As many of you will know Amazon is putting up the printing costs of paperbacks from 20th June therefore the cost to the author will be going up too. So for a few days, I am offering some of my poetry and anthology collections published under my Kyrosmagica imprint at reduced price at Amazon UK, and in most cases in Amazon US.
As an alternative, all of these books are also available in kindle and for free in kindle unlimited. If you are a book reviewer and would like a complimentary copy of any of the books mentioned do get in touch by leaving a comment.
Do What You Love – (offer applies only to kindle unlimited now)
Do What You Loveis a personal poetry collection celebrating how the fates may have a part in all that we do. With special poems and short reflective moments inspired by family, flowers and nature, love, scrumptious morsels, places I’ve visited, lived and intend to live in, the friendships and hopes I have for the future.
The overarching theme is to live a life well lived… And to do what you love.
float along with me create clouds of sweetest joy to do what you love hold fate’s hand as we venture
“A small and perfectly formed collection about finding your way in life. ” Linda’s Book Blog
“M.J. Mallon lives and loves creativity in all forms, this collection brings it all together and it was really enlightening and a nice little slice of escapism.” Sim S
“Whatever she writes there is always a touch of magic ,” Adele Park
“In this book, we find a compilation of words and images which draw us in: poignant, sensitive, delicate, playful, as she opens up for us her past and present relationships, the places she has loved and spent time in, and her thoughts and feelings about it all.” Sheila
“Do What You Love” is a beautiful collection of words and photos that invite the reader into Ms. Mallon’s life.D L Finn
The Hedge Witch & The Musical Poet
The Hedge Witch & The Musical Poet is a collection of poetry and short pieces of flash fiction celebrating the beautiful vulnerability of the forest kingdom. It begins with the poetic tale of the kind-hearted Hedge Witch, Fern, who discovers an injured stranger in desperate need of her woodland spells and magic.
The sweet pairing learn from each other and through Fern’s guidance, Devin embraces the power of magic to leave behind his trouble past to become The Musical Poet.
Poetry/flash fiction titles in section one of the collection include: The Hedge Witch & The Musical Poet, Rain Forest Love, A Forest Baby Boy, A Forest Baby Girl, A Modern Witch, Rock of Mine, Chester Don & I, The Network of Trees, More Trees Not Less, Two Boys Watching War, Mum Climbing Trees, Let’s Play, The Scorched Tree, Owl’s Holiday Home, A Man’s Holiday Home, A Child’s Excitement, The Teddy In The Woods, Run! The Organutans, All Hallow’s Eve Candy Girl The Forest Bash, Dreaming At Halloween, A Face on Bark, Golden Willow Tree, Rainbow – Parasol of Light, Lollipop Sunshine Tree,
In Section two I pay tribute to the following poets:Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Evangeline, Ruby Archer, King Forest, Bliss Carman, Woodland Rain, Emily Dickinson, Who Robbed the Woods, Rupert Blake, Stopping by The Woods on A Winter Evening,Oscar Wilde, In the Forest.
With my poetry: The Forest Weeps, The Forest King, Raindrops and Childhood Dreams, The Woodland Treasures, Winter Woodland Moon, Child Me.
Review Quotes:
“This is a poetry and flash fiction collection seeped in nature and illustrates the love the author has for the environment, particular the forests.” Sally Cronin
“A beautiful book inspired by, and a nod to, the mystical and the natural world around us.” Ritu Bhathal.
“A magical collection of poems and prose. My daughter recommended this book, and I wasn’t disappointed. The author’s appreciation of nature, particularly trees shone through, which together with the beautiful writing made this a wonderful read. I was sorry to reach the last page.” Bookworm
“This is a lovely book, I was sad when I turned over and realised I’d reached the end. This is a haunting serenade to trees, wistful and serene. A little book to capture the beauty of nature and the essence of forests.” Happy Reader
Mr. Sagittarius Poetry & Prose
Twin brothers Harold and William love the magic of the natural world.
When Harold dies he leaves a simple memorial request.
Will his brother William and his sister Annette honour it?
Or, will the garden work its magic to ensure that they do.
A magical story expressed via an original compilation of poetry and prose with photographic images.
