Some books make the A List, and some books make the O List.
In February, T.S. Poetry Press, known for poetry and memoirs, published its first novel, The Whipping Club by Deborah Henry. It is the story of a child placed for adoption, and years later, his birth parents learn that he wasn’t adopted as they had been told, but is in an orphanage – an institution that is more about child abuse than child care.
“Deborah Henry is a natural storyteller and she is far more, ” says Pulitzer Prize-winning author Robert Olen Butler. “Her novel The Whipping Club is a compelling read, but it also seriously explores the terrible ways the world –as a society, as individuals—often fails its children. And most importantly, her book offers a searingly lovely vision of how wrongs can be made right. Deborah Henry is a splendid young novelist who deserves a wide audience.”
The novel is about to get that audience. This week, O Magazine—O as in Oprah—published its list of the 29 hottest reads for the summer – and The Whipping Club is on the list.
It made the O List. O my goodness.
Here at TweetSpeak Poetry, we’re celebrating Deborah Henry’s book and its O-list recognition. Like the secrets buried in The Whipping Club, we’re burying some secret words – secret O words.
Three different words will be available in our blog posts each day. For example, you might see #Oprah, and you might see #Ovation, and you might see #Onyx. Or three other O words. (Personally, I like the word #Oleander.) Look for the hashtag symbol (#) in front of an O word.
Then write a poem or take a picture, using or illustrating the secret word. Post the poem or picture on your blog, Twitter, or Facebook, with a link back to this post. Then stop in and share your post link with us in this comment box, and you’ll be entered in the 14-k-gold-secret giveaway (one necklace—winner’s choice—from the options below). Multiple entries, each using a different secret word, are perfectly acceptable.
The contest ends on Friday – this Friday, June 15, at 9 p.m. Eastern time. One winner will be picked at random and announced here at TweetSpeak on Monday, June 18. The more you share, the more chances you have to win! Just remember to link to us and to come back and share your post link with us HERE.
In addition to the O secret word contest, for two weeks only, the Kindle price of The Whipping Club will be $2.99. (I bought mine yesterday.)
Congratulations to Deborah Henry and T.S. Poetry Press. And start looking for those secret O words.
Post by Glynn Young, author of Dancing Priest: A Novel
___________
Check out The Whipping Club, by Deborah Henry!
“A powerful saga of love and survival.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
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LjDowns says
Must poems use all three of the daily words, or can you use just one or two to be eligible?
L. L. Barkat says
Just one is fine for each poem. 🙂
Nancy Franson says
Alas, I don’t write poetry. But I’m downloading my copy as soon as I finish typing this comment. So very happy about all of this.
L. L. Barkat says
Shoot, Nancy, you could try something really small. Like a haiku-ish kind of thing. What could it hurt? 🙂
Glynn says
You can also take a photo — like an old #Oldsmobile, or an #onion.:)
L. L. Barkat says
Well, only if the Oldsmobile or the onion was a secret word. 🙂
But you’re right, Glynn! She needn’t write a single poem (darn 😉
Will Willingham says
Oh, yay! We’re nesting.
Sort of like orioles.
Which sounds a lot like Oreos.
Nancy Franson says
Well didn’t you all have fun without me here this afternoon?
You know, oodles of good words begin with the letter O.
Like Owens. And Orangutan. Not that those two are related.
In any case, We’ll see if I’m able to wax poetic. Or onomatopoeia-tic. Another good O-word, no?
I’m just happy to have gotten the book for $2.99.
Carry on.
SimplyDarlene says
Congrats to miss Deborah and TS Poetry Press.
Blessings.
Jennifer@GDWJ says
Ok. So I can take a photo, but NOT of my bowl of Cheerios, right? I don’t have any onyx or oleander around here. I do have cows who could moooooooooo an #ovation. ( <—— see all those Os in Moo?)
🙂
Shelly Miller says
It only takes one person of influence to garner the attention of distracted bystanders. So happy Oprah noticed the book and shouted it to the masses. Yay! Wish I was a poet, I would join the party here. I’ll just linger in the creativity of others.
