Author Archives: mnies24

Surely you’ve experienced reading a sentence, paragraph, page, maybe more without remembering what you’ve read, because your mind was on something else? I read a whole book, Ivanhoe, and came to the final page without remembering the first. It was probably due to my reading it at night before bedtime, and snoozing in and out […]

I love libraries. One of the most beautiful ones I’ve visited, though unfortunately only briefly, is the Peabody Library in Baltimore. The Library of Congress Thomas Jefferson Building (there are others on Capitol Hill and elsewhere) is another. I hope to visit both again soon. Absent special occasions, typical library visits find me at a […]

I resolved a year ago to not cut my hair until it grew long enough to donate for a wig for those facing cancer treatments. My hair has grown considerably, much longer than it ever had before. And I am finding, apart from the obvious difference in appearance, that long hair gets in the way. […]

Let me add to the cacophony of praises for Stephen King’s memoir “On Writing,” now more than two decades and editions into its success. King is practical and sensible. I read “The Elements of Style” by William Strunk and EB White around the same time, also an excellent book, and much of the same advice […]

I am excited to announce that I have been chosen as a finalist for NDSU Press’s 2020 Poetry of the Plains and Prairies (POPP) Chapbook Award. My chapbook submission, “Returning to the Farm,” highlights experiences growing up on our family’s homestead farm and meditations on revisiting it. It is an honor to be selected as […]

I hesitate from putting up poems or other non-blog posts on this blog because it should be simply that. Additionally, you’re usually unable to publish something you’ve published elsewhere, even if that includes self-publishing on social media or a blog. But the following poem, for what it is, gives a good snapshot into my life […]

I am not an expert on where to submit short stories, poetry, and manuscripts. But I have developed a word document listing where I have sent work, so that I can be sure not to send too much too often or send the same materials either to the same publication at different times or to […]

Can you help me out? My book currently has zero reviews on Goodreads. Could you help change that by clicking on the link below and leaving a review? I would greatly appreciate your consideration! Here is the link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/45690534-sunset-dreams Thanks in advance!

Today, Z Publishing released its 2019 Anthology of Emerging Poets featuring a couple of my poems and the work of more than 60 poets from 20 states. This is a diverse collection of passionate work from new voices. I am excited to have my work included in this anthology. If you’re interested, here is a […]

We had a great evening at My Dead Aunt’s Books in Hyattsville last night—lots of engaging discussion as I and another local author Margie Burns highlighted our books. Thanks to all who attended!