Come with me where fish are born and horizons melt like chocolate on the tongue of a child.
Waters.
I want to remark that the italic text above has been used by two writers after being posted on this blog. My advise: Be you!
Please do not forget to check out Literary Revelations‘ #1 Amazon bestseller in Haiku and Japanese Poetry, Petals of Haiku: An Anthology. This superb collection features the work of over 160 talented poets. The art on the cover by award-winning painter Hikari sets the tone for what awaits inside – a world where words dance off the page and into your heart. The background photo by award-winning Japanese photographer Naoki Kimura adds another layer of beauty to this already exquisite collection.
The book together with Hikariโs painting of the cover will be displayed in the Treasure House of the Rinsenji Temple, Japan,
Gabriela Marie Milton 2022 Pushcart Prize Nominee Publisher, Editor, Award Winning & #1 Amazon Bestselling Author
I am eternally grateful to Hikari, and to the Head Priest [Sasagawa – ็ฌนๅทไฝ่ท] of the Rinsenji Temple in Japan for choosing to display a picture of Petals of Haiku together with Hikari’s original painting for the book cover in the prestigious Treasure House of the Rinsenji Temple. This is an immense honor that fills me with the utmost gratitude.
Hikari’s stunning artwork has elevated the beauty of theLiterary Revelations‘ Petals of Haiku collection, and I am humbled that her creation and our book will now reside in such a revered institution as the Rinsenji Temple, where they will be preserved for generations to come. Hikari’s work and the essence of our book Petals of Haiku will be immortalized, touching the hearts of all who will behold them.
The Rinsenji Temple was founded in 1497 by the samurai Nagao Yoshikage (้ทๅฐพ่ฝๅฝฑ1464-1506). Remember the samurai were not only exceptional fighters. They were also highly educated. Eou (ๆตๅฟ1424-1504) was the first head priest of the temple. The current head priest is the 41th head of the temple. Could you imagine the Treasure House of the Temple? When the head priest decides the exact placement perhaps will get a picture.
Honored hardly begins to describe what I feel.
Congratulations to all contributors.
The head priest was extremely gracious and allowed Hikari to enter the temple and take a picture for Literary Revelations.
Hikari, the head priest, Hikari’s painting and our book.
Hikari’s picture of the temple, her art, and a short video she took in the garden of the temple where she painted the original art work for the cover.
If you are in Japan please visit the temple.
You can check out the book here.
Thank you everyone! I am truly humbled.
Gabriela
Gabriela Marie Milton 2022 Pushcart Prize Nominee Publisher, Editor, Award Winning & #1 Amazon Bestselling Author
In the US “Petals of Haiku: An Anthology” published byLiterary Revelationwent to #1 Amazon’s bestseller in Haiku and Japanese poetry before the launch day. In the US too the book was and still is a Top Release in Haiku and Japanese poetry, as well as Nature Poetry, and Poetry Anthologies at the hour I write.
In Japan “Petals of Haiku: An Anthology” has reaches #1 Amazon Bestseller in Haiku and Japanese Poetry and Poetry Anthology.
In the UK we have reached Top Release in Haiku.
In Germany we have reached #2 Top Release in Haiku and Japanize poetry. Surprise! Surprise!
I cannot tell you how humbled I am. Thank you to each and one of you for your beautiful haiku. Thank you to our award-winning Japanese artists Hikari (art) and Naoki Kimura (background photo) who contributed to the book cover and who now are my dearest friends.
A glimpse at how the cover evolved:
Beautiful Haiku by Dawn & a promotional video.
cats at the window stare hard at luminous stars, enthralled by heaven
falling star flashes in the night and disappears from sight all too soon
And please remember gifting books is precious. The other day one of my best friends came to visit. I told her that I just don’t know what to do anymore with so many mugs. I asked her if she wants them. She laughed : “Please no, I just threw mine away.”
Books make better presents than mugs!
