Laura Purdie Salas

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Poetry Friday is Here at Goose Lake!

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OK, this isn’t Goose Lake. But Poetry Friday IS here. I’m happy to be hosting today and to be sharing?David Harrison‘s?Goose Lake, an e-collection I recently received. David is a poet, writer, educator, blogger–he does it all. He has many wonderful poetry books out. In fact, his Pirates is one of my all-time favorite collections. You can read my post all about the creation of Pirates,?and I’ve posted two more poems from it here and ?here.

David’s latest collection is an e-collection. Publishers are publishing fewer and fewer poetry titles. My agent has heard from several editors that they love poetry, but it just doesn’t sell enough, generally, to do many books–or any, in some cases.?More poets, established poets with traditional books published, are starting to look at e-collections or e-thologies as the wave of the future. Many poets have fine manuscripts sitting in their virtual drawers. They’re excellent work. But would they sell enough to offset the costs of traditional printing (the number I’ve heard from editors a couple of times is around $100,000 to produce and print a picture book)? So for these high-quality collections, e-publishing might make really good sense. You can reach a small audience (just like my traditional poetry collections!) but not have it cost anyone $100,000 to do so.

OK, on to Goose Lake, David’s latest, inspired by the lake David lives on! Goose Lake, like many of my favorite collections, combines poetry and prose and art (lovely watercolor-y images by Sladjana Vasic). Each poem is preceded by a prose passage that sets it up. I’m going to share two of my favorite poems. I would share the prose bits, too, but it didn’t occur to me?until just now that I wouldn’t be able to copy and paste my favorite bits from my iPhone Kindle app to here. Oops.

Royalty

Streaks down the lake, turns,
swoops back, lands on high limb,
studies the water with baleful stare,

settles to wait, but soon,
bored, changes trees,

quickly disappointed,
swirls into the sky,
soars higher, disappears,

leaves an unexpected
hole in the day
the size of an eagle.

–David Harrison, all rights reserved

I love that ending. The fact that that hole is unexpected. We didn’t know that we needed that eagle until it showed up…and then disappeared. I feel this way sometimes on walks when a fox darts down the street or a deer is unexpectedly on the bike trail! It’s magic. And when it leaves, the missing is keen.

Free at Last

Fish are rolling,
rippling the surface
with fins and bellies.

Fish are bucking,
throwing water
off slippery backs.

Fish are leaping,
tail dancing,
slinging droplets
like glistening sweat
into the suddenly spring.

–David Harrison, all rights reserved

I could see those fish. I could almost feel the droplets land on me in “suddenly spring.” I was right there at Goose Lake. And it’s where you can be, too. A lake vacation for only $3.99!

But wait–there’s more:>) I asked David a few questions about the e-publishing process, and he graciously shared. As someone who has considered e-publishing my poetry, I was happy to hear David’s responses.

1. How was working with an illustrator that you chose different from the traditional picture book method?

I LOVE WORKING DIRECTLY WITH AN ARTIST. SLEDJANA WAS A DELIGHT AND ALWAYS READY TO DO WHATEVER IT TOOK TO GET EVERYTHING JUST RIGHT.

2. This strikes me as a collection that could appeal equally to kids and adults. Is that a plus of e-publishing, that the physical form of the book doesn’t identify it as geared toward one or the other?

HONESTLY, I DIDN’T KNOW HOW TO CLASSIFY THIS COLLECTION. I KNOW THAT MANY YOUNG PEOPLE WILL UNDERSTAND MY PASSION FOR NATURE BUT I SUSPECT THAT MUCH OF MY READERSHIP WILL BE ADULTS. I CLASSIFIED IT AS BOTH! IT IS DEFINITELY AN ADVANTAGE WHEN YOU DON’T HAVE TO CHOOSE ONE OR THE OTHER.

3. What is the hardest thing for you about e-publishing?

THE FIRST TIME? EVERYTHING. A SECOND TIME WON’T BE AS SCARY. I HAD WONDERFUL ADVICE FROM JANET WONG, WHO STEERED ME TO MILOS VASIC. MILOS FORMATTED THE COLLECTION, ANSWERED MY QUESTIONS, AND WALKED ME THROUGH THE PROCESS OF UPLOADING THE BOOK ONTO THE ONLINE STORES.

4. What is the greatest thing about e-publishing your poetry?

THIS WAS A BOOK I HAD TO WRITE. IT MAY REPRESENT SOME OF MY BEST WORK. YET, BECA– USE OF ITS QUIET NATURE, MOST EDITORS TODAY WOULD FIND IT A DIFFICULT COLLECTION TO PUBLISH. E-PUBLISHING GAVE ME THE OPPORTUNITY OF DOING WHAT I THINK IS RIGHT FOR ME.

