Sueann's Musings

LiftBridge Bookstore Reading / Book Signing September 24th @ 2pm

2011-07-07T20:18:00.000-04:00

Motherly Musings contributors will be reading / signing copies at Lift Bridge Bookstore, Main Street, Brockport, NY on Saturday, September 24th beginning at 2pm.

To reserve copies in advance, please email me. Otherwise, we hope to see you all there!

Motherly Musings Release Party / Book Signing July 23rd 2-4pm Lovin' Cup

2011-06-24T21:42:00.000-04:00

I am excited to report that Motherly Musings' Book Release Party is scheduled for Saturday, July 23rd, 2-4pm at Lovin' Cup, RIT Park Point (on the corner of Jefferson Rd. and John St.) in Henrietta, NY.

Copies will be available for sale and signing by many of the local contributors.

Come support your local writers, mothers and fathers alike.

For additional information, inquiries, or to reserve copies for pick up at this event, please email me at motherhood2009@yahoo.com.

Motherly Musings: Thirty Women and Men Reflect on the Rollercoaster Ride that is Motherhood Published!

2011-05-26T21:07:00.000-04:00

_Motherly Musings: Thirty Women and Men Reflect on the Roller Coaster Ride that is Motherhood_ is now published and available online. For more information on the collection, and to read interviews and bios of the contributors, please visit our book website at motherly-musings.com.

The publisher's website for the book is unlimitedpublishing.com/wells.

A release party and a few readings around Rochester will be scheduled in the upcoming weeks. We look forward to a great release this summer, and hopefully many readers will come to appreciate the voices within its pages.

If you'd like to order copies directly from me, please email me at motherhood2009@yahoo.com.

May 7th reading at Physikos - Great Mother's Day event

2011-04-24T05:37:00.001-04:00

On Saturday, May 7th from 2-4pm, Sueann Wells and several other moms around Rochester will be reading from Mother Muse and other works at Physikos, in the Village Gate Square, 302 N. Goodman St., Rochester, NY (2nd floor, enter via door by side parking lot; it's the same building as Salena's). Contributors from the first Mother Muse and its upcoming sequel will share their works at this event. This event is perfect for a shared experience between mother-friends and/or for mothers and their children. Hope to see you there!

- Featured will be: Sueann Wells, Jerri S. Kaiser, Susan Baruch, Theresa Maher, Rachel Whaley Doll, Caurie Miner Putnam, Christine Green, and Denise Thompson-Slaughter.

To reserve copies of Mother Muse for pick up that day, please contact the editor at motherhood2009@yahoo.com. Copies can also be shipped for $2/book.

In anticipation of the upcoming Motherly Musings' release, I am interested in lining up readings and signings around Rochester and Western New York. Please contact me at motherhood2009@yahoo.com with any suggestions or to arrange an event.

Two more weeks until Mother Muse sequel moves forward

2010-12-14T13:38:00.002-05:00

I currently have an end of the year deadline to submit the manuscript for contract consideration, so if you have any poignant, universal, powerful, uplifting (even in dealing with the negatives of motherhood) pieces you'd like to share for consideration, please send them my way. I am much less likely to work with contributors at this point (with the publisher's two-week deadline) on huge editorial matters (ie- glaring grammatical/sense issues), but if the message is poignant, universal, and applicable, I will consider any essays/ poetry/ stories you may wish to share. I am especially interested in the 'nontraditional' (foster, adoptive, alternative) motherhood experiences, but certainly would like to consider all fabulous pieces.

Please send up to five pieces within the body of an email to motherhood2009@yahoo.com. If I choose to use your work, I will make notes in a Word document with Track Changes on, and send it back to you for review.

Thank you very much, everyone, for your patience as we try to get this project published in the traditional channels before self-publishing. And thank you to those who have encouraged me to keep pushing in the tough world of publishing. This volume and its writers needs to be read!

May the mother muse continue to inspire you!

Update on Mother Muse Sequel

2010-10-13T14:17:00.003-04:00

Good afternoon, everyone!

