Introducing...MakeBlackOutPoetry

Image/book cover...from..which...love

MakeBlackOutPoetry (here) is an intriguing artist and writer, very different from our usual expectations of art, writing,or poetry. The call-name is for an artist's work on Instagram, which somehow links with Twitter. You must sign in at Instagram to post comments. 

I provide here one MakeBlackOutPoetry example, where the poet uses an existing page of text for selection of existing words to express different one brief statement or thought.  

Pondering  Are the texts photocopied pages from books, essays, other? Or, are the texts the artist's own, photocopied, reduced into one theme through  blackout, and photocopied again, then photographed? In other words, what is the process? 

This work makes me think of haiku, although it's something else. I would like to see a triptych, three text images with selected words saved, together making one new work.   

Have you ever seen this kind of "ready text" poetry graphic art before? Would you call this poetry? And does this form interest you? Will you try it? 

Twitter @makeblackoutpoetry

Why not...Self-Publish Your Book?

My book with pen name

by Jean Purcell

One of the first questions I get from new authors is "Should I self-publish or look for an established publishing house?" 

     I have done both, so my answer is "Why not think about both and see which sounds right for you?" 

     Then I try to add some of the pitfalls, either way. Whether you choose to self-publish or to sell your manuscript to an established publisher, you will learn along the way what is involved. There will probably be hopes, bumps, hard work, and sacrifices along the way, either way.

My first book was Not All Roads Lead Home (NARlH), my memoir, written under a pen name. My relationship with Highland Books, Ltd., UK --the publisher--was very positive. Highland still sells first edition copies throughout the UK.  

    Highland did not have US distribution rights when I wanted the book to be available in my home country. Eventually I started a publishing company, Opine Publishing. The second edition extended the flavor of the relationships, memory, religious influences, and changes--themes of the first edition. 

    Not All Roads Lead Home-Second edition adds key experiences of amazing years when my husband and I traveled to changing parts of the world (30 countries for me) from our temporary home in Geneva, Switzerland, until 1998. 

I love advising first-book authors that contact me. It was something I never expected to do. Helping them is one way I can give back. I enjoy getting to know them and their stories.   

    My hope for you is that whatever path you choose for getting your book published, that your dreams for your book will deepen as you work. Your book might give much-needed positive enjoyment for people in different places in life.

     All the best to you, and why not?

Related articles in hopes that you will not talk yourself out of doing the work of your dreams. 

• A Traditionally Pubbed Author Wades into the Waters of Self Publishing
• Publish Your Book the Way You Want
• The Secret: Don't Be Attached to Results
• Why I'm Glad I Didn't Self Publish
• Farmer secures book deal
• The Credible Character
• Is Kickstarter the Answer for Aspiring Authors?
• A Simple Thank You
• Amazon to open European publishing arm
• Is Self-Publishing Better Or Worse Than Traditional Publishing?

Cave Art: Check Your Texting

'Remember seeing photos of cave-drawings and pictures of hieroglyphics carved into stone, when you were a kid? When you were in school?

Maybe you were never exposed to those things. Maybe you were in a school that had chosen to teach you about "popular culture" rather than about history. 

Well, you can at least get a tiny taste of the cave-dwelling past by going to one of your own or a teenager's text messages. Warning: I am not as proficient at this as the average TXTG adolescent, but I know this much: 

r u ok

I M Jn 2 da

i hurts. ?4pane? 

tmi

c u (insert Smiley face)
This message was sent by my mobile cave device/tool.

Regarding modern English usage, centuries of development approach atrophy in the general population where modern English speakers spontaneously turn to a new form of hieroglyphics.

Plus, many people say that the Holy Bible translation (published 1611) for King James of England is too difficult to read or to understand today.

And, the same people say that Shakespeare's language (e.g., Romeo and Juliet, circa 1595) should be preserved no matter what, today and always. 

? (insert up arrow) w/that? 

Related articles

• Do you know Shakespeare's American career?
• On the Occasion of Mr Shakespeare's Birthday - or - Me and Will
• Reader-submitted "smiley dispenser" poster + the "Take a smile" movement
• February 22: Some cause happiness wherever they go-Oscar Wilde
• Bring out your Bard