Saturday, November 28, 2009

Pre-order Period Ends Nov. 30



A very hearty and heartfelt thank you to all who've helped my pressrun by pre-ordering my first chapbook, "Light and Trials of Light." I'm very excited to have my first book published by Finishing Line Press, and to have endorsements by SUNY Journalism Professor Howie Good and the award-winning poet Kevin Prufer. I admire Howie and Kevin's work so much, and am truly honored to host their names on my first publication.

If you haven't ordered your copy yet, please do so before the Nov. 30 presale period ends! If you miss it, that's okay. You can still order afterwards. Go to http://www.finishinglinepress.com/NewReleasesandForthcomingTitles.htm

And thank you so much!
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When the Cats Razzed the Chickens by Mel Bosworth



Folded Word does it again. And so does Mel Bosworth. I was happy to receive my signed (and personalized) copy of "When the Cats Razzed the Chickens & Other Stories" by Mel Bosworth today. It was a nice post-Thanksgiving surprise. It kind of heightens the warm fuzzies.

Mel is an excellent fiction writer, and I can't wait to dive into this one. Purchase your copy from his blog at http://eddiesocko.blogspot.com/?zx=18e840dbdb777f2 or from Folded Word at http://folded.wordpress.com/tag/mel-bosworth/

Happy reading, everyone!

Sunday, November 22, 2009

Publisher, Publisher, Author

Vroom, vroom! I'm revving my writerly engine and getting ready to start writing my new nonfiction book on Kindle publishing on Monday. I'm excited, and interested to see where this one takes me. This will be my second through Atlantic Publishing. They've been fantastic to work with, and I'm happy that I get to work with the same editor I had for my book on children's publishing. There's something to be said for getting to know an editor's style and tastes, and working with the same person over the course of multiple projects.

Speaking of publishers, I'm looking forward to seeing my first poetry chapbook, "Light and Trials of Light," from Finishing Line Press, in January 2010. Apparently, there is going be a cover change, due to the rich blacks of the current cover bleeding. But hey, that's alright. I've got a plan B, and C, and D, and... My preorder sales period ends November 30, and I want to extend a hearty thank you to everyone who has supported my pressrun by preordering my chapbook. If you have not purchased your copy, please do so by visiting http://www.finishinglinepress.com/NewReleasesandForthcomingTitles.htm

On another exciting note, I have finally worked through many, many bugs that at times made me think Prick of the Spindle's first podcast would never see the light of an mp3 format, but at long last! with the help of some un-obvious software, a great microphone, and a very patient and flexible author, Podcast No. 1 will be available soon at http://www.prickofthespindle.com. Don't miss my interview with Meg Pokrass, coming soon.

Also, if you're a member of the Fictionaut community for writers, be sure to give my newest story a read. It's not often I get around to writing stories lately--something I've long been wanting to change--but let me know what you think. Read it here: http://www.fictionaut.com/stories/cynthia-reeser/the-taste-in-my-mouth Warning: it's very dark. Not for the faint of heart, or the easily offended. It's also nonfiction.

Thursday, November 12, 2009

PRESS RELEASE


PRESS RELEASE
FINISHING LINE PRESS


PO Box 1626
Georgetown, KY 40324
859-514-8966
FinishlingBooks@aol.com
www.finishinglinepress.com

For Immediate Release

Finishing Line Press announces the publication of Light and Trials of Light, a chapbook of poems by Pensacola author and artist Cynthia Reeser

A multi-talented creative artist with a gift for language and observation, poet, editor, and visual artist Cynthia Reeser will have her first chapbook collection of poetry published by Finishing Line Press in early 2010.


Kevin Prufer, three-time Pushcart Prize winner; author of National Anthem, Fallen from a Chariot, others; Editor/Director of Pleiades: A Journal of New Writing; Associate Editor of American Book Review; and Vice President/Secretary of the National Book Critics Circle, says of Reeser's poetry: "These poems are smart and lovely, quiet and intimate. Cynthia Reeser is a poet of careful observation, quick to notice the flicker of candlelight across a loved one’s face, the “luster in the clatter of shells,” or the “butter-heavy rain cloud, phantom under a summer wave’s surrender.” And, although her subjects are personal—love, family, friendship, the poet’s affinity for the world of nature—they are shot through with moments of startling insight, brilliant conclusion, and, occasionally, a sort of wicked, erudite wit... Reeser has a fine talent."


