Book Release Day – April 29 – Tight Knots. Loose Threads. Poetry

April 26, 2021

Three more days!

Release Day is an exciting day for any author. It’s exciting to see the words you written – agonized and cried over, rearranged and rewritten – in final form. In this case, I’m speaking about my first collection of poems titled TIGHT KNOTS. LOOSE THREADS. published by Winter Goose Publishing.

I’m more than excited to receive the physical copies of my first collection of poems. A dream come true. I say that with all my books and it’s true! But this week, especially today, three days before the release, time is moving like a super slow, silent snail leaving a slimy trail on a sidewalk! Slow!

Then I remember, everything moves forward as it should. Timing is everything.

I wrote my first poem, a Haiku, as a child in elementary school. I still enjoy the challenge of writing Haiku. I wrote my first poem in 2000 as a wife and a mother of two high school students. Nineteen poems followed. Life changed for me. As a single woman, I wrote over forty poems. Ten years later, I wrote ten poems and realized I had enough good poems for a collection. Between November 2020 to January 2021, I wrote eight more poems.

Then the real work and the stage I love began–rewriting, editing, and finessing. It’s the same with writing novels–I love the editing stage.

When I’m working a painting or writing, I’m often asked,

“How do you know when you’re done?”

I know.

I knew TIGHT KNOTS. LOOSE THREADS. was ready for publication when after the twentieth time (or more) I’d read the poems and didn’t make one single tweak or change. I was finished. The collection was finished and ready for readers. And I’m a picky creative, smile.

It takes a helluva lot for me to say, “I am done. This is finished.” And I always add, “I’ve done my best with what I know today.”

Common question asked of writers are, “Is the story about you?” and “Are all the poems about you?” Absolutely not. Love is universal. We’ve all experienced love, love denied, betrayal, loss, the one who got away, and we’ve all hoped for true love.

I hope you will order a copy of TIGHT KNOTS. LOOSE THREADS. and that you enjoy my words. If you do enjoy the poems, I hope you will consider leaving an honest review on Amazon and Goodreads.

Thank you in advance! Be well!

Eleanor x

ABOUT ELEANOR PARKER SAPIA:

Puerto Rican-born Eleanor Parker Sapia is the author of the multi-award-winning historical novel, A DECENT WOMAN, and her first collection of poetry titled, TIGHT KNOTS. LOOSE THREADS. both published by Winter Goose Publishing. The release date for the collection of poetry is 4/29/2021.

A novelist, poet, artist, and photographer, Eleanor lives in Berkeley County, West Virginia, where she is working on her second historical novel, THE LAMENTS, set in 1926 Puerto Rico

Advance Reader Reviews: TIGHT KNOTS. LOOSE THREADS. Poetry

April 11, 2021

Happy Sunday to you!

This morning, I spent a frustrating time trying to add editorial reviews on the Amazon page of my debut collection of poems, TIGHT KNOTS. LOOSE THREADS. Poetry. It was so much easier in 2019! I definitely need a refresher tutorial.

So for now, in lieu of adding editorial reviews the standard way on Amazon, I’m honored and pleased to share a few of the advance reader’s book reviews as they appear inside TIGHT KNOTS. LOOSE THREADS.

“Loose Threads is the work of a mature woman in her moments of complete openness. This is the writing not of a young thing who has yet to taste the bitter sweetness of betrayal and passion, but a writer who has been loved, stroked, abandoned and, in some ways, betrayed. The writing is evocative in its maturity, rich and varied in its poetics. These poems will appeal to the secret reader who dares to say, ‘Oh yes. I have felt that Yellow Blindfold.’”

—Jack Remick, Montaigne Medal Finalist, BOTYA Finalist, author of Gabriela and The Widow, Citadel, and Satori, poems

“Eleanor Parker Sapia’s first collection of poems offers an intimate look at words between lovers, from the erotic “Sexylandia” to the threat of “Open Wound,” from first glance to final slam of the heart’s door. Sapia’s “parched life” runs fresh and hot with brushes of skin on skin, exchanged glances, tumbles through the annals of deep love, and breaks, only to be brave enough for another reach into intimacy. This is a collection of poems for the lover, the dreamer, and the deep longing of a woman’s willful heart.”

