Michelle McGrane has a post about my chapbook, Price Reduced Again, at her beautiful site, peony moon. Hit the link and take a look! I’m thrilled to be there. You’ll also see a sample poem, She Told Me Money Does Not Buy Happiness, Then She Hopped In Her BMW And Drove Away. Many thanks to my editor, Crystal Folz of Backpack Press, for all her work!
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While you’re at peony moon, be sure to look around. Michelle McGrane is an amazing poet. She has been published in numerous journals and is the author of Fireflies & Blazing Stars (2002) and Hybrid (2003). Her third collection, The Suitable Girl, is forthcoming from pindrop press. You’ll find a sample poem from The Suitable Girl at the pindrop press link. I can’t wait to read it all!
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Michelle is also one of the most generous poets I’ve ever met in my life. Most of her site is dedicated to promoting other poets.
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peony moon is a must read for the serious poet or lover of words. Poems, new books, old books, interviews with poets, and reading lists are all beautifully showcased. It is one of my favorite poetry sites, and Michelle is one of my favorite poets.
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Since I began reading peony moon, I now have some new books on my shelf and a “must buy” book list that is several pages long. Check out the favorite poetry collections for 2009. It runs for eight posts, from November to December. I also love the interviews with poets and beautiful artwork at peony moon.
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Thank you very much, Michelle, for highlighting Price Reduced Again. And much appreciation to you all for your kind words and encouragement. It has kept me going!
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OMG, what a good idea to have a post about your “Price Reduced Again”. I will go over there and read what Peony Moon has to say and some day I will have a post with my own zany wit (smile) about “Price Reduced Again”. I read something from it just about every day. Here I am in my little hippie house writing away in my little hippie blog and how would you know how much I love your writing and how often I read it if you aren’t actually here??? See, I get so used to talking in the blogs I forget we aren’t on a video chat.
Hi, Technobabe and thank you very much! I really do appreciate it. Readers are like gold, and friends are, too. Your last sentence also made me smile, because I do the same thing in the comments section here and at other sites. I forget I’m online sometimes, and I chat like I’d chat on the phone or in real life. Except people probably think I’m nuts because of the way I go on and on…haha!
What a great site. Thanks for sharing. And you positively adorable in the photo.
Coming from the one I think to be the most generous poet on the Web, I think your endorsement of Michelle is a) typical of you, and b)a good reason for me to check out peony moon! Even the title of the blog entices me. I’ll head that way, right after I say congratulations for being recognized! You, my dear amazing poet friend, are at the top of the list of must-read poets and sites.
Hi, Brig! Thank you! Scroll down past my post and check out the list of books that were posted more recently. I think you’ll really enjoy those…and the element of “magic.”
Hi, Karen! Isn’t the title “peony moon” just beautiful? The header artwork is awesome, too. I know you’ll love it over there. So many books! You’re always so good to me, sis. I do appreciate it more than I can ever say!
julie, price reduced again is my new favorite book of poems. thanks for the link to michelle’s blog. it is great and i’ll keep reading there too. i have one question about the background of the poem. did you kick the woman’s ass? the poem kicks ass, that’s for sure.
dan, you almost made me choke on my glass of tea. HA! HA! I have NEVER LEARNED not to drink or eat anything while I’m reading comments. Every time one makes me laugh, I nearly choke.
No, I didn’t kick her ass. I didn’t have time. She hopped in her BMW and drove away…haha!
But seriously, don’t people say stupid things sometimes? The woman in this poem thought she was SO spiritually superior to me, because she didn’t “need” money.
Sure, I agree that money doesn’t buy happiness. But it’s easy for people who are comfortable to spout self righteous platitudes about how they don’t “need” money. I’ve got it a lot better than many people, because I have a beautiful, warm roof over my head, clothes, and plenty of food to eat. But I wouldn’t dare go down to the homeless shelter and tell people…”Hey, you know money doesn’t buy happiness.”
You can tell that’s one of my angry poems…haha!
Thank you a million times, dan! I appreciate your good words so much. And I’m so pleased that you’ll continue to read peony moon!
Rah rah!
The poem is excellent. I really admire your comfort with longer poems–yours sound so conversational and alive!
I love the cover art on your book–your daughter created it? I really like the lines.
Go, Julie, go! And thanks for introducing me to peony moon.
Hi, Hannah! Thanks so much. Yes, my daughter, Amber, created the beautiful cover. She cut tiles with a knife to make the images and then pulled the print. I love the look of it. It fits the theme perfectly. She’s the real talent in the family. I’m so proud of her!
