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The Power of Telling the Truth on the Page: Meet Danielle Leukam
Danielle Leukam didn’t set out to be a writer. Or maybe she did, before life altered her path. After surviving a horrific attack, she turned to writing as a way to process trauma, reclaim her power, and advocate for other survivors. Her journey is one of strength, survival, and empowerment, using her voice to speak for those who have been silenced.
What Makes a Poem Political? Eight Poets on Truth, Power, and Why Their Words Matter
What makes a poem political? In a time of censorship, book bans, and cultural erasure, poetry remains one of the most powerful tools of truth-telling and resistance. This blog features reflections from eight contemporary poets who explore the political power of their work and the role of poetry in documenting history, reclaiming identity, and resisting silence. From Phillis Wheatley to the voices shaping poetry today, the piece reveals why writing from the margins is a radical act, and how every poem becomes a form of protest, witness, and survival.
Turning Grief into Art, Pain into Purpose: Meet Robyn Spodek-Schindler
Robyn Spodek-Schindler is a therapist, artist, and author whose work is shaped by her lived experience with grief. Her debut book, Three Brave Stars, helps families talk about death and healing with children through heartfelt storytelling and imaginative world-building. In this Beyond the Narrative interview, Robyn shares how writing became a cathartic tool for connection and emotional processing, and how she hopes her story offers comfort to those moving through loss.
How Does Traditional Publishing Work?
Curious about how traditional publishing works? This step-by-step guide breaks down the entire process—from literary agents to book deals—while helping you understand the publishing industry’s nuances and what to expect as an author.
How to Find a Book Publisher: A Quick Guide for Aspiring Authors
If you're here, chances are you're ready to take the next step toward publishing your book. Finding the right book publisher starts with understanding your options. This guide breaks down the different publishing paths available to authors—traditional publishing through a literary agent, submitting directly to small or independent presses, exploring hybrid models, and identifying red flags like vanity presses.
How to Publish a Poetry Book: What Every Poet Needs to Know
Publishing poetry comes with unique challenges, whether you're aiming for a traditional publishing deal or self-publishing your collection. Traditional routes often require an agent or submitting to small presses, while self-publishing offers creative freedom but demands more personal effort. This blog explores both paths, offering tips for manuscript preparation, cover design, formatting, and marketing strategies. Whether you’re seeking recognition or creative control, understanding the landscape of poetry publishing is essential. Learn how to make informed choices about the best route for your work, build your platform, and get your poetry into the world.
Why Publishing Poetry Books Is Harder Than Other Genres—But No Less Worth It
Publishing poetry is often seen as a challenge—but that doesn’t make it any less worthwhile. In a market that undervalues lyricism, vulnerability, and truth-telling, poets are frequently told their work is too niche or unmarketable. This blog dives into why poetry faces more barriers than other genres, from industry biases to lack of infrastructure, and how marginalized poets are often excluded from traditional pathways. Still, poetry remains one of the most powerful forms of expression—and it deserves to be published. Whether you’re navigating the contest circuit, querying indie presses, or self-publishing your first book, this piece offers insight, encouragement, and real talk about what it takes to get your work into the world.
A Writer’s Guide to Publishing Lingo: 33 Terms Every Author Needs to Know
Understanding publishing lingo is essential for any writer preparing to publish a book. This guide covers 33 key terms—from royalties and advances to literary agents and self-publishing platforms—giving you the foundational knowledge you need to make informed decisions. Whether you’re pursuing traditional publishing or going independent, this article helps demystify industry jargon so you can advocate for yourself, communicate clearly with professionals, and move through the publishing process with confidence.
A Home in Her Own Words: Meet Kaniz Hossain
Poet and visual artist Kaniz Hossain uses writing to reclaim identity, challenge silence, and create community. Her Bengali-American heritage and experience growing up in a Muslim household inform her poetry, which confronts topics like mental health, womanhood, and faith. Through her platform House of Khaos, Kaniz cultivates creative spaces for underrepresented voices. In this Beyond the Narrative feature, she reflects on self-publishing, the power of representation, and poetry as both refuge and resistance.
The Politics of Poetry: Why the Margins Have Always Been the Center
This blog explores how poetry has always lived at the edges—resisting conformity, challenging power, and amplifying voices often pushed aside. From ancient oral traditions to modern spoken word, poetry has served as a vessel for memory, protest, and survival. It dives into the political history of poetry, the systems that gatekeep it, and why it continues to matter.