I hope you guys enjoy David’s e-collection. My favorite thing about poetry e-collections is that they’re one of the few things I can actually read on my iPhone. I wouldn’t attempt to read a novel or anything on there, but poetry is perfect for it! When I’m in line, or waiting for yoga class to start, or find myself with just a couple of free minutes, I can tap, tap, tap and read a lovely poem. It’s such a nice little break!

Please click on Mr. Linky below to leave your links to your Poetry Friday posts. And of course, please feel free to also leave a comment on the poems I’ve shared from Goose Lake. Happy Poetry Friday–thanks for being here!

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Comments

  1. Thank you for this post! It’s great to learn more about e-publishing. I have bought several books of poetry for my Kindle and may try this one as well.

    It’s great to have this up this evening, and I think I’ll go ahead and post my link, so I won’t forget in the morning!

  2. Thank you for this post! It’s great to learn more about e-publishing. I have bought several books of poetry for my Kindle and may try this one as well.

    It’s great to have this up this evening, and I think I’ll go ahead and post my link, so I won’t forget in the morning!

  3. Here’s my post for the week: here. It’s a poem on writing by Wislawa Szymborska, who died this week.

    Thanks for hosting!

  4. Here’s my post for the week: here. It’s a poem on writing by Wislawa Szymborska, who died this week.

    Thanks for hosting!

  5. Thanks for letting me post this early–it’s hard enough getting out the door to work on time without worrying about posting 4 links! All of my posts will be up at 12:01 AM.

    E-publishing is something I’m greatly interested in, so I appreciate your covering it today.

  6. Thanks for letting me post this early–it’s hard enough getting out the door to work on time without worrying about posting 4 links! All of my posts will be up at 12:01 AM.

    E-publishing is something I’m greatly interested in, so I appreciate your covering it today.

  9. Thank you for hosting, Laura, and for sharing about Goose Lake. I just read a little about it in the past couple of weeks, so the word is getting out which is great. My husband and I used to live on a lake, so I know I will love this book. The poem about the fish leaping made me remember back. I’ll be sure to put it on my IPad, nice reading poetry on it as you said about your phone. Interesting to hear about the e-publishing aspects, too.

  10. Thank you for hosting, Laura, and for sharing about Goose Lake. I just read a little about it in the past couple of weeks, so the word is getting out which is great. My husband and I used to live on a lake, so I know I will love this book. The poem about the fish leaping made me remember back. I’ll be sure to put it on my IPad, nice reading poetry on it as you said about your phone. Interesting to hear about the e-publishing aspects, too.

  11. I love David Harrison’s work too, and it’s inspiring to see how he and Janet are heading in this direction. Thank you for once again teaching us about something that’s right on our minds!

    Over at The Poem Farm, I have a poem about a unicorn as well as a lesson about writing endings, something that seems to be a theme at my blog this week.

    Happy PF!

    a.

  12. I love David Harrison’s work too, and it’s inspiring to see how he and Janet are heading in this direction. Thank you for once again teaching us about something that’s right on our minds!

    Over at The Poem Farm, I have a poem about a unicorn as well as a lesson about writing endings, something that seems to be a theme at my blog this week.

    Happy PF!

    a.

  13. Thanks for hosting this week, Laura.

    Interesting to read up-to-the-moment thoughts on poetry publishing, even though doing so always leaves me with mixed feelings. I also thought that your question #2 and David’s answer to it were insightful. Sometimes poetry — unrhymed poetry in particular — blurs that line between audiences. In a good way, I think.

    • My thoughts are all over the place regarding poetry publishing, that’s for sure! One of the issues in publishing poetry is the way many poems can reach different audience ages. Makes it harder to brand them, shelve them, market them, etc.

      Can’t wait for your poetry tourney!

  14. Thanks for hosting this week, Laura.

    Interesting to read up-to-the-moment thoughts on poetry publishing, even though doing so always leaves me with mixed feelings. I also thought that your question #2 and David’s answer to it were insightful. Sometimes poetry — unrhymed poetry in particular — blurs that line between audiences. In a good way, I think.

    • My thoughts are all over the place regarding poetry publishing, that’s for sure! One of the issues in publishing poetry is the way many poems can reach different audience ages. Makes it harder to brand them, shelve them, market them, etc.

      Can’t wait for your poetry tourney!

