Merry Christmas Everyone.
It’s been a busy year of writing, reviewing and editing. I’m currently working on various projects for 2025 including a YA Fantasy book, tentatively called The Shadow Dragon Pearl. I am working through the 1st phase of critiques of early chapters mainly on Scribophile and thereafter will be looking for ARC readers when the story is complete.
In 2024 I released Shh Purely Poetry, a different type of poetry book for me. It was nominated in Indie Visible’s Charity Awards, (Indie Visible is a fantastic group run by Hayley Anderton on Instagram,) under the category Best Poetry/Anthology Collection. The awards raised £300 for Brain Tumour Research. I also participated in the Halloween Hauntfest which was great fun, so much so, that I will be participating in at least 4 events next year, perhaps 5 to help introduce new readers to my books.
Blurb
A compilation of sensual, love and relationship poems. Quirky, unusual and evocative.
Shh, Purely Poetry is a collection of poetic pieces about love, sensuality and relationships with sections entitled: love as fuel, (food and coffee love,) the summer and winter of love, strangers in love, quirky aspects and nature as sensuality.
For Ari Meghan’s Christmas Advent I wrote a lovely story about a surprise. It’s all about a little dog called Chalkie and Tai Chi in the Portuguese sun. If you haven’t read it yet here is the link:
https://mjmallon.com/2024/12/03/advent-calendar-story-train/
To read all the advent stories in the chain follow the link below, some are still ongoing.
It’s been a year of contributing to some brilliant anthologies which I’ve really enjoyed being a part of. Here’s the detail, the most recent of which is Sunflower Tanka.
Sunflower Tanka
Sunflower Tanka, edited by Robbie Cheadle & Colleen M. Chesebro, is an annual anthology of contemporary tanka, tanka prose, & experimental tanka from a broad mix of new and established poetic voices from across the world.
Our theme, “Into the Light,” draws inspiration from the way a young sunflower bud constantly turns to face the sun. Poets delved into the realms of death, love, and the natural world, capturing their human experiences in the timeless form of syllabic poetry.
Contributors to the first edition of the Sunflower Tanka: Suzanne Brace, Yvette Calleiro, Kay Castenada, Luanne Castle, Robbie Cheadle, Colleen M. Chesebro, E.A. Colquitt, Melissa Davilio, Destiny, Tamiko Dooley, Lisa Fox, Cindy Georgakas, Chris Hall, Franci Hoffman, Marsha Ingrao, Jude Itakali, JulesPaige, Kenneth, MJ Mallon, Brenda Marie, Selma Martin, Michelle Ayon Navajas, Lisa Nelson, D. Wallace Peach, Freya Pickard, Dawn Pisturino, Gwen M. Plano, Jennifer Russo, Aishwarya Saby, Reena Saxena, Merril D. Smith, Nicole Smith, Ivor Steven, Ben Tonkin, Trilce Marsh Vazquez, Cheryl Wood.
I’ve ordered a physical copy and look forward to reading in the New Year!
I won 1st prize with my story The Seagull Man in Wordcrafter Press’s Midnight Garden.
17 authors bring you 21 magnificent dark tales. Stories of magic, monsters and mayhem. Tales of murder and madness which will make your skin crawl. These are the tales that explore your darkest fears. Read them in the Midnight Garden… if you dare.
Contributing authors include Paul Kane, Ell Rodman, DL Mullan, Joseph Carrabis, Roberta Eaton Cheadle, Denise Aparo, Jon Shannon, Zack Ellafy, Danaeka Scrimshaw, Robb T. White, Abe Margel, Julie Jones, Molly Ertel, Peter McKay, Kaye Lynne Booth, Paul Martz, and M.J. Mallon
In 2024 I’m delighted to have contributed poems to these anthologies:
Charity Poetry Anthologies: (The 365 Day Poetry Challenge via Melissa Davilio)
The Endeavor: Making Waves is Volume IV in The 365 Poetry Prompt Challenge Compendium, consisting of 134 poems written in response to 61 prompts (Prompt Days 184 – 244) in the year-long challenge, composed by 28 International poets. It explores various poetic techniques, genres, and forms while delving into a plethora of complex human thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Within these pages you will also find a mutual love for nature and the beauty of the world upon which we live.
Order from Lulu.com if possible but also available via Amazon.
The Endeavor Stormy Weather
The Endeavor Smooth Sailing
The 1st Compendium, The Endeavor Maiden Voyage
And, I continue to write reviews of books, or guest posts for various sites, here’s a selection:
Wordcrafter Press
I’m blog tour host for The French Winemaker’s Daughter Tour:
Donna Morfett, DLM Book Tours
Indie Visible
My recent review for Ritu Bhathal’s lovely book, In God’s Hands.
Thank you to Sally Cronin for supporting me and fellow authours with her Christmas Book Fair and specifically these posts:
I hope you have a lovely Christmas. Wishing you much peace and happiness.
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M J Mallon YA Author and Poet 
Congrats on your accomplishments. Merry Christmas!
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Thank you Andrew. Merry Christmas 🤶 🎄
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You’re welcome, Marje, and thank you.
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