If I was a rooster, I’d be crowing from the rooftop to announce the publication of the Best of Today’s Little Ditty Anthology: 2014-2015 (Volume 1).
I’m honored to have my poem, Seed for Thought, selected out of hundreds written in response to challenges by established authors and editors including Lee Bennett Hopkins, J. Patrick Lewis, Bob Raczka, and Rebecca M. Davis.
What is Poetry Friday? Many of my readers may remember I participate in Poetry Friday most weeks. It’s a blog-hop (aka weekly gathering) with post links to poetry or poetry book reviews. I usually publish original poems. Poetry Friday isn’t centered around a new weekly prompt or challenge like so many blog-hops, but instead, the prompt is always poetry: children’s poetry, adult poetry, explorations of form, education and reviews of books of poetry or verse novels among others. People who participate are poetry-lovers of all ages: authors, librarians, teachers, readers. Sometimes the focus is current events, election-related, holiday-related, seasonal, but that’s happy chance. Usually the offerings are diverse and thoughtful. The person linking up gets to decide what to offer that week.
What is a Today’s Little Ditty challenge? Soon after joining Poetry Friday, I was invited to participate in the Today’s Little Ditty challenges by Michelle Heidenrich Barnes. Each month she shines a spotlight on an author or editor, who then issues a writing challenge to the Poetry Friday community. I seldom participate in prompts, because I have my own projects underway and precious little spare time. Also, it’s a daunting prospect to publicly submit a poem in under a month to a challenge issued by industry experts, especially as so many other writers participating are accomplished, award-winning, published authors. In other words, I was terrified, but I raised my chin and joined in. To have a poem of mine selected in the first volume is an honor and a joy. Thanks, Michelle!
How are the reviews? All glowing! One review of the anthology:
“ ‘Poetry is prose, bent out of shape,’ I like to say, and for proof, you need only connect with Michelle Heidenrich Barnes’s Ditty of the Month Club, where children’s poets are busy flexing their poetic muscles through the use of various verse forms. They are not showing off; they’re practicing. And they invite you to do the same.”
— J. Patrick Lewis, former U.S. Children’s Poet Laureate (2011-2013) and recipient of the NCTE Award for Excellence in Poetry for Children
If you’re interested in the anthology, you can click here or on the title above.
Writing Tip: Get writing and participate in a blog-hop like Poetry Friday. Maybe kids’ poetry isn’t your thing. Find something that makes you excited. Hone your skills, build your community, find like-minds and make your life richer along the way. Don’t let fear stop you.
Have a magical day!
I love poetry😍😍…please check my blog, as I am new and interested in poems, Nd often post them…
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Thanks for stopping by.
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Hi Brenda, thanks for the wonderful article 🙂 Is it possible for a foreigner to participate too? I am a poet and write a blog here named “The essence of Poetry”. Please go through my poems and let me know how you found them. I am looking forward to your feedback.
Regards,
Irtika
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We have Aussie and Italian authors in Poetry Friday. No bar to international authors. I was unable to find your blog. You would need to post and link up. Have you done that before?
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No I am very new to blogging.. I can post my link here :
https://reflectionsoftheheartsite.wordpress.com/
hope it works this time 🙂
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You might consider reading the Poetry Friday posts for a few weeks. If you stop by and read my top post on a Friday morning, you’ll find a link to that week’s host. Then you can see if you think it’s the right place for your poetry. Each week about 40 poets post a poem, original or by another author. Or book reviews of published poetry. I usually publish each week, but it’s quite a time commitment. Generally, the poetry is for kids. I think of it as for kids of all ages.
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Hi Brenda, how can one participate? is there a link for it?
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If you visit this site, it lists the weekly hosts: http://kidlitosphere.org/poetry-friday Find the relevant Friday, and go to that person’s site that day. They will have a link-up, and you can leave your name and link. You might want to read the links for a few weeks to see if it’s the right community for you. All are welcome, and we often have new people dropping by. I was overwhelmed at first, but I’m in the rhythm of it now. I enjoy it.