Gabriela Marie Milton 2022 Pushcart Prize Nominee Publisher, Editor, Award Winning & #1 Amazon Bestselling Author
My lovely contributors & followers, it’s night here. I woke up and found out that Petals of Haiku: An Anthology by Literary Revelations is now a #1 Amazon Bestseller on Japanese & Haiku Poetry. Not only a Top Release but a #1 Amazon Bestseller. I am overwhelmed with joy! Congratulations to all contributors. Special thanks the Hikari @hikari2162554 and Naoki Kimura @cogito_ergo0sum. Special thanks to everyone who supported us.
I am overjoyed.
Gabriela Marie Milton 2022 Pushcart Prize Nominee Publisher, Editor, Award Winning & #1 Amazon Bestselling Author
I was planning to launch Petals of Haiku: An Anthology by Literary Revelations tomorrow May 30. However the book became a New Amazon Top Release before its launch. I am in heaven. Congratulations to all contributors. Thank you to everyone who helped us. Love to everyone.
Gabriela.
You can check the book out here.
Gabriela Marie Milton 2022 Pushcart Prize Nominee Publisher, Editor, Award Winning & #1 Amazon Bestselling Author Books:
The moonโs right-hand pours soul into my flesh pigeonsโ wings bring scents of lilac blooms the air gets drunk with poetry statuary women of the water flaunt their hair within the loneliness of you my heart rotates five equinoxes on a wooden spindle your eyes pour flesh into my soul my body germinates the sounds of growing leaves I wash my hands into the waters of Guadalquivir in the scented night of those who never sleep I say I love you and in one single breath our wedding is transformed in an enraptured death was it the moon? was it the morning dew? perhaps it was the miracle of you
Fuiste tรบ el milagro
La mano derecha de la luna vierte alma dentro de mi carne, los aleteos de las palomas traen aromas de lilas en flor, el aire se emborracha de poesรญa, imaginarias mujeres del agua, sirenas, alardean de cabello. Dentro de tu soledad mi corazรณn rota cinco equinoccios cual uso de madera, tus ojos vierten carne dentro de mi alma, mi cuerpo germina los sonidos de hojas que brotan, lavo mis manos en las aguas del Guadalquivir en la perfumada noche de aquellos que nunca duermen. Digo โte quieroโ y en solo un respiro nuestra boda se convierte en un morir de รฉxtasis. ยฟFue la luna? ยฟFue el aroma de mayo? Quizรกs fuiste tรบ el milagro.
Literary Revelations recently published Echoes Lost in Stars by PS Conway. The book reached Top New Release on Amazon in all categories: poetry about nature, poetry about love, and American Poetry. It’s a splendid poetry collection. Thank you to everyone who helped us. I am humbled by your support. Those of you who still want to check the book out you can find it here: https://www.amazon.com/Echoes-Lost-Stars-Poems-Conway-ebook/dp/B0CW1HRHB5
Gabriela Marie Milton 2022 Pushcart Prize Nominee Publisher, Editor, Award Winning & #1 Amazon Bestselling Author Books:
St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, 2024 – the date that marked the launch of Echoes Lost in Stars written by PS Conway and published by Literary Revelations (my small independent press). St. Patrick’s is a day that our Patrick loves. Look at his name: PS Conway – all Irish.
We strategized for a while and on the morning of St. Patrick’s Day we launched the book. All authors that I have published became Amazon #1 bestsellers in various categories. Patrick was to become one of them too because he deserved it.
7am, March 17
Patrick and I start the campaign. We are all over the social media: X, FB, IG, blogs. Echoes Lost in Stars rises very quickly to #3 in Hot New Releases [nature poetry]. I am delighted: a gorgeous poetry book, a new victory for my press was to come very soon.
Yet, as the day progressed the ranking of the book did not change as expected.
6:43pm, March 17
No changing in ranking. Patrick and I are up against something big.
