Call for poems!

I had to suppress a few smiles last week when I posted the first announcement for Wheelsong Poetry Anthology 3. People were texting and emailing me in panic and confusion, because I had not posted a date for submission or email address. It was deliberate, because that post was really a teaser for the one you are now reading. We needed to gauge interest in the project. It's nice to know that so many of you are eager to contribute to this prestigious and far reaching publication. So let me put you all out of your misery. This, dear poets, is the official call for contributions to Wheelsong Poetry Anthology 3 (Please read the following instructions carefully).

Firstly, do not bother to submit your poetry if you do not intend to buy at least one copy of the book. It's a charity publication, and all profits from Amazon sales will go to help children in crisis. If you're not prepared to invest in helping kids, we won't be publishing your poetry. 

Secondly, only submit poetry that is a) your own work and b) has not been subject to any other publishing agreement. Poetry you've shared on Facebook and other social media is fine. Just don't send in work that has been published elsewhere under another contract. That could lead to a law suit. The editorial team will reject poems if we suspect they have been either plagiarised, or generated by artificial intelligence.

Thirdly, submit up to 3 poems as either plain text or in a Word file via email to this address: wheelsong6@gmail.com. Submissions by any other means will not be considered. Poetry submitted as images or photos will not be considered. Before you ask: There is no theme. 

Finally, all poems submitted will be subject to review by our editorial team. Your poetry will be anonymised so the team can't see who you are. If your poetry is selected, you will be informed via email, and a publication agreement will be sent to you for you to complete and return. If your work is not accepted for publication, you will receive an email informing you of the team's decision. No correspondence other than via email will be valid. Please don't try to text or direct message us. We won't answer. 

The window for submission is now open, and will be closed on Friday 1 September. Any submissions received after this date will be rejected. If there is an extension to this date, you will be informed.

We look forward to reading your submissions. Good luck!

Steve Wheeler (on behalf of the editorial team)

Photo © 2023 Wheelsong Books

Poetic devices 1: Simile

In this blog series, I plan to explore a wide range of poetic devices, figures of speech that can enhance your writing significantly. Here's the first in the series: 

Would you like your poetry to pack a punch? Of course you would! You wouldn't be reading this if you didn't. Let's look at simile and how it can add an extra dimension to your poetry. 

You must be familiar with William Shakespeare's Sonnet 18:

Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?
Thou art more lovely and more temperate...

Or William Wordsworth's most famous poem, the first lines of which are:

I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o'er vales and hills...

Or most overtly, this by Robert Burns:

O my Luve is like a red, red rose...

All of these poets knew how to use the very common poetic device known as simile to add power to their message. If a writer compares something to something else they are using simile - and similes tend to make the description more emphatic, vivid or colourful.

Often it's not enough to say something like 'he is quiet'. Using simile, you could say 'he is quiet as a mouse', or even more vividly 'he is as quiet as an ancient grave.' You could take this to an abstract level and say something like 'he stands as quietly as an oak tree under freshly fallen snow.' How about that for conjuring up an image? But the simile is just the start... it can open the door for more.

Shakespeare's verse openly states that he is comparing his love to a summer day. He then elaborates that the comparison (or simile) is inadequate. Wordsworth extends his simile, to add a rich description of the nature of a cloud. It sets up his sudden and unexpected discovery of the host of golden daffodils quite brilliantly.

A good simile in a poem can be powerful. What you do with it next makes it memorable or even spectacular. It's like a speeding train that can't be slowed. There... I just used a simile.

Steve Wheeler

Image from Hippopx used under a Creative Commons licence

Is It Poetry Or “Journaling”?

Did you keep a personal journal when you were younger? Something to share feelings about strange exciting things you were experiencing you couldn’t articulate to others? Maybe just an intimate chronicle of your times?

One aspect of poetry I have found to be a most controversial one in my past is the question of just how personal can a poem get before it is considered something other than poetry?