I love your work, too. And I’m not just saying that to exchange pleasantries. Awesome work! I’ve been meaning to link you up for ages, but then I get distracted by the darn phone ringing. I will do it today, though!
I’m so glad you checked out peony moon. There’s a world of great work over there. Thanks again!
always love to see you getting props – you deserve ’em. and that is an awesome poem. i wonder if people have any idea what kind of poetic force they’re exposing themselves to when they cross your path – probably not. but that’s what makes it fun to imagine.
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Hi, Joaquin! You’re another one who’s been so good to me. Thanks so much for all the kind words, my friend. -J
Julie, it’s early morning and I have the biggest smile on my face after reading Dan’s “Did you kick the woman’s ass?”
Thank you for your very generous words. I’m delighted and honoured to feature Price Reduced Again on peony moon. Thank you to you and Crystal for your generosity.
Hi, Michelle! I nearly choked from laughing at Dan’s comment. I wanted to kick her ass…haha! It’s a good thing I write, or I’d have to take up boxing or something else to expel the angry demons😀
Thank you so much for having me at peony moon. I truly mean every word I say here. It is an awesome site, and I am thrilled to be there!
Just visited Peony moon, by way of your suggestion. I’ve added the blog to my reader already, I was that impressed!
I’m off to buy your chapbook now…
Hi, Terresa! That is awesome. I’m happy you are impressed with peony moon…isn’t it beautiful? And I appreciate the good words about the chap. Thank you very much!
my brother in law brought your book here
stayed a week,
then my wife got the flu
I don’t believe in coincidence
Julie, Price Reduced Again is wonderful
so you must be too
Hi, Jack! It’s lunch time here now, and the sun is shining. That makes me happy. Then I opened my messages and found you in here, and that makes me even happier (except for the part about your wife having the flu…I hope she’s better now). I won’t say anything about in-laws, or I’ll get in trouble…haha! Thank you very much for the good words and awesome comment, my friend. It made my day.
I have a copy of Price Reduced Again, and it is a treasure. Poetically, you have it going on, girl. It is accessible to all readers, regardless of their background in poetry or not. I love it and look forward to collecting all of your books in the future.
Thank you so much, anon. Your comment makes me feel so good, but it also humbles me and makes me want to keep working hard…or even harder. I’ll remember it as an inspiration to keep going on the dark days. I appreciate it very much.
Julie, If I send you a check for $11 (? or more), can you send me a copy of your book? I didn’t know about it until now and as your poetry really sings to me every single time, I would love to have it.
E-mail me and we can work something out.
Kat
Hi, Kat! Thank you…that is so sweet of you. But please don’t send a check to me. Please send it to Crystal Folz, who is the owner of the press and in charge of sales. I will e-mail you with the details, etc. And thank you again! I appreciate your kind words so much. It’s always great to see you!
Hi, Julie:
I can’t believe I stumbled on you here! I found a copy of “Don’t Write A Poem About Rape” in the subway about ten years ago. It is my favorite poem ever for many reasons and mostly personal. I love your poetry and will tell my class to read here. I will buy your chap for sure!
Hi, Jessie. It’s so nice to meet you here. Thank you very much! I’ve always wanted to have a poem on a subway or a bus, but having it found in the subway is even better. I appreciate that you will continue to read. Please feel free to drop in anytime and thanks again for the awesome words.
Oh, Julie..I was so happy to see and read about all the exciting things happening to you poetrywise! Sorry I have been absent -( having carpal tunnel problems bigtime) – but just wanted to say that I have ordered my book. Loved your poem, Price Reduced Again as it appears on Peony Moon. (great site). Huge kudos to one of the best poets writing today!
Hi, Kaye! I’m so happy to see you, but I am very sorry about your carpal tunnel. That’s awful! I’ve heard that it is terribly painful. Please take care of yourself, sis. Don’t worry if you are absent. I’m even slower than usual lately, and I have no excuse, so I certainly understand. Thank you so much for the kind words of encouragement and for the order. It is most appreciated!
What a great and funny poem, Julie. Makes me think of the 60s and all the anti-materialistic trust-fund hippies; coming from a family with little money, I could never relate.
Thanks, Ruth! I’ve met a few of those trust fund hippies, too. They usually just amuse me. This one in particular was aggravating in her righteousness.
A funny story (or at least funny to me) is that a man e-mailed me last week to preach to me about the “materialism” in the poem. I guess he didn’t get the sarcasm.
Anyway, I replied and told him that since he’s so morally superior to me, he should give me his house and send me all of his money, since he doesn’t like money or nice things. That shut him up. Haha!