Kyrosmagica Publishing – The Magical Home of Books, Writing, Poetry, Photography and Inspiration
Congratulations to Ritu Bhathal!
Her wonderful Rishtay series is now relaunched with sparkingly beautiful new covers.
Wishing her much luck & success with her series.
Click below to be redirected to her blog.
Synopsis
Trevor Barcroft enlists the help of crime and mystery writer Brody Thompson to help solve his father’s murder — a murder the police and the FBI have been ignoring for five years. Trevor is convinced he knows who killed his father. Brody doesn’t agree, but he becomes convinced that there is much more to the story than anyone is sharing. He takes a strong interest in the murder and a series of related crimes.Rascal Todd wants to help, but her editor keeps her away from the story. Why? What was Wilson Barcroft doing at Gateway Park the night he was killed? Who is the mysterious Poet? What do the odd bits of poetry he has spread around tell us? Is the Poet still alive? Will he survive? Will Brody and Trevor find the answers—will they survive?Join Rascal and her friends and coworkers as they try to help from the sidelines without becoming targets in an ever-growing list of deadly crimes. Real life turns out to be far more dangerous than any fiction Brody could create as the history of a war long over comes back to haunt the city of Pittsburgh.Consistent with previous books by this author, this is a character-driven story with an ensemble cast. Some characters will be familiar to readers of Antion’s other novels. Some are new faces that you might just come to love. The addition of poetry by Willow Willers provides an interesting mechanism driving this story forward, and driving Brody Thomson into dangerous territory.
Book Review
This was a different read from Dan Antion and Willow Willers which caught my attention due to the connections and references to Vietnam, and its veterans and drugs and homelessness.
My favourite characters are Brody, an author turned sleuth and The Poet who has been hiding in fear for years, ( the poetry penned by Willow Willers in this book is an added bonus, and works well.)
The plot idea is intriging: Brody sets out to find out out why was Trevor’s father (who served in Vietnam) killed? Was he silenced? And why did a murderer try to kill his son Trevor too?
And what is Trevor’s mum doing in a care home?
What’s going on? Is it a hush up? What’s really happening?
There are revelations, and threats too.
Brody’s quest to find the truth brings gritty real life drama with him in potential danger!
Things to note:
The violence and threats tend to be non-graphic in nature with the story being told as if through the eyes of a storyteller. So if you like blood and gore this is not for you. It’s what I’d call a thoughtful rather than a tense read.
A lot of the storytelling scenes occur in meetings in cafes with tempting food, newspaper offices, or in the care home, all of which give clues to the investigation, as the plot progresses to its conclusion where all is revealed!
Recommended for readers who enjoy tales with a human interest/Vietnam mystery/sleuthing aspect.
Buy Link:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Poetic-Justice-Mystery-Featuring-Thompson-ebook/dp/B0FBLH5YKB
Edinburgh really is a fantastic city for poets. I’m sure this is also the case in neighbouring Glasgow… and further afield in Scotland.
This blog post focuses on Edinburgh specifically. I hope if you’re new to the poetry open mic scene and to creative writing you may find it helpful.
I’ve tried all of these apart from the ones I’ve marked as still to try!
I Am Loud Poets at the Storytelling Centre, Instagram @iamloudpro,
To sign up for open mic:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdMN754c7CqU_pAQ93Y8VS2OSQ-jmEFoEksPeuAgI_TvnNKfA/viewform?
Drafted at the Canongate pub organised by Dean, Beth and Lloyd. Instagram @draftededinburgh https://www.instagram.com/draftededinburgh
Drafted Open Mic – Facebook Page Link
Typewronger is a small independent book shop that hosts regular events including open mic opportunities. instagram @typewronger https://www.instagram.com/typewronger
Shore Poets @shore_poets https://www.instagram.com/shore_poets
Readings by mainly Scottish poets on the last Sunday of every month. Please check the website (http://www.shorepoets.org.uk) for further information. Email at shorepoetsedinburgh@gmail.com
Alcove Edinburgh ( I haven’t been to yet,) is held at Strathmore pub in Leith on a Friday.