I was an editor for the Western Illinois University annual college literary magazine for three years, taking it completely over my last year. It was a quality collection of poems, short stories, photography,… I was the first to introduce strip art into the mix. My team and I were very proud of the eclectic diversity.

The only conflict I had with the director and English professor overseeing our cumulative affair was in what she called “journaling”, or just writing out feelings on something and calling it poetry.  She didn’t believe it had a place in our book.

I tended to agree with her. Many submissions at that level tend to reflect that flavor of direction. However, I argued up and down for one application that I thought was cleverly worded and poetically expressed a relatable emotion. She still said it was journaling. I still put it in there! I’m glad I did.

Many poets using poetry as a therapeutic device tend to lean into this approach. I’ve always considered art as subjective, and one poet can never be “better than” or “nowhere close to” another. I’ve had my doubts of course… especially when reading the brilliant works of many of the modern poets today! But it really does come down to comparing “apples to oranges” as colleague and master editor Steve Wheeler once put it, which eased my worries immensely. 

Themes such as lost love and failures of so many colors consecrate the graves of most journalistic poetry. They are generally identified in detailed circumstances surrounding a relatable and often obvious theme.

Don’t get me wrong. I wrote one today and didn’t even consider putting it out there, but I did. A section of which as follows…

                                        —

fatalistic

…innocence psychoanalyzed by wisdom

gives way to shorts in an electrical brain 

snapping my tongue uncharacteristically 

freezing a gratuitous patience paralyzed 

forcing awkward damage control apologies 

eventually apologizing for my very existence 

hampering hankerings to do something wild

only because it hurts more than it ever did 

physically mentally spiritually life forces me

to become something I never wanted to be…

…fatalistic…

©️penned by: m.e.

                                       —

Be honest!!! 

I enthusiastically encourage you to be the editor here… is this poetry or just “journaling”?!

I appreciate your comments as always! Please feel free to contribute your feelings on this article below and thank you so much for reading! 

Matt Elmore

Cover reveal

Yes, dear poets. This is a small taste of what the cover art looks like for Wheelsong Poetry Anthology 3. The call for submissions will open tomorrow, complete with full instructions on this blog. You will then have two full weeks to send your poems in for review. 

Just a reminder that the proceeds from Amazon sales of this book will be donated to Save the Children, a global charity that provides food, medicine, shelter and education to children in crisis. It's a worthwhile cause. Please get behind it.

Steve Wheeler (on behalf of the editorial team)

Image is copyright by Wheelsong Books Limited

Poetry Inspired By Photography

Warning!!! 

This article should not be taken as irrevocable truth!!! 

When it comes to creating and art, most rules are subjective. They are rather meant to be broken, in order to implement change. Thus, there is always another fresh “movement” of various ideas and implementations. 

Thank heavens… it would be a rather boring world otherwise, wouldn’t it?!

                                        —

Many poetry groups offer photo prompts as a way of moving poets to write of what they perceive. It is an effective way of inspiring a writer because  it is all right there. Just let the hash fly… detailing descriptions, atmosphere, character development, ambiguities… all the usual content suspects to a writer.

I always considered writing a poem about a photo cheating. All the images are frozen there for a poet to immediately suss out in the moment. Nothing is left to imagination as far as capturing anything that happens after the fact. It is but a snapshot of a memory. 

Many artists like to paint or sketch from a picture. This is how they paint, and more often than not, it comes out amazing. The shade is right on and the colors are appropriate. How can they not be? They are right there…

Photos contain many useful attributes for poets to utilize. Not only content, but the feel of the atmosphere, action , suggestive shapes, and

expressions amongst other things…

Since writing is an evolving craft, writers must evolve with it. Not only in terms of what readers want, but what we as writers want to convey. The amount of information we work with and put out can get stagnant. Thus, the use of any and all provocative processes of our craft should not only be attempted, but REPETITIVELY ENCOURAGED! 

