainly can do it later, buy a copy and review it when it comes out.

    1. Oh, Janice, that would be wonderful! You know, I’ve never been one to push pre-orders, but I guess they’re very important. So perhaps a pre-order link could be mentioned…Either way, I think it’s not too early to try to build a little anticipation. Thank you for your generous offer!

  5. I love your Magnipoems, Laura, and always enjoy your process posts, too. This magnipoem is delightfully surprising in the way you bring the pen and the heart together. Perfect. ❤️

    Your essay is so encouraging too.
    Laura + Equation Poem Advice = Inspiration.

    And now I’m off to Netgalley. 🙂

    1. Aw, thanks, Karen! And I’m feeling the ink/blood metaphor is WAY too overdone. But…I write these quickly, so I’m just going to give myself a bit of grace on that :>D

  6. Laura, your equation poems make me want to try. Why haven’t I tried these before. Now I’m fascinated. That’s why I always continue NPM into May to try all the new forms I learn. I love: Laura + winter + hot cocoa = heaven
    I had to go to this link to register for NetGalley: https://www.netgalley.com/auth/register
    I love seeing your notes for your magnipoem today. The metaphor of hammer and nail is great, and the ink “flowing like blood” shows the power of that heart hammer.
    Your post is so full, it took me a while to enjoy all of it!

    1. Thank you for all of your kind words, Denise! I don’t like reading posts with several different things in them, so I hate writing posts like that! But…too many things I feel like I should share, especially for people supporting me by publishing my words in some way. Oi.

  7. Congratulations on your many successes Laura! I hope the book is a hit! Your magnipoems are really fun– and I love the idea of the heart as a hammer! Happy Poetry Friday!

    1. Thanks, Sarah–I hope the book is a hit, too! Sales have been rough since the pandemic, no joke. And surviving as a creative of any kind is always a challenge. I appreciate the good wishes and your lovely words!

  8. I’m SO GLAD that this book is up and running — I know it was a long road, so extra hugs and congratulations.

  9. Yay, Laura! Line Leads the Way looks exciting! Congratulations! I love David L. Harrison’s equation, and the twists others have added. Ok: Laura + Math = Understanding! : )

  10. So excited about your new book, Laura! And thank you for the link to David Harrison. Your magnipoem form was a prompt for the Nevermores this week. I loved taking time to study an object. Your poems are so essential — boiling down to the core, and use of metaphor/similes so perfect!

  11. I do love me a process post! And you already know how I feel about this poem!

  12. I’m enjoying your magnipoems, Laura. This one is powerful! I love the image of hammer and nail.

  13. Hi Laura! I like the new way of approaching “pound” re: hearts. And congrats on the new book! xo

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