“This is an exquisite collection of poetry, prose and photos reflecting upon the joy, comfort and peace that is to be found in the natural world and in a beautiful garden. ” Sheila
“Mr. Sagittarius” is a wonderful collection of poetry, prose, and pictures weaved into a magical story. D L Finn
Mr Sagittarius is a gorgeous book full of delightfully depictive poems and short stories and decorated with striking photographs. This is a book that lovers of poetry, mystery, and wonder will love.Robbie Cheadle
Lockdown Innit
A poetry collection of eighteen poems about life’s absurdities and frustrations during lockdown. Wherever you live in this world, this is for you. Expect humour, a dollop of banter and ridiculous rants here and there. Amongst other delights, witness the strange antics of a swan posing by a bin and two statuesque horses appearing like arc deco pieces in a field. Check out the violin player on a tightrope, or the cheeky unmentionables wafting in the lockdown breeze! This is the second book I’ve written during COVID-19. The first, This Is Lockdown, is an anthology and compilation of poetry, and contributions from international authors set during the first lockdown and is available in two formats – kindle (my diaries, poetry and short stories, and contributions from international authors,) and a shorter paperback version in black and white (with poetry, short stories and contributions.)
Lockdown innit is a wonderful collection of predominantly free verse poetry on all kinds of themes experienced during the author’s third lockdown. I am sure many of the pieces will resonate with readers who have also experienced humanities frustrating behaviours during this pandemic. Reader for life
An intricate mix of observations from the author about how the pandemic has brought change. Some welcome, some not so much. A thought provoking read. A short book and quick read. The content is about the author’s thoughts on lockdown and how it affected her and others around her. Well written poetry and a book I’d recommend to others.Lizzie Chantree
In this collection of poems, MJ Mallon has given us a wry series of vignettes of our society during a very strange year in history; it reminded me in part of theatre of the absurd, and she carries it out with an admirable lightness of touch. She conveys the folly, the irritability, the absurdity of people’s behaviour, along with a feeling of being lost and adrift. Sheila
I loved the poems, they captured the spirit of the times, the vagaries of human behaviour, the poignant signs of a society in change. There are some beautiful observations of what has become the new normal. R Dockett
I hope you will enjoy some of these poetry collections.
All my published works can be found at my Amazon page:
And if you are an audiobook enthusiast both my YA fantasy books Bloodstone and Golden Healer are now available to listen to on audible. Follow the linktree above for all my buying links.
I had the great fortune to stay at Spedlins Castle in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland with hubby and friends in July 2022 for a old mates University reunion. This is without a doubt, a stunning place, definitely, a location to inspire colour poetry! Actually, I think this would be a wonderful location for a writer’s retreat.
For my 1st poem, I chose the colour Green and prompt word, Earth Magic.
Green topiaries, lawns,
A garden of earth magic,
Old friends reunite,
Curious nooks and crannies,
Confessions and ghosts.
What a view!
Relaxing place to unwind 😌
An open door… and beautiful views.
My next poem is inspired by an open white window, (see below,) and the ghost, ‘James ‘Dunty’ Porteous who was the miller for the Village of Milhousebridge and delivered bread to the Baronet, Sir Alexander Jardine, at Spedlins Tower. James was well known for his quarrelsome nature,’ he was purported to be trapped under the staircase trap door at Spedlins Castle! Do not fear, the ghost has apparently long since been exorcised! Nevertheless, I do sense some unusual happenings at Spedlins… That’s it charm! Watch out for bats, white stone geese and creepy goings on.
White window ajar,
Tranquil scene that time forgets,
Cruel dungeon's trapdoor,
Abandoned man, peace broken,
Confessions and ghost stories.
And my next poem is inspired by this beautiful single yellow flower on a tree…
Spedlins fairytale, Blushing photos, lover's art, Single yellow bud, Clarity, sunshine and joy, Brushstrokes, love, lush green spaces.
Here’s a photo of the steep staircase… thank goodness for comfy shoes and that rope to hold onto. We weren’t sleeping up on the highest floor but some of our friends were!
So atmospheric!
There are bookcases everywhere! And art, memorabilia and photographs.
As part of Colleen’s Tanka Tuesday challenge we were asked to take a quiz to discover our spirit animal. Mine turned out to be a butterfly which is quite striking given that yesterday I was walking by a pathway I often take in Tavira, Portugal.
