Cover Reveal !!

The cover for Beak, Full of Tongue is almost finished, and I wanted to show you a sneak-peek of the front design! There are still some tweaks needed, and I sent the back-copy this morning, but isn't it lovely? *swoon* This poetry collection is twice the poems of Terracotta Pomegranate, and will be available … Continue reading Cover Reveal !!

July’s Writing Prompts

While searching for the cover image for my next poetry chapbook (coming the end of this month!), I found a pile of cool writing prompts. Enjoy! Ibex Man at the Museum He truly looks like he would grant me a wish or lead me to the next step of a quest! Egyptian Heart Betrays You … Continue reading July’s Writing Prompts

Book & Book

What would it be when you took the Dust of His Dark Materials and covered it in sin? That would be Dan Vyleta's Smoke. Mr. Vyleta has written a Dickensian tale of class structure, ethical theology, and coming-of-age in the most naked and brutal of ways. What if every sinful thought and compulsion you had were … Continue reading Book & Book

Cheryl Werber, writer & advocate

Cheryl Werber helps girl-identified teen writers connect through the written word with free, weekly Girls Write Pittsburgh workshops. Their organizational team is trained in youth mental health first aid and support, and they encourage the writers to take up space, write and read, and grow! Cheryl has a Master's Degree in non-profit organizational leadership, is … Continue reading Cheryl Werber, writer & advocate

June’s Story Prompts

HOW is it already June? Have you written as many stories as you thought you would? Are you feeling stuck from mowing lawns and playing taxi to the little ones? Here are some cool story ideas to get you started - 1. Black, Hot Ice Planets "...a new phase of water with bizarre properties. Unlike the … Continue reading June’s Story Prompts

Cait Gordon, author & advocate

Cait Gordon's first book, Life in the 'Cosm, was meant as a way to survive chronic illness, but ended up a surprise hit. She's about to release a second edition, and a prequel, with Renaissance Press! With co-editor Talia C. Johnson and Nathan Fréchette from Renaissance, she recently built a Kickstarter for Nothing Without Us … Continue reading Cait Gordon, author & advocate

Language as Lesson

In this Book & Book, two classics with an ambassador to a new world, whether by choice or force, demonstrate the lessons of language and their bearing on interpersonal power dynamics. The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin sees an ambassador on the faraway planet of Winter where he must navigate shifgrethor … Continue reading Language as Lesson

Justin Bloch, author

Justin Bloch's debut novel, The Stolen Karma of Nathaniel Valentine, is a powerhouse of plot twists and personal journeys. The settings are rich and varied, and the characters are all masterfully round and motivated. I caught up with Justin while he was hard at work on the sequel to ask him a few questions. PersephoneKnits: … Continue reading Justin Bloch, author

3 Story Prompts for May

Ooh, spring has sprung. That makes butt-in-chair time harder to do. I want to jump up and go outside. Or sit outside writing, which really means not writing, but watching leaves unfurl and flowers bloom. A few story prompts might help us all. Orgone (pronounced like, was he here or was he gone? Or gone.) … Continue reading 3 Story Prompts for May

Denise D. Young, fantasy-romance author

PersephoneKnits has a mission statement of positivity and support toward creative outcomes and growth. That doesn't mean ignoring failures and challenges, but rather going into projects with our eyes and our hands wide open. Part of that is setting intention, and Denise models that beautifully. From her blog: The release of my Tangled Magic series: … Continue reading Denise D. Young, fantasy-romance author