After three rounds of submissions to traditional publishers, resulting in tons of positive feedback but no bites for publication, we are going the self-publishing route again with the Mother Muse sequel. It will be bigger and better than ever, and have the distribution capability to reach a wider audience than the original edition was able to.

At this time, I am searching for foster, adoptive, lesbian, and other non-traditional motherhood perspectives to fill a bit of a gap I'm feeling in the upcoming collection. If you or anyone you know might be able to provide such a perspective through her writings (in the form of essay, story, poetry, letter, or photography), please email me as soon as possible to motherhood2009@yahoo.com. Submissions at this time must be impeccable and compelling - I have a solid manuscript except these perspectives, and am in the final copyediting and formatting stage of publication. However, if your piece is compelling but not quite fitting in these categories, I may be inclined to consider it/them anyway. It's all about rounding out this collection with quality works providing positive perspectives on the roller coaster ride that is motherhood.

Thanks so much for your time and I will be posting further details on the Mother Muse sequel as they are ironed out.

Sueann

Review of Do No Evil by Kymberly and Ashley Goltermann

2010-06-27T20:57:00.001-04:00

Review of Do No Evil by Kymberly Goltermann and Ashley L. Goltermann, 2010. Outskirts Press. $15.95

Do No Evil, Kymberly and Ashley L. Goltermann’s first Artemis Agency novel, stacks up to its billing as a unique perspective on the women sleuth’s mystery genre. The authors recognize and accept the clichés of the industry, and successfully buck the sappy romantic integrated in an overly dramatic detective profession. Humor and sarcasm throughout the novel prove the authors respect but don’t take themselves too seriously.

Primary characters Phineas and Phoebe Nobul command their father’s ‘no bull’ legacy, with the added element of the ‘or we’re going to kick your ass (or find another way to find the information we need)’ attitude. In this respect, especially, Phineas’ strong personality rubs off on the more demure Phoebe as the novel goes on, accentuating the women’s roller coaster ride of a life. Romantic interests develop well in his novel, easily allowing readers into the women’s heads enough to feel the range of their emotions, but not enough to detract from the Nobuls’ pursuit of sleuthing. Personal and professional lives fluidly intermingle throughout the novel, as humans satisfy curiosity, libido, and a solid non-judgmental interdependence.

Momentum builds quickly after an unfortunately overdone exposition that may lose readers. Beyond the first chapter, readers become immersed in the small Western New York town of Lair’s convoluted side, learning more about each primary and secondary character with each page. Eccentric family members and grounding boyfriends add to the humanity of the sisters and the realistic town.

Alternating chapters from each of the Nobul sisters’ perspectives reveal the dichotomous connection between the two. The sisters not only gain a solid footing in their private investigation business and solve several murders that crop up thirty years after an incident of office party inhumanity. They also come closer as sisters, sharing near-death and near-to-the-recently-dead experiences most sisters never experience. Readers feel connected to a family they want to see more of (can we say sequel?!).

Yes, it’s a bit far-fetched that dead bodies would start appearing at the Nobuls’ new office before their sign is even on the door, but by the time they do, readers are entrenched in the personal and haphazard lives of Phineas and Phoebe, so this coincidence barely gains notice.

The sisters have a noble cause to fight for, a truth that must be so hidden and deep that someone didn’t trust the cops to tend to it, and the sisters play right into the murderer’s hands, concealing evidence (rightfully so) from the very cops assigned to protect them. Little do the women know one of these sworn officers conceals a terrible secret and is integral to the case.

The truth unravels at a solid clip, hurling readers along with the train. Do No Evil is a solid example of strong women working together to solve their community’s issues. The authors present a strong first novel, whose sequel will no doubt be even better. This reviewer for one cannot wait to find out what will transpire as Phineas takes the case of the murderer!

Sueann Wells

Editor, Mother Muse

Sueannwells.blogspot.com

Review of Do No Evil by Kymberly and Ashley Goltermann

2010-06-17T21:13:00.001-04:00

Review of Do No Evil by Kymberly Goltermann and Ashley L. Goltermann, 2010. Outskirts Press. $15.95

Do No Evil, Kymberly and Ashley L. Goltermann’s first Artemis Agency novel, stacks up to its billing as a unique perspective on the women sleuth’s mystery genre. The authors recognize and accept the clichés of the industry, and successfully buck the sappy romantic integrated in an overly dramatic detective profession. Humor and sarcasm throughout the novel prove the authors respect but don’t take themselves too seriously.