There, I was struck by the sight of a beautiful butterfly with vibrant markings on its bright wings. It made me stop in my tracks! That’s no surprise as my life is going through much change at the moment – seems so appropriate!
What It Means To Be The Butterfly(From Quiz)
The butterfly is one of the most emblematic totem animals symbolizing personal transformation. If you see the butterfly as your totem or spirit animal, pay attention to the areas in your life or personality that are in need of profound change or transformation. Perhaps, this animal totem guides you to be sensitive to your personal cycles of expansion and growth, as well as the beauty of life’s continuous unfolding. An important message carried by the spirit of the butterfly is about the ability to go through important changes with grace and lightness.
Shadorma
The Shadorma consists of a six-line stanza (or sestet). Each stanza is written as 3-5-3-3-7-5 for a total of 26 syllables with no set rhyme scheme. When writing a Shadorma, I would concentrate on a specific subject.
Butterfly Hello
Butterfly
Pause, to say hello
Darling soul
Bring me joy
Welcoming my steps forward
I feel your love here
Butterfly Cinquain
Butterfly cinquain is a nine-line syllabic titled form with the pattern 2-4-6-8-2-8-6-4-2.
Beauty
Flutter to me
You land so light and free
Was it circumstance that we met?
Or fate?
To follow is to discover
My enriched path to take
Gentle totem
Bright wings
The cinquainis a five-line, non-rhyming poem featuring a syllable structure of 2-4-6-8-2. Cinquain poems need a title. Choose words that create drama that builds into the fourth line. The turn occurs on line five, the most important line. This is where you change your focus away from the drama in some interesting way.
This week, Colleen is using the painting below as inspiration, please write either a syllabic poetry form ora freestyle poem, including a syllabic form(both poetry forms on the same post).
REMEMBER… don’t just describe the woman… we can all see her. Like all of us, this woman has a story. Write THAT poem…
Portrait of Lady Agnew of Lochnaw (1865-1932) by John Singer Sargent, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
“Ekphrastic poems exist to respond to a piece of art critically, analytically, and reverentially.”Ekphrastic poetry explained
I’ve decided to write a senryu
From Colleen blog:
A form with 3 or more lines following the short-long-short, 3-5-3, 2-3-2, (5-7-5 traditional) approximately twelve syllables. Senryu do not rhyme, nor do they contain metaphors and similes.
A senryu is written about love, human foibles relating to a personal event, and should have an element of irony present somewhere in the form. Humor and sarcasm are two of the most favorable elements in a senryu. But not always… think in tone. What is the tone of your senryu?
Senryu focus on the awkward moments in life making the human, not the world around them, the subject of their creative endeavor. Senryu poetry deals with the human condition. The most important distinction between haiku and senryu is the tone of your poem. Think of it this way:
Haiku desires to create a feeling, while senryu wants to make a point.
Focus on sexual matters, family relations, religion, politics, and anything that touches on the pain we experience through sorrow, prejudice, oppression, anger, and frustration. Humor and sarcasm are two of the most favorable elements in a senryu.No titles.
The photo has nothing to do with the poetry but I’m smiling and been deliberating…. so… this week I’m writing a haiku to consider my forthcoming dilemma… Do I self publish my final book in the Curse of Time series, or search for a new publisher, or keep with the one I have?
Do I stay with you? To flourish... see what happens? Should I exchange you?
Decisions, decisions. Lots of time to make up my mind as I have just begun writing book three.
Dilemma, it is... What to do? Decision time Decide. Switch. Promote.
For Change chose switch, exchange For Grow flourish, promote
This week’s challenge is a photo prompt. from photographer, Terri Webster Schrandt, from secondwindleisure.com to share her photos with us for inspiration. Terri runs a weekly photo challenge called Sunday Stills. Check it out HERE.
Terri says: “This is a filtered version of a rose I photographed at the International Rose Test Garden in Portland.”
I imagined an artist painting a life portrait of his love.