Lexanne Leonard says
My poem “Ovation.” What a fun way to spend the week. Thank you for inspiring me to play with words.
http://leximagines.com/2012/06/12/ovation/
Bradley J. Moore says
So proud of you guys! BIG HUGE CONGRATULATIONS. This is worthy of shouting from the mountaintops. Or else, just quoting a celebratory poem. Either way, NICE!
Tania Runyan says
Great announcement, Glynn! Well done!
Connie Cornwell Chipman says
#Once
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001XV7IJG/ref=cm_sw_r_fa_dp_Cia2pb18V2WXT
You Only Live Once Poster Movie 11×17 Henry Fonda Sylvia Sidney Ward Bond William Gargan
http://www.amazon.com
You Only Live Once reproduction Approx. Size: 11 x 17 Inches – 28cm x 44cm Style A mini poster print Pop
Connie Cornwell Chipman says
Here’s the poem to #Once
O’ He knew without a doubt
what they craved,
the crowd was wooed
once the jazzman played
L. L. Barkat says
Connie, can you leave the link to where you posted a link back to us? Thanks 🙂
Connie cornwall chipman says
Sorry LL,
The return link is added on my Facebook
Page. http://www.facebook.com
L.L. Barkat says
you’re doing great. No worries! 🙂
LjDowns says
“Footprints of Oleander,” my poem from yesterday’s challenge. http://bit.ly/KEAMMK
L. L. Barkat says
Thanks, Leah. 🙂 Love that you wrote a poem!
For the entry to count, it must link back to this post. Let us know when you’ve added the link 🙂
LjDowns says
Thanks LL, link added!
Grace Marcella Brodhurst-Davis says
Here’s my poem to #Outside
“Destiny”
Outside of myself
I can see how
The wind blows
Breath into me,
But can’t seem
To see how
Breath in me
Can erase the cacophony
Of deep-hued memories
Of my being
Though knowing
Such breath,
I pulse towards
My innermost calling
To free myself to be
L. L. Barkat says
Let us know where you posted the link to us, to qualify for the contest 🙂
Grace Marcella Brodhurst-Davis says
Sorry about that. Here is the link:
http://gracebrodhurstdavis.blogspot.com/2012/06/destiny-outsideof-myself-ican-see-how.html
Lexanne Leonard says
Oh, having fun with O words. I love rocks. Here’s my poem for today.
http://leximagines.com/2012/06/13/onyx/
Connie Cornwell Chipman says
#Obsession
Obsession absorbed deep into my soul,
fostering burning passions
of hot rhythm ready to spill out
with spastic vigor,
that has taken over
my body as the music’s jump jiving,
fast and free.
faceboo.com
Connie Cornwell Chipman says
oops scratch the #Obsession poem
Connie Cornwell Chipman says
#OLD
I can’t find the words
to play.
Oh! You said to check
the post today.
Just look for words
that start with #O,
which you will find in
the link below.
I’m blind and daft,
how I feel #OLD
I’ll go to link that you did show.
facebook.com
path of treasure says
I wrote a poem using the word #operate; the link is here:
http://waysidewordgarden.wordpress.com/2012/06/14/sign-on-the-dotted-line/
Thanks for the fun and chances to win! 🙂
path of treasure says
I have another poem to share, titled “Dripping”, using the word #outpost. 🙂 Here is the link:
http://waysidewordgarden.wordpress.com/2012/06/14/dripping/
Thanks so much!
Lexanne Leonard says
My last poem, a tanka, for the contest: #obsession
http://leximagines.com/2012/06/14/obsession/
Thank you. This has been such fun!
Ellen EtCetera says
Darn. I honestly cannot figure out how this contest works. I click “blog” and it takes me back to the home page, referencing a daily blog that I can’t seem access. Are we supposed to be using the words #Oprah, #Ovation, #Onyx, or #Oleander? I was making the assumption those were examples and that the “real” secret words would be found elsewhere, but where? I am #obscured, #out-of-it, and #overwrought! Can you #oblige?
