Many thanks to the editors of The Literary Arts Review for their two-page book review of my chapbook Shining from a Different Firmament!! They are among the few journals that review poetry chapbooks! I was expecting a few paragraphs but they went far beyond that; their thoughtful, thorough review highlighted the most unique and relevant aspects of my book.
I read this debut issue from cover to cover with great enjoyment and interest; I especially liked the short story “Bach’s Last Composition: A Fantasy” by Lenny Cavallari and the article “From the Restorationists to the Romantics: Rochester and Byron” by Alexander Larman! I am doubly glad for my book to be mentioned in this magazine because it appeals to readers like me--with literary interests and intellectual curiosity. Cavallari's story reminded me of what I liked about Jorge Luis Borges' short fiction. Larman's article made me want to read all his books!
Showing posts with label Shining from a Different Firmament. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Shining from a Different Firmament. Show all posts
Sunday, September 04, 2016
Friday, April 08, 2016
FIU Provost office and Barnes & Noble bookstore honor faculty authors
Jim's cd Reaching for the Stars and my poetry chapbook Shining from a Different Firmament are now both on sale at FIU's Barnes & Noble bookstore! The Provost's office and the bookstore had a reception honoring faculty authors with recent publications and the Dean of Libraries mentioned in her speech that we might be the first husband and wife team to have publications come out the same year!
Jim has an ebook textbook coming out later this year and I hope to get my 2nd chapbook published at some point, so hopefully we will repeat the feat at next year's event! I also put together a display of FIU faculty authors' books at the Green library in the new books area.
Green Library display of Faculty authors' books (I left my own out of this display)
Jim has an ebook textbook coming out later this year and I hope to get my 2nd chapbook published at some point, so hopefully we will repeat the feat at next year's event! I also put together a display of FIU faculty authors' books at the Green library in the new books area.
Green Library display of Faculty authors' books (I left my own out of this display)
Thursday, December 31, 2015
2015 Writing Year in Review
Wow, this year ended with the Big Bang of Book Fairs: my Miami Book Fair presentation/reading experience was eye-opening and even fun on some levels. But it was a banner year in many other aspects as well: first of all my chapbook, Shining from a Different Firmament came out in March, (very appropriately for Women's History month); I also had a record of 20 acceptances (for me!--I know this number may be laughable to some people but I wield a slow pen!) and 15 publications, not including the 20 poems published in the actual chapbook, 5 interviews or articles featuring my poetry, 2 book giveaways, 1 book auction, 1 review of my chapbook in the Quarterday Review and 1 judging experience!
Along with the publications came precious feedback from readers and fellow poets, who were very generous in their comments and it was very encouraging to realize that I am not delusional but actually making some progress in my poetry.
I was fortunate to begin this year by publishing one of my favorite poems "Nothing in the Dark" and ended with the publication of another: " "Emily Brontë Addresses Her Creation" -- as well as the acceptance of some hard-to-place longer poems in the perfect venue which I hope will go forward.
Next year begins auspiciously, (I hope!), with 1 writing workshop acceptance (with poet Campbell McGrath). They have so many activities planned--readings, receptions, sunset sailings--that I'm wondering when exactly we are supposed to get any writing done! But it all sounds like fun.
What do I want to accomplish next year? I think my main preoccupation is to learn to self-direct my writing so I'm not so dependent on outside stimulus. Since my tutorial with Andrea ended, I think I'm suffering from the equivalent of the post-M.F.A. limbo that many students find themselves in. Our tutorial lasted about the same length of time as an M.F.A. and I think accomplished the same, more or less. Now I have to learn to do it on my own.
Another highlight of the coming year:
Portland-based Poetry Press Week will be debuting in Miami and they have invited me to be a judge, so that will be a new and fascinating experience!
Along with the publications came precious feedback from readers and fellow poets, who were very generous in their comments and it was very encouraging to realize that I am not delusional but actually making some progress in my poetry.
I was fortunate to begin this year by publishing one of my favorite poems "Nothing in the Dark" and ended with the publication of another: " "Emily Brontë Addresses Her Creation" -- as well as the acceptance of some hard-to-place longer poems in the perfect venue which I hope will go forward.
