poetry

Field Guide to the Human Condition Out Now!

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I am excited to announce that I am no longer a one-book wonder!

Field Guide to the Human Condition is available on Amazon. I want to thank my publisher CW Books, and everybody who helped make this possible. It has been a journey, and I am happy to finally share these poems with the world.

Here is a quick synopsis of the book:

In Field Guide to the Human Condition, Adrian S. Potter has written a book of poems about how one rebuilds oneself after grief, heartbreak, and challenges. It focuses on the setbacks and struggles that mold a person into a different version of themselves than the one they once knew. It's about grappling with histories, both personal and collective. Potter uses hallmarks from modern life - pop music, discrimination, shifting identities, and toxic relationships - to construct a hall of mirrors, in which each viewpoint reflects a different possibility.

You can discover a little more about the Field Guide to the Human Condition over at CW Books, including a link to several sample poems, which can give you a flavor of the book.

Hey, we are almost entering a new year, which is the time for book lovers to assemble their latest reading list. Please consider adding Field Guide to the Human Condition to your 2023 list!

https://www.amazon.com/dp/162549422X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3DLQAIKSKT4WK&keywords=Field+guide+to+the+human+condition&qid=1668459191&s=books&sprefix=field+guide+to+the+human+condition%2Cstripbooks%2C87&sr=1-1

https://readcwbooks.com/potter.html

https://readcwbooks.com/potter_poems.html

My poem “Redemption Arc” was published in Collateral!

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I couldn’t be more honored to have my newest literary offering “Redemption Arc” published in the latest edition of Collateral, an online literary journal run by people who are directly and indirectly impacted by violent conflict and military service.

It’s exciting to have this poem published. Part tribute to my father, part honest examination of the toxicity families allow to brew - this is one of those poems I had to write for catharsis and personal growth. I appreciated the chance to add a short statement about the creative process and context for writing the poem. Thanks to the editors at Collateral for appreciating my writing and sharing it with the world.

The whole issue is impressive and includes many poets and writers whose work I admire. Check it out if you get a chance.

https://www.collateraljournal.com/poetry/potterredemptionarc

"Token" and "Liner Notes to the Soundtrack of My Ego Trip" at Wax Nine.

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Wax Nine Journal published two of my poems last year - "Token" and "Liner Notes to the Soundtrack of My Ego Trip" - and I wanted to give them a mention and express my appreciation for their publication. I think Wax Nine is a literary gem and the variety of work published there is worth checking out. But of course…check out my poem first, please. :)

http://www.waxnine.com/journal/adrian-s-potter/

3 Poems at Oyster River Pages

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I'm still playing catch up with updates from when I was all radio silence on this blog.

Many thanks to Oyster River Pages for publishing three of my poems - "Everybody Sings the Blues, Sometimes," "Why I Drop Bombs aka Write Poems," and "Pandemic Postcard" - as part of their Composite Dreams project focused on showcasing Black creatives.

Oyster River Pages is an online journal "interested in publishing voices that speak to what it means to be alive in this world." I appreciate the opportunity to contribute to this issue and love that ORP provided a platform for Black voices.

https://www.oysterriverpages.com/poetry42/2020/12/19/everybody-sings-the-blues-sometimes?fbclid=IwAR2BKAKIbX-yvY6jr9cmt46__v0l5wWCOR8ieVl5DTfYp8Lnp6yMv1b2I3o

Finally.

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Advice on Submitting Your Poems

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Photo by Frame Harirak on Unsplash

Photo by Frame Harirak on Unsplash

For those who are looking for a little bit of guidance in finding a home for their poems, I have dusted off and reposted an awesome resource. Check out “How To Submit Poems To Literary Journals And Magazines” at Writer’s Relief. Follow these seven steps and you’ll find your work in the limelight in quick fashion.

http://writersrelief.com/2010/01/11/how-to-submit-poems-to-literary-journals-and-magazines/?fbclid=IwAR0dNHqY4hVS6MmrpmWSdFLpDo1sbr00EBYK9J_h8NSgNokW0XwXEYTt0hQ

How To Feel The Funk

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It’s been a long time, I shouldn’t have left you…but I’m now back on the blogging horse, ready to ride again.

Though I’ve been silent on here, I’ve been showcasing my voice all over the place. I’ll slowly catch everyone up on my latest publications and new projects in the next few weeks on this blog.

First up – I want to announce my new-ish micro-chapbook of six poems called “How to Feel the Funk” published by the Origami Poems Project. So get down, get into the groove, and go get your electronic copy of this micro-chap here.

https://www.origamipoems.com/poets/366-adrian-s-potter

What I Find Fascinating About Poetry

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When done right, poetry teaches you without forcing you to learn.

A great poem doesn't try to attach a bridle to the reader and lead them through a desert like a cowboy would his horse. A great poem invites a reader to ride alongside the writer, to travel with them, allows a reader to learn from their insight and see their world via metaphor and musicality.

So…what do you find fascinating about poetry?