—Julia Park Tracey, Poet Laureate emeritus Alameda CA, author of Amaryllis: Collected Poems

“The challenge women creatives face when applying their authentic voices to their work is often fraught with opposition— most notably when their words threaten to tear away at the careful underpinnings of misogyny, narcissism, emotional abuse, and manipulation. Eleanor Parker Sapia’s collection of poems in Loose Threads not only tore—but they shredded, dismantled, and exposed, and eviscerated––and I’m here for all of it.”

—Sahar Abdulaziz, Award-winning Author of But You LOOK Just Fine and Secrets that Find Us

“The weight of loss and longing permeates the passionate poems in Tight Knots. Loose Threads. by Eleanor Parker Sapia. Sensual and seductive, this collection explores the suffering of love desired and denied, of relationships lost, and of strength regained.”

—Arleen Williams, author of The Alki Trilogy and The Ex-Mexican Wives Club: A Memoir

“Tight Knots. Loose Threads. is a beautiful journey that explores the various phases of love. From the tender love we see in the opening poem Love Language to the anguish in Never Enough to the longing Parker Sapia captures exquisitely in The Wait, this is a collection about a woman unafraid to share her truths and her heart.”

—Nancy Arroyo Ruffin, 2017 ILBA Award Winning Author, author of Live On Purpose and Letters To My Daughter

“Tight Knots. Loose Threads. captivated me from the start. In each poem, we hear the clear, distinct voice of a woman experiencing and contemplating the complex nature of love and relationships. Life and love will always remain delicious, often in heartbreaking mysteries. Eleanor Parker Sapia understands that and shares her truth with disarming honesty and impeccable language.”

—Mary Rowen, author of It Doesn’t Have To Be That Way, Leaving the Beach, and Living by Ear

My deepest thanks and gratitude to all my advanced readers for the gifts of their precious time and generous reviews.

More wonderful reviews to come on Release Day, April 29, 2021.

Remember, you can preorder TIGHT KNOTS. LOOSE THREADS today!

https://amzn.to/3dSiazF

I hope you enjoy my first collection of poems, and if you do, I hope you’ll consider posting an honest review on Amazon and Goodreads.

Thank you and stay well!

Eleanor x

ABOUT ELEANOR PARKER SAPIA

Puerto Rican-born Eleanor Parker Sapia is the author of the multi-award-winning historical novel, A DECENT WOMAN, and her first collection of poetry titled, TIGHT KNOTS. LOOSE THREADS. both published by Winter Goose Publishing. The release date for the collection of poetry is 4/29/2021.

A novelist, poet, artist, and photographer, Eleanor lives in Berkeley County, West Virginia, where she is working on her second historical novel, THE LAMENTS, set in 1926 Puerto Rico.

Q&A: TIGHT KNOTS. LOOSE THREADS. Poetry

What a thrill it is to see my first poetry book, TIGHT KNOTS. LOOSE THREADS. on my Amazon Author Page alongside my first novel, A DECENT WOMAN. Thank you to Winter Goose Publishing for taking a chance on my novel and this collection of poems. I remain grateful.

I realize it’s an hourly thing and Amazon book rankings go up and down, up and down, but an hour ago, TIGHT KNOTS. was still #1 in the Poetry about Death genre, #2 in Poetry About Love, and #2 in Poetry About Love and Erotica. And a bestseller (#27) in Love and Erotica Poetry. It’s always a thrill no matter how many books one has written.

BUY THE BOOK:

https://amzn.to/3dSiazF

So what am I doing publishing my first collection of love poems at the age of 63? Shouldn’t the art of writing love poems be left to the young? Shouldn’t I be on the couch knitting? I love to knit, by the way. Or maybe defrosting the fridge? Doing anything other than writing love poems that my publisher just added to the love, death, and erotica poetry genre categories? Erotica. That makes me smile.

You know what? I should be doing all those things plus writing love poems that will make you cry, laugh, raise your eyebrows, cause your heart to swell, and make you think. Make you think about your past, the present, and yes, of a future with love.

Love is eternal. Love is magical. It doesn’t matter how old you are — we all need love — and love doesn’t solely belong to the young.

Speaking of young, maybe you’re wondering, “Do Eleanor’s adult children know what she’s been up to all these years with her poetry?” The answer is yes! My kids and their loves read an early draft of the manuscript and they are very supportive. Each one is a brilliant writer.

A friend teased that she will know which poems are mine. I said she won’t because we’ve all had our heart broken. We’ve experienced love. We’ve been married, single, and divorced. And no, I’ll never tell which poems are about me. After all, a lady needs an element of mystery.

So, why publish a collection of love poems now?