Cynthia Reeser is the editor-in-chief of Prick of the Spindle, a literary quarterly journal, and is a prolific book reviewer and poet. A Pensacola native, her poetry has appeared in numerous print and online publications, and her book reviews can be read on NewPages.com every month. A former book review columnist and staff writer for a military newspaper, Cynthia is also a visual artist whose work has appeared in numerous shows, auctions, and art walks throughout Louisiana. Her nonfiction book, How to Publish Your Children's Book, is forthcoming from Atlantic Publishing in January 2010, and she is currently at work on a book about Kindle publishing. View her Web sites at www.cynthiareeser.com and www.prickofthespindle.com.

Howie Good, author of Tomorrowland, Lovesick, and others, praises Light and Trials of Light: "Cynthia Reeser writes with a rare combination of moral intelligence and emotional sensitivity. She pushes language to -- and sometimes beyond -- the limits of conventional vocabulary and diction to convey her tremendous sympathy for things that are broken or easily break. Her poems often occupy the blood-red moment in which a significant object or person or event is about to vanish from our lives. Trees fall victim to the chain-saw, romance to boredom and hurt, memories to distortion. But if Reeser’s overriding subject is the frailty of the things we love, their vulnerability to decay and destruction, her poems themselves are powerfully made. They have a kind of sturdy elegance that will challenge and move and ultimately dazzle you."

The cover design and photography for Light and Trials of Light is by Cynthia Reeser.

Finishing Line Press is a poetry publisher based in Georgetown, Kentucky. In addition to the Chapbook Series, it publishes the New Women’s Voices Series and sponsors the Finishing Line Press Open Chapbook Competition. Other recent Finishing Line Press releases include Man Overboard by Steven Barza, Scared Money Never Wins by Julia Wendell, Putting in a Window by John Brantingham, Family Business by Paula Sergi, and Drawing Lessons by Carol Barrett. Finishing Line Press and editor Leah Maines were featured in both the 2001 and 2002 Poet’s Markets.


Publication Date: January 2010


To order online, go to http://www.finishinglinepress.com/ Or, you may order directly from the publisher, $12.00, check or money order to:

Finishing Line Books
PO Box 1626
Georgetown, KY 40324
finishingbooks@aol.com
859-514-8360

You can also contact the author, Cynthia Reeser, by e-mail at crr@cynthiareeser.com, or visit her website at www.cynthiareeser.com

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Taking a Breather





What a weekend. After logging in so many hours for the past several weeks to meet with my client for the memoir editing project (re: 3 hours driving per day required), not to mention those spent in front of the computer screen, it was nice--scratch that--it was hugely exciting to finally get away. Not for business.

First on the agenda: Memphis to help a friend move back, but little did he know it would be no simple move. I dragged him along with me to the New Orleans Book Fair, sort of. Although we missed the fair on Saturday, we stuck around town all day Sunday and did what people in New Orleans do. I got to visit the famous cemeteries, which I had been dying (haha) to see since way back. Then we took the streetcar (what San Franciscans know as a trolley) to the Aquarium and les bebes had a blast--they pet the sharks, came eye to eye with sea otters and looked into the core of the feral glowing jellyfish. Then I treated all to some fine local cuisine, and finally it was off for coffee and beignets at the Cafe du Monde.

Unfortunately, it was also the weekend of the Saints game, which meant that J. Bradley's reading/performance at the Zeitgeist, and most other highly worthy cultural events, were in competition with The Game. But it was wonderful meeting J. Bradley, author of "Dodging Traffic," and Jason Cook of Ampersand Books (two fellow Floridians).

I'm back, refreshed, and ready to begin new contracts. Next up on the agenda is a book on Kindle publishing. And the next issue of Prick of the Spindle is just around the corner--coming up on December 23. I will be making time at the end of this week to finally do that initial podcast I've been so vocal about. No, I didn't forget. It's coming. Promise.

Also, I want to send out a warm thank you to Mel Bosworth, captain of the blog No More Hot Lunches for Eddie Socko, for his many and generous shout-outs and retweets. The support is much appreciated. Pre-Order his new chapbook "When the Cats Razzed the Chickens & Other Stories"(Folded Word Press, 2009.

And if you haven't ordered a copy of the Prick of the Spindle Fiction Open Competition No. 1 signature print edition, please do so now and support the journal! We are still saving to apply for federal nonprofit status, and your $8 helps the good cause. Order here.

Also be sure to enter Prick of the Spindle's first Poetry Open Competition, which also results in a print edition featuring the winners and honorable mentions. The prize is a framed black and white photograph by yours truly. Enter here.

And last but not least, visit the Finishing Line Press website and pre-order a copy of my first poetry chapbook, "Light and Trials of Light." I'm giving kisses to the first 50 people who order. But I don't travel. That's on you. ;-)



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