  17. Thanks for hosting, Laura. David’s poems are great! And thanks for sharing the interview as well. Very interesting!

  18. Thanks for hosting, Laura. David’s poems are great! And thanks for sharing the interview as well. Very interesting!

  25. Hi, Laura – thanks for hosting! Over at The Drift Record I have an announcement about a new blog I’ll be contributing thoughts about poetry to. It’s called BOOKS AROUND THE TABLE, and three other kids books writers are participating. My first post is about metaphorical thinking, indirection, magicians, doves, and standing at the gates of the city, tooting my small brass horn.

    I also have a poem sent this week to a friend going through some very stressful times – it’s a poem to treasure during tough times. It’s called “Apples” by Laurie Lee.

  26. Hi, Laura – thanks for hosting! Over at The Drift Record I have an announcement about a new blog I’ll be contributing thoughts about poetry to. It’s called BOOKS AROUND THE TABLE, and three other kids books writers are participating. My first post is about metaphorical thinking, indirection, magicians, doves, and standing at the gates of the city, tooting my small brass horn.

    I also have a poem sent this week to a friend going through some very stressful times – it’s a poem to treasure during tough times. It’s called “Apples” by Laurie Lee.

    • Hi Maria–Did you add your link to Mr. Linky? I don’t remember seeing it when I clicked on all the links there. Off to read your post right now…

    • Hi Maria–Did you add your link to Mr. Linky? I don’t remember seeing it when I clicked on all the links there. Off to read your post right now…

  29. Hi Laura – I love hearing about poets taking alternate routes to get poetry in the hands of readers. I also love collections that feel ageless. So yay for Goose Lake! And thanks for hosting.

  30. Hi Laura – I love hearing about poets taking alternate routes to get poetry in the hands of readers. I also love collections that feel ageless. So yay for Goose Lake! And thanks for hosting.

  31. Your post makes me a little sad to think that poetry is not being published in the traditional way. And convicts me about the need to do more with my two e-readers, even though I’m much more comfortable with books. I’m in today with an old, old, old Eve Merriam poem, and lot of thinking around that poem. Not even sure it actually qualifies as a Poetry Friday post, but it’s all I have today?

  32. Your post makes me a little sad to think that poetry is not being published in the traditional way. And convicts me about the need to do more with my two e-readers, even though I’m much more comfortable with books. I’m in today with an old, old, old Eve Merriam poem, and lot of thinking around that poem. Not even sure it actually qualifies as a Poetry Friday post, but it’s all I have today?

    • That Hoaglund poem was my favorite of the week, Jama. I actually went and put that book on my Amazon Wish List just because of that one poem. Thank you! (And thanks for the anniversary song:>)

    • That Hoaglund poem was my favorite of the week, Jama. I actually went and put that book on my Amazon Wish List just because of that one poem. Thank you! (And thanks for the anniversary song:>)

  45. “My agent has heard from several editors that they love poetry, but it just doesn?t sell enough”

    this has been said countless times for decades, and yet i wonder if it isn’t one of those catch-22s, where poetry doesn’t sell because it isn’t published, and it isn’t published because it doesn’t sell.

    i love the idea of ebook poetry because it fits with the small press chapbook model of most poetry these days. think it’s time i tried to get myself in an e-anthology. time to do some research!

    thanks for hosting today!

    • You could be right, David. Same is true of “boy books.” How do you build a readership if you don’t publish books for them because you’re convinced they don’t read. I do think poetry is especially ripe for e-publishing, because its format works so well in small chunks. Thanks for coming by!

  46. “My agent has heard from several editors that they love poetry, but it just doesn?t sell enough”

    this has been said countless times for decades, and yet i wonder if it isn’t one of those catch-22s, where poetry doesn’t sell because it isn’t published, and it isn’t published because it doesn’t sell.

    i love the idea of ebook poetry because it fits with the small press chapbook model of most poetry these days. think it’s time i tried to get myself in an e-anthology. time to do some research!

    thanks for hosting today!

    • You could be right, David. Same is true of “boy books.” How do you build a readership if you don’t publish books for them because you’re convinced they don’t read. I do think poetry is especially ripe for e-publishing, because its format works so well in small chunks. Thanks for coming by!

  47. Thanks for a great post, today, Laura. And thanks also for hosting!

    It’s interesting to see how e-book are changing the publishing industry, and I’m glad there’s now a platform for those works publishers aren’t interested in taking on. It’s a brand new and exciting world out there.

    The Write Sisters have a Frost poem today.

