Book Reviews

I am learning that the best way to make a poetic footprint in the world is not only through publishing poetry. Well, I knew that a while ago. A mentor said so. But you refuse to acknowledge that poetry cannot feed you. You're like: fiction writers get paid to just write fiction. Then you just sound like a whiny writer who is unhappy with your lot. Maybe I am. Maybe I want the world to be like it was in the old days. When poetry mattered. Not to say poetry doesn't matter. It does. Of course it does. But what I mean is, when people could live off of their poetry. When people were sponsored by the state and governments and monarchies and officials to write poetry...for the people.

Anyways. It's not like writing book reviews is a chore. Well, it can be. Some places want you to be "objective" -- meaning, they want you to find something bad about a poetry book to say. I don't know that I think that is fair...a mentor of mine who writes several poetry books a month says he only writes book reviews for books he likes. Which is fair -- why would you intentionally put bad vibes out into the world? Especially if you are a poet yourself and someone may or will have the opportunity to review your book. Isn't the purpose of book reviews to say: hey, this book is out there...here's my take on it...see for yourself? That's what I believe they are for. They are exposure for the book/author being reviewed, and maybe even the reviewer.

Maybe it's like karma: I review your book and you review mine?

Anyways. I am writing this review....I hope to finish it tomorrow. It only needs to be about 500 words. I have a magazine ready and waiting. Which is, too, exciting.

Onward --