Hello, lovely readers! With Crow Calls Volume Two dropping in a few days, I thought I’d take the opportunity to go into more detail Crow Calls Volume One, and how I came to be a part of it!
I’m going to level with you. Poetry was not something I ever envisioned being part of my writing career. Whenever I daydreamed of making it as an author, it was always a full-length novel I held aloft in my hands. It was always a hefty paperback I was being asked to sign. But writing poetry? Only five months ago, writing poetry was alien to me.
And..to be honest, it still is! I don’t really know what I’m doing with poetry. I don’t follow forms, I don’t follow metre, and most of the time, I don’t even rhyme. I’m now aware that what I write is free verse. Since getting into poetry, however, I have read lots of poetry theory, and have started experimenting with different types. I’m actually quite smitten with the sestina, I’ve written quite a few of those now!
..I realise I’ve digressed. So yes, poetry was completely alien to me. What changed?
If you’re a writer on Twitter, then you may be aware of #vss, which stands for Very Short Story. Every day there is a word prompt, and you have to write a story, within the 280 character limit, using that prompt. I had seen a few of my mutuals taking part in this, and when I asked them about it, they told me it was great for promoting inspiration and productivity. So, I decided that for my New Year’s resolution for 2021, I would do a VSS post every single day.
Taking part in #vss led me to stumble upon a similar concept, this time with the hashtag #crowcalls. This time, it was for dark, gothic themed poetry, hosted by Quill & Crow Publishing House. Well, that was just perfect. A short story every day, but now gothic? Yes please!
So I ended up adding a crowcalls post alongside my VSS post. I adored doing them, still do! Some days, they’re all that give me joy. This went on for a few weeks, and then, out of the blue, I got a DM from Quill & Crow. They explained that they were compiling a poetry anthology from #crowcalls posts across social media, and asked if I would be interested.
This..this was a true pinch me moment. An actual publishing house..liked my poems?? I was actually doing something right?? So, of course I accepted! And have not stopped thanking them since!
Eventually, this led to me meeting my fellow crow calls poets, now known as the Dark Poet Society. Now that I know them all a little better, and have seen more examples of their talent..I’m honestly flawed that I’m part of the Crow Family. These wonderful people are just so so amazing, I’m so honoured to be among their ranks!
Crow Calls Volume One came out, and I’m still riding the high of my first publication. This poetry collection meant so much to me..I was worthy to call myself a writer, a poet!
And now, as quickly as Crow Calls Volume One was established, there is also Volume Two. In the space of but a few months, I have achieved my ultimate goal of being published before I’m 30..twice!
So, once again, thank you so so much to Quill & Crow Publishing House for this opportunity, you helped this small town girl’s big dream of making it as an author. Also thank you to all the poets in the Dark Poet Society, I am so very blessed to know such talented, beautiful souls.
Alrighty, after that feels fest, I’m going to go. I hope you enjoyed reading, and I shall see you soon!
Sophie signing off!
Sophie Brookes 