Friday, August 15, 2008

Tooting My Horn


Stellasue Lee, Editor Emeritus of Rattle, author of Crossing the Double Yellow Line,which, by the way, was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize--and whose work is published in four other volumes of poetry as well as in numerous poetry journals--and whose name "means star and violet...", has written a wonderful review for my book, Pepek the Assassin.

She wrote to our mutual friend Bob, who sent her a copy: "Brilliant title. Beautifully put together, and talk about flow--this body of work holds together perfectly. The writing is strong, the voice so accessible that I feel as if I've lived next door to these people and know them in that special way that neighbors become family. It reads as a benediction on Pepek's soul. Thank you, Bob, for sharing this wonderful work with me. My husband and I have been reading it aloud each morning to one another. Both of us have been moved by this body of work."

Kindly, Ms. Lee also wrote a blurb and allowed me to put it on the back cover of the book. She is a terrific writer, whose poetry is said to "speak for and to all of us at a spiritual level..." and I just ordered a copy of Crossing the Double Yellow Line for myself.

Thank you so much, Stellasue Lee, for your kind words.

(And by the way, did I ever tell you that my book Chrysalis was up once for a Pulitzer Prize?--Didn't win, of course. That year John Updyke won for Rabbit Is Rich. It's a tough world out there.)

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

You are so joking about the pp? Aren't you? OMG, I am so stoked, I've been happily chatting away to a PP nominee for months.....I knew you were special. Where can I get hold of a copy of Pepek? Amazon? Let me go see........

Anonymous said...

I lulued you. And it will be here in 3 to 5 days. (ps I did buy chrysalis, it's sitting on my bedside table with about 20 other novels that I haven't picked up since last year....I can only read poetry right now but I will get round to it).

ps did you see Dana's postcard poetry? Go swing by my gorgeous.

Joyce Ellen Davis said...

Don't count on the 3-5 days. We put STellasue's little blurb on the back, so this revision might make it take a bit longer....

(heh. I'm getting that feeling again, like, you somehow know I am about to kick off, so you are just being especially nice to me before I shuffle away...a feeling I get whenever someone says nice things, even as a little girl.

DO you know something I should know about???

Joyce Ellen Davis said...

And, in fact, Chrysalis was submitted as a nominee by the publisher (who, for all I know, submitted every book they published that year)--it probably never even came close to winning. I'm just sayin', before you hyperventilate and pass out or anything...

or before I do....

petra michelle; Whose role is it anyway? said...

When I first visited your blog, I knew then you were an amazing writer. What an extraordinary feeling being nominated for the Pulitzer! That in itself, in spite of the standings, is quite an achievement. And knowing your book is being read by other acclaimed authors! Congratulations, Joyce!

mareymercy said...

Heh. You have nuts on your pituitary ferns.

Joyce Ellen Davis said...

Probably.

Anonymous said...

Okay, if people are nice to you you think you're about to die (scratching head)?....I always think they want something *grin*. Don't worry, I do mean it and I don't want anything, well apart from to read Pepek. I'm annoyed with myself that I pay so little attention when I visit here, why didn't I notice the blinking sidebar? Oh well, just as well you posted about it.

petra michelle; Whose role is it anyway? said...

Hi Joyce! "Mt. Olympics" is posted and Sophia is up for the role of Hera. Hope you enjoy!

Kay Cooke said...

Wow Joyce - and so you should damn well Toot your trumpet!!! I aim to hold both books in my hands one day = I just have to try again to procure copies thru Amazon, I guess.
I am not surprised both books have had worthy accolades. Well done - bask! Go on - lie back and shut your eyes and BASK in the light! :)

petra michelle; Whose role is it anyway? said...

*laughing* Ciao bella, well, yes, that's what most wanted...both past and current, but Sophia is heavenly now. :))

Joyce Ellen Davis said...

Petra, Brother Heston is also "heavenly" as they get.

Kay, Chrysalis you can get thru Amazon--Pepek only thru Lulu. WHen you're ready, just click on the image.

And, thanks. (I have both of your books, and love them dearly!) I am getting quite a library of friends books! I have 3 of Jim Brock's, 2 of Jilly Dybyck's, 1 of Melissa Fondakowski's, waiting eagerly for January's.

We are GOOD!

Joyce Ellen Davis said...

Oh yes, I also have Tiel Aishe Ansari's Knocking from Inside! It's GREAT!

Anonymous said...

Excellent news, Joyce, about the author review. I'm glad she has made your book part of her domestic life in the morning. A sweet detail.

So very impressive, your nomination. Rabbit, shmabbit, it should have been you...

Your poems are so strong and anchored, I'm really not surprised at these accolades.