Primary characters Phineus and Phoebe Nobul command their father’s ‘no bull’ legacy, with the added element of the ‘or we’re going to kick your ass (or find another way to find the information we need)’ attitude. In this respect, especially, Phineus’ strong personality rubs off on the more demure Phoebe as the novel goes on, accentuating the women’s roller coaster ride of a life. Romantic interests develop well in his novel, easily allowing readers into the women’s heads enough to feel the range of their emotions, but not enough to detract from the Nobuls’ pursuit of sleuthing. Personal and professional lives fluidly intermingle throughout the novel, as humans satisfy curiosity, libido, and a solid non-judgmental interdependence.

Momentum builds quickly after an unfortunately overdone exposition that may lose readers. Beyond the first chapter, readers become immersed in the small Western New York town of Lair’s convoluted side, learning more about each primary and secondary character with each page. Eccentric family members and grounding boyfriends add to the humanity of the sisters and the realistic town.

Alternating chapters from each of the Nobul sisters’ perspectives reveal the dichotomous connection between the two. The sisters not only gain a solid footing in their private investigation business and solve several murders that crop up thirty years after an incident of office party inhumanity. They also come closer as sisters, sharing near-death and near-to-the-recently-dead experiences most sisters never experience. Readers feel connected to a family they want to see more of (can we say sequel?!).

Yes, it’s a bit far-fetched that dead bodies would start appearing at the Nobuls’ new office before their sign is even on the door, but by the time they do, readers are entrenched in the personal and haphazard lives of Phineus and Phoebe, so this coincidence barely gains notice.

The sisters have a noble cause to fight for, a truth that must be so hidden and deep that someone didn’t trust the cops to tend to it, and the sisters play right into the murderer’s hands, concealing evidence (rightfully so) from the very cops assigned to protect them. Little do the women know one of these sworn officers conceals a terrible secret and is integral to the case.

The truth unravels at a solid clip, hurling readers along with the train. Do No Evil is a solid example of strong women working together to solve their community’s issues. The authors present a strong first novel, whose sequel will no doubt be even better. This reviewer for one cannot wait to find out what will transpire as Phineus takes the case of the murderer!

Sueann Wells

Editor, Mother Muse

Sueannwells.blogspot.com

Publication update

2010-04-23T20:53:00.001-04:00

Yikes, it's been a while since I posted. Thank goodness my daughters are through their most recent bout of behavior management issues (aka tantrums and all their glory!), so I can think clearly enough to write and update.

Unfortunately, I am still waiting to hear from the publisher (and two of the three back up publishers I've submitted to). The good news is that from my understanding, publishers usually reject manuscripts in the first two months, and that manuscripts out beyond that are under consideration. Fingers crossed, as of course the delay may not in fact mean we'll get published, but my goodness, perhaps we're on our way.

Please, please, please, keep this project in your thoughts and hopes and prayers if you're a praying sort.

And a note for the contributors - I thank you SOOOO much for your continued patience in this wait. I know I'm on pins and needles just waiting for word in the mailbox or inbox!

Buffalo Small Press Fair Saturday - Special Deal

2010-03-22T19:37:00.004-04:00

I'm one of over 80 Western New York writers and publishers participating in the Buffalo Small Press Fair this Saturday, March 27th at the Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum, 453 Porter Ave., Buffalo, NY.

It should be a blast - I know I look forward to meeting a bunch of people from the publishing world there! Hopefully sooner than later, I'll be on my way to being a publisher as well! Hope to see you at the Fair. Check out the list of fabulous authors and publishers who will be there at the site, http://www.buffalosmallpress.org/

In celebration of this event, I am discounting my remaining copies of Mother Muse, Awake Before Dawn, and Midnight Summons:

1 Copy of each of the three volumes, each personally signed at your request for only $30 ($40 value)

OR

1 Copy of Mother Muse and Awake Before Dawn, each signed, for only $20 ($26 value)

If you can't make it to the event Saturday, but would like to order copy/ies, let me know via email and we can arrange pick up or shipping (shipping is $2 each copy via USPS).