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National Poetry Month

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April is National Poetry Month, which presents a great opportunity to infuse your poetry writing and reading activities with new energy. In case any of you might be wanting to do that, I present the following sources for poetic inspiration:

National Poetry Month Homepage: https://www.poets.org/national-poetry-month/home

2018 Poetic Asides PAD (Poem-A-Day) Challenge: http://www.writersdigest.com/whats-new/2018-april-pad-challenge-guidelines

30 Days, 30 Poems Challenge: https://www.tweetspeakpoetry.com/2018/03/17/30-days-30-poems-challenge-national-poetry-month/

10 New Poetry Collections to Read During National Poetry Month: https://lithub.com/10-new-poetry-collections-to-read-during-national-poetry-month/

NaPoWriMo (National Poetry Writing Month): http://www.napowrimo.net/

30 Ways to Celebrate National Poetry Month: https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/learning/issues_in_depth/30PoetryIdeas.html

Poetry Super Highway Prompt-A-Day for National Poetry Month: http://poetrysuperhighway.com/psh/ (check the tab for "special projects" and then "a poetry writing prompt a day" to locate the prompts and other info)

Good luck and positive vibes as you celebrate National Poetry Month!

Minnesota’s Best Emerging Poets.

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I am happy to announce that I’m one of 110 up-and-coming poets who have been included in this anthology of Minnesota’s Best Emerging Poets compiled by Z Publishing. Maybe one day I’ll stop being emerging and finally become established. That's the goal, at least.

https://www.zpublishinghouse.com/collections/modern-anthologies/products/minnesotas-best-emerging-poets?variant=5583381495838

Try Try Again?

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Check out this very informative Q&A between Terrapin Books publisher Diane Lockward and author Karen Paul Holmes on resubmitting a previously rejected poetry-book manuscript.

Since I have several manuscripts written but no book deal yet, I struggle with the question of whether I should bother sending a book that’s been retooled back to the same publisher. This Q&A hit home and gave me some great insight on this subject.

http://dianelockward.blogspot.com/2018/01/to-resubmit-or-not-to-resubmit-that-is_97.html

Triggerfish Critical Review.

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Triggerfish is an online literary journal dedicated to the “why” of poetry, seeking to understand and illuminate this process, to say that it is possible to make qualitative judgments and distinctions about the substance of poetry.

I’m excited to announce that Issue 19 of Triggerfish includes two of my poems (with audio!) – “Tell Them a Story” and “I Am Hip Hop.” You can check these poems out at the links below. I appreciate the chance to contribute to Triggerfish! It is wonderful to be included amongst the talented writers and artists in this issue.

http://triggerfishcriticalreview.com/adrian-s-potter-tell-them-a-story/

http://triggerfishcriticalreview.com/adrian-s-potter-i-am-hip-hop/

“Nothing” at The Voices Project

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The Voices Project is a non-judgmental venue for women, and also men, to express their personal stories and observations through poetry to promote social change. They are dedicated to helping others feel empowered through self-expression. Recently, they published my poem “Nothing” on their website. Big thanks to the editors at The Voices Project for allowing me to contribute.

http://www.thevoicesproject.org/poetry-library/nothing-by-adrian-s-potter

Bacopa Literary Review.

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Big thanks to the folks at the Bacopa Literary Review for including three of my poems in their 2017 issue, including “This Is Not a Protest Poem,” which won Honorable Mention in their annual contest. I appreciate the chance to contribute!

Here's the Amazon.com link to Bacopa Literary Review 2017 if you are interested in checking it out.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/1973979454/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1504416981&sr=1-1&keywords=Bacopa+Literary+Review&pldnSite=1

Putting it together…

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If you’re looking for guidance on developing a book of poetry, check out this blog post in which Marilyn McCabe shares everything she can think of on the subject of putting together a manuscript of poems. It’s easy to read and has some solid advice. It just might inspire you to piece together your poetic masterpiece.

https://marilynonaroll.wordpress.com/2017/09/18/putting-together-a-manuscript-of-poems-everything-i-can-think-of-a-megablog/

You mean poetry can pay?

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Yes it can, per Erika Dreifus’ article "Making Poetry Pay: Five Ways to Increase Your Poetry Income" on the Association of Writers & Writing Programs website. She provides some simple – almost obvious – guidelines for turning your poetry practice into cash.

One of these tips – aiming for 100 rejections per year – is already a part of my current writing endeavors. Still, I plan on studying all of this blueprint and incorporating the other action items soon.

https://www.awpwriter.org/magazine_media/writers_notebook_view/61/making_poetry_pay_five_ways_to_increase_your_poetry_income

Portage 2017.

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Based in Waukesha, Wisconsin, Portage is an online literary journal run and edited by undergraduate students of Carroll University. Portage publishes literary writing, art, music, film, and cultural commentary from the upper Midwest.

I’m excited to announce that the 2017 edition of Portage includes three of my poems – “The Mistake Poem”, “Living is the New Dying”, and “Obvious Dangers.” You can check these poems out at the link below. I appreciate the chance to contribute to Portage! It is wonderful to be included amongst the talented writers and artists in this year's edition.

https://portagemagazine.org/adrian-potter-2/