On Art, Mental Health, and Finding Strength Through Expression: Meet Dani Fallon
Dani Fallon is a poet and visual artist from Long Island whose work explores mental health, identity, and relationships. Her debut poetry collection Nothing at All or All at Once reflects on the emotional complexities of growing up, living with OCD, and learning to take up space. In this Beyond the Narrative feature, Dani shares how creativity has been both a tool for survival and a way to connect with others through honesty and reflection.
10 Tips for Navigating the Publishing Process Without Losing Your Sanity (Mostly)
Publishing a book can feel like a chaotic, confusing ride—but it doesn’t have to be. This blog offers 10 real-world tips to help writers navigate the ups and downs of the publishing process with more clarity and less stress. From understanding your publishing options to building your platform and protecting your energy, these insights are grounded in experience and written with heart. Whether you’re querying agents or self-publishing, this guide is here to help you stay focused, informed, and (mostly) sane.
Using Intuition and Authenticity to Inspire Creativity: Meet Angelina Young
Angelina Young is a writer, designer, and podcast host whose work is rooted in intuition, authenticity, and the power of dreams. In this Beyond the Narrative feature, Angelina opens up about following her inner voice during a chaotic season and learning to create from a place of truth. Drawing from her mixed cultural background and connection to the subconscious, she reminds us that creativity is both a tool for healing and a bridge to self-discovery.
How to Publish a Book in 2025: A Go-To Guide of Authors
Explore the different ways authors can bring their books into the world—traditional publishing, self-publishing, and the increasingly popular hybrid model. We break down what each path involves, how the process works, and what authors should consider when choosing the best route for their goals. You’ll also learn how to avoid common pitfalls like vanity presses and why having the right support can make all the difference.
On Breaking Boundaries and Uncovering Truth: Meet Jessica Payes
Through her poetry collections, Manipulated and Temporary Lovers, poet Jessica Payes addresses mental health, heartbreak, and emotional growth with unfiltered honesty. Her work challenges societal taboos, offering healing and connection to readers navigating similar paths. In this Beyond the Narrative feature, Jessica opens up about grief, resilience, and her journey of using poetry as both self-expression and survival.
Five Places to Buy Books Online That Are Not Amazon
Looking to buy books online without supporting Amazon? Explore these five alternatives that champion local bookstores, support authors, and promote ethical book buying.
Writing as a Bridge Between Identity and Community: Meet Aurelia Luciano
Dominican American poet and community organizer Aurelia Luciano turns poetry into a mirror, a bridge, and a movement. Writing from her Afro-Latinx identity, she transforms personal history into collective power. In this Beyond the Narrative feature, Aurelia opens up about healing through writing, building safe creative spaces, and redefining storytelling as a tool for growth, identity, and liberation. Her voice is both an offering and an invitation.
Where Vulnerability Meets Creativity: Meet Patty Ihm
In this Beyond the Narrative feature, author Patty Ihm reflects on how writing has shaped her life as a mother, foster parent, and creative. Through vulnerability and emotional honesty, she turns personal experiences into powerful stories—like her coming-of-age novel Goldie Bird and her memoir Isn’t That Enough?. Patty shares how writing became both refuge and release, showing that storytelling is about presence, purpose, and truth. Her journey reminds us that in the chaos of everyday life, there is beauty, healing, and a story worth telling.
Embracing Duality and Cultural Identity: Meet Cecilia Dagdagan
Filipina-American poet Cecilia shares her powerful story of embracing cultural identity, self-discovery, and creative expression in this Beyond the Narrative interview. Through her poetry and prose, Cecilia reflects on leaving behind comfort to find her voice, honoring her ancestry, and reclaiming space for multifaceted identity. Her chapbook Shades of Suede is a tribute to healing, movement, and the strength found in vulnerability.
Discover the Heart of Belonging in Goldie Bird by Patty Ihm
Goldie Bird by Patty Ihm is a moving middle-grade novel that follows eleven-year-old Goldie as she navigates family changes, grief, and the bittersweet journey of growing up. When her sister leaves for college and her mother becomes consumed by loss, Goldie forms new friendships that help her rediscover joy and a sense of belonging. Rich with emotional depth and honesty, Goldie Bird explores the universal need to feel seen, loved, and understood.