Book Review: Within the Heart of Silence by James William Peercy and Jacqueline E. Smith

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Within the Heart of Silence

by James William Peercy and Jacqueline E. Smith

4/5 stars

Within the Heart of Silence is great ekphrastic poetry, blending images with words that often read like music. I enjoyed the touch of agelessness presented by Smith’s photography and Peercy’s verse. The rhyming did not always work for me, but I appreciated its structure. Definitely a great book to read outside in the woods.

The World Famous Haikube Post

Two weeks ago at IndieVengence Day book signing in Frisco, Texas I asked some of the most talented poets I know to help me write haiku with blocks known as Haikubes. These blocks have words and phrases to arrange into 5-7-5 syllables. I was very grateful for their hard-work and support.

***

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Haikube by Mary Ann Moody
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Haikube by Ben Ditmars
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Haikube by John M. Moody
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Haikube by Susie Clevenger and Ben Ditmars
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Haikube by Clay Giles
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Haikube by Terri Malek and Ben Ditmars
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Haikube with James William Peercy
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Haikube by Melissa Miller Zaro
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Haikube by Amber Jerome Norrgard

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IndieVengeance Day 2015

Last week I traveled to Dallas for an annual book signing known as IndieVengeance Day. We get together, the indies and I, once a year and hang out. We also sell books: small books, big books, books that climb on rocks. Okay, none of them climbed rocks, but a couple have ghosts, and that’s just as good.

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The journey started in the air…

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Photograph by Jacqueline Smith

But quickly involved books and stress cubes.

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Photograph by Jacqueline Smith

Hey, poetry!

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Photograph by Jacqueline Smith
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Photograph by Jacqueline Smith

The books and their Davros. Muahaha.

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Scott’s fortune cookie predicted a photo bomb.

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And there was this yummy croissant.

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Photograph by Claudette Peercy

The Justice League prepared to fight evil… and sell books.

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Photograph by Claudette Peercy

After Red Lobster. Don’t we look full?

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I found this steer at the airport.

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My last view of Dallas.

*****

It was an incredible event filled with my favorite people on earth. Once more, my deepest thanks to Amber Norrgard for all the hard work she did setting everything up.

You can find information on the authors in attendance here:

Julie Fraynhttp://juliebird.ca

James Peercy: http://www.jameswilliampeercy.com

Amber Jerome-Norrgard: http://amberjeromenorrgard.com

Stacey Roberts: http://www.trailertrashbook.com

Paula Walker Baker: https://paulawalkerbaker.wordpress.com

Jacqueline E. Smith: http://jackiesmith114.wordpress.com

Debbie Watts Reece: http://www.beebopbooks.com

Susie Clevenger: http://www.susieclevenger.com

And Now a Poetic Interview with James Peercy!

I’ve seen a lot of authors interviewed on blogs, but far less poets. I don’t know if it’s because there are fewer poets or they choose other means of expression. I think poetry at its heart is very intimate and personal and it’s hard to make ourselves more vulnerable than it has already done. That said, it is my privilege to have not only a fantastic poet, but a fantastic author here today. James Peercy is one of my favorite people and I know you will love his answers.

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1. Can you tell us a little about yourself? I’m the owner of a computer/web design company located in Denison, Texas. I’ve been married for 27 years and currently own four dogs. Although I enjoy working with computers, writing is my passion.

2. When did you start writing poetry? I started writing poetry in Middle School. I remember starting when I was in the 7th grade. My assignment was to memorize Ralph Waldo Emerson, “The Concord Hymn”. This is where I developed my love of poetry and learned that I could write my own.

3. Do you have a favorite poet/poem? Ralph Waldo Emerson, “The Concord Hymn

4. Does music inspire you? No, not really.

5. Do you write on the computer or in a notebook? I write on anything that is convenient at the moment. It can be text message, computer or a napkin at a restaurant.

6. If you could write a poem anywhere, where would it be? I can write anywhere. I don’t have a preference. I write what I feel from what I see before me.

7. What do you enjoy most about writing poetry? It is the emotional release and the understanding that there is always hope.

8. If you could hang out with any poet, who would it be? Ralph Waldo Emerson. I would love to talk with him, but I like meeting all poets and writers; it’s all fun. I like knowing what inspires them.

9. If you could physically fight a fellow poet, from any point in time, who would they be? No one comes to mind.

10. Have you read or performed poetry live at slams or open mic? No, I have not. However, I’ve had an original poem recorded and videotaped for use at my college. I also create poetry on the fly while speaking with patrons at the Texas Renaissance Festival.

