Seeing Beyond {My Poem Book + a Giveaway + More Exciting Stuff}

| Allison

Hello, my friends!

I WROTE ANOTHER BOOK! AND… OTHER EXCITING STUFF! In this post I shall reveal my newest poem book, introduce you to my editor, and start a lovely giveaway to kick off the book launch! 

You ready for the most exciting post I’ve made all year? Okay, I’ve hyped it up enough. LET’S DO THIS!

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My third and newest book, Seeing Beyond: a little book of poems, is now available for sale right here!

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Hold on, though. Before we get into the book + giveaway details, I have another announcement. We figured five months has been long enough to wait, so… guys, meet my editor who is also my boyfriend! Sully deserves a post to himself because 1) he’s amazing, 2) I like to talk about him, and 3) I’m sure you guys would enjoy our story, but I’ll save that for another time. For now, I just wanted to introduce the guy who appears in several of these poems. 😉 (Also Sully has sneaked onto the blog once before; most of the questions in this post are ones we asked each other in our texts!)

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Sully kindly edited my poem book for me since he’s a professional editor, and my friend Aria gave me feedback on practical details like the cover design (and also took all the pictures with my face in them in this post). I love how the cover turned out. The rich, matte finish and simple, striking colors just make me happy.

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The navy and yellow color palette ties into the poems inside: some are filled with starry nights and some with sunlight. Some deal with the hardest parts of life, like death and loss and grief, and others with the hope in the midst of it, like light and love and redemption. You’ll never be truly human until you’re able to hold joy and sorrow at the same time.

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The night sky sunflower illustration was my way of conveying the title concept of “seeing beyond.” Poetry gives us the gift of a new perspective, of looking past the outside appearances into the heart of things that are usually hard to describe or imagine. A line of carefully-chosen words can paint a picture of everyday objects in a magical new light.

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Poetry can convey feelings you know well but have never been able to explain. It can grant you fresh eyes for old objects you’ll never see the same way again. In short, it finds “the soul in a body of dust.” Or the night sky in the center of a sunflower. 🙂

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One of the poem titles in here is “mundane holiness.” That’s one of the themes of this book as well as this blog. There is wonder to be found in even the most ordinary things: dust, sunlight, an old glass bottle, even a can of kidney beans. Some of these words are stories about beautiful things, and some of them are about ordinary things seen beautifully. 

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The back cover poem is one of my favorites. Over and over we find ourselves longing for the future to the point where we ignore the blessings of the present. But there is beauty and hope and purpose everywhere if you only have eyes to see it. This book is a reminder not to miss the loveliness right in front of you and not to take this day for granted.

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Most of these 96 poems are blank verse, meaning they don’t rhyme. Two of the most frequently asked questions/complaints about my poetry are “Why do you call it poetry if it doesn’t rhyme?” and “Why on earth are all the words lowercase?” I shall try and answer them both satisfactorily…

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First, I don’t write many rhyming poems mainly because I’m not talented enough to put my words in a box like that and still make them say what I mean. I like the freedom and authenticity blank verse writing conveys. 

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I write poetry because it’s the rawest, deepest form of expression I’ve found. It conveys thoughts, emotions, and stories in a way prose cannot. I love carefully choosing words you can almost taste and see and feel, chopping the sentences into bite-sized lines that divide a thought in unexpected ways, and arranging the words on the paper in a way that’s pleasing to the eye. Basically, poetry is art with words. 

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Which leads to my answer for the second question. I keep everything lowercase as a stylistic choice. Every word bears equal weight on the page which is visually a lot smoother and cleaner. Basically, it helps the flow of the words. It’s also another way of keeping the writing as authentic and stripped-down as possible, so you can focus on the content of the words and not the shape of them.

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I’m going to end this section with something I wrote in my last book release. No book can change the world. But the person reading it can. So if this book reminds you that there’s still a reason to smile; if it shows you that it’s okay to be sad; if it helps you finally feel understood and not alone; if it opens your eyes a little wider to our boundlessly great Creator; and if it stirs you to go into the world and love people, freely and fiercely; my mission is accomplished. 

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It is my sincere hope that God will use the words he placed in my heart to touch the hearts of others as books of poetry and prose have touched my own. That’s why I write and that’s why I want to share my writing with you guys. So… thanks for reading. 🙂

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Phew. I always wax poetic when trying to describe poetry. But now for something slightly more down-to-earth. To celebrate this book release (and also reaching 12,000 followers, ahh THANK YOU GUYS!), I’m hosting a giveaway! The winner will receive…

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  • an autographed copy of Seeing Beyond
  • a beautiful blue and gold notebook
  • a fun face mask (the skin care kind)
  • possibly the softest, fluffiest blanket ever
  • three pretty postcards
  • Seeing Beyond stickers
  • a Seeing Beyond bookmark
8.5 x 11 in

HOW TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY

  • This giveaway is only open to U. S. residents. Nasty ol’ shipping costs… 😦
  • If you’re under 18, please get a parent’s permission before entering since I’ll need your address if you win!
  • Giveaway starts October 9 and ends 12:00 AM EST on October 15. (So I’ll announce the winner in the next post.)
  • Comment on this post to tell me you’re entering the giveaway (and anything else you want to say)! Then enter by clicking “commented on blog post” on the form below. 
  • To get bonus points: share this post to social media. It can be reblogging it, emailing it to a friend, or sharing it on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, etc.
enter the giveaway
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Thanks for sticking with me through this whole post, guys! If you want to go ahead and buy one of my poem books, click the button below. Otherwise, I’ll see you next week!

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Thanks so much for reading, my friends, and have a lovely day!

***Allison***

196 thoughts on “Seeing Beyond {My Poem Book + a Giveaway + More Exciting Stuff}”

  3. CONGRATULATIONS ALLISON! 🙂 Sooooo happy for you. You new book looks amazing and it was lovely to “meet” your boyfriend. I LOVE the sunflower cover. Can’t wait to read it!

    On Sat, Oct 9, 2021 at 11:31 AM A Farm Girl’s Life wrote:

    > Allison posted: ” Hello, my friends! I WROTE ANOTHER BOOK! AND… OTHER > EXCITING STUFF! In this post I shall reveal my newest poem book, introduce > you to my editor, and start a lovely giveaway to kick off the book launch! > You ready for the most exciting post I” >

    Liked by 7 people

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  4. Pingback: Seeing Beyond {My Poem Book + a Giveaway + More Exciting Stuff} // reblog – Dancing for the Holy One

  6. First of all, many congratulations to you. This is really amazing.
    The book cover is very catchy and I like it very much.
    And you are absolutely right about conveying the thoughts thorough poetry. There’s no need to rhyme it every time.

    Liked by 7 people

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  14. I loved reading this post! You and Sully seem like an amazing couple. I absolutely love the cover of your book! The colors go really well together! Great post! Also, i’m definitely entering that giveaway.

    Liked by 8 people

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  15. Pingback: Seeing Beyond {My Poem Book + a Giveaway + More Exciting Stuff} – heyo, its meg

  16. I am entering this giveaway.✨☕️
    🧋🫖Allison, I am so excited about your new poetry book! Thank you sooooo much for what an inspiration you are to me. I absolutely LOVE poetry, The way one can paint a picture with words is just incredible.💛🪴

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  19. This is so amazing!! I totally feel you about blank verse vs. rhyming poetry! I don’t write poems very often, but when I do it’s blank verse/free verse always. XD The book looks so beautiful! (And also so excited to hear about your boyfriend. ;))

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  21. Reblogged this on and commented:
    Heyoooooo my cheerios! Yes, I am reblogging this post because it’s awesome and there is a giveaway, and YES, I’m back! There’s an official update post coming soon. 😉 -Kenechi

    Liked by 5 people

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  24. What a beautiful heart and mindset you have. You have a passion and love for what you do and that certainly shines through! God Bless you and best wishes for getting your words into the hands of those that need to hear them most 🙏🏼
    I am also entering the contest too 😊

    Liked by 4 people

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  28. Wow, how exciting to have produced another book! The cover is beautiful! I’d love to enter the giveaway–what a delightful selection of items. 🙂 Also, I’m glad to “meet” your boyfriend Sully. I was really happy for you (and still am, of course) when I learned about it. Thanks for giveaway, Allison!

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  29. (I heard about this from Kenechi’s blog! Nice to meet you, and lovely blog!)

    Oh, my goodness, that cover/format of your book is GORGEOUS! Congratulations! I’m entering the giveaway. 😀

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  31. Congratulations!!! That is so exciting! I love the cover, that color combo is just PERFECTION. Your poetry is beautiful, and I love the way you’ve made the words into a design on that one example. Beautiful.
    May God bless you in this latest endeavor!✨

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  32. Congratulations, Allison! I’m so excited to read this. The cover is gorgeous. I have your other two books, and your poetry touches my heart. Thank you for all your beautiful art. (I’m entering the giveaway :))

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  34. Allison, I love the cover of your new book, Sunflowers are my favorite! I am probably one of your oldest fans, my granddaughter brought your blog to my attention and I love it! I am amazed at all of your God-given talent and how you share it with all of us! Keep on sharing, you are blessed!

    Liked by 4 people

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    1. Ah, that comment made me smile! Thanks for being a reader for so many years, Mary. I’m so blessed myself to have such lovely people to share my art with. Whatever gifts God has given me I hope to use to spread his love to others.

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  40. Congrats on your new book Allison! You did a wonderful job designing the cover and promoting it. I’m sure the poems are just as lovely! Really love the sunflower cover, it’s gorgeous. So definitely count me in for the giveaway. Wish you great success!!!

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  41. Pingback: A Farm Girl’s Life | Flowing Waters Art

  44. Congratulations, Allison on publishing such a beautiful book of poetry!! I absolutely love the cover design! I’m also so thrilled for you and Sully! By the way, I’m entering the giveaway.

    Liked by 4 people

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  48. Hey! I know I’m new around here. I found this through a reblog! 😁
    Allison, your book looks lovely! (Even my 6yo little brother thought so; he was ooh-ing and ah-ing over my shoulder. 😂) I’m definitely entering!! 💛

    Liked by 4 people

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  49. Oh, girl, this is lovely! I haven’t read any of your books yet, but I’ve loved the poetry that you’ve posted on here. So full of light and beauty. Makes me see things in a whole new light sometimes, and blesses my heart. Thank you!

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