Here are my Etheree poems:
Love Unchained❤️
Love Unchained Heartstrings play Captured verses Loose petals scatter My brush strokes velveteen On your desirable skin! My breath hitches with excitement Your hair loosens, and your smile escapes, You laugh so hard that each rose tumbles free…
A bouquet of a dozen blooms arrive As lipstick red as each dewy kiss My rapt caresses make you smile With trembling hands I begin To paint your dear beauty With red rose petals I’m cherishing Such naked Sweetest Love
Do What You Love Fragility of Your Flame Poems, Photography & Flash Fiction is a personal poetry collection celebrating how the fates may have a part in all that we do.
With special poems and short reflective moments inspired by family, flowers and nature, love, scrumptious morsels, places I’ve visited, lived and intend to live in, the friendships and hopes I have for the future.
The overarching theme is to live a life well lived… And to do what you love.
float along with me create clouds of sweetest joy to do what you love hold fate’s hand as we venture near and far on life’s journey
I am thrilled to say that three of my poetry collections, (Mr. Sagittarius, The Hedge Witch & The Musical Poet and Lockdown Innit,) have been requested by prestigious libraries in the UK: The British Library, The Bodleian Library Oxford University, the Cambridge University Library, National Library of Scotland, National Library of Wales and Trinity College Dublin for Legal Deposit.
Poetry also features in my highly acclaimed YA Fantasy series. Each chapter begins with a short poem. The Curse of Time Book 1 Bloodstone and Book 2 Golden Healer are published by Next Chapter Publishing.
Happy thanksgiving to all my friends in the US. No turkey here but perhaps I can offer you a freshly brewed coffee from Seville.
This week’s prompt seemed particularly apt as I just bought myself a treat with my birthday money. It was my birthday on the 17th November… I tend to keep this much to myself nowadays. We went away to Seville for a few days holiday and I absolutely loved it. What a wonderful city.
I didn’t buy the new scarf there. Hubby isn’t a big fan of shopping… But I did manage to get him to spend a little bit of time shopping – he bought me some lovely new clothes for my birthday.
Now… the new scarf, is from Tavira in Portugal and it is very colourful! But, this prompt asked for a story to be told in poetry about a grey scarf so I thought why not! Give it a go…
Anyway, the poem isn’t true to life as I have no intention of casting my new scarf aside but a little artistic licence is allowed…
On a whim I bought a colourful scarf Like Joseph’s technicolor dreamcoat It brings me nightmares and trouble! My siblings are so jealous So, I cast it aside I buy a grey scarf No one sees me I sleep well It brings Joy
Me and my grey scarf have such adventures Settling around my neck with ease We paint the world in brilliance Nothing is ever drab now There is colour in dark Fountains of rainbows And no more sighs Light in shade Sunshine Songs
Tomorrow is the launch day for my new poetry, flash fiction and photograph collection. Excited for that! If you’d like to wish me a belated happy birthday I’d love it if you bought a copy of my new book.
The Kouta 小唄 (little or short song) is a popular Japanese verse form of the Muromachi Period, 14th thru 16th century. The lyrical song was resurrected as a geisha song in the late 1800s and is still popular today.
The form has several variations, though always short in only 4 lines, a 5th line is sometimes added.
The theme reflects ordinary life and often uses colloquialisms and onomatopoeia. The most popular are love songs.
The elements of Kouta are:
a poem in 4 lines. (an occasional 5th line may appear)
a standalone poem, but its often is accompanied by other Koutas with the same theme.
syllabic, variable odd numbered syllable lengths, the most common patterns are written in lines of alternating 7-5-7-5 syllables or 7-7-7-5 syllables.
Do What You Love Fragility of Your Flame Poems, Photography & Flash Fiction is a personal poetry collection celebrating how the fates may have a part in all that we do.
With special poems and short reflective moments inspired by family, flowers and nature, love, scrumptious morsels, places I’ve visited, lived and intend to live in, the friendships and hopes I have for the future.
The overarching theme is to live a life well lived… And to do what you love.
float along with me create clouds of sweetest joy to do what you love hold fate’s hand as we venture near and far on life’s journey
I am thrilled to say that two of my poetry collections, (Mr. Sagittarius and Lockdown Innit,) have been requested by prestigious libraries in the UK: The British Library, The Bodleian Library Oxford University, the Cambridge University Library, National Library of Scotland, National Library of Wales and Trinity College Dublin for Legal Deposit.