Instagram @thealcoveedin https://www.instagram.com/thealcoveedin
Sad Songs, at Sketchy Beats Cafe, (I haven’t been to yet,) Instagram @thesadsongclub. Tickets via Eventbrite.
https://www.instagram.com/thesadsongclub
Sad Song Club at Sketchy Beats Cafe – Facebook
Writing Groups
Living Writing at Leith Depot, organised by Anna. Tickets available via Eventbrite link. https://eventbrite.com/cc/living-writing-2026-4807033
A welcoming poetry writing group in Leith, prompts are provided by the host Anna. There are also occasional opportunities to read poems aloud.
Poetry group via Meetup
https://www.meetup.com/edinburgh-poets
There are many more!
If you would like to add any other ones to this blog post please comment below.
Poetry Treasures 6: Seasons
My Book Review:
There’s much to say about seasons and life in this collection of poetry, compiled by Kaye Lynn Booth and Robbie Cheadle.
Anthologies are a wonderful way to discover new poets and to enjoy old favourites too.
All are lovely contributions in various poetic styles/voices, including limericks, freestyle, free verse, micropoems, tanka, tanka sentence, haiku sentence, spring sonnet, (Shakespearean style) bussokusekiki, haibun, haibun haiku sequence, mondo, double ennead.
My favourite poems in the collection were those by: Colleen Chesebro, Spooky Witch’s Brew, The Fight For Spring
Robbie Cheadle, Micropoems
Jean-Jacques Fournier, I The Bumblebee, (ode to the ever diminishing bumblebees)
Kevin Morris, I Saw Carefree Spring Kiss Winter Goodbye.
Joy Neal Kidney, What is it about Winter, Swallowtail Nursery
Nolcha Fox, Prisons View
Marsha Ingrao, God’s Clouds, My Memory
Michelle Ayan Navajas, Winter Grief
V. M. Sang, Joy of Spring, Autumn in Sussex
Cindy Georgakas, Douse Me In Cooking Bliss
Freya Pickard, Dance
Melissa Lemay, Summer
Yvette Prior, Dear Spring Love Rising One, Dear Warm Blooming One
Highly recommended for poetry enthusiasts.
A recent interview shared on the Introverted Indies blog and on Instagram via fellow authors Lucy Mclaren & Lydia Baker.
Many thanks Lucy & Lydia, links below:
https://linktr.ee/introvertedindies
My poetry collection Shh Purely Poetry is in the longlist in The Indie Visible Awards! Pop over to vote for your favourite Indie books @indie_visible_services link in their bio.
You’ll find Shh Purely Poetry in the Romance Poetry Category.
Voting will be open from the 1st of April to the 1st of May!
To vote go to Hayley’s linktree:
https://linktr.ee/indievisibleevents
Best of luck to all the nominees in the various categories. #indievisibleawards #romance #longlist #indiepoets #indiepoetry
I absolutely loved Andrew McDowell’s Mystical Greenwood.
There is environmental heart in abundance in this book.
Expect a tale of brothers, family relationships, forest creatures, fantasy elements, magic, battles to overcome, a villian, sorcerers, unicorns, dragons, dogs & gryphons.
Wow, what’s not to love!
Everyone who feels at one with nature, and the creatures of the natural and the magical world will thoroughly enjoy this book.
Highly recommended.
Beautifully written descriptive passages, engaging dialogue/characters and exciting scenes. Book one ends with extraordinary discoveries, and an enticing cliffhanger with the promise of more adventures and battles to come between the forces of good and evil.
Stephen Powell’s latest book, Letters From Mozambique, is a gem, showcasing the ‘beauty, pain and new connections,’ he’s made in his travels. And what diverse connections they are.
What a fascinating insight into Mozambique and its people.
As he says, ‘Travel can spark new thinking and bring back old memories.’
Expect a knowledgeable, amusing and thought provoking account, as you would expect – this is his ‘8th time on the African continent.’
He shares his thoughts on climate change, conservation, endangered species, drought and mining pollution, the ‘blood-stained history,’ and troubles in the region.
He fondly mentions the extraordinary kindness of Mozambicans. Most people in the country are poor, but that is no impediment to generosity. He is struck by the beautiful Mozambique shoreline: ‘it captures peoples’ souls.’
He journeys and explores in all sorts of ways including, a chapa, travelling on moto taxis, back of lorries, hiking and biking, a Dhow craft, ‘the glorious craft that sails these seas all the way up to the Gulf.’ Even taking an refresher course in scuba diving to see the underwater world.