Email me at motherhood2009@yahoo.com with any questions.

Daylight Savings Time

2010-03-14T07:49:00.002-04:00

My hubby and I had our first date night in a year, and it was absolutely fabulous to get together with Sarah and Ryan sans kids, and miraculously, without too much kid-related conversation. A great meal at our traditional restaurant, and a great visit to their home. Sarah's wedding dress is beautiful, and I can't wait to help her in any way I can over the next year. Wedding Crashers was of course a hit, too - for some reason, hubby and I find we can actually catch a movie after the girls are in bed now, so that's great.

Last night was also Daylight Savings Time (the 'bad' one in which we lose an hour of sleep), which I usually gripe about, but which I don't really care about since the girls at the grandparents' anyway. But for some reason my mind woke up to the sump pump (checked it and it was just fine) and wouldn't shut off ... at 4 am NEW time. So yay me, I got a total of four hours of sleep and here I am at almost 8am and have been up for four hours! Yikes!

But - on our kidless overnight, we intend to complete a bunch of hard-to-do-with-the-kids-around household tasks today before we pick them back up, and my mind pushed forward to them. Might just as well get up.

And so now here I am, four hours later, and the MOMS Club newsletter is all done, sent to the President, Club bank statement and ledger reconciled, Preschool Playgroup flyer sent to all my like-minded momma friends, cinquain project complete (Woo hoo! 400 linked cinquains completed in 365 days! - Now let's see what happens as I edit and market the project or chunks of the project), of course emails checked.

On top of all of that, though, still stand the big thoughts weighing heavily on my mind:

1. House-hunting - we'll be visiting one more open house this afternoon on our way to pick up our lovelies - there's a lot of work involved in a move, and in selling our house, going through our 7 plus years of crap, weighing options of reconciling perfect house for house we'll 'settle' for in the school district we desire. So much involved with all elements.

2. Imminent loss of my income as a daycare provider, and the proposals for alternative income, including opening my home to additional children now and/or when the current family moves on to stay at home mom status in a few weeks, and including the application for a teacher or teacher's aide position at the girls' preschool. I am a certified English teacher whose primary experience has been in the secondary and post-secondary education field (and that's where my passion remains ... to potentially return to when my kids are both in school full time), but a year at the preschool level between my Bachelor's and Master's provided me with great experiences, and I wouldn't mind going back to benefit the family and the school that gives my daughter such great experiences. And to top that all off, I have been approached by two RIT Master's students for me to work as their thesis editor (I have been freelance editing for Master's in Graphic Design program students for the past two years). They were referred by the previous year's students, so how can I say no - my freelance editing gig relies on these referrals, so here we go another round. I just hope they are as responsible with their time as some of the past thesis students!

Anyway. I've spent enough time away from the 'list' of things to do before the girls return, so now I'll go see what I can salvage from my old resume (gosh, a year and a half doing daycare as my only 'real' source of income makes me wonder what I can and cannot put on my resume ... maybe I'll revamp its sections ...) Off I go.

Until next time, I hope the muse inspires you!

Freelance editing and writing available

2010-02-15T21:19:00.004-05:00

I have fielded the question of working with writers on getting their own manuscripts ready for publishers or even publishing their works with my own resources. My goal is to one day create my own publishing company, so I would love to work with folks between now and then to expand my repertoire.

So - I offer the following rates for freelance editing and writing:

Services for $25/hour:
- Content Copyediting, General Proofreading
- Book Proposal or Query Editing or Writing
- Manuscript Critiques
- Book review for book back material
- Editing, Formatting, Proofreading, Publishing

Additional services:
- Press Kit - $150 for time and all materials within the kit.

Additionally, I would love to review books or manuscripts for book back materials with byline for a $50 fee. Contact me with any interest in this service.

