Good Riddance, 2023.

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Nothing really changes on New Year’s Day. Still, January always feels like the opportunity for a fresh start. So let’s begin the New Year with a new post.

1.      Toward the end of 2023, I had the honor of having a series of lyric essay/prose poem pieces called “The Blues Notes” appear in Dog Throat Journal, a fresh new online publication dedicated to publishing flash fiction and prose poetry. A huge thanks to Victor Sandiego and the staff at Dog Throat Journal for appreciating my creative vision.

2.      2024 just started, so I’m hoping you haven’t fallen into an abyss of cynicism yet. If not, and if you are looking to turn the corner toward success this year - check out my recent post on Medium titled “Mastering These 24 Concepts Will Help You Crush 2024.” I’m honest enough to admit nothing I say by itself is groundbreaking, but if you successfully incorporate the 24 mini-habits listed in this article into your daily routines, I’m certain you will hit new heights.

Until my next post – be good.

https://dogthroat.com/issue/2023.12/the-blues-notes-by-adrian-s-potter

https://medium.com/@adrianpotter/mastering-these-24-concepts-will-help-you-crush-2024-9b43828def4c?sk=c6e85cdb9f7c87219d4194dcaac961c2

It’s Been a Long Time, I Shouldn’t Have Left You…

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I abandoned this website for some time, but I plan to get back into the practice of posting more regularly. I’m not pinkie-swearing, but I will better attempt to cultivate a deliberate practice with this page.

One good thing about being on “hi haters, I’m back off hiatus” status is I should have plenty to report on here. My writing and explorations didn’t quit just because I wasn’t posting here.

1.      On 10/22/2023, I hit a milestone that I desired for my entire writing career – to get a poem featured in Verse Daily, a poetry daily on the internet. By republishing one new poem each day from fine literary magazines and books, Verse Daily promotes poets & publishers while providing a wealth of excellent poetry to the public free of charge. My poem “After the Funeral” appeared there and it feels humbling to be alongside a long history of talented poets.

2.      “After the Funeral” is just one of many fine poems (of course, I’m biased) from my second book “Field Guide to the Human Condition.” Since we’re tiptoeing across the border between 2023 and 2024, many of you are looking for new books for next year’s reading list. I humbly ask you to consider adding Field Guide to your 2024 literary queue – it has just enough introspection to impact the new year for you.

3.      But wait – make a reading list, but don’t make reading one of your resolutions. Why? Check out my recent article on Medium called “Stop Making New Year’s Resolutions” to read my semi-spicy take on this annual activity we should all cease participating in…right now and forever ever, forever ever.

Until my next post – be good.

https://www.versedaily.org/2023/afterthefuneral.shtml

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/162549422X?ie=UTF8&tag=versedaily-20&link_code=as3&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=162549422X

https://medium.com/@adrianpotter/stop-making-new-years-resolutions-c00a134bf11a?sk=c35238efcb96af232ce79abfc03a29e4

Presale Now Open for "And the Monster Swallows You Whole"

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I am thrilled to announce that the preorders for my upcoming book, "And the Monster Swallows You Whole," are now open. This book has been a labor of love – writing it was what kept me semi-sane during the pandemic - so I am excited to share it with readers. Big thanks to Stillhouse Press and all of the wonderful folks over there who remain strong supporters of my writing!

Overview: “Adrian S. Potter's newest collection nimbly weaves poems, short prose pieces, checklists, film synopses, and diary entries into an arresting portrait of pandemic-era life as a Black American. Honest, funny, and hard-edged, his writings act as concentrated doses of a bracing and necessary tonic in the face of everyday acts of ignorance and indifference—monsters of all shapes and sizes held in check by Potter's clear and brilliant voice.”

Presale Details: The book is set to be released in May 2023, but you can secure your copy today by preordering it on the Stillhouse Press website.

https://www.stillhousepress.org/stillhouse-store/and-the-monster-swallows-you-whole

Thank you for your support, and I cannot wait for you to join me on this journey. If you are a fan of poetry, flash fiction, experimental hybrid literature, and a bit of snarkiness, "And the Monster Swallows You Whole" is a book you will not want to miss. Preorder your copy today and be one of the first to experience this unique book.

Field Guide to the Human Condition Out Now!

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I am excited to announce that I am no longer a one-book wonder!

Field Guide to the Human Condition is available on Amazon. I want to thank my publisher CW Books, and everybody who helped make this possible. It has been a journey, and I am happy to finally share these poems with the world.