2020. Isn’t that reason enough? Tragically, over 500,000 beautiful souls died and it broke my heart. Why not? Life is precious and I am celebrating LIFE.

The second reason is for women over 50 and beyond, who sometimes feel invisible, no longer relevant, or stagnant in their day to day and creative lives. It is possible to write a book and to keep writing at any age. Please don’t forget, there’s no perfect time, it always seems too hard, and your words matter.

WE WILL CARE.

Lastly, I dared to publish a collection of poems at 63 because I have been writing poems and stashing them in folders, in desks, and on Word for twenty years. Long enough. If not now, when? Never doesn’t work for me.

The poems gestated and went through enormous transformation. Light was refracted, bent, and everything became clear that it was time to put the poems together and birth this book.

While I may not know all the ins and outs of writing poetry, my heart needed to speak. I listened. Some may say I’m taking a risk, but it doesn’t feel like a risk to me. It feels great! My heart has carried these poems long enough.

Now, I can write more poems and focus on finishing my second novel, THE LAMENTS.

Thank you for pre-ordering your copy of TIGHT KNOTS. LOOSE THREADS. See? I’m thinking positive!

The official Release Date is 4/29/2021. I hope you enjoy enjoy my debut collection enough to post an honest review on Amazon and Goodreads. I already know book reviews are golden gifts to all authors. I thank you in advance.

Stay well, be happy. Never give up on love.

Eleanor x

ABOUT ELEANOR PARKER SAPIA:

Puerto Rican-born Eleanor Parker Sapia is the author of the multi-award-winning historical novel, A DECENT WOMAN, set in 1900 Puerto Rico, and her first collection of poetry titled, TIGHT KNOTS. LOOSE THREADS. both published by Winter Goose Publishing. The release date for the collection of poetry is 4/29/2021.

A novelist, poet, artist, and photographer, Eleanor lives in Berkeley County, West Virginia, where she is working on her second historical novel, THE LAMENTS, set in 1926 Puerto Rico.

When Eleanor is not writing, she facilitates creativity groups for women, tends her gardens, and tells herself she is making plans to walk El Camino de Santiago a second time. Eleanor is the mother of two fantastic adult children and a Chihuahua named Sophie.

Pre-order now! TIGHT KNOTS. LOOSE THREADS. Poetry, 4/29/2021

April 9, 2021

Good morning!

What a brilliant day to share exciting book news!

Today, my debut collection of poems titled TIGHT KNOTS. LOOSE THREADS. Poetry is available for e-book pre-order on Amazon!

The AMAZON release day for the paperback and Kindle version is 4/29/2021!

https://amzn.to/2Qa0MOT

Here is a review from a very kind advanced reader:

“Tight Knots. Loose Threads. captivated me from the start. In each poem, we hear the clear, distinct voice of a woman experiencing and contemplating the complex nature of love and relationships. Life and love will always remain delicious, often in heartbreaking mysteries. Eleanor Parker Sapia understands that and shares her truth with disarming honesty and impeccable language.“

Mary Hogan, author of It Doesn’t Have To Be That Way, Leaving the Beach, and Living by Ear

How thrilling to see my first poetry book on my Amazon Author Page alongside my first novel, A DECENT WOMAN, both published by Winter Goose Publishing. Thank you to Winter Goose Publishing for taking a chance on my collection of poems.

What possessed me to publish this intimate collection of poems? Why now?

Are all the poems about me?

When did I write the poems?

Am I worried this collection of love poems — some sensual, a few erotic — will alienate my readers?

Will I shock readers?

Where do I find poetic inspiration?

Will I publish another collection in the future?

For the answers to these questions, tune in!

I’ll tackle these relevant questions in more April blog posts. The first one will drop tomorrow!

I truly hope you’ll take advantage of the e-book pre-order sale price of TIGHT KNOTS. LOOSE THREADS.

And if you enjoy my debut collection of poems, please don’t forget to post an honest review on Amazon. Many thanks in advance. Book reviews are pure gold to authors.

Be well and get your vaccine.

Eleanor x

ABOUT ELEANOR PARKER SAPIA:

Puerto Rican-born Eleanor Parker Sapia is the recipient of two International Latino Book Awards for her historical novel, A Decent Woman, set in 1900 Puerto Rico. Eleanor is a novelist, poet, artist, and she facilitates creativity workshops designed for women. Eleanor is writing her next historical novel, The Laments, set in 1926 Puerto Rico.