#1 LOVE (vol II) by Atticus. I froze. Atticus is a legend: 5 times New York Times Bestselling author, recipient of many awards, one of the idols of the millennials, 1.6 million followers on IG only. Atticus is strongly connected to Hollywood and works with very important humanitarian organizations. You can read more here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atticus_(poet)
#2You Are Here: Poetry in The Natural World, “published in association with the Library of Congress and edited by the twenty-fourth Poet Laureate of the United States, Ada Limรณn… featuring fifty previously unpublished poems from some of the nationโs most accomplished poets, including Joy Harjo, Diane Seuss, Rigoberto Gonzรกlez, Jericho Brown, Aimee Nezhukumatathil, Paul Tran, and more.”
#3 Echoes lost in Stars: Poems by PS Conway, publisher Literary Revelations.
You get the picture. The sky fell on my head. How were Patrick and I supposed to fight the titans? On the one hand I was humbled and honored to be in such company, on the other hand I wanted to get to number 1. Patrick and I regrouped and started fighting again.
12:52 am, March 18.
The raking changes. Echoes Lost in Stars takes over Love byAtticus that falls to number 3.
I am stunned. In a few minutes the ranking changes again and Echoes Lost in Stars takes the lead. It becomes Top New Release. Patrick becomes a #1 bestselling author [category nature poetry]
March 18, past middle of the night.
I rush to make two blog posts and to post on X. I am still in disbelief. I watch the raking the entire night. At 7am in the morning Patrick goes back to number 2 and then to number 3.
March 18, 10:03 pm, the hour that I write this blog
Patrick’s book is back to number 2. I am delighted.
I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to those of you who have taken the time to read my story. Your support and engagement mean the world to me. Special thanks to all my supporters of my blogs. Special thanks to my beloved writing community on X.
This experience has been incredibly enlightening and has taught me so much about myself and about running a boutique publishing house like Literary Revelations. It has pushed me out of my comfort zone and challenged me tremendously.
Having to fight LOVE (vol II) by Atticus and You Are Here: Poetry in The Natural World, published in association with the Library of Congress has not only humbled me but also made me proud of how far I have come on my journey. Having to fight together with Patrick – such a fabulous poet – taught me more about partnership.
Thank you for being a part of my story, for inspiring me to keep pushing boundaries.
Here’s to many more stories shared, lessons learned, and connections made along the way!
Here is to Echoes Lost in Stars by PS Conway and to Literary Revelations.
Here is to you, my audience!
Gabriela
Gabriela Marie Milton 2022 Pushcart Prize Nominee Publisher, Editor, Award Winning & #1 Amazon Bestselling Author Books:
Below please find my reading of the poem “Dedication” included in Echoes Lost in Stars, by PS Conway. Literary Revelations is proud to publish Patrick’s book on March 17, 2024.
For now I hope you enjoy this poem.
DEDICATION
dedicated to my Susan my Muse when the sun refuses to enlighten me heighten my senses see things more bright even midst the depths of night when stars remind me that all is lost that all is empty and bare she takes my hand guides me to a place where loves lies hidden seductive and deep she keeps my heart secure in that darkness my angel ~ my Elpis safe evermore in her care
Gabriela Marie Milton 2022 Pushcart Prize Nominee Publisher, Editor, Award Winning & #1 Amazon Bestselling Author Books:
Below please find a beautiful poem included in PS Conway’s Echoes Lost in Stars poetry collection. Literary Revelations will publish PS Conway’s fabulous book on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, 2024 (tentative date) to celebrate PS’ Irish origins. You can read PS’ bio and more poetry here. I hope you enjoy the poem and the reading.
born anew
to live in such gratitude born anew โ because of you
each sunrise feels warmer when you hug me โ hold me
each garnet sip of wine tastes thicker โ burns richer
to kiss those lips so full then swim again in those eyes
each moment of quiet reveals โusโ in the silence
all goodness paid forward so selfless โ such kindness
to be your forever born anew โ because of you
alive in such gratitude
PS Conway
Gabriela Marie Milton 2022 Pushcart Prize Nominee Publisher, Editor, Award Winning & #1 Amazon Bestselling Author Books:
Welcome to Cyber Monday at Literary Revelations. This season please do not forget to shop for book. Literary Revelations has three #1 Amazon Bestsellers. All poets who contributed to those volumes are fantastic.
