I had a delightful lunch with a fellow blogger and friend I got to meet in person for the first time last Friday. It occurred to me that I haven’t gotten permission to say who it was so I’ll just mention I had fun time and I hope we get to meet again soon.
All three anthologies should be headed for the publishing professionals either tonight or Monday. I mentioned in a recent post on one of my blogs that over 50 writers were participating. The actual number is about 40. I added the 23 poets to the then-19 short story writers and came up with a total of 52. I must have been tired that night because 23 + 19 is 42 not 52. I apologize for my error. Since that time two of the writers who initially expressed interest didn’t follow through by the extended deadline so will not be included in these projects.
Below are the writers (poets & short story writers) who were selected and who chose to participate, along with the titles of the anthologies that will feature their creations listed in order of the number of their creations included in the book, and alphabetically by surname when the quantity is the same.
I’m honored such fine writers and their creations are featured in these books. It has been a pleasure working with them. You’ll probably recognize many of the names from the blogging community and/or by the books they’ve written or writing awards they’ve won. For some, I’m delighted to say this is their print publishing debut, for others this is one of many publications in which their work is featured. I love that combination.
Thank you to all who are participating. I appreciate the many thank you cards and notes I’ve received. They touch my heart and inspire my spirit to shine. I am indeed a very grateful man.
Heart Whispers (poetry)
Melody Lowes
Michael McClellan
Heather Rheingold
Russ Towne
Marie Lukasik Wallace
Kim Laettner
Linda Moon
Heather Rheingold
Allison Conway
Terri Kurczewski
Diane Rawn
Jan Beekman
Christine Moran
Imelda Santore
Renate M. Bell
Yvonne Deane
Christine Fichtner
Beth Kennedy
Mimi Krumholz
Sherri Mathews
Marie Pozzanghera
Regina Puckett
Venkataraman L.N.
Slices of Life (Non-Fiction Short Stories)
Russ Towne
Sheri de Grom
Koji D. Kanemoto
Mimi Krumholz
Bill Webb
Teresa Karlinski
Kim Laettner
E.H. Landell
Sherri Mathews
Palpable Imaginings (Fiction Short Stories.)
Russ Towne
William Barrett Burton
Vern McGeorge
Christine Fichtner
Brad Latham Fort
Teresa Karlinski
Sandy Lardinois
Scott Schroeder
With Love,
Russ
Russ Towne's A Grateful Man 
Dear Russ,
How touching! I really look forward to learning more about these writers and of course, you! I thank you so humbly, humbly. Sending big love, joy, and peace. 😉
Here’s to the gift of the whispers of the heart. And here’s to you for honoring their gentle power.
So grateful for your work,
Allison
Your kind comment brightens my day and warms my heart, Allison. Your participation does the same. I’m grateful for the opportunity to have met you online.
Russ
I wouldn’t even be a part of this remarkable effort, were it not for you Russ…thank you for your confidence and insistence. I look forward to reading everyone’s contributions!!
Thank you, Mimi. Your writing from the heart is what inspired my confidence and insistence!
Russ
You know I’m not worthy of such praise – it is your conviction and faith in me that propelled me forward.
Actually, I know nothing of the sort. You are in my judgment indeed worthy of such praise or I wouldn’t be praising you. I greatly enjoy experiencing your creations. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t have invited you to participate in a single anthology, and your work is featured in two.
Russ
So nice to be included in this creative endeavor. It’s an honor. Thank you for the opportunity! I’m eager to read all of the pieces you have selected.
I’m grateful you have chosen to be a part of this project, Rena! Thank you!
Russ
Wonderful, Russ. As always, I appreciate how you are share, with the world, your generosity, appreciation, sensitivity, creativity, connections, and love.
Careful, Ann. With such a wonderful comment, you risk giving to me an even bigger head.
Your comment means a lot to me, Ann. Thank you!
Russ
Oh Russ, my heartfelt gratitude to you as always.
And mine to you, my friend! Thank you for brightening my life.
Russ
♥♥♥
Reblogged this on Pisces and commented:
Fellow creative blogger, Russ Towne, invited me to include poetry in one of three books he is publishing, a poetry book called Heart Whispers. It was an honor to be approached, selected, and included!
Thank you, Russ. I look forward to seeing the finished pieces, and eager to read the complete selections. Wishing you great success and continued creativity,
Renate
Russ’s blog: https://russtowne.com/
(BIG SMILE!) Thank you for the reblog and for your kind comment, Renate. It’s an honor to have you participate in this project!
Russ
A gentlemens Genteman, that you are. Thank you for your guidence and faith, It has been a pleasure and now an honor to call you, not only my Friend, but Mentor.
What a beautiful thing to say! It warms my heart. I believe there is much we can learn from each other, and mentoring is occurring in both directions, my friend. I’m proud to know you.
Russ
I find myself in every moment filled with loving gratitude for you as a mentor and a friend. You have united us with your grace and I’m honored beyond these mere words. Much peace and light to your heart, always~¤
Your comment means much to me. You brightened my day. I’m grateful for the way you brighten my life an honored by your friendship.
Russ
Read your last two pieces on Storyboard recently. It hit me today that I hadn’t received any posts since subscribing here and thought I’d better check..I wasn’t.
At the risk of falling all over myself, my short note of appreciation when Palpable Imaginings released doesn’t reflect how I feel about your acceptance of my stories for these anthologies. I am more than honored at this opportunity. Thank you.
Enjoy your break. See you on your return. I hope today’s ‘Follow’ takes.
Hi! Thank you for checking. I too hope you are able to receive stories via this site. I have several more stories to post (including one I finished today) but am focused on something else for the next week or so (which I plan to mention to everyone soon). I also plan to begin posting more stories at this site and at Storyboard in a week or so. I appreciate your interest, support, and kind comment!
Russ
I’m glad I did. This isn’t the first time I’ve had this experience. Seems once in a while you catch a bump in the WP road.
I’ve experienced the same, but it seems the glitches have been fewer for me in recent months. Perhaps it is growing pains as WP is so popular. I’m grateful I found WP and it led me to you and other wonderful bloggers.
Russ
I ditto that, Russ, about the bloggers I’ve met, you included. Although I’ve barely scraped the surface of what is WP, I like it as well.
I thought you were taking time off? 🙂
I am taking time to focus on other things for a while. I’m not posting and not normally looking at the sites of others at the moment but am responding to comments. I’ll soon be much more plugged in again.
Russ.
A change is as good as a rest. There IS another life other than the blogging world.
No need to respond. 🙂