It took me eighteen years from the first story I wrote about my father’s workshop in our basement until publication for Scrap: Salvaging a Family. Some of that time was “down time,” including from the day ELJ Editions accepted the manuscript until it was actually published. So in the meantime I was writing other things, usually poetry, but some micro or flash fiction, too.
I was able to complete a little book that will be published on November 10 of this year by Shanti Arts. It’s very unlike Scrap or even any of my other books. Here is a description:
The poems and prose of Hunting the Cosmos engage with and interrogate the art of midcentury Spanish-Mexican surreal artist Remedios Varo, expanding the absurd dreamwork, surprising realities, and meanings of paintings and text. The occult, technology, fairy tales, and religion all play roles. Transformation through alchemy, magic, and science is a significant theme, as well as the metamorphosis of art and experience into new art. Award-winning poet Luanne Castle brings Varo’s sensibilities to life on the page in this beautiful ekphrastic collection of prose poems, lyric poems, and microfiction.
The cover art is by Sarajevo-born Australian artist Andrea Damic who interpreted Varo’s work through her own creative powers in composite photography.
I will continue to hope readers find Scrap and consider reading it. I have several book fairs lined up for this fall and early winter and will be reaching out to book clubs. Discussion questions are prepared and I am available for zoom meetings if you know a book club that might be interested.
On a related note, I haven’t been writing at all. Ever since last winter when I let my feelings be hurt about something (so much for getting over being sensitive) and then Scrap coming out, it’s taken it out of me, if that makes sense, and then with Perry dying at the end of May, I feel depleted. No other books in me at the moment, unless I write about my dear Perry.
I am down to two kitties, one in the front of the house and one in the back, with a gate in the middle. Lily got through the gate the other day and attacked Sloopy Anne. I didn’t have anything at hand except a small metal tray which I had to THROW at my own cats. Lily reversed course and ran back through the open gate. It’s possible Lily was particularly grumpy since she had to be shaved down for health reasons.
In the photos: Lily with Perry and Lily now with her fur shaved