L. L. Barkat says
Seems you figured it out—that every morning post this week had the secret words. Love all the poems you offered up!
Oprah, Ovation, Onyx, and Oleander were the words for that post (sneaky Glynn).
You crack me up!
Darlene Kuykendall says
This song, by Human League plays in my head every time I covet a new pair of shoes; Especially the last two verses. Shoes…My Obsession!
You are an obsession
I cannot sleep
I am your possession
Unopened at your feet
There’s no balance
No equality
Be still I will not accept defeat
I will have you
Yes, I will have you
I will find a way and I will have you
Like a butterfly
A wild butterly
I will collect you and capture you
CHORUS:
You are an obsession
You’re my obsession
Who do you want me to be
To make you sleep with me
You are an obsession
You’re my obsession
Who do you want me to be
To make you sleep with me
I feed you I drink you
My day and my night
I need you I need you
By sun or candlelight
You protest
You want to leave
Stay
Oh, there’s no alternative
Your face appears again
I see the beauty there
But I see danger
Stranger beware
A circumstance
In your naked dreams
Your affection is not what it seems
CHORUS
My fantasy has turned to madness
And all my goodness
Has turned to badness
My need to possess you
Has consumed my soul
My life is trembling
I have no control
I will have you
Yes, I will have you
I will find a way and I will have you
Like a butterfly
A wild butterly
I will collect you and capture you!
SHOES SHOES SHOES!!!
Ellen EtCetera says
{ Like so? }
https://twitter.com/#!/EllenSka
Someday Bruno Mars
will get his wish to stand with
Oprah and the Queen
https://www.tweetspeakpoetry.com/2012/06/12/oprah-summer-reading-list-14k-gold-giveaway/
Ellen EtCetera says
https://twitter.com/#!/EllenSka
old pond /
Basho’s frog /
keeps jumping in /
… https://www.tweetspeakpoetry.com/2012/06/12/oprah-summer-reading-list-14k-gold-giveaway/comment-page-1/#comment-11013
Connie Cornwell Chipman says
#ONLY
It’s easy to imagine something astounding
if only we would take the time to look.
Sadly, I only glimpsed.
Time marches on, and it’s in those
happy hours of slumber,
when the imagination flashes…
like Galvani’s spark, that
in blink of an eye
the past, present, and
future no longer have
restraints of time.
https://www.facebook.com/?sk=welcome#!/chipmancs
Ellen EtCetera says
outside the trailer /
blackberry bushes getting bigger /
Internet won’t connect /
https://twitter.com/EllenSka
Robert says
http://www.kwikdrysystems.com/interact/2012/06/15/poem/
Robert says
http://www.kwikdrysystems.com/interact/2012/06/15/outside/
Ellen EtCetera says
https://twitter.com/EllenSka
travels under Ice Moon /
with only dream-stories /
to show / ….
Ellen EtCetera says
9. The little dog is scratching,
and let this be a lesson
to guard, lest flea-like Hashtags
turn into an #obsession.
https://twitter.com/#!/EllenSka
L. L. Barkat says
Obsession indeed! I’m smiling over all these O poems, Ellen 🙂
Ellen EtCetera says
8. Our hungry flea-ro Hashtag,
looking rather like a ghost
hopped a passing poodle—
a much more posh #outpost.
https://twitter.com/#!/EllenSka
Ellen EtCetera says
7. Finding insufficient,
said Doc, “#Our deed is done,”
And with a flick of finger
he sent Hashtag along.
https://twitter.com/#!/EllenSka
Ellen EtCetera says
6. “We’ll have to #operate quickly,”
said the doctor to the nurse.
“Is she qualified for surgery?
How much money’s in her purse?”
https://twitter.com/#!/EllenSka
Ellen EtCetera says
5. The lady’s flailing propelled her
to a doctor’s office nearby.
