Youthful Exuberance

The following site has been a useful resource and an inspiration for me in my work on my latest book. Complete with the latest news, photography, fashion and quotations from leading African figures, B-Sama (a pseudonym for the site's organizer) has compiled a mashup as colorful and socially relevant as Ebony and as global in focus as the Financial Times. I encourage you to follow or to return to this site periodically to stay up to date on the latest in news and thought from Africa. B-Sama's youthful exuberance is infectious. Enjoy!

http://b-sama.tumblr.com/

The Editorial Review for A Poet Speaks of Empire

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"In the introduction to January Wilson’s new collection, A Poet Speaks of Empire, we read, “Love is a cosmic force for good in a world fragmented by poverty and war. The deeper story in this book is one of love.” Yes, a book of love, but also a book of deep admiration for a continent that Wilson knows well: Africa. A Poet Speaks of Empire is full of references to legendary African figures. Emperors such as Mansa Musa, whose legacy is evoked by the poet to urge new generations to, “carry on traditions older than time,” in the poem whose title gives name to the book. The Emperor Sundiata Keïta and Queen Sarraounia are brought to life by ravishing poems that dissect and discuss a distant time. Looking at the past serves as a means of understanding the present and encouraging current African generations to look to the future, “Arise, oh continent, arise: a new age beckons your voice, your voyage.” References to Mandela and other African leaders deeply admired by the author, such as the poet Kwame Dawes, are also frequent. Wilson’s admiration for African history and traditions does not prevent her from viewing current political scenarios through a critical lens, as in the poem “Rapid Impermanence in Zimbabwe.” Along with references to Africa, the reader will also find that A Poet Speaks of Empire contains other themes that have run through Wilson’s previous work. Readers who have followed previous work, Contemplating Eve: The Collected Works, A Dawn Run Hot with Morning and The Lily & The Aster, will see this commonality. We find notes of romantic love in poems such as, “The Next Dance.” But love goes beyond falling in love, as the author makes clear in the tender poem “Father and Son.” In A Poet Speaks of Empire we also find other themes and concerns always present in Wilson’s work. The quest for and commitment to clear and direct poetry is particularly clear in the poem, “Extraordinary Knowing” where we can read, “I want to speak a poetry that embraces you; one that does not obscure understanding, but quickens the pace toward extraordinary knowing.” In this most recent work by January Wilson, we also find several haiku, a minimalist form that Wilson has employed before, in her excellent previous work, The Lily & The Aster.  A Poet Speaks of Empire is a creatively written book full of excellent poems—a piece of work that I truly recommend. Without any doubt, one of the best books January Wilson has put together so far. I am sure you will love it." - Xavier Martin, Editor 

The BIG Winner of last week's Book Giveaway Challenge is...

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It's the day you've all been waiting for! The winner of the Book Give-Away Challenge is Teresa Pelayo from Madrid, Spain! Congratulations to her. She will receive a free signed copy of A Poet Speaks of Empire in the mail a week ahead of the book's official date of publication, next Saturday. I will be contacting others who entered the contest individually so that they can take advantage of the discount associated with the Challenge. Send an email to thelilyandtheaster@gmail.com with any questions or concerns. Happy reading!!
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Book Give-Away Challenge

Well, A Poet Speaks of Empire is about to be published. The following quiz is intended to give you an idea of whether or not you are ready for A Poet Speaks of Empire. Take the quiz. Answer "yes" or "no" to the following questions. Hold on to your answers. I have a surprise in store. Read more below.

1) Do you like to read poetry? ____

2) Have you seen the book trailer? ____

3) Have you read the Introduction? ____

4) Do you enjoy photography? _____

5) Do you enjoy an occasional love poem? ______

6) Have you seen Amazon's Author's page? _____

7) Would you consider writing a review for Amazon if you were to read the book?_____

8) Would you be willing to provide your mailing address should you win the contest? _____ 


Instructions: Give yourself one point for each question to which you answered "yes". Tally your score. Be the 10th person to contact me at thelilyandtheaster@gmail.com with your name and your score. Write "Book Give-Away Challenge" as the subject of your email. The winner will be announced in next Saturday's blog/Facebook posting and will receive a new copy of A Poet Speaks of Empire. All runners-up will find out about and receive a HUGE discount on their books in the weeks to come. Enter the contest and win!