Prompted, An International Collection of Poems (and a Question for the Community)

I don't usually focus too much on specific poetry books or anthologies on this blog, but I've been meaning to say something about this one for a while now. Prompted, An International Collection of Poems, edited by Dr. Pearl Ketover Prilik, includes a foreword by yours truly and poetry by 40 poets from around the world. But I'm not just posting about it here because I wrote the foreword. I've written forewords and blurbs for other books and failed to blog about them in the past.

What makes Prompted truly unique is that it was conceived and created by Poetic Asides members using Poetic Asides prompts. There have been so many cool off-shoots from the Poetic Asides community over the years--from Anders Bylund's PAD Challenge trackers to Buddah Moskowitz's reading website and blogs by folks like Walt and Marie. But this Prompted anthology is a no-brainer that finally came to life and brought together some of the great voices that are here weekly and throughout April and November.

For instance, you may recognize some of these names Daniel Ari, Michele Brenton, Salvatore Buttaci, Anders Bylund, Janet Rice Carnahan, Diana Terrill Clark (aka, Domino), RJ Clarken, Barbara Ehrentreu, Hannah Gosselin, Michael Grove, Jacqueline Hallenbeck, Patricia A. Hawkenson, Michelle Hed, Linda Hofke, Cara Holman, Jane Penland Hoover, Khara House, S.E. Ingraha, De Jackson, Elizabeth Johnson, Iain Douglas Kemp, Pearl Ketover Prilik, Kim King, Laurie Kolp, Andrew Kreider, Catherine Lee, Amy Barlow Liberatore, Shannon Bo Lockard, mike Maher, Nikki Markle, Buddah Moskowitz, Bruce Niedt, Connie L. Peters, Nancy Posey, Jane Shlensky, Jay Sizemore, a.m.Trumble, Sara Vinas, Paula Wanken, and Claudette J. Young.

Many of these people have tried giving me credit for building this community, but I don't buy that for a moment. While I might step in from time to time to tell people to be nice to each other, this community was built and is continuing to grow through the initiative, creativity and nurturing of every one who reads and comments on this blog. You all do so much to help foster a love of poetry.

I just want to thank you so much for everything you do to help make poetry a bigger part of others' lives. And believe me, there are a lot of poets who regularly read this blog who don't post (because they let me know via e-mail and/or in person at live events). So thank you, thank you, thank you!

If you're interested in learning more about Prompted, click here to check out its fan page on Facebook. Or just go ahead and buy a copy.

*****

Don't leave just yet!

While I have everyone's attention, please answer a few questions for me (below). You see, this Prompted project is only one of the no-brainer ideas we've had on this blog for a while now. Another idea is to have a kind of conference, festival, get together, whatever, especially for the Poetic Asides community. I'd love to help make that happen--maybe even as soon as this year. But first, I need everyone (and I mean EVERYONE) to answer some questions for me:

Please answer these questions below in the comments (to help me keep track of them). If you feel funny about including your information in the comments below (or if you're one of those silent Poetic Asides readers), you can send me an e-mail at robert.brewer@fwmedia.com with the subject line: Poetic Asides Event.

Please spread the word about this request and the Prompted anthology. Let's try to get this Poetic Asides community together!

*****

You can follow me on Twitter @robertleebrewer

Or check out my other blog, My Name Is Not Bob, at http://robertleebrewer.blogspot.com (The blog has a new editorial schedule that includes Poetic Saturdays, personal stories on Sundays and Wednesdays, and today includes a post on building your writing platform through attending live events, like say, a Poetic Asides event?)

*****

As long as we're talking writing events, be sure to check out the Writer's Digest Conference in NYC on January 20-22, which is great for writers trying to find a literary agent and/or build their writing platforms.

Click to continue.