(One does not expect an #ovation
when a flea is in one’s eye.)
https://twitter.com/#!/EllenSka
Ellen EtCetera says
4. Resourceful little Hashtag
climbed on an #oleander
and jumped into a lady’s eye
(though seeking doggy dander).
https://twitter.com/#!/EllenSka
Ellen EtCetera says
3. The sidewalk is a bad place
for a Hashtag flea’s loose ends.
An #Oxford shoe just missed him
—we thought it was the end.
https://twitter.com/#!/EllenSka
Ellen EtCetera says
2. One might not even see
A flea as black as #onyx
Jumping on the sidewalk
flexing both his drumsticks.
https://twitter.com/#!/EllenSka
Ellen EtCetera says
1. #Once upon a time
a tiny little flea,
whose name by chance was Hashtag,
detached himself from me.
https://twitter.com/#!/EllenSka
Rosanne Osborne says
#operation
O Solitude
Solitude is the operation
of the soul in search of itself.
It’s in the dead center
of soundlessness
that vitality’s insistent
reminder can be heard.
The crunch of ant feet
descending into dust,
their mission mandated
by singular intelligence,
beating a rhythm
that the soul knows.
Rosanne Osborne says
#Oxford
Layoffs
Oxford cloth shirts are as indestructible
as he believed his career to be.
His was a buttoned-down theology
of work, an ethic that took the starch
and rendered crisp collared authority
its due. Locked from his office,
he slumped in the pile of rumpled
threads waiting for someone
to see his worth, restore his press.
L. L. Barkat says
Rosanne, just a quick note… the entries must be posted elsewhere and link back here to qualify for the contest. Other than that, we simply welcome your poems (and that’s no simple thing either, is it? 🙂
Rosanne Osborne says
Actually the challenge of the game is more interesting to me than jewelry.
Here’s the link to the first one.
#operation http://poetryhawk.blogspot.com/2012/06/o-solitude.html
And the second:
#Oxford
http://poetryhawk.blogspot.com/2012/06/layoffs.html
Rosanne Osborne says
Actually, I’m more interested in the game than winning the prize.
Here are my links:
#operation
http://poetryhawk.blogspot.com/2012/06/o-solitude.html
#Oxford
http://poetryhawk.blogspot.com/2012/06/layoffs.html
Grace Marcella Brodhurst-Davis says
#Oxford
“Oxford Comma”
Oh! Such dilemma!
Over Oxford comma
Old country of mine
Says,
‘Lose it not!’
Others say,
‘In the gutter!
Too much clutter!’
Haters love the brevity
Lovers, the history
Or perhaps utility?
This serial comma,
Such an innocent fella,
Breathes such life
In naysayers,
Yet breeds
So strongly
Among players
This English mystery,
To everyone’s worry,
Is still very much alive
In World’s ever-changing drive
http://gracebrodhurstdavis1.blogspot.com/2012/06/oxford-comma.html
Ellen EtCetera says
ruffled crow feather
hot suburban sidewalk
one pecked plum
https://twitter.com/#!/EllenSka
Ellen EtCetera says
Easter, and the weight of this Resurrection
Throwing off the burden of sorrow
A too-tight shoe removed
The pain of recirculating blood
Restoring the body with a sharp aliveness
(more at http://tinypaste.com/9e4e947a ) https://www.tweetspeakpoetry.com/2012/06/12/
Ellen EtCetera says
in the field beyond,
circus tents lime green & pink
odds bodkins!
https://twitter.com/EllenSka
Connie Cornwell Chipman says
#ONE.
https://www.facebook.com/chipmancs#!/chipmancs
Dolly@Soulstops says
Wow! Congratulations! How exciting!
http://tinyurl.com/karlwarn05095 says
“Oprah Summer Reads 14-k Gold Giveaway – Tweetspeak Poetry” was indeed a delightful
post, can’t help but wait to go through much more of your blogs.
Time to waste a lot of time on-line lol. Thanks for your effort
,Jillian