The cover of the paperback and kindle have been designed by Colleen Chesebro who has a new service for authors which I can highly recommend. Colleen also designed the interior and cover of The Hedge Witch And The Musical Poet.
Poetry also features in my highly acclaimed YA Fantasy series. Each chapter begins with a short poem. The Curse of Time Book 1 Bloodstone and Book 2 Golden Healer are published by Next Chapter Publishing.
I’ve been behind on adding my reviews to my blog due to lots happening in my personal life plus my blog tour for my poetry and flash fiction collection: The Hedge Witch And The Musical Poet which released mid August!
This is review catch up 1, and there will be catch up 2 next.
So, here are three fab books I recommend, the first is flash fiction and the last two are poetry. Enjoy!
If you have ever wondered about the power in the brevity of words then this collection by Sarah Brentyn is for you! It’s a wonderful collection of flash fiction which I loved reading.
It is divided into three sections: Mindscapes, Lifelines and Micro bursts (the shortest of which! )
Here are 3 of my favourite microbursts:
We wake the same as we slept. Strangers. Dreams cling to our eyelashes as we sip coffee & pretend to believe the beautiful lies we tell.
Fed up with death, she entered the reincarnation lottery, returning as a farmer famous for her prize-winning ghost peppers.
I wake to hundreds of spiders crawling across my floor, up the walls. They are everywhere. I want to scream. But I feel them on my lips.
Highly recommended especially to those who enjoy flash fiction and as a fine introduction to the form.
Sarah Brentyn is an introvert who believes anything can be made better with soy sauce and wasabi.
She loves words and has been writing stories since she was nine years old. She talks to trees and apologizes to inanimate objects when she bumps into them.
When she’s not writing, you can find her strolling through cemeteries or searching for fairies.
She hopes to build a vacation home in Narnia someday. In the meantime, she lives with her family and a rainbow-colored, wooden cat who is secretly a Guardian.
Balroop Singh’s collection of poetry is thoughtful, emotional and stirring to the soul. Her love for the natural world, love of words, and her inner resilience shines through in her light and dark poetry.
Really enjoyed. Highly recommended for poetry enthusiasts.
The Call of Calmness is one of my favourite poems in the collection.
Balroop Singh, an educator, a poet and an author always had a passion for writing. She would jot down her reflections on a piece of paper and forget about them till each drawer of her home started overflowing with poetic reminders, popping out at will! The world of her imagination has a queer connection with realism. She could envision the images of her own poetry while teaching the poems. Her dreams saw the light of the day when she published her first poetry book: ‘Sublime Shadows Of Life.’ She has always lived through her heart. She is a great nature lover; she loves to watch birds flying home. The sunsets allure her with their varied hues that they lend to the sky. She can spend endless hours listening to the rustling of leaves and the sound of waterfalls. She lives in California. You can visit her blog at http://balroop2013.wordpress.com
I read Frank’s poetry a while ago while I was in Portugal! And shared my reviews on Goodreads, Amazon, etc. Here is the review:
Thank you to poet Frank Prem for an advanced copy of The Garden Black. It seemed the perfect opportunity yesterday to read this poetry collection while I was relaxing on a beach! It’s a little different from some of Frank’s other collections with a speculative fantasy vibe to it. Being a keen fantasy reader and author I enjoyed it. Frank’s free verse form of poetry is always a delight, easy to read and enjoy and reflect upon.
My favourite poems with their titles below: I who am, (I liked this for its references to: wind, sun, dark, soil, leaf, bough, root, bark, sap, wood, tree!) the hunter writes a letter swell, (this poem relates swimming to driving!) storm and the sea (bubbles of foam) I dig (a forest) it is not clear (from the dream below) a song for the (far) horizon a line of destiny pain control garden black isosceles and me (and the war over the pond,) – very unusual but in a good way! davey’s interview (pre-recorded) in the stone: through the water a song for the (deep) horizon the second beat.
Frank Prem has been a storytelling poet since his teenage years. He has been a psychiatric nurse through all of his professional career, which now exceeds forty years.He has been published in magazines, online zines and anthologies in Australia, and in a number of other countries, and has both performed and recorded his work as spoken word.He lives with his wife in the beautiful township of Beechworth in North East Victoria, Australia. https://FrankPrem.com
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M J Mallon YA Author and Poet 