    Janet over @ The Write Sisters

    • Brand new, exciting, and a bit scary. I’m always grateful when the folks paving the way, like Sylvia Vardell, Janet Wong, and David Harrison, are willing to share what they’ve learned.

      Thanks for coming by. I enjoyed the Frost poem.

  48. Thanks for a great post, today, Laura. And thanks also for hosting!

    It’s interesting to see how e-book are changing the publishing industry, and I’m glad there’s now a platform for those works publishers aren’t interested in taking on. It’s a brand new and exciting world out there.

    The Write Sisters have a Frost poem today.

    Janet over @ The Write Sisters

    • Brand new, exciting, and a bit scary. I’m always grateful when the folks paving the way, like Sylvia Vardell, Janet Wong, and David Harrison, are willing to share what they’ve learned.

      Thanks for coming by. I enjoyed the Frost poem.

  53. Laura,

    Thanks for doing the roundup this week! I’ll have to return later to read your post. I’m under the waether at the moment and heading back to bed. This week, I wrote a poem that was inspired by a picture my daughter Sara took of me reading to my granddaughter Julia one morning. It’s titled “A Book and a Chair.” It’s the second poem I wrote with that title.

    http://wildrosereader.blogspot.com/2012/02/book-and-chair-original-poem-for-my.html

    • So sorry you’re not feeling well, Elaine. Did you put this in Mr. Linky? If so, I missed it as I visited all the posts. Off to check this out right now!

  54. Laura,

    Thanks for doing the roundup this week! I’ll have to return later to read your post. I’m under the waether at the moment and heading back to bed. This week, I wrote a poem that was inspired by a picture my daughter Sara took of me reading to my granddaughter Julia one morning. It’s titled “A Book and a Chair.” It’s the second poem I wrote with that title.

    http://wildrosereader.blogspot.com/2012/02/book-and-chair-original-poem-for-my.html

    • So sorry you’re not feeling well, Elaine. Did you put this in Mr. Linky? If so, I missed it as I visited all the posts. Off to check this out right now!

  55. Hi everyone,

    I’m grateful to Laura for featuring GOOSE LAKE today! What a pleasure to be here and to read so many kind and supportive remarks from readers. My thanks to you all for making my day such a good one!

    David

  56. Hi everyone,

    I’m grateful to Laura for featuring GOOSE LAKE today! What a pleasure to be here and to read so many kind and supportive remarks from readers. My thanks to you all for making my day such a good one!

    David

  57. Hey, Laura ~ Love your conversation with us. It feels like we’re having a cup of tea together. I, too, loved the hole the size of the eagle. I just read another interview with David and he’s such an incredibly busy and efficient human being, my head caught fire reading his schedule. Wow!

    I’m in today talking about Children’s Authors and Illustrators Week, a poem about clutter (who, me?) and a writing exercise about Magical Realism.

    http://www.teachingauthors.com/2012/02/oops-you-missed-childrens-authors-and.html

  58. Hey, Laura ~ Love your conversation with us. It feels like we’re having a cup of tea together. I, too, loved the hole the size of the eagle. I just read another interview with David and he’s such an incredibly busy and efficient human being, my head caught fire reading his schedule. Wow!

    I’m in today talking about Children’s Authors and Illustrators Week, a poem about clutter (who, me?) and a writing exercise about Magical Realism.

    http://www.teachingauthors.com/2012/02/oops-you-missed-childrens-authors-and.html

  59. Hello most intrepid host! I’m trying to get back in the swing of things and rejoining the fray. Today I have a bit of political rant (unusual for me, but it struck a chord) and a really lovely poem by William Matthews.
    I hope all is well.

    • Great to see you, Tricia! I’ve happily noticed you’ve had Poetry Stretches the past couple of weeks–yay! Haven’t had time to actually DO them, but at least I’ve noticed:>) Must catch up soon!

  60. Hello most intrepid host! I’m trying to get back in the swing of things and rejoining the fray. Today I have a bit of political rant (unusual for me, but it struck a chord) and a really lovely poem by William Matthews.
    I hope all is well.

    • Great to see you, Tricia! I’ve happily noticed you’ve had Poetry Stretches the past couple of weeks–yay! Haven’t had time to actually DO them, but at least I’ve noticed:>) Must catch up soon!

  61. Thanks for rounding up today, Laura…and thank you for sharing this marvelous poet with us! I love the quiet nature of thse poems, and this stanza in particular:
    Fish are leaping,
    tail dancing,
    slinging droplets
    like glistening sweat
    into the suddenly spring.

