For several years, I've been writing my first full-length poetry collection that I've just referred to as Poetry Book #1, or PB1. It's gone through several re-structurings and revisions which you can read about here, but it's coming together. I can see the light!
And, I Finally. Have. A. Title.
You don't understand how much I've worried about not being able to come up with a good title for this collection. How does one sum up the thought-dump that is a poetry collection in a way that not only entices the reader to pick it up but sets up the right expectations for what type of book this will be? Y'know, that's not intimidating at all.
But this title just came to me. On a silver platter while I was at work. I expected to come up with several possible titles, but after creating this one, I knew that it was the one. It so perfectly encapsulates the theme and feel I want the collection to have. I can't imagine it going by any other title [unless of course a publisher picks it up and wants it to be change--then I'll have to rethink everything].
Here it is:
[Not the cover]
A theme that naturally rose from the collection is that of the unstoppable movement of time. The collection is somewhat of an autobiography, detailing an important period of my life as I had to leave my sheltered innocence to become a mature adult aware of various injustices of our society. The collection deals with America's past while also looking towards the future with the question of after these years of political and social turmoil, where are we headed?
The plan is to finish it by the end of this year so I can submit it to traditional publishers starting 2022. If none of them choose to pick it up, I'll be self-publishing next fall/winter.
Can't wait till then? No worries! One of the poems was published in the Fall 2021 edition of the Bridge: Bluffton Literary Journal. It's titled "10,000 Hours" and you can read it here. I'm so honored that the staff of the Bridge published my poem, and I am so excited that I get to share it with you all.
That's all the news for now!
Thanks for reading,
Mary K Gowdy