                                        —

I have gotten over my personal dislike of writing from pictures, and now find it amusing (if not somewhat successful) in creating a crafty keeper. It can be amazing how many particular subjects an imaginative poet can expound upon to be inspired!

                                        —

Do you write poems from observing pictures? Do you not? Please free to elaborate as to how and why you do… POST YOUR COMMENTS BELOW! I’d love to hear from you. 

Matt Elmore

Expanding Your Poetry

Poetry is a timeless art form that’s practically been around most of humanity. It has the power to capture the essence of emotions and experiences in a condensed, pure and thoughtful manner. If you're an aspiring poet looking to expand your poetic horizons, this blog is for you. Here we'll explore a few simple, yet effective ways to enhance your poetic expression and unlock different creativities. 

1. Experiment with Different Forms

   

One can challenge themselves by exploring various poetic forms such as sonnets, haikus, villanelles, or free verse. Each form offers a unique structure and rhythm that can inspire fresh ideas and stretch your poetic capabilities.

2. Dive into Nature

   

Nature is a profound source of inspiration for poets. I know it plays a major part in my own work. Perhaps try to immerse yourself in its beauty and observe the intricate details. Let the colors, scents, and sounds ignite your imagination, enabling you to hopefully be inspired to paint vivid pictures with your words.

3. Embrace Metaphors and Similes

   

Metaphors and similes add depth and richness to one’s poetry. Compare abstract concepts with tangible objects or draw parallels between unrelated ideas, this will allow your readers to experience your words on multiple levels.

4. Read Widely

   

Expand your poetic palette by diving into the works of a multitude of different poets. Read across different eras, styles, and even cultures. By exposing yourself to diverse voices, you'll certainly start to gain new insights, discover fresh techniques, and broaden your perspective.

5. Practice Regularly

   

Like any craft poetry requires practice. Try to set aside dedicated time for writing, even if it's just a few minutes each day. Use prompts, engage in free writing, or capture snippets of daily observations. With consistent practice, your poetic prowess is sure to create self expansion.

Expanding your poetry is an exciting journey of self-expression and creativity. By embracing different forms, drawing inspiration from nature, employing vivid metaphors, exploring diverse works, and practicing regularly, you'll refine your poetic voice and captivate readers with your words. So I say step beyond your comfort zone and embrace the unknown. Then watch as your poetry soars to new heights. Happy writing everyone! 

Brandon Adam Haven 

Image free for fair use by Freepix 

Poetry From Adversity

When I was published recently by Wheelsong Books, many of my family and friends tended to mock my work without even reading it. I was stereotyped as a soft tulip tiptoer that whimsically wrote words at the sight of the first butterfly.

This IS somewhat true! Not the first butterfly though.… I live in the country, so I see them every day…

They didn’t know this about me. I’ve always been a bit of a tough guy… built sheds and furniture and picnic tables. Hung out with rowdies and sang in a metal band. Hiked half the Appalachian trail in a shot. Drank beers in honky tonks and flirted with pretty women. A biker gang even named me “Chains”… long story, trust me!

A poet?! Really?

Yeah… really. 

However, when they read a few of my poems, I believe they began to understand what I was doing. Poets wear many hats… Some even congratulated me, which was another milestone for me. They accepted that I represent more than an average everyday person. A balance of the light and heavy…

                                          —

I’m just an average everyday person that is able to articulate what most average everyday people are feeling and want to say. I think this defines many modern poets.

                                           —

Poetry is about more than rainbows and butterflies. It’s not all the Robert Frost kind of nature trip… or even the Robert Browning sort of introspections. It’s not all John Milton inspired perfectly metered verse, or the angular intricate constructions  of E.E. Cummings. It’s not even even all the dark art poetry that permeates today’s social media, accentuating carnal sides of our natures… the flip side to NICE poetry.

Many poets have a default muse they draw upon. They may try different styles, but there is something at the marrow that fuels their art. For me, that is adversity. This adverse misunderstanding bothered me… but only motivated me to write even more.

