It's National Poetry Month, and time for the Big Poetry Giveaway.
Initiated three years ago by Kelli Russell Agodon, this annual event celebrates poems, blogs, and the love of books.
How it works: Participating bloggers host a drawing in which they give away two poetry books — one of their own, and one by their favorite poet.
How to win: Simply post your name and email in the Comments area below. The contest runs April 1 - 30, 2012. Two names will be randomly drawn, and winners will be announced on May 1, 2012.
After entering my book giveaway, hop over to Book of Kells to discover the full roster of book drawings. Last year, the list featured more than 50 giveaways! The more blogs you visit, the better your chances to discover — and win — great poetry books.
Enter now, to win these books:
Fuel
by Naomi Shihab Nye
Of the handful of poets I strive to emulate, Naomi Shihab Nye tops the list. Author and editor of more than 20 volumes of poetry, her work pulses with a calm urgency in which she "lends a fresh perspective to ordinary events, people, and objects." Fuel, published in 1998, is her most acclaimed collection.
Sweet Grief
by Drew Myron and Senitila McKinley
Two friends and a dying husband are at the heart of a powerful collaboration of paintings and poems exploring love and loss.
The collaboration is the work of Senitila McKinley and Drew Myron (that's me!), two women who share a tenderness for children in need. At Seashore Family Literacy, the nonprofit organization Senitila created and runs, Drew serves as writing instructor.
In 2011, Senitila's husband of 33 years was diagnosed with cancer, and died just a few months later. As a means to express the sense of individual and collective loss, over a period of six months Drew and Senitila created Sweet Grief, an art exhibition and accompanying book featuring 12 paintings and poems offering a range of darkness and light, from the heavy weight of loss to the bright glow of gratitude.
These books could be yours — for free!
To enter the book drawing, just add your name and email in the Comments section below. The contest runs April 1 - 30, 2012. Two names will be randomly drawn, and winners will be announced on May 1, 2012.