I am happy to provide samples of my work in all services. See my PoetTalk review of Denise Thompson-Slaughter's upcoming poetry collection, Elemental, due out this year. :-)

Until next time, may the mother muse inspire you!

Mother Muse on its way to the publisher

2010-02-15T21:13:00.002-05:00

Thanks again to all the fabulous contributions to this volume. All contracts have been received, all proofs have been accepted by the contributors, and the entire manuscript is on its way to the publisher. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it will be accepted in its entirety and I'll be able to pass on the positive word to the great women and men who have submitted their soulful writings.

Mother Muse volume on its way to editing completion

2010-01-09T12:51:00.000-05:00

Thank you to all who submitted essays, short stories, poetry, and photography for the upcoming edition of Mother Muse, tentatively slated for publication through Diversion Press. Unless you have received emails from me stating otherwise, we are now closed for submissions.

I currently am poring through the submissions, doing a final edit on all pieces I'd like to accept.

The next step will be emailing each individual contributor (yes, you'll receive an email either way) with the proof copy of your piece/s, along with a contract from the publisher and an explanation of what will be needed for each piece to make it to the publisher.

Once I receive all contracts and accepted proofs (and any comments from the contributors), I will send the entire manuscript to Diversion. Assuming they accept the final project, we will be on our way to publication and distribution.

All contributors will be contacted at each step of the way thereafter.

Again, thanks so much for your submissions. If I yet await your submission per a previous email, please get it to me as soon as you can, so we can proceed along this journey together.

Cheers!

You, awake too early, and me, too impatient

2009-12-17T13:46:00.002-05:00

I don't know why I even try to carry an asleep child from the bedside rocker to the living room couch so I can journal or do some other writing or reading. So selfish of me. You always wake up, thwarting my multi-tasking plans.

This time I intended merely to capture with my pen the glow of my rare rocking chair star-gazing at your repose, you so easily comforted with a little snuggle.

And now you should see the paper I write on through your wide-awake play, so crinkled from my 'fight,' handwriting atrocious, stray marks everywhere, as I race to put words to paper before you snatch it again.

2009-12-14T14:25:00.002-05:00

As the weeks are passing, and the Mother Muse deadline is quickly approaching, I have fielded many questions on what specifically will be sought in the selection process. I cannot say for sure (as this is of course the subjective side to editorship). What I can say is that I have not read enough about motherhood. Keep those quality submissions coming.

A few pointers that may help:

- Be concise. Think Cup of Comfort or Chicken Soup for the __ Soul sorts of essays and poetry under about 2-3 pages typed. Don't stress if an essay or story is a little over that, but that's a general guideline.

- Be descriptive & sensory. Let the readers experience what you're sharing; don't just tell us about it in broad terms. Oftentimes, we as humans gloss over scenes, etc., because our minds fill in the sensory details. If your reader has not had your experience, how is he or she to know quite what was going on unless you tell him or her?

- And overall, stay positive - I aim for this collection to be an uplifting sort, just as the original Mother Muse was, so even when you treat challenges in your pieces, be sure the overall tone and 'message' remains positive.

Those are the key thoughts at this time. Keep spreading the word about this collection and its upcoming deadline. And certainly email me with any questions you have along the way.

Defining Moment Writing Exercise and Critique thoughts

2009-11-23T14:34:00.001-05:00

I just critiqued a friend's early poem for potential consideration in the upcoming Mother Muse collection, and thought I'd share pieces of my critique as some thoughts for any writer to consider:

No one but you knows what you're thinking/feeling, so kudos for beginning to get your thoughts on paper to begin with! It is the incredible first step to the written preservation of your thoughts.

Perhaps a journal you write in whenever you feel moved by something you and/or your daughter do would help create a collection of thoughts on the subject.

It seems your point is that your daughter is your life; correct? Prove it to me - don't let there be a shadow of a doubt in my mind that this awesome creature that looks just like momma is your world.

