The four-day Clockwork Alchemy Convention was exceptionally fun. I've attended many Sci-Fi and Fantasy conventions, but this Steampunk event was a very genial affair, with gentlemen and ladies strolling amiably through the lobby, halls, and convention rooms. This was this group's second Steampunk convention, and a job well done!
Sales of Echoes, Neo-Victorian Poetry, at my shared Author's Table, did very well, covering the cost of publishing and a bit more. A modest success is far better than none at all, but getting this book into circulation was the plan. I'm also still selling the few copies that remained after the convention. Not bad for a first attempt.
Classic Victorian Poetry Today: The Awakening of Steampunk, which is the first panel I've ever conducted, also went well. Though Friday panels tend to be lightly attended, as was mine, the discussion was lively, two-way, and informative on all sides. I learned many things in trade.
A main topic at the panel involved the validity of rhyming, iambic pentameter poetry today. We discussed the modern prosaic trend in poetry, which was held at bay by the romantic poets until about the time of The Great War of 1914. I spoke on how prose blossomed into acceptance in reaction to that horrendous war, which fractured twentieth century society.
Someone mentioned a documentary they had seen on the oral poetry tradition that is practiced among Japanese families in Hawaii. She added that reading was an oral tradition in earlier times. Someone else referred to a movie about the poet John Keats, titled Bright Star (2009). It was thrilling to witness such informed involvement, which kept the panel moving in perfect circles of discussion.
Given my experience with this panel, and with how well Echoes was received, I am encouraged that the timing of both was spot on. That people would stand before my table and seriously critique Echoes, as did one brilliant young lady, (thank you, Barbara), is a marvel to me, and most wonderfully welcome.
It is so gratifying to see an interest in my work, and to have a printed book of my poems to share. Next step: choose, edit, and otherwise ready more of my poems for a new book. For now, I need to go to the post office and mail a signed copy of Echoes to someone who could not attend the convention. That's one more copy of Echoes out there in the world.
Sales of Echoes, Neo-Victorian Poetry, at my shared Author's Table, did very well, covering the cost of publishing and a bit more. A modest success is far better than none at all, but getting this book into circulation was the plan. I'm also still selling the few copies that remained after the convention. Not bad for a first attempt.
Classic Victorian Poetry Today: The Awakening of Steampunk, which is the first panel I've ever conducted, also went well. Though Friday panels tend to be lightly attended, as was mine, the discussion was lively, two-way, and informative on all sides. I learned many things in trade.
A main topic at the panel involved the validity of rhyming, iambic pentameter poetry today. We discussed the modern prosaic trend in poetry, which was held at bay by the romantic poets until about the time of The Great War of 1914. I spoke on how prose blossomed into acceptance in reaction to that horrendous war, which fractured twentieth century society.
Someone mentioned a documentary they had seen on the oral poetry tradition that is practiced among Japanese families in Hawaii. She added that reading was an oral tradition in earlier times. Someone else referred to a movie about the poet John Keats, titled Bright Star (2009). It was thrilling to witness such informed involvement, which kept the panel moving in perfect circles of discussion.
Given my experience with this panel, and with how well Echoes was received, I am encouraged that the timing of both was spot on. That people would stand before my table and seriously critique Echoes, as did one brilliant young lady, (thank you, Barbara), is a marvel to me, and most wonderfully welcome.
It is so gratifying to see an interest in my work, and to have a printed book of my poems to share. Next step: choose, edit, and otherwise ready more of my poems for a new book. For now, I need to go to the post office and mail a signed copy of Echoes to someone who could not attend the convention. That's one more copy of Echoes out there in the world.
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