Here is a quick synopsis of the book:

In Field Guide to the Human Condition, Adrian S. Potter has written a book of poems about how one rebuilds oneself after grief, heartbreak, and challenges. It focuses on the setbacks and struggles that mold a person into a different version of themselves than the one they once knew. It's about grappling with histories, both personal and collective. Potter uses hallmarks from modern life - pop music, discrimination, shifting identities, and toxic relationships - to construct a hall of mirrors, in which each viewpoint reflects a different possibility.

You can discover a little more about the Field Guide to the Human Condition over at CW Books, including a link to several sample poems, which can give you a flavor of the book.

Hey, we are almost entering a new year, which is the time for book lovers to assemble their latest reading list. Please consider adding Field Guide to the Human Condition to your 2023 list!

https://www.amazon.com/dp/162549422X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3DLQAIKSKT4WK&keywords=Field+guide+to+the+human+condition&qid=1668459191&s=books&sprefix=field+guide+to+the+human+condition%2Cstripbooks%2C87&sr=1-1

https://readcwbooks.com/potter.html

https://readcwbooks.com/potter_poems.html

Four of my poems published in Rigorous!

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I couldn’t be more honored to have four new poems published in the latest issue of Rigorous, a journal written and edited by people of color. It is exciting to have my work published alongside such a talented group of writers.

Rigorous is an online journal highlighting the works of authors, artists, critics, and educators of color. They take their name from an accusation commonly leveled at authors of color—that our works are not as rigorous as works created by white authors.

A huge thanks to the staff at Rigorous for seeing my vision and deeming my work worthy of their publication.

http://www.rigorous-mag.com/v6i2/adrian-s-potter.html

“Identity Theories” Named Winner of the 2022 Lumiere Review Prose Contest!

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I couldn’t be more honored to have my experimental piece “Identity Theories” named the winner of the 2022 Lumiere Review Prose Contest!

The Lumiere Review is a nonprofit literary magazine that strongly believes “that all creative voices should be heard through a platform to shine light on every story, idea, and experience.”

A huge thanks to the editorial staff and to judge Elaine Hsieh Chou for seeing my creative vision and deeming it worthy of an award. I appreciate it.

“Identity Theories” absolutely buzzes with life. The words jump off the page, rhythmic, inventive and wryly knowing, stitching together a multi-faceted character who I won’t soon forget. The story is both blade sharp and softly tender, unafraid to ask what it takes to survive in this world while wearing multiple selves.

 — Elaine Hsieh Chou, 2022 Prose Contest Judge

Check out Identity Theories if you get a chance, as well as all the other creative works in Issue 9 of the Lumiere Review!

https://lumierereview.com/adrian-s-potter

 

My poem “Redemption Arc” was published in Collateral!

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I couldn’t be more honored to have my newest literary offering “Redemption Arc” published in the latest edition of Collateral, an online literary journal run by people who are directly and indirectly impacted by violent conflict and military service.

It’s exciting to have this poem published. Part tribute to my father, part honest examination of the toxicity families allow to brew - this is one of those poems I had to write for catharsis and personal growth. I appreciated the chance to add a short statement about the creative process and context for writing the poem. Thanks to the editors at Collateral for appreciating my writing and sharing it with the world.

The whole issue is impressive and includes many poets and writers whose work I admire. Check it out if you get a chance.

https://www.collateraljournal.com/poetry/potterredemptionarc

"The Half-Life of Human Memory" published at The Maine Review

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I am happy to mention that my fiction piece “The Half-Life of Human Memory” has been published in the latest edition of The Maine Review. This is a special one for me - it deals with aging and memory issues told via a series of very short flash fiction tidbits that all come together as a sum of their parts.

Big thanks to The Maine Review for giving my work a chance. Check out all the awesome writers who contributed to Issue 8.1!

https://mainereview.com/the-half-life-of-human-memory/

"Greetings From Flyover Country" published at RockPaperPoem

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I’m happy to mention that my new prose poem “Greetings From Flyover Country” was included in the inaugural edition of RockPaperPoem.

RockPaperPoem publishes today's finest poetry from established, emerging and new poets writing in English. They strive to include all cultural identities as they highlight work that expands the boundaries of mainstream poetry, without sacrificing accessibility for experimentation. Check out my poem and all the amazing works in this issue!

https://rockpaperpoem.com/Greetings-from-Flyover-Country.html

My flash fiction piece "Marlboro Reds" published by Brilliant Flash Fiction in their latest anthology

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Many thanks to Brilliant Flash Fiction and editor Dawn Lowe for publishing my flash fiction piece Marlboro Reds as part of their new anthology Branching Out: International Tales of Brilliant Flash Fiction. 

All the stories in this varied collection are 300 words or less and amazing. I am honored to be published alongside incredible writers.

