Poet, Writer, Instructor
In January 2024, Sticks & Stones will begin its sixth year of publishing reviews of poetry collections. Reviewing collections of poetry continues to fascinate me. When I'm deep in a book, I enter a trance-like state. Time slows down as I absorb the lines these poets have so carefully assembled. This is one of the… Continue reading Sticks & Stones: 2023 Book Covers and 2024 Reviews
It started thirteen years ago when I wrote and published my very first review, of Voyeur by Rich Murphy, which appeared in the Winter 2010 issue of Main Street Rag. Fast forward to the end of 2023, and that number has grown to one hundred and fifteen. I’ve placed reviews in Cider Press Review, The Pedestal, Rain Taxi, PRISM, and the Georgia… Continue reading 115 Reviews and Counting
In January 2023, Sticks & Stones will begin its fifth year of publishing reviews of poetry collections. When I started the newsletter in 2018, I wasn't sure how long I would continue it. I didn't really have a plan beyond making sure that I wrote the best possible reviews about the books poets sent me.… Continue reading Sticks & Stones: 2022 Book Covers
Here's to another year of celebrating poetry! Each book I reviewed in 2021 was a tremendous gift. As we endured a second pandemic year, poets wrote about navigating an unquiet and often frightening world, about Nature, humanity, and relationships, about heredity, abuse, and the rewards of long love. In these turbulent times, we need poetry… Continue reading Sticks & Stones: The Fourth Year
Here's to another year of celebrating poetry! 2020 was another amazing year for poetry. Each one of the books I reviewed for Sticks & Stones moved me, from Abby E. Murray's poignant descriptions of being an army wife to Nicole Stellon O'Donnell's depictions of life as a teacher in the remotest parts of Alaska. Due… Continue reading Sticks & Stones: The Third Year
Here's to another year of celebrating poetry! Each one of the books I reviewed in 2019 moved me in unique and unforeseen ways, from Shaindel Beers' harrowing escape from an abusive marriage to Cynthia Anderson's evocative descriptions of the Mojave Desert. These books went with me on road trips, to waiting rooms and hotel… Continue reading Sticks & Stones: The Second Year
Here are the covers of the twenty-five books I reviewed for the first year of Sticks & Stones. As you can see, the covers make a lovely collage, and each one reveals something about the poems inside. Every one of these books was an adventure, a chance to delve deeply into a poet's world, and… Continue reading Sticks & Stones: The First Year
I’ve come to realize something about the reviewing process. Every book I review is unique, and therefore, dictates the type of review it receives. I call this style of reviewing The Exploratory Review, which combines elements of narrative, description, and exposition. In the exploratory review, the book leads the way instead of the reviewer. A… Continue reading The Exploratory Review
In this post, I share my method for reviewing books of poetry. My reviews appear once a month in my newsletter, Sticks & Stones, which is free to subscribers. I read the whole book several times. First, I read it as if I were not planning to review it. I just enjoy the book. I… Continue reading How I Review a Poetry Collection
The first issue of Sticks & Stones, my bi-monthly newsletter, will be delivered to subscribers on Monday, January 1, 2018. Issue 1 features a review of Jenene Ravesloot's poetry collection, titled Sliders, a random poem from the bookshelf, notes from the reading life, and a pithy quote or two. To subscribe, send me an email… Continue reading FREE Poetry email newsletter + interview with Erica Goss