In this poem, I 'hear' a lot, as though you're sitting here telling me about what you're thinking. Try sensualizing what you're thinking ... meaning, try to draw on the senses so I can see/hear/smell/taste/touch the ideas you're trying to convey. As it stands now, I feel like saying, yep, yep, sounds about right (from a mom's point of view), but it's the sort of piece that could be easily forgotten as a piece of poetry. A piece of poetry should 'sing' when read aloud - and I don't mean rhyming, sing-songy sort of 'sing'; I mean, the words used should be concise, emotional, informational, and affective (not just effective). Right now, when I read this out loud, it doesn't sound like that 'sing'ing verse.

I wonder if the problem in my reading comes from the 3-year scope of the piece - I mean, it covers your appreciation of your daughter from pre-birth to now. What if you focus on a scene (ie- perhaps a scene that made you reflect on her existence) in either poem or prose form, and integrate the reflection and appreciation?

Perhaps the following exercise might help:

1. Think of a moment when you felt particularly moved by something your daughter does or says, or when you remember something of your own memories.

2. Write down in sentence/sentence fragment/list form everything you remember about that moment, the location, what she or you wore, any smells, sights, sounds, or tastes you remember from that scene or location, etc. Don't censor yourself. You're just prewriting for yourself. Hopefully something from this list will be usable, but if not, don't worry either!

3. Once you feel your 'list' is complete, look it over, and see if anything strikes you as the most powerful part of that moment. If so, write more about it in brainstorming form, or start creating a poem (or essay, if you feel this moment would fit better in that form) right then and there. If nothing strikes you as the most powerful part of that moment, try to figure out what the defining moment was after all. When writing about something so pivotal/emotional/inspiring, you should be drawn by the subject matter, not just sloshing through an exercise, so here is where you should move on to your own poetry creation ideas.

I believe Revising and Editing take place during creation of poetry, as well as after your piece is complete, as you remove unnecessary words, keeping a concise piece that conveys your intended message with affective toned verse.

Upcoming Events in the Rochester, NY area

2009-11-04T13:29:00.001-05:00

I have confirmed the following events at which I'll be a featured local author, signing and selling copies of all of my books, and soliciting and/or accepting submissions for the upcoming Mother Muse edition:

* Sunday, Dec. 13th - 2-5pm - Local Authors Extravaganza (I am one of 40 who will be featured at this event!) at LiftBridge Bookstore (45 Main St., Brockport)

* Sunday, January 17, 2010 - 3pm - Reading/booksigning at Sacred Grounds Coffeehouse in Mendon, NY

Preschool snack time

2009-10-15T14:13:00.003-04:00

I feel like the most anal mom ever! Why do I feel guilty when I disprove of the unhealthy, but healthier than cupcakes and pure sugar snacks, my eldest has at preschool? Why do I feel like I should pull her just to prevent her from getting into a habit of gobbling goldfish crackers, salty, or frosted sweet treats every morning? Am I really the only mom who would not willingly give her child sugary, salty treats that don't fit in any of the major food groups for her morning snack if there's absolutely any convenient way around it?

Yes, we have a rather regimented meal/snack system in the Wells household - cereal or oatmeal with milk for breakfast, a fresh fruit and a grain or a dairy for morning snack, a lunch of at least one grain, usually two veggies, sometimes one fruit, one veggie, a protein, and often a dairy, then an afternoon snack of fruit/dairy/grain combo, or perhaps something I'd consider mostly outside those groups (ie-pretzels or animal crackers), then dinner of a grain, a protein, and two veggies or one fruit/one veggie, small bedtime snack of cold cereal with milk. It works for us, and I feel confident that having the healthy options readily available helps all of us eat better.

When we're at friends' houses, yes, I bring our snack (as do most of the moms we hang out with), and it usually consists of a portable version of our usual grain/fruit/dairy snacks. But I have absolutely no problem letting Kayla try something at their house, especially if the other children invite her to try it and/or if she asks me nicely for it ... I don't want to prohibit foods, by any means.