To order a copy, donate $12 on the Brilliant Flash Fiction website Home Page by clicking the Donate button on the right-hand side.

https://brilliantflashfiction.com/2021/07/08/the-wait-is-over/

My lyric essay "The Black Paragraphs" published by Hairstreak Butterfly Review.

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I'm thrilled to announce my essay "The Black Paragraphs" was just published in Hairstreak Butterfly Review's Issue 4 for 2021. Hairstreak Butterly Review is the literary journal Colorado College. This issue is so stunning and I am so pleased with the exquisite artwork of Cameron Readius that was paired with my work.

https://www.hairstreakbutterflyreview.com/post/the-black-paragraphs

"Token" and "Liner Notes to the Soundtrack of My Ego Trip" at Wax Nine.

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Wax Nine Journal published two of my poems last year - "Token" and "Liner Notes to the Soundtrack of My Ego Trip" - and I wanted to give them a mention and express my appreciation for their publication. I think Wax Nine is a literary gem and the variety of work published there is worth checking out. But of course…check out my poem first, please. :)

http://www.waxnine.com/journal/adrian-s-potter/

My poem "In Which Love Is a Kind of Falling," published by the Baltimore Review!

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I am so excited to mention that my prose poem "In Which Love is a Kind of Falling" was published in Fall 2020 in the Baltimore Review, along with a brief artist's statement. Check it out, then take notice of the other works in this stunning issue.

https://baltimorereview.org/index.php/fall_2020/contributor/adrian-s-potter#In%20Which%20Love%20Is%20a%20Kind%20of%20Falling

Interview on KFAI's Write On! Radio

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Yep, I'm still catching up and updating folks on the goals I conquered while on my extended blogging hiatus.

KFAI is a community radio station in Minnesota. In Fall 2020, I had the opportunity to get interviewed on KFAI's Write On! Radio program, which interviews authors as well as editors, playwrights, poets, and more. The program is interested in everything literary, from spoken word performances to readings by writers to just plain well-written works of art.

I had an absolute blast talking to Dave Fettig about my poetry book Everything Wrong Feels Right, my unconventional background as a writer and poet, my off-kilter piecemeal writing process, and much more. It felt more like an icebreaker conversation than an interview, honestly. I'm crossing my fingers that I can get another chance to appear again on this program.

https://www.kfai.org/podcast/write-on-radio-adrian-s-potter-tiffany-mcdaniel/

21 Thoughts to Ponder.

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I'm still playing catch up on sharing things on this blog from when I was temporarily ignoring it. I decided to abandon the charade of composing New Year's Resolutions this year and instead penned "21 Thoughts to Ponder in 2021." Inspired by the pandemic and the inherent awkwardness of 2020, I think you'll discover some tiny gems of wisdom in this listicle. Check it out if you get a chance.

https://medium.com/an-idea/21-thoughts-to-ponder-in-2021-446ceedee561?sk=b8cad5023304e87ac25cbdbf9dc3cb4d

My poems "Lived Here Our Whole Lives" and "Elegy for Rest Stop Towns" + an interview at Portage!

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Many thanks to Portage Magazine for publishing my prose poems "Lived Here Our Whole Lives" and "Elegy for Rest Stop Towns" in their 2021 issue. Portage Magazine is an annual review of upper Midwestern writing, art, and culture that's run and edited by undergraduate students at Carroll University in Waukesha, Wisconsin.

So check out this latest issue and read the wonderful variety of work. Also, check out my interview (!) with editor-in-chief Alexa Larson - I had an absolute blast talking about writing, creativity, and life with her.

https://portagemagazine.org/lived-here-our-whole-lives/

https://portagemagazine.org/elegy-for-rest-stop-towns/

https://portagemagazine.org/interview-with-adrian-potter/

3 Poems at Oyster River Pages

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I'm still playing catch up with updates from when I was all radio silence on this blog.

Many thanks to Oyster River Pages for publishing three of my poems - "Everybody Sings the Blues, Sometimes," "Why I Drop Bombs aka Write Poems," and "Pandemic Postcard" - as part of their Composite Dreams project focused on showcasing Black creatives.

Oyster River Pages is an online journal "interested in publishing voices that speak to what it means to be alive in this world." I appreciate the opportunity to contribute to this issue and love that ORP provided a platform for Black voices.

https://www.oysterriverpages.com/poetry42/2020/12/19/everybody-sings-the-blues-sometimes?fbclid=IwAR2BKAKIbX-yvY6jr9cmt46__v0l5wWCOR8ieVl5DTfYp8Lnp6yMv1b2I3o