Where you can hear the Southern drawl I don’t think I have! 😆 (Cross-post from my Substack)

A while ago I mentioned that my debut chapbook, Offset Melodies, was recently released by ElJ Editions in the collection Grieving Hope. The collection contains five microchapbooks, all of which have personal and diverse interpretations of the subject. 

We had a well-attended inaugural reading in July but it wasn’t recorded, although we thought we had tapped the record button. Editor Diane Gottlieb gathered us together for a repeat reading recently and it’s now on Youtube. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to attend so, through the magic fingers of Kim Steuterman Rogers, my later reading was attached at the end. 

I hope you will watch and listen to all of the contributors – Kim Steuterman Rogers, Kristina Saccone, Ronita Chattopadhyay, Janet Murie, and myself – read selections from their microchap and answer a short Q&A from Diane. The stories in every collection are gorgeous and poignant. 

For those with limited time, my reading is at the 44:06 timestamp. A funny thing: I don’t think I have an accent but, yep, I sure do! I hope y’all can wade through my accent and deep voice! It’s so weird to hear myself read and how I answered Diane’s questions. I am such an off-the-cuff interviewee – honestly, I don’t think ahead or plan how I might anticipate and answer questions. Hey, I’m an amateur! When I listen/watch other writers in visual interviews, I admire the poise and thoughtfulness they project and think I’ll do better next time. (Looking at you, sister contributors!) 

But, I never do. 

Shout out to Editor Diane Gottlieb, Publisher Ariana Den Bleyker, the wonderful writers who blurbbed the book, including Ronit Plank and Casey Mulligan Walsh who blurbbed on my behalf. Many thanks!

And a very warm thank you to any and all who take the time to watch and listen to our stories in this video. It’s heartening to know you support us! And, please, if you listen only to my part this time, revisit and listen to the others, too!!

Grieving Hope can be purchased from ElJ Editions.