    P.S. Did you get my email address, Laura? (elibenoli5@gmail.com – just in case)

    • I did, Tara–thanks! You should have gotten a reply from me, and I happily put you on the list I turned in. Thanks so much!

      Yes, that’s a wonderful stanza–not all that quiet, though:>) Funny how we always call nature poetry quiet, even when it’s full of joy and action and drama. I guess it’s just a matter of no conflict/story arc…

  62. Thanks for rounding up today, Laura…and thank you for sharing this marvelous poet with us! I love the quiet nature of thse poems, and this stanza in particular:
    Fish are leaping,
    tail dancing,
    slinging droplets
    like glistening sweat
    into the suddenly spring.

    P.S. Did you get my email address, Laura? (elibenoli5@gmail.com – just in case)

    • I did, Tara–thanks! You should have gotten a reply from me, and I happily put you on the list I turned in. Thanks so much!

      Yes, that’s a wonderful stanza–not all that quiet, though:>) Funny how we always call nature poetry quiet, even when it’s full of joy and action and drama. I guess it’s just a matter of no conflict/story arc…

  63. Laura, thanks for hosting today and for sharing Goose Lake. I love the stanza with “suddenly spring.” Those images and wording remind me of ee cummings.

  64. Laura, thanks for hosting today and for sharing Goose Lake. I love the stanza with “suddenly spring.” Those images and wording remind me of ee cummings.

  65. Laura, thanks for hosting, for Goose Lake and an great conversation on e publishing for poetry. The images and the words in the stanza with “suddenly spring” remind me of ee cummings.

  66. Laura, thanks for hosting, for Goose Lake and an great conversation on e publishing for poetry. The images and the words in the stanza with “suddenly spring” remind me of ee cummings.

  71. love Harrison’s lines “rippling the surface/with fins and bellies.”

    thanks so much for hosting this week!

    peace keep you.

  72. love Harrison’s lines “rippling the surface/with fins and bellies.”

    thanks so much for hosting this week!

    peace keep you.

    • Thanks for being part of Poetry Friday, Mandy! Did you leave your link in Mr. Linky? I visited all the Mr. Linky links but somehow missed yours. Though I just followed your link here in your comment and read your poem. Many people don’t read the comments, though, so you might want to do Mr. Linky next time, too:>)

    • Thanks for being part of Poetry Friday, Mandy! Did you leave your link in Mr. Linky? I visited all the Mr. Linky links but somehow missed yours. Though I just followed your link here in your comment and read your poem. Many people don’t read the comments, though, so you might want to do Mr. Linky next time, too:>)

  79. Thanks to you and David, Laura, for sharing something about the process and the point of e-publishing. You bet I’m thinking about it too! I didn’t realize that Goose Lake was already available, so off I go to spend a very satisfying $3.99! I read on Kindle for PC and I don’t think it’s very beautiful, but it lets me support e-poets.

    The fish poem makes me want to BE a fish, not see a fish…

  80. Thanks to you and David, Laura, for sharing something about the process and the point of e-publishing. You bet I’m thinking about it too! I didn’t realize that Goose Lake was already available, so off I go to spend a very satisfying $3.99! I read on Kindle for PC and I don’t think it’s very beautiful, but it lets me support e-poets.

    The fish poem makes me want to BE a fish, not see a fish…

  81. Beautiful poems, and so interesting about the e-publishing! Thanks, Laura. And I read at Jama’s that you’re celebrating your 24th wedding anniversary?!! You must have been a child bride. Happy anniversary!

    • Hey, Linda–I was just recommending M Is for Mischief to someone. Love that book! And thanks! Yes, I got married at 10. Thank you for noticing;>)

  82. Beautiful poems, and so interesting about the e-publishing! Thanks, Laura. And I read at Jama’s that you’re celebrating your 24th wedding anniversary?!! You must have been a child bride. Happy anniversary!

    • Hey, Linda–I was just recommending M Is for Mischief to someone. Love that book! And thanks! Yes, I got married at 10. Thank you for noticing;>)

  83. Laura,
    I actually did put a post up on Friday, but somehow, technoqueen that I am, I managed to link to a post I did in November. Couldn’t figure out why everyone was commenting on SPINSTER GOOSE (the post I linked to) until I went back and tried the link myself on Saturday. By that time, I figured it was too late, so I just left it.

  84. Laura,
    I actually did put a post up on Friday, but somehow, technoqueen that I am, I managed to link to a post I did in November. Couldn’t figure out why everyone was commenting on SPINSTER GOOSE (the post I linked to) until I went back and tried the link myself on Saturday. By that time, I figured it was too late, so I just left it.

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