11. Why does nothing rhyme with orange? It’s because it’s not a native English word, and it doesn’t come from either German or Latin.

12. Do you post your poetry online? I’ve posted on Facebook.

13. Do you put your writing into pictures to share on Pinterest, Twitter, Instagram or Facebook? Yes, I have done this in the past, mostly on Facebook.

14. What is the most difficult poetry to write? There is none I consider too difficult to write. Are there any forms you dislike? There are no forms I dislike, but I prefer poems that have rhyme and rhythm because they make them stick in people’s minds.

15. Do you believe anyone can learn to write poetry? Yes. Do you think anyone can enjoy reading it? Only if they choose to.

16. Where do vanishing objects go? Remember to phrase your answer in the form of a riddle.

Into a world of never more.
Lost upon the twist of time
To be discovered when sought
In a careful rhyme.

17. What project(s) are you currently working on, poetry or otherwise? Currently consolidating poems that I have already written to go into a poetry book, along with photo’s Claudette and I have taken. Hydra Publications is currently formatting my second Cliff Fulton Mystery, called “…Thought that’s Thin…” and I am currently completing the third book in my Fantasy Series, “Twisted Fates”, it is part of the Xun Ove series.

18. Would you like to share a poem with us today?

Chaos Reigns

Chaos reigns,
But not the kind we think.
It’s caused by all the decisions
That a billion people make.

We contradict our neighbor.
We clash against the sky.
We dare that all of nature
Defy the will we set on high.

We bicker with our spouses.
We try to set the laws
That give to us more advantage,
Causing others to then fall.

We struggle to take dominion
When we need a giving hand.
We forget that helping others
Is the only working plan.

Yes, chaos reigns.
We planned it, each the one.
When will we each
Wake up to see
The destruction that we’ve done?

James William Peercy – 02.05.15

***

Find more about James Peercy:

On his website: jameswilliampeercy.com

On Amazon: James William Peercy

On Twitter: twitter.com/JamesWPeercy

IndieVengeance Day 2014

Two weeks ago I had the pleasure of meeting my friends in Dallas for a book signing. I hit the open road with a pocketful of dreams and enough Diet Coke to kill a rhinoceros. Stacey Roberts and I carpooled from Kentucky. We soon found ourselves in Memphis, Tennessee.

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We followed the red brick road… which isn’t really brick.

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Soon, our eyes beheld the Mighty Mississippi.

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And I saw these restrooms in Texas.

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Scott Morgan, Stacey Roberts, James Peercy, me.

Later that night we arrived in Dallas and met up at Cheddar’s.

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The next day everyone signed books at Cafe Brazil and read from their respective works. This is Stacey Roberts reading from his book: Trailer Trash, With a Girl’s Name.

Photograph courtesy of Jacqueline E. Smith

Me reading from my book, Inhale the Night.

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More books!

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Jacqueline E. Smith had one of the coolest tables. The flowers were a nice touch.

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Cinta Garcia had the coolest by far. I did some serious spellwork with her wands.

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Authors Julie Frayn and Jacqueline E. Smith helped me hand extra balloons out to the local children. I imagine you might be confused, and that’s perfectly within your rights. Just know, that Jackie has mad skills convincing children to take balloons. I think it helps when you’re pretty.

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From back left: Tracy James Jones, Julie Frayn, me, Scott Morgan, Stacey Roberts

Front left: Jacqueline E. Smith, Jeanne McDonald, Cinta Garcia, Amber Norrgard

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After the signing, I went with Stacey, Cinta, and her husband Mark to see where Kennedy was shot. This is Stacey in the book depository building, now a museum.

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The spot where the tragedy unfolded is marked with an X in the road.

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On our way back I took one more photo of the Mississippi. I felt a lot like the Voyager 1 space probe.

*****

It was an incredible time with even more incredible people. My deepest thanks to Amber Norrgard for all the hard work she did setting up the event.

You can find information on all the amazing authors in attendance here:

Julie Fraynhttp://juliebird.ca

Tracy James Jones: http://tracyjamesjones.wordpress.com

Jeanne McDonaldhttp://www.jeannemcdonald.com

Scott Morgan: http://www.write-hook.com

Amber Jerome-Norrgard: http://amberjeromenorrgard.com

Stacey Roberts: http://www.trailertrashbook.com

Cinta Garcia de la Rosa: http://cintascorner.com

Jacqueline E. Smith: http://jackiesmith114.wordpress.com/

Melissa Zaroski: http://melissazaroski.com

Susie Clevenger: http://www.susieclevenger.com