Happy National Poetry Month !

Tomorrow is Poem in Your Pocket Day! 

Started in 2002 in NYC, this annual tradition invites people to tuck a poem in their pockets and share the poem with others throughout their day. 

If you're still looking for the perfect poem to carry around with you tomorrow, you can access (and then print) online versions of some of the poems in my collection Words or Water by clicking here. 

In honor of National Poetry Month, I'm also sharing some suggestions on how you can give the poets (and writers) in your life some LOVE this month and all throughout the year. Scroll down for my monthly blog round up, and to read: 

FIVE WAYS TO SHOW POET & WRITER FRIENDS SOME LOVE

And for the little ones in your life, check out this list I compiled of Poetry Picture Books. 

Finally, I would be remiss if I didn't mention once again that I, myself, have a poetry collection out in the world. You can click here to grab a copy of Words or Water, and also to read poems in the collection, reviews, and an interview with Suset Laboy about the chapbook and other writing projects.  

Enjoy! And Gracias, Gracias, Gracias!

P.S. HIT REPLY: How will YOU celebrate POETRY this National Poetry Month?

P.P.S. Don't forget to Check Out and/or Leave a Review for Words or Water Today!

Click Here to Access Any of the Following March Blog Posts:

• 3/28: The Muse & The Marketplace Conference: You Need a Website (includes "Conferencing with Intention" worksheet)
• 3/21: AWP 2019 Here I Come! Setting Intention to Make the Most of YOUR Conference Experience (includes "Conferencing with Intention" worksheet)
  
• 3/8: Comelibritos' Corner: Picture Books Celebrating Women's History Month and International Women's Day
  

Click Here for the Photo Recap: AWP and The Muse & The Marketplace 

• It took me about a week to recover from travelling to both AWP and The Muse & The Marketplace conferences in late March / early April. I had a blast at both, and you can check out some of the photos from my conference adventures by clicking the link above.

1. PURCHASE THEIR BOOKS

Call me Captain Obvious, but when was the last time you bought a collection of poetry? Nothing makes your poet and writer friends happier than seeing their books in your hands.

While you're at it, take a picture with said book, share on social media, and tag your author friend. They'll love you forever!

2. REQUEST THEIR BOOKS FOR YOUR LOCAL LIBRARY 

Maybe you're working on a minimalist library or the budget is just too tight and you can't invest in more books at the moment. I get it. Trust me. I get it.

Many libraries let you place order requests online. There's no guarantee that they will order books you request, but it never hurts to ask.

The next best thing to ordering your author friends' books, is asking your library to order your author friends' books. (If you have A LOT of author friends, you might want to pace yourself on this step, so you don't overwhelm your library with requests).

3. TEACH OR RECOMMEND YOUR FRIENDS' BOOKS TO YOUR EDUCATOR FRIENDS

If you teach poetry, teach some contemporary poets. If you know someone who teaches literature recommend your friends' books to those educator friends as they tweak their syllabi.

Poets write to be read, so any way you help spread their works will fill their hearts with joy this National Poetry Month and all year long. And this applies to all genres -- teach contemporary authors and show these hard working writers some love.

4. INVITE A POET TO READ AT YOUR SCHOOL, PROGRAM, EVENT, ETC. (AND COMPENSATE THEM). AND / OR ATTEND YOUR WRITER FRIENDS' EVENTS.

Poets also write to be heard, and many of us love to share our work with an audience.

Educators can teach a poet's work, then invite the poet to speak to the class (in person or via Skype).

Cultural Events and Programing often benefit from a poet's contribution.

Writers love to share their work, but please remember it's not called "work" for nothing, so DO offer an honorarium or some form of compensation for their WORK.

For inspiration, click here to check out some of the events I've participated in recently (and feel free to Hit Reply if you'd ever like to discuss how I might share my work with your audience).

5. GIFT, RECOMMEND, AND REVIEW YOUR WRITER FRIENDS' WORKS 

There really is nothing quite like word of mouth advertising.

If you love your friends' poems, novels, memoirs, essays, etc., then talk them up every chance you get.

Tell your friends, family members, colleagues, acquaintances about your friends' works.

Gift signed copies of your friends' books over the holidays.

Take Book Selfies and share those pics on social media, spreading your friends' book covers far and wide. 

Share links to their poems and books on social media. 

And if you do NOTHING ELSE this National Poetry Month, leave your friends' books reviews on Amazon. Stop and do this for one of your poet friends' books RIGHT NOW.

(If you've already read Words or Water, it would mean SO much to me if you took a moment to leave a brief review).

It might not seem like a big deal, but those reviews -- even brief ones -- can go a long way.

I posted the photo below from Tall Poppy Writers on my Facebook page last month as a reminder of how impactful those Amazon reviews can be for an author.

I hope this list has inspired you to show your Poet & Writer Friends some LOVE today and all throughout the year! HIT REPLY and let me know how you plan to shower your poet and writer friends with LOVE today.

I'll be back in your inbox next month with more book recs and writing life updates!

Abrazos again,

Li Yun