A couple months ago I was asked by Monsters Next Door editor, LB Goddard if I would care to contribute something to an upcoming poetry anthology. Would I? I was so flattered to be invited to submit that I practically turned myself inside out in my haste to say ‘Yes, yes I would!’. Then, of course, I had to think of something to write. Easier said than done.
I put a ridiculous amount of pressure on myself to come up with something -good-. Something scary but with depth, haunting and evocative. You know what I found out? You can’t force that and it wasn’t going to happen LOL So I went with cheesy. I love cheesy horror, and apparently LB doesn’t mind it either because everything I submitted got in 🙂
The first piece of mine is called “Zonnet” and is, as the name sort of implies, a zombie-themed sonnet. I don’t actually like sonnets because I dislike iambic pentameter (the extra foot makes it awkward, I prefer iambic tetrameter, but we’ll get to that later). Still, I do enjoy taking a traditional/pretentious format like the sonnet and writing it about something as irreverent as zombies. This specific poem was directly influenced by S.G. Browne’s zom-rom-com Breathers.
My second poem is “Lycanthroku” which is a series of three shapeshifter-themed haiku, followed by “Lycanthrick” which is a werewolf limrick Jo and I composed while I was using him to bounce poem ideas off. I’m a fan of “Lycanthrick” all by itself, but it’s got an extra special spot in my heart because it’s the first time Jo and I have shared a byline. Awww /gush
I rounded out my submission with “The Sepultress” which is a reprinted poem I wrote in iambic tetrameter, because I like it far more than pentameter. Just sayin’ 😉
The book, Scattered Verses, Moonlit Curses, also features the work of Alexis Child, Charlotte Gledson, Natalie Sin, Julie “Cannibal Rose” Thielen, LB Goddard, Shells Walter, Richard Fay, Benjamin Bussey and Brian Beemer. I’ve not read it all yet, but I have looked through enough to suspect that cheesy horror wasn’t the style of choice for most people, happily, I don’t mind being different. I hope to read it sooner rather than later and share my impressions, but I haven’t had a chance yet. In my defense, the book just came out yesterday LOL
Rhonda,
Your contributions were priceless. I am, of course, beating myself up over the fact that my computer was toying with me throughout the process of creating this book. I only hope that you, and all the other talented people involved, can look past any tiny errors that may have slipped under the radar. I swear, my computer was/is possessed! On the whole, the book is fantastic. I am proud… no–honored–to associate with such strange and wonderful writers. Oh… and if it’s cheesy you seek to feel that you’re in good company, remember to check out Natalie Sin’s contributions! That girl is one pistachio short of a nut bowl.
Ah, well. I better go. My home computer still isn’t fixed. I’m on my mother’s right now. I came across your blog while googling my own name. lol. It wasn’t for the sake of vanity. I lost an important link to an old story! 🙂 Glad I googled, though. Strange what pops up!
Congrats, ToC-mate!
I perfectly understand feeling that mixture of flattery and anxiety. I pretty much felt the same. Thank goodness LB took reprints as well; being deep in a “drawing” mood, I struggled to come up with a pair of new poems to send her way.
I haven’t gotten a chance to read through the anthology yet (I’ll wait until my contributor’s copy arrives), but I do remember reading “The Sepultress” previously. I was impressed.
By the way, there is nothing wrong with cheesy horror. Cheesy can be just the thing when you’re in a cheesy mood.
Cheers!
Thanks LB 🙂 You really know how to make me feel special. I hope your computer gets fixed soon and stops messing you around.
Hiyas Richard 🙂 It’s about time you and I shared a ToC, don’t you think? I’m also waiting for my contributor’s copy to arrive before reading through the whole thing but I think it will be awesome. I agree about cheesy, there is nothing wrong with cheesy…as long as you recognise that is what it is 🙂