Next year begins auspiciously, (I hope!), with 1 writing workshop acceptance (with poet Campbell McGrath). They have so many activities planned--readings, receptions, sunset sailings--that I'm wondering when exactly we are supposed to get any writing done! But it all sounds like fun.
What do I want to accomplish next year? I think my main preoccupation is to learn to self-direct my writing so I'm not so dependent on outside stimulus. Since my tutorial with Andrea ended, I think I'm suffering from the equivalent of the post-M.F.A. limbo that many students find themselves in. Our tutorial lasted about the same length of time as an M.F.A. and I think accomplished the same, more or less. Now I have to learn to do it on my own.
Another highlight of the coming year:
Portland-based Poetry Press Week will be debuting in Miami and they have invited me to be a judge, so that will be a new and fascinating experience!
Tuesday, November 10, 2015
Miami Book Fair: Further Discussions
Miami Book Fair: Further Discussions
Irene Sperber of the MiamiArtZine interviews me and two other local writers in this article about the 2015 Miami Book Fair International.
Irene Sperber of the MiamiArtZine interviews me and two other local writers in this article about the 2015 Miami Book Fair International.
Sunday, September 27, 2015
Miami Book Fair International appearance
The Miami Book Fair International has announced its final schedule and and I am listed as one of the featured authors! My presentation of my poetry chapbook, Shining from a Different Firmament, will be on Sunday, November 22nd, at 5:30 pm, along with two other local poets/writers. Now, it's time to begin panicking! It will be in the Centre Gallery, Bldg 1, 3rd floor, Room 1365.
I'm very excited one of my favorite poets, Kay Ryan, former U.S. Poet Laureate, will be speaking earlier that day!
I'm very excited one of my favorite poets, Kay Ryan, former U.S. Poet Laureate, will be speaking earlier that day!
Thursday, September 03, 2015
Sunday, August 09, 2015
Miami Book Fair International, here I come!
I just heard that my chapbook, Shining from a Different Firmament, was accepted for presentation at this year's Miami Book Fair International!
I will be featured as a presenter, with an audience Q&A followed by a book signing.
Tuesday, May 19, 2015
The Quarterday Review to publish my latest ghazal and review my chapbook!
I'm happy to have a new ghazal, "Thirteen Days and Nights" upcoming in the new journal The Quarterday Review: Poetry of Mythic Journeys. This is an ekphrastic ghazal inspired by the painting “The Amazon Queen Thalestris in the Camp of Alexander the Great” by Johann Georg Platzer, with thanks to Adrienne Mayor’s article on the subject in History Today 1/15. Her article and Platzer's painting really brought the encounter to life for me.
Quarterday's editor also kindly agreed to review my chapbook, Shining from a Different Firmament!
Librarything giveaway concurrent with Goodreads....
In celebration of my birth month, I'm giving away signed copies of my poetry chapbook, Shining from a Different Firmament via Librarything as well! So far 4 people have requested copies via LT and 68 and counting via Goodreads! These are early days, as the giveaways run for a month.
For those of you not familiar with Librarything, it's a great way to catalog and organize your own books, discover new books and share your libraries and book reviews with your friends. There are groups for every type of reader imaginable.
You can sign up for giveaways (a review is usually requested by the author or publisher giving away the book) or post your own! Ebooks as well!
Monday, May 11, 2015
Goodreads Giveaway begins May 18th!
I'm giving away five copies of my chapbook, Shining from a Different Firmament, via Goodreads.
Enter to Win
Goodreads Book Giveaway
Shining from a Different Firmament
by Beatriz Fitzgerald Fernandez
Giveaway ends June 18, 2015.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.
Thursday, May 07, 2015
Authors for Nepal
I am participating in the Authors for Nepal initiative to raise funds for the Nepal earthquake. I found out about it on facebook. Authors donate services or signed books or even a character name as incentive to donors. The books or services are being auctioned off on ebay and the author will then deliver the item or service directly to the donor. I am donating signed copies of my chapbook, here: Shining from a Different Firmament--hopefully there will be some poetry lovers out there; I noticed most books were YA.
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