How do I find a balance between encouraging her to eat healthy and recognizing that not everyone eats the same foods as we do? Please help! I am so tempted to ask the teachers at her school if I can bring some fresh foods every week as alternatives to the (in my mind) less healthy choices the 'snack helpers' bring when it's their turns? Our 'turn' in the snack rotation doesn't come until mid-November, at which time it'll be time for Kayla's birthday celebration ... should I be the parent who has her bring broccoli and carrot sticks (which she absolutely LOVES, not a punishment, btw) for her special day, simply because the whole class hasn't been getting truly healthy snacks yet this year?! I feel helpless, and I hate the feeling. She's only almost three; why should I have to worry about this yet?!

As a not-entirely side question: Am I the only wackadoodle who feeds her children food from the food pyramid?!

a mother's night

2009-10-14T14:44:00.002-04:00

My daughter's mischievous grin haunts my sleep.

As I lie here dreading another night interrupted by an increasingly independent preschooler who is still testing the waters in her newfound nighttime freedom, my infant awakes, screaming bloody murder. My objectives shift from creative ponderings and putting pen to paper as my mind muses to that of a mother hen, calm, soothe, put back to bed.

Practicality always seems to trump creative mom time - even when all is pitch and I desire only a moment to reflect.

Now I'll lie awake until that child is asleep - her tossing subsiding and her lip-smacking sleep noises resumed.

And then what? I'll wait, knowing - thinking - dreading the other child's midnight waking.

When do other moms ever sleep? How on earth do moms of more than two make it through the night?

***

A growl rises from her throat; is that intended toward the lion beside her, the dream that rudely awoke her, the world in general, mother dearest for suffering so much as to open her door, which seemed to wake her to begin with?

Facebook

2009-10-07T21:54:00.004-04:00

Facebook is a great tool, but sometimes I think it comes with a price. Yes, it's a source of quick, mass-contact communication. Yes, it's great to reconnect with friends from long ago, connect with friends from today in a new light, or make new connections and network toward a better tomorrow.

However, I am bus-hit by a family death announced via Facebook. I wasn't particularly close to the one of many sisters of my grandma anyway, but it makes me doubletake the fact that my brother and I (more electronically connected) had to tell my mother, the very niece of the deceased, of the death.

...

I'm torn, and have many more facets to ponder after bedtime, and so I leave this as ....

2009-10-06T11:31:00.003-04:00

I hope my youngest doesn't feel gipped out of mommy time! I know she doesn't know any different, so no harm done, but it seems as though any time I have free from the elder and her daycare buddy, I scurry to do housework or creative work or something else - and leave my younger to her own devices (well, of course free reign of the baby/toddler-friendly playroom, so perhaps she feels better than she would if I was right down with her the whole time!) I mean, I talk to her the whole time I'm doing dishes or dusting, or ... evidently blogging, but still mommy guilt creeps in, and I wonder if I should spend these five free minutes down playing with her. ... Alrighty, so I'll get down there right now until we need to go pick up big sister from school. :-)

Mother Muse Submission Call

2009-10-04T20:43:00.000-04:00

Call for Submissions: Mother Muse Take Two

Due to popular demand, the editor of Mother Muse will embark on a sequel to the inspirational volume this winter. We now look for exceptional motherhood-themed writings (poetry, fiction, nonfiction) and artwork (photography included) celebrating the mother muse within us. We look for the experiences of mothers, grandmothers, aunts, daughters, granddaughters, everyone for this volume. All generations and all walks of life are encouraged. Please search “Mother Muse” on Amazon for an idea of the tone to expect within this sequel (positive, celebratory, whether exploring the incredible joys or the heart-wrenching challenges). We look forward to an even greater array of pieces to touch the soul, and seek variety in perspectives and presentation. Quality writing/art is imperative, regardless of genre or perspective.

Submission requirements:

1. Authors/artists may send up to five original, unpublished pieces (poems, prose, photography, other visual art able to be emailed with decent quality, b/w or color) that fit the theme of the collection. Please also send a 2-5 sentence biographical blurb about yourself for inclusion in the volume if your work is accepted. Submissions should be sent in the body of an email, with the subject line LAST NAME: TITLE/S OF WORK/S, along with a brief note verifying the piece/s as your original, unpublished work to motherhood2009@yahoo.com.

