Cover Reveal
On Monday, I revealed the cover for the Waking Wildflowers poetry collection. I had a lot of fun putting it together.
I knew from the beginning I wanted to have flowers involved and it didn’t take long to realize having flowers slowly reveal the cover was the way to go. Even with a little shaky stop motion, I’m happy with the result. And if you haven’t seen the video, which if you’re here you probably have, then you can find it on my Instagram page.
In keeping with the wildflowers theme, all the flowers I used were foraged from my yard, roadsides, or from mine or my mother’s garden. Afterward I pressed as many flowers that would fit into my flower press and I’ve got a few ideas of what I might do with them.
Behind the Scenes
I have to admit I’ve been dealing with some anxiety even making a cover reveal video or saying I’m indie publishing my poems. It’s a mix of imposter syndrome with “Does it even matter?” A bit of “don’t look, but please look.” And, “Who gave you permission?”
There’s a feeling that I don’t belong.
That I’m still the quiet girl sitting in the back of class hiding behind her hair and no one would guess the cacophony of emotions veiled under my exterior. Easily overlooked. Quiet enough to be neither a bother or concern.
I guess, somewhere there’s itchy embarssment asking, “What do I have to share?”
I bring myself to these poems. And that is the most audacious thing of all. To hold onto that shred of confidence that says, “Yes, I do have something to say. Come, listen.”
What to Expect
In the coming weeks I’ll be sharing more about Waking Wildflowers:
The Origin Story: Why Waking Wildflowers? Why now?
Why all the purple?
A look at the four sections: Waking, Death, Birth, & Rising
Songs that feel like Waking Wildflowers too me
Excerpts of poems
I won’t only talk about Waking Wildflowers on Substack. (I can’t bring myself to just type WW, because that makes me think of Weight Watchers. Ugh.) I still want to wax poetically about my love for “Still Holding My Hand” from Matilda the Musical. There’ll be other writerly updates and projects, but for now the purple pastel pretty of WW (I did it…nope) Waking Wildflowers is still holding my hand.
Spread the Word
Stay tuned for pre-order info (hopefully in the next 2 weeks!)
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Keep growing, wildflower.
That imposter syndrome is a mind trip. You’re sharing something really vulnerable-several things-and that takes buckets of courage. You’re doing beautifully, my friend, and I can’t wait to read what you share.