‘Books are a uniquely portable magic.’
Stephen King
Hidden in Childhood: A Poetry Anthology (Literary Revelations, January 2023)
A #1 Amazon bestseller [New Hot Releases in Poetry Anthologies]
Description:
From authors featured on NPR, BBC, and the New York Times, and from emerging poets, comes a monumental anthology in which every poem sends shivers down your spine. Childhoodโs joy and trauma expressed – with stunning talent and sincerity – by over 150 poets in more than 280 poems. Childhood spaces magnified by the human memory, populated by good and bad, by trips to hell and heaven, in an almost Hieronymus Bosch type of atmosphere. Over 150 voices call you to read this book. Read it. You will learn that childhood never goes away. You will be reminded of the beauty of the seraphim and the need to protect children from any form of abuse. 150 voices knock on your door. Open the door. A chorus of childhoods will tell you that our children need love.
Literary Revelations is proud to bring you this anthology and deeply grateful to all contributors for pouring out their hearts into the pages of this book.
Love, Stars, and Paradigms by Swarn Gill (Literary Revelations, April 1, 2023)
#1 Amazon bestseller in the US, the UK and Canada [Category: Love Poems]
Description:
Swarn Gill’s poetry collection, Love, Stars, and Paradigms is a must-read for anyone looking for original and stunning poems about love, social, and political issues. Through his work, Gill explores the connection between the natural realm and the human condition with an eye for detail that is both captivating and thought-provoking. Through powerful imagery and vivid language, he paints his own unique perspective on the world around us. Whether it’s about heartache or joy, Gillโs words will touch your soul. Love, Stars, and Paradigms is an unforgettable journey through the beauty of love and the complexities of relationships.
Building Sandcastles: A Book of Short Poems by C.X. Turner and James Welsh (August, 2023)
A #1 Amazon bestseller on Hot New Releases – Haiku and Japanese Poetry; on August 13, 2023, features as the #1 bestselling haiku book in the UK.
Building Sandcastles: A Book of Short Poems by C.X. Turner and James Welsh is a spectacular collection. From every page the beauty of haiku and senryu poetry jumps, inscribing itself in the soul of the reader with color, sonority, melancholy, grief, and love. Water, clouds, memories, do not only mark chapters. They become the real soul of the book. The transitory nature of haiku and senryu โ with their delicate and ethereal qualities – is magically transformed by the authors into permanence. That is no easy thing to do. C.X. Turner and James Welsh create a world of splendor and depth that will forever mark those who read the book.
The book showcases seven wonderful sketches done by C.X. Turner. You will find beauty and great substance in them.
Building Sandcastles has received plenty of advanced praise:
Bryan Rickert, Editor: Failed Haiku Journal of Senryu, President: The Haiku Society of America writes: โWith both broad brushstrokes and intimate details, these two poets paint the beautiful experience of their haiku worlds.โ
Joe Woodhouse, Editor: Wales Haiku Journal states that: โIn one breath tender and poignant, in the next stark and arresting, this collection of short poems is a journey of discovery through an evocative series of moments in nature. It is an exploration of that yearning to glean meaning from the chaotic lives we all lead.โ
Roberta Beach Jacobson Editor, Cold Moon Journal and Five Fleas (Itchy Poetry) tells us: โBuilding Sandcastles: A Book of Short Poems, the stunning new collection by C.X. Turner and James Welsh, is a must-have for your shelves. These thought-provoking haiku and senryu left me breathless.โ
Thank you for the visit!
This post will appear in Literary Revelations too.
Gabriela Marie Milton 2022 Pushcart Prize Nominee Publisher, Editor, Award Winning & #1 Amazon Bestselling Author Books:
