My poetry book is published!

My NaNoWriMo success gave me a free proof copy of a self-published book through CreateSpace, so I've published a collection of my poetry, Swimming in the Wild, Wide Ocean, Seasons of Verse: 1989-2009. Yes, I had to dig through boxes in storage and old journals to get back that far! I nixed quite a few deliciously atrocious poems, and I trust that what's left is a good sampling of my thoughts, prayers, and creativity over the years.

Or, as I wrote for the back copy:

"Swim free from me / from this pool out into the / wild, wide ocean." These collected works span twenty years of Amanda Caldwell's poetry, from the tasks of school to the allures of nature, from the joy of married love to the grief of loss, from the first steps of parenthood to the rocky journey of faith. Arranged by season, the poems bring the reader full circle through a representative year of blessings, challenges, and transitions.

Courtney gave me the idea to arrange the poems according to season, one complete year from summer to summer. Steve worked hard designing the cover and proofing for me.

Buy it here at CreateSpace or here through Amazon.

My understanding is that standard shipping is cheaper through CreateSpace unless you're buying enough at Amazon to qualify for the free Super Saver Shipping.

CreateSpace is print-on-demand publishing, so they'll print up as many as you want. So don't be afraid to buy a caseload!

Or, you know, just read some poetry on here for free. Wait, I'm a terrible salesperson.

Poem-a-Day Challenge — April 2009

I returned for the 2009 PAD Challenge by Robert Brewer of Poetic Asides.

I even managed to post each of my thirty poems into the comments on his blog, so hopefully soon I'll receive a certificate of completion for my efforts in keeping up!

Last year's PAD Challenge is what first alerted me to the November National Novel Writing Month, which culminated in the birth of my first novel, a murder mystery that I'm still at work revising. It turns out I write very well on deadlines, and not very much without!

Corin in October 2008

Corin in September 2008

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Surviving your baby’s first year

parenting book review published in Catapult Magazine

Corin in May 2008

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Summer Vacation

No more pencils, no more books,
we chanted in glee,

the possibilities
a sun-drenched openness
in our chests.

When Will I Become?

A Life of the Ages song
lyrics by Steve Lansingh
music by Steve Lansingh & Amanda Caldwell


Download the mp3
Listen online at ReverbNation.com or below (track #5)





Official audio disclaimer/apology

The Delivery

Based on the painting Piazza d’Italia, by Giorgio de Chirico

They shook, and it was a done deal.
He would deliver the lion by train,
On a hot yellow evening
When the shadows stretched long
And the arches of the buildings
Kissed the windows, shuttered
Against the coming night.
The people prepared for the spectacle,
Flags waving gaily on the highest tower.


Plug: This poem was selected as a highlight poem by Robert Brewer! Huzzah!

Poem-a-Day Challenge — April 2008

Most of the following poems from April 2008 are the result of daily prompts from Robert Brewer through his blog Poetic Asides.

In honor of National Poetry Month, Robert hosted a Poem-a-Day Challenge so that participants would end up with thirty poems (or drafts of same) by the end of the month. I found it deliciously inspiring, and I'll present most of the poems here. Some I'm hiding due to privacy issues, and some because they're truly execrable. A poet has to have some sense of pride, right?

I've Become My Mother

essay published in Catapult Magazine

How to Give Great Gifts

article published in Catapult Magazine