Before we get to poetry or book signing schedules or anything like that, I need to take care of some business…by announcing a WINNER!
Last Friday, Amy Ludwig VanDerwater and her Poems Are Teachers publishing company, Heinemann, were kind enough to offer a free copy of the book to one of my blog readers.
Well, there were a LOT of entries…but only one name could be drawn. So thanks to the official Random Number Generator, the winner of a free copy of Poems Are Teachers is…
KRISTEN PICONE!!
Congratulations, Kristen! Thank you so, so much for following my blog and connecting on Twitter – your book is on its way, direct from Heinemann!
As for today’s poem, I thought a little Halloween-themed ditty might be apropos. But as any writer knows, what you plan to write and what you end up writing are often two different things. As I sat down to write – late at night, as per usual – my mind was tired, my eyes were heavy, and…well, I’ll let you read:
Yep, a tanka about falling asleep while trying to write. No idea where that came from, huh??
By the way, my friend Brenda Davis Harsham is hosting Poetry Friday today at her blog, Friendly Fairy Tales – and I know she definitely has some Halloween-inspired 
poetry to share, even if Yours Truly failed on that account! I’m also excited to be spending Poetry Friday at Barnes & Noble in Manchester, NH tonight at 6, as I take part in a benefit to raise money for Ste. Marie Child Care in the Queen City. If you’re in the area, I hope you’ll stop by and get a book signed!
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Speaking of book signings…
The Flashlight Night road tour continues! If you’re trying to find me, here’s my updated schedule:
- Oct. 27, 6pm (TONIGHT!): Barnes & Noble, Manchester, NH
- Nov. 1, 12pm: Concord Hospital Early Childhood Learning Center / Gift Shop, Concord, NH
- Nov. 11: Barnes & Noble, Framingham, MA (“The Making of a Book” Children’s Author Day)
- Nov. 18, 3pm: Toadstool Bookshop, Milford, NH
- Dec. 2: Barnes & Noble, Peabody, MA
- Dec. 3, 11am: Barnes & Noble, Newington, NH
- (soon-to-be-confirmed: Barnes & Noble, Nashua, NH
I’ll continue revising this as dates are added or times are changed…so please check my FB page for any last-minute updates!
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- KIRKUS Starred review!
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- Featured review in Sept. 26, 2017 Shelf Awareness!
. - Amazon “Best Books of the Month,” Sept. 2017!
Thank you so much to all who have enjoyed “Flashlight Night” enough to write about it:
“Delicious language…ingenious metamorphoses” – Kirkus Reviews (starred)
“The verse is incantatory…a simple idea that’s engagingly executed” – School Library Journal
An old fashioned, rip-roaring imaginary adventure” – The Horn Book
“[Esenwine and Koehler] don’t just lobby for children to read—they show how readers play” – Publisher’s Weekly
“Imaginative…fantastical” – Booklist“
“Favorably recalls Where the Wild Things Are” – Shelf Awareness
“Begs to be read over and over” – Michelle Knott, Mrs. Knott’s Book Nook/Goodreads
“A poetic and engaging journey” – Cynthia Alaniz, Librarian In Cute Shoes
“Illuminates the power of imagination” – Kellee Moye, Unleashing Readers
“Readers will be inspired to…create their own journey” – Alyson Beecher, Kidlit Frenzy
“Beautiful words and stunning illustrations” – Jason Lewis, 5th grade teacher at Tyngsboro Elementary School, Tyngsboro, MA
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Radio, Rhythm & Rhyme 
“my midnight inspiration” – oh yeah! Mark used to find me face in my notebook (socks off!) in front of the heater….out cold. Thank you for the smiles…. And thank you too for the post and giveaway! Happy Poetry Friday! xx
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Thanks, Amy – we have to remind our spouses that there are worse reasons to be passed out. 😉 Congrats again on the book, and thank you for the giveaway!
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I used to zonk out in the university library when I was a student – they had little study nooks down in the basement, and it was so warm and cozy. I used to tell myself that I was just “resting my eyes”. 😉
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Ha, we all know, it’s NEVER just “resting your eyes!”
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I like your tanka Matt, and it’s creepy too–in the spirit of Halloween. Are those some tired eyes on the right … Thanks, Happy book signing and Halloween!
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Thank you, Michelle! I did like a little bit of the creepy vibe showing. 😉
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There’s definitely an other-worldly feel to your tanka. I love the line “mind melts to demi-slumber” and that phrase will now come to my mind when I find myself nodding off in the midst of planning, writing, or reading.
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Thanks so much, Molly. Hopefully that phrase will remind you it’s time to get to sleep!
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I can totally relate to your sleepy tanka! Also, tomorrow I’ll finally get my hands on a copy of Flashlight Night–Fred Koehler is going to be at a local bookstore so I’m taking the family. Can’t wait to read it.
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Oh, that’s great! Tell him I said hi. And thank you for the kids words!
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And by the way, I shared your ‘Irma’ poem with our editor, and she loved it!
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At least you made sense, Matt. I’ve written late at night and mostly manage, but sometimes that next morning I find the words just a bit mixed up! I love “the clock has disappeared”!
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Ha, thanks, Linda – writing garbled, garbage-y gobbledygook has happened more than once to me!
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Don’t you love how inspiration can knock from the most unexpected places–and sometimes it knocks quite a punch!
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Yes, Kay, one never knows where it comes from or where it sometimes goes! Thanks for stopping by.
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Wow, eyes effervescing is a little creepy! Ruth, thereisnosuchthingasagodforsakentown.blogspot.com
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Thanks, Ruth, I was going for a little bit of a creep factor. 😉
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Tired eyes, stiff back, strange dreams. That would describe nearly every day! What time are you in Framingham on the 11th? I might make it if it’s the right time of day…. Congrats to you on all these events and your books.
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Thanks, Brenda – I hope we’ll see you there! Here’s the schedule:
The Making of a Book – Saturday, November 11th – 12pm – 4pm
Meet local authors and participate in a special author scavenger hunt for a chance to win prizes!
The Making of a Book – Talk: Getting Started – 1pm (Cheryl Lawton Malone)
You think you’re ready to write a book! But… where do you start? Please join us for a special talk about the process and craft of turning your ideas into a book.
The Making of a Book – Talk: The Road to Publication – 3pm (Elaine DiMopolous)
You’ve written your book – but now what? Please join us for a talk as an experienced author shares tips and stories about working through the publication process.
Looking forward to seeing you, if it works within your schedule.
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I’ll see if I can be there on the early end. By three, I’d have to be home to pick up my daughter. Sounds like a great event. I hope it’s well attended.
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We’re hoping for a good turnout, so fingers are crossed. Hope to see you, if you’re able to make it!
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I’ll give it a shot. Is it the Barnes and Noble at Shopper’s World?
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I believe so. Never having been there, it’s going to take me awhile to figure out where it is! But I’m assuming there’s only one B&N in Framingham, so that must be the one.
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Oh, my, Matt! Your bookstore your sounds exhausting. No wonder your mind melts!
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My mind has been melting steadily for years, but the book tour definitely puts more heat on!
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