There’s definitely a change in the air as we transition from fall to right-around-the-corner winter – does it inspire you to write a haiku or two? Today I’m welcoming back poet and editor Gisele LeBlanc (who writes as G. R. LeBlanc), to share some news (click
here for our earlier interview). She lives in Atlantic Canada with her husband, son, and canine companion. When not writing, she enjoys simple pleasures: reading, bird watching, and spending quiet evenings at home.
BREAKING NEWS - Friday, 11-11-11 - Gisele's entry into the First POLISH INTERNATIONAL HAIKU COMPETITION received a COMMENDATION today! This was from more than 300 entrants from 41 countries (myself included, but I'm thrilled for her) and the judge was Jane Reichhold. Click here to read her poem. WOO-HOO - OK, back to regularly scheduled programming.... Her fiction, nonfiction, and poetry have appeared or are forthcoming in children’s publications as well as in haiku journals such as
The Heron's Nest, frogpond, Haiku Presence, Notes from the Gean, A Hundred Gourds, Haiku Pix Review, Ambrosia: Journal of Fine Haiku, Prune Juice: Journal of Senryu and Kyoka, A Handful of Stones, and
Modern Haiku.
First, let’s enjoy some of Gisele’s haiku:
after the squall
the tinkling concerto
of sailboats**
Notes from the Gean, December 2010
wild rhubarb
that sudden yearning
for something more**
frogpond, Fall 2011
coastal map
the sand etched
by snails **
Notes from the Gean, June 2011
over stones
the ripple of water
birdsong **
Haiku Pix Review, Summer 2011
Poems ©G. R. LeBlanc
All rights reserved.
More of her haiku can be found
here.
As editor of the online blog journal,
Berry Blue Haiku, she’s extending a hand to those new to the field.
“I love discussing haiku and I look forward to helping other poets gain a deeper understanding of this wonderful form,” she says. “I hope that the knowledge and experience I have learned thus far can offer guidance to others who are just embarking on the haiku journey.”
Since I’m happily on the
Berry Blue Haiku team, I always learn something from Gisele’s comments. If you write haiku, remember we’re open to submissions! We appreciate each one, even those we turn down as not the right fit. I can tell you that the privilege of reading submissions and the privilege of Gisele’s insights have made me a stronger poet.
Here are the details and guidelines about Gisele’s new service:
I am pleased to announce that I am now offering critiques for poets new to haiku. These critiques, which will be conducted through email, should be viewed as an educational opportunity and will aim to offer basic guidance and tips on writing haiku. Also included will be a list of resources, links, and markets.
I would like to offer these critiques to the first four participants free of charge. Once the free critique is completed, participants will need to answer a few basic questions and offer feedback or suggestions on the service.
After these four free critiques have been given, the cost of this service will be 15.00 US or CAD (for 5 haiku), payable through PayPal.
If you are interested in the free critique, or have any questions, please email me at berrybluehaiku(at)gmail(dot)com
**Please note that critiqued haiku will not be eligible for publication consideration for the Berry Blue Haiku Journal; however, participants are welcome to submit other haiku.
Critique Guidelines:
1. Include your name as well as a contact email.
2. Send 5 haiku, pasted in the body of the email to berrybluehaiku(at)gmail(dot)com Also indicate whether your haiku are intended for adults or children.
3. Put HAIKU CRITIQUE REQUEST in your subject field.
**4. Feel free to include any questions you may have regarding haiku, as well as a brief paragraph on how you came to discover the form. (**optional)
5. Please allow up to 2 weeks for completed critiques.
Thank you, and I look forward to reading your work.
Gisele LeBlancClick
here for a direct link to the critique service page.
And for more great poetry, click
here to visit April at
Teaching Authors for the Poetry Friday Roundup.
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