How adventurous!
There are a few ‘hairy,’ moments, which you must discover by reading the book yourself!
I thoroughly enjoyed reading about authors such as Doris Lessing, African writers, Paulina Chiziane, Mia Couto and others who are inspired to write about the region.
And undoubtedly the positive investment in the spiritual Gorongosa park, the chapters about Malawi’s Mulanje Massif, and Ilha de Moçambique, both, UNESCO world heritage sites. A fantastic book.
Highly recommended. 5 stars
Book overview
Sunflower Tanka, edited by Robbie Cheadle and Colleen M. Chesebro, is an annual anthology showcasing contemporary tanka, tanka prose, and experimental tanka. Each volume brings together a vibrant tapestry of voices—both emerging and established—from across the globe.
For 2025, our theme “Dreams” invites poets to explore the symbolic language of dreaming, where metaphors blur the line between reality and imagination. Dreams often serve as gateways to layered meaning, offering fertile ground for syllabic poetry.
This year’s contributors journeyed deep into their dreamscapes, opening portals to boundless creativity. Through the timeless form of syllabic verse, they captured visions that transcend waking life, weaving poetry that resonates with mystery, wonder, and the infinite possibilities of the human imagination.
REVIEW
Sunflower Tanka 2025 anthology of Tanka, Tanka Prose and Experimental Tanka begins with an introduction and a short explanation of the different forms of poetry included in this collection: Tanka, Tanka Prose, Bussokuseki, (a new form for me to try,) Rensaku, Experimental Tanka, Garland Tanka, Tanka Puente, and Taiga! The topic is dreams. And what dreams they are for poets to indulge their creative juices in! Resulting in such a range of marvellous interpretations. You’ll find poems from a wide variety of international poets to connect with. There are 54 poets in the 2025 anthology! It is lovingly compiled by the contributing editors, Robbie Cheadle and Colleen Chesebro with a short analysis of their favourite poems at the end.It’s a delightful collection and a great introduction to new poets to enjoy as well as old favourites to return to again. I bought a paperback copy. What a treat.
Book Review
What an engrossing tale from Richard Dee!
There’s mystery, intrigue, and murder, all set against a backdrop of well written sci-fi.
Carlos Dayne from Balash is down on his luck.
He discovers a body in a dumpster and, seeing an opportunity to reinvent himself, he takes over the identity of the wealthy deceased Playboy Dominik Lind.
He has to get to grips with a lot!
Including pretending to be the boyfriend of Dominik’s fiery girlfriend, Ms Tyleah Nash.
On the planet Jallico – known for its chauvinistic, outdated attitudes, – he becomes the ‘new,’ Dominik.
Soon it becomes apparent that there is much more to Dominik & the other players in this well-crafted and plotted sci-fi tale with its extraordinary flights into imaginative orbit.
Who has murderous intentions?
Can Carlos become Dominik and survive to walk away? And what dangers will he be vulnerable to by doing so?
Lots of twists and revelations along the way, up until the final unexpected scene.
Highly recommended.
Rating 5 stars
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ripples-Everythings-Connected-Richard-Dee/dp/B0FTZGF662
Richard Dee
Richard Dee is from Brixham in Devon. Leaving school at 16 he briefly worked in a supermarket, then he went to sea and travelled the world in the Merchant Navy, qualifying as a Master Mariner in 1986.
He has also worked as an Insurance Surveyor, Lockmaster, Harbourmaster and Ship’s Pilot, taking over 3,500 vessels up and down the Thames, passing through the estuary, the Thames Barrier and Tower Bridge.
Since the publication of his first Science Fiction novel, Freefall, in 2013, Richard has written another twenty-seven novels, a textbook and a selection of short stories. He has been featured in several anthologies, including 1066 Turned Upside Down, Connections, Light and Tales from Deepest Darkest Devon.
In addition to his psychological thrillers, he writes Science Fiction and Steampunk adventures. He also chronicles the exploits of reluctant amateur detective Andorra Pett.
Richard is married with three adult children and five grandchildren.
He can be found at https://richarddeescifi.co.uk
and contacted at richarddeescifi@gmail.com
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