2. Submissions will be accepted through December 31, 2009. Contributors will receive a confirmation email upon receipt, though this email will be brief and will not imply acceptance in the collection. Accepted contributors will be notified by February 1, 2010 via email, and asked to return a form granting the publication of the accepted work/s, and agreeing to not submit the piece/s elsewhere until the volume’s publication in the spring.

3. Minor edits/revisions will be considered. Major revision will be entirely at the discretion of the editor. Contributors may receive comments on their pieces before and/or after the acceptance period, and will receive an emailed copy of the final version of their work/s, with a deadline for applicable revisions. Revisions made thereafter will not be included in the final volume.

4. Publication is anticipated before Mother’s Day 2010. We will have a publication party / book signing at a date to be determined, and anticipate a few readings around the Rochester, NY area for readers to meet and greet the writers. Contributors will be invited via email to these events as they are arranged. Contributors may also suggest venues for such events.

5. Contributors will receive complimentary copies, and will receive a contributor’s rate on additional copies. All contributors will also be recognized with bylines, and with a biographical blurb – see the 2009 edition for examples of this.

Any questions should be addressed to Editor Sueann Wells at motherhood2009@yahoo.com

Mother Muse Sequel?

2009-09-27T14:03:00.001-04:00

Any thoughts on a sequel to the Mother Muse collection of motherhood-based writings?

I have sent copies to several book publishers, with the marketing plan and success of the first collection, but have been told vaguely (of course) that a sequel wouldn't fit with their current needs ... typical form rejection letter, I know, and yet I wonder if it's a sign that I should just go the self-published route again, and just get going on it, so that it will be out by spring 2010.

I know of several mass-momma markets in the Rochester, NY area, and have a few contacts elsewhere as well, so hopefully the response will be even greater than the 24 contributors to the first edition.

Any thoughts here?

Disclaimer

2009-09-27T14:00:00.001-04:00

For folks who may be joining me in my literary journey here, I'd like to disclaim that I don't tend to like to share my pieces (poetry, prose, even journaling) unless they are what I'd like them to be. I'm trying something new here, in sharing works in progress. Once they're publishable quality, I intend to market them to journals, etc.

I welcome your thoughts on the pieces you read here, and I'll try to create links to other great sites and great writers I've found along the way. I cannot guarantee regularity of those elements, though, as I have a very busy home and daycare life, and am of course spending my spare moments trying to spread the word about the pieces (including the three books I already have published).

Until next time, be well!

Midnight Musings - rough poem/prose written between 12am and 2am this morning

2009-09-27T13:49:00.000-04:00

clock ticks quickly
hours pass in near dark
moonlight musings
list making, business writing,
pondering of all the little things that keep getting pushed to the back burner
back burner's full, overflowing,
and now I sit, insomniac,
unable to unwind, decompress the day
Cheap Trick coverband's unfortunate set
unfortunately revolves in my ears as my lids weigh me down more
eight pages beside me on the couch
evidence of industry in midnight
though they're really just proof of
my mind's inconsideration for my body's sleep needs
clock keeps ticking,
another hour gone,
only five more hours till my alarm
what irony
cosmic revolution
get to bed
try again
Good Night, muse,
I really must bid you adieu.

Intentions of Sueann's Musings

2009-08-31T21:30:00.000-04:00

Good evening!

Beginning this blog is a new direction for me. I have published three volumes of poetry and prose, edited one. I am working on several children's books, a lengthy formal poetry series, and a collection of creative nonfiction essays. I have even begun dabbling in fiction, thanks to FirstLines publication. (There's nothing like a first line to trigger a completely different perspective from which to write!)

My recent publication of Mother Muse: A collection of poetry and prose celebrating the joys and challenges of motherhood has jumpstarted my interest in writing in all genres, and the only downside to its publication (its self-publication status) has been the catalyst to my search for markets for my works besides the great-in-its-own-rite Lulu.com. Hopefully you'll see more of my writings out in the 'real' world, joining Awake Before Dawn and Midnight Summons, my FootHills Publishing collections.

Thanks for reading, and if you know of any great resources, calls, and/or opportunities for marketing, promotion, etc., please let me know.