Environmental Crisis

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IGNITING YOUR SPARK

A mighty flame followeth a tiny spark.
—Dante

Photo by Karol Josef Fadallan on Pexels.com

There is a quiet spark of an idea in each writer, especially as winter approaches. You will be aware of this as something that wants to come out.

You may think that you must wait until you have something to say—an idea, an insight, or something known. When I feel this way, I start writing onto the page, whatever is on my mind. I often journal this way, until I have the germ of an idea. Then, I start writing in a more focused way and eventually, it evolves into a poem. For you, it may be an essay, short story, or even a novel.

Much of what you write may be totally unusable, incoherent, but then eventually something important emerges – your unique way of seeing things from your singular and distinctive life.

I was in the state of looking for a new project when I traveled to Costa Rica in winter three years ago. It was there that I met the Norwegian artist, Irene Christensen, who was doing a series of paintings on women at the heart of the environmental movement. I fell in love with these paintings and started writing poem responses to them. The paintings were the spark I needed at that time.

That’s how Dread and Splendor: Paintings and Poems for a New Earth developed. The dread is what’s happening to the environment. The splendor is the paintings and poems that developed. This book will be published by Shanti Arts Press in January 2026 (www.ShantiArts.com.)

Whatever inspires you, follow your spark a a writer, and you will find your inspiration and next project there. Follow me here monthly as I report about writing, inspiration, and the progress of my new book.

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Developing a Book Cover

Every book needs a cover. This process of development has varied with each book I’ve published. My first publisher, Prentice Hall, just did the design, which was a photograph of a teacher in a classroom with the book title on front. I approved it, but otherwise was not involved. The next publisher, Flutter Press, did not get involved with book covers. She suggested a book designer, Jasmine Hernandez. Jasmine ran several designs by me until I was happy with the cover and Banshees was launched.

The next publisher was Finishing Line Press of my poetry collection, Touch My Head Softly, about my experience with my partner’s Alzheimer’s Disease. This publisher designed its own covers from a photograph you suggested. I liked the way Jasmine had designed my previous whole cover. I asked Finishing Line Press if I could do my own cover with a designer and deliver it for publication. Jasmine suggested several designs, including a drawing of a brain, with the title inserted across it. I thought the brain worked well and was appropriate for the content. That’s what we went with and is pictured above.

For the upcoming book,  Dread and Splendor: Paintings and Poems for a New Earth. my collaborator is an artist, Irene Christensen. She is coordinating the design with the publisher, Shanti Arts. She suggested a painting from the collection, which is comprised of an equal amount of paintings and poems. The painting is “The Goddess Speaks.” (pictured herewith). We also provided our bios, head shots, and endorsements from other art curators/writers for the back. Irene and Christine, my publisher, are still working this out together. I look forward to seeing the final cover and how it evolves.

We’re delivering the final manuscript and art at the end of this month. The cover will be developed after that. The book is scheduled for publication in early 2026. Follow me here on Thursdays as I blog about the publishing process and this book specifically.