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Yes I would read the posts initially before participating. Thanks !
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To see your own words plastered on paper like that? I know that feeling and it is beyond surreal. Congratulations! I would love to collab with you in writing some poetry. Therefore, I invite you to check my blog out. Have a great day!
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Thanks, Avantika. I like your poetry.
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Hi nice read! You can catch my work at https://soniyaagrawalblog.wordpress.com/ Would love to get your feedback!
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Thanks!
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Congratulations Brenda, that’s such great news my friend!! Looks like a lovely anthology! 🙂
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I like it. I have fun with kids lit.
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well written
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Thanks!
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You are a ⭐
When the earth turns more to your location, your star shines brighter.
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Wow. Just wow. XOXO
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No One could deserve it more 🙂 Many many congrats and Crow Away my Friend 🙂
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Aww, thank you!
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Reblogged this on ' Ace Friends News ' and commented:
Well deserved Brenda and all great poetry needs sharing like yours with the people and friends … Keep up the great work your a ⭐️in my 😍… Ian
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Thanks, Ian! You always seem to have the news first.
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Your welcome … I try … And thanks … Ian 👍
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Congratulations! I’m so happy for you!!!
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Thank you!
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You are an inspiration! Your award is well deserved.
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Thanks, Claudia!
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Congrats!!! That is so wonderful!!🌟🌌
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Thank you!
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Brenda, a big CONGRATULATIONS!
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Thank you!
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Congrats Brenda! Well deserved indeed! 🙂 🙂 🙂
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Thank you!
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Congrats, well deserved 🙂
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Thank you!
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Reblogged this on Still Another Photoblog.
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Congratulations!!! I am happy to hear the great news!!
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Thank you!
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a huge congrats to you on this, brenda. you’ve certainly earned it and deserved it )
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Thanks, Beth! XOXO
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Congratulations! It seems you are moving fast. I read the article, very interesting. It most likely took courage, as well. Knowing you a little bit, I would not exclude fun. That is just so great!
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I did have fun. I am enjoying living with “Alone.” It’s a delight.
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Congratulations!!! 🙂 ❤
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Thank you!
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Congratulations, you deserve any and all publishing of your poems or fairy tales, Brenda! ❤
I would crow, too. 😉
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Woo-hoo! Still over the moon here. 😀
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Congrats to you Brenda, what a great achievement. I’ll go see if I can check out the Poetry Friday site as well…..have a great day…
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You should. I hosted a week or two ago. It was fun.
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Well done, congratulations!!
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Thank you!
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Congratulations to your successful publication. You, with your creative writing talents absolutely deserves this opportunity, reward. 🌹🌹🌹
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Thank you!
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Congratulations, Brenda, I think you’ve more than deserved it! 🙂
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Thanks! What a kind thing to say. Hope you had a great holiday.
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Great news!
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Thanks!
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Way to go! Congratulations. That’s marvelous
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Thank you!! Woo-hoo!
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Yes!
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Congrats. Very happy for you. 🙂
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Thank you!!!
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Wonderful news, Brenda! Very well done. 🙂
Congratulations from all four of us,
Dina, Klausbernd, Siri & Selma
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Thanks, Fab Four!!
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You deserve good things!
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Thanks, Juan! XOXO
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Félicitations, Brenda – this is a very good new ! amitiés – france 🙂
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Thank you!
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Congratulations, Brenda! Well done and much deserved!
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Thanks, Molly! I’m so excited to have the book in my hands!
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Congrats! Also a tip of the hoodie for the info.
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Poetry Friday is open to everyone!
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A big CONGRATULATIONS!!!
Any chance you could put a link up for Poetry Friday, please.
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Hosting is shared by participants. Here is a list of where to find the hosts, listed by date they are hosting: http://kidlitosphere.org/poetry-friday Also, each friday, if you search tags on WP for “Poetry Friday,” you can usually find a participant who will have the link in their post. And thanks!!
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Your welcome, and thank you for the information, appreciated.
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XOXO
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Thank you ☺☮
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