                                          —

Troubles tend to drive me into my best works, often obfuscated in various concluding themes of redemption, despair, or despondency. This tension rocked me a number of times… and perhaps even guided the pen to what some consider my best work “The Colored Number Of My Counted Days”, published in my book Constellation Road.

I recently moved my 83 year old mother in with me to watch after her. She suffered what appears to be a minor stroke a couple of days ago and hasn’t been the same since. I’m sick with worry right now., worried about her at my house when I’m at work. Something in her eyes has dulled. Yet I meet the adversity with courage and keep on… Strangely, I haven’t really written a poem about this. Afraid to I guess. Don’t know why…

I do know that when harnessed properly, this tension that is created through adversity can be refined in passion to create something special. My best work is ahead of me I know. It doesn’t make it any easier knowing hard times are coming…

                                          —

Does adversity move you as a poet? Or do you compartmentalize your problems… and focus on other aspects of life? If you are moved by the troubles, is it therapeutic? Or is it just another theme to go off of?

Please feel free to comment on this article. I know it is a bit more personal than the usual poetry blog, but writing is what we do, and this topic is becoming nearer to my heart than I ever thought it could before.

Thanks for reading!

Matt Elmore

Wheelsong Poetry Anthology 3

Wheelsong Books was first established in 2020 as a not-for-profit organisation. Its mission statement is twofold: To give emerging poets platforms to reach larger audiences and to help those who are in need. Since then, the company has published 30 books including four charity poetry anthologies.  These are the anthology statistics: 

Absolutely Poetry Anthology 1 contains 170 poems 

Absolutely Poetry Anthology 2: 176 poems 

Wheelsong Poetry Anthology 1: 183 poems 

Wheelsong Poetry Anthology 2: 214 poems 

(a total of 743 poems by more than 250 poets representing over 80 countries across all 6 continents) 

All the above books will remain on sale on Amazon and through other outlets, including Waterstones (UK) and Barnes & Noble (USA). The proceeds from Amazon sales of these four books is donated to Save the Children - a worldwide charity that supports children in crisis. To date Wheelsong Books has donated more than £1300.00 ($1650.00) to Save the Children and we intend to raise a lot more money. We are about to launch Wheelsong Poetry Anthology 3!

Poet, here's the deal.... You have been given a wonderful creative gift, which is to be able to articulate your thoughts, ideas, memories and emotions in beautiful, evocative words. Using your talent, you can give back a little to children who are in desperate, often life-threatening situations. We all want our poetry to be read and appreciated by others. Publishing your work in Wheelsong Poetry Anthology 3 will ensure you gain a new audience for your poetry, but more importantly, your poems will be raising much needed funds to support children in crisis. 

To be considered for inclusion you will need to: 

1) submit up to 3 of your own original poems for review, that have not previously been subject to any publishing agreement. (Plagiarised, AI generated and publisher contracted poems will not be considered) 

2) email your poems in either plain text or Word format so the team are able to transfer your poetry across into the editorial review system. The email will be announced in the Call for Poems post (see below). 

3) pledge that you will purchase at least one copy of the book (at author discount, which will be half the price advertised on Amazon, plus shipping) to support the project. The editors noticed that less than third of the poets published in previous anthologies actually supported the project and bought a copy once the books had been published! We think that is unfair, and we will now only publish poets who are committed to helping others. In your publishing agreement there will be a pledge for to to sign to agree to this clause. Please don't submit your poetry if you are unwilling to do this. 

NB: Shorter poems are more likely to be accepted for publication than longer pieces - space will be limited in the book due to resource and production limitations. 

For now, don't send any poems in. They won't be seen. More details are coming about important dates and deadlines and how to submit. 

Look out for the call for poems, which will be posted on several Facebook poetry groups including Invisible Poets, Wheelsong Poetry and Pure Poetry later in August. Keep visiting this blog to find out more. 

Steve Wheeler, Editor in Chief

Photo © 2023 Wheelsong Books