In April 2019, I had two poems accepted by the Saranac Review. Then crickets. All through that year and then the first year of the pandemic, also: nothing from them. I didn’t want to withdraw the poetry as I really wanted it published by SR, but I worried that they were struggling with problems, especially the “covid factor.”
Finally, as if by magic (hahahahaha), the issue has been published. And it’s gorgeous. I mean really gorgeous. It has very thick glossy pages, which makes it a wonderful coffee table journal. I don’t think you can see how great it is from the photos. You have to touch it. I am thankful that SR has published my poems in this beauty.
I’ve blurred out the last half of both my poems because I don’t think it’s thoughtful (to the journal) to post complete poems immediately upon publication in a print journal. But the poems will be in my new book (preorders in May 2022)!
Look at the details of this cover.
And here’s the back.
I got the idea for the poem “April Things” on an April drive to California from Arizona.
The second poem is about a subject that is threaded throughout my new poetry book, my maternal grandparents.
I have been having a difficult time in the last few weeks. Family and (annoying-type) health issues. Some holiday celebration changing. Worries about my daughter’s upcoming wedding (early February) with covid news. So I started doing a mixed media junk journal free “course” called #caredecember. It lasts 20 days and is about self-care as well as self-expression. In this stressful holiday season, I am focusing on staying in touch with nature and just “letting most of it go.” I’m wishing you all peace and love and kindness.
Congratulations. It is a beautiful cover!
Thank you! I think so, too.
Congratulations Luanne, some of them take forever to come back to you but this looks like a great publication. Hope that life settles down a bit for you soon and you feel better.
It is really beautiful. I started reading it–so good–and am looking forward to reading more later today. I appreciate your comments about my life, too. I sure hope so. xo
Congratulations. Focusing on self care here at the moment too.
Thank you very much. I hope you and I both have very results with the self care! xo
Me too, LuAnne. Welcome.
Congratulations on this publication. It’s a bright spot in an uncertain time. Self-care is good. If you are not for yourself, who will be? Be well. 💐
Yes, definitely, who else? Thank you very much. And you are right about “a bright spot in an uncertain time.”
Congratulations!! It sounds like a beautiful journal.
Thank you, Amy. Yay!
Congratulations, Luanne! It looks beautiful.
Thank you, Jill. I am thrilled with it.
Congratulations, Luanne! I look forward to reading the two poems in your new collection when the time comes. I’m sorry to hear you’ve been having a tough time of it the past few weeks. Please take good care.
I am starting to get a little excited about the book. It’s been a long time coming. Five more months for presales, but the book itself won’t be out until September, I guess.
Thank you for your kind words about this tough time. Ugh, I appreciate it, but wish I didn’t need them :(. xo
You’re welcome. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to support your launch.
Oh, I like that. I might hit you up for something :). Thank you!
Please do!
Congratulations on the publication, Luanne.
Sorry about the worries, but I’m sure it was wonderful to get some good news!
Yes, it does help to get good news. Thank you, Merril!
You’re welcome!
Congratulations on the publication, Luanne! Sending best wishes for a worry-free holiday season. I hope you feel better soon!
Thank you, Lavinia! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year for all of 2022!
Congratulations on your publications (aren’t I the poet ;-))! Sorry that you’re having health and family troubles. I think your strategy of staying in touch with nature and letting go of what you can is a sound one. I do hope things improve for you <3
I am so sorry about Ms Max. Hope you are doing ok. I know how hard it is. XO
Thank you. In truth, I’m trying to not let depression take over. I’ll be grieving for a long time, but I don’t want to sink into a black hole. Fortunately our other three are demanding a lot of attention. They keep us grounded 🙂
I hope your Christmas has been a good one, Marie. Big hugs to you.
Thank you, Luanne. It was a quiet Christmas, just how we like it 🙂
Oh, that does sound good. Hope your New Year is healthy and peaceful!
Congratulations, Luanne. I hope your health issues get resolved and you have a wonderful holiday.
You too, John!
Seems like Christmas is often a stressful time for many of us, but you’ll work through it. I like your attitude about getting in touch with nature and letting go of the stress. But look at how wonderful it is that your two selections are being published! Beautifully written. Very thoughtful of you to consider the publishers by not stealing all of their thunder. Congrats! I love these two pieces you’ve written.
Thank you for noticing that. It took a lot of Will power not to share them completely since I waited 2 1/2 years for them to be published lol. Thank you for the congrats, too!
Good self-discipline!
Congratulations. That’s quite an honor to be published in SR.
Journal totally rocks, Luanne, and of course I love your Spotlight piece the most!
Starting the year with a wedding in February is something to look forward to!
Cheers to your better health and happiness in 2022! Also, new book always exciting!! Congratulations, my friend.
Yup, that’s about Grandma Edna. She does her Ethel Merman in the poem. Here’s to your better health in 2022, too. And more fun times with Ella James and of course the kitty gate crashed haha.
Wow, that must have been really frustrating. I’m having a little publisher issue now, too. But it all worked out in the end – looks like a beautiful journal. I look forward to reading the full pieces.
The self-care seems like a very good idea, especially with health issues, holidays and weddings on the horizon.
Yes, so much going on! I hope your publisher issues are solved….
Yes! Got an offer on Friday. I think it is going to work out well.
Woot!!! Congrats!!!
Thanks, Luanne! You have been an inspiration since I began blogging four years ago. 🤗🤗
Aw shucks. Thanks Eilene!
Hi Luanne, That is a very beautiful journal and such exquisite previews of your poems!
I am sorry to hear of struggles & uncertainties in your life & I send my best sympathies!
I can relate with changing holiday plans…
You have a great knack for prose poetry! Something I really noticed. Am looking forward to your book. I am in progress with a poetry book as well 🙂 Best wishes in all things 🙂
Thank you so much, Jade. For all of it. Best wishes with your book!
What a nice Christmas gift to receive this beautiful journal with your work included. And I feel I’ve missed out on the big news: you have a book coming out next year!!! Congratulations, and can’t wait.
ps good for you to thoughtfully take care of you this season <3
Thank you, Ellen. Sigh. It’s been in the queue for quite awhile already.
Congratulations on your poems being published. That’s a big deal.
I wish you as well, Luanne, peace, love and kindness. Three beautiful wishes. <3
Thank you so much xoxo!
Congrats on the publication of your poetry, Luanne!! and Happy New Year! <3
Congratulations on your publication, and with that exquisite cover, it was well worth waiting for (bet it didn’t feel like that at the time). I’m just reading about English ladies during the British Raj and learned they aspired to a waist measurement that was no greater than their age (corset assisted). Wonder if that lovely lady felt the same?
She probably did! I can’t imagine. The first time I ever really knew about those small waists was watching the movie Gone With the Wind when I was a teen (no, not when it was new hahahahaha). I couldn’t even believe the tiny waists!!! Even a bra makes me crazy with the tightness.
I know the feeling. Every time I go out to buy new, I come home with the same size (even with assistance) – and I’m sure it can’t be right!
Exactly!!!