Poetry Friday: April 25, 2025

Heidi at My Juicy Little Universe is hosting. Hop on over there for the roundup.

One Step Forward Virtual Event

I’ll be at East City Bookshop in Washington, DC on Wednesday, April 30. It’s a panel about DC History in KidLit with Sean O’Brien, L.M. Elliott, and John Cochran moderating. This is an in-person and virtual event, so you can join from anywhere! If you’d like to join, here is the link to register.

Signed Copies

Tomorrow is Independent Bookstore Day. I’m heading over to One More Page Books to sign copies of One Step Forward, so if you need one personalized, you can order through them.

If you are buying through your local indie, I can send you a signed bookplate. Just let me know here.

There are also signed copies at Buxton Books in Charleston, SC. I was there during my spring break, and I was thrilled that they had so many copies. If you are in the area, be sure to stop in and support this cool bookstore (they had such a great selection of books).

Poetry Month

One Step Forward was featured in a National Poetry Month article about verse novels in Kirkus.

If you are looking for poetry to share with students in these last few days of National Poetry Month, you can visit my poetry printables page.

I’m also thrilled to be recently added to the Virginia Poet Database.

Haiku of the Week

the Earth breathes—

I meditate

on the pier

Photo Taken: April 17, 2025 Folly Beach, SC

Haiku Written: April 25, 2025

RECREATE

Last week, I was on spring break, so a lot of recreating happened. I actually finished a completely recreated picture book manuscript. It’s amazing what you can do with ocean air. I read lots of books and did a puzzle. The weather was cold and windy most of the week, so I spent a lot of time decompressing. As the week went on, the weather grew better for the beach.

This pimento cheese topped with bacon jam alongside gluten free crackers was the best thing I ate all week!

When I got back, I started planting all of those seedlings I’ve been growing in my house (they have recovered from transplant shock since I took this photo).

18 Comments

Heidi Mordhorst

April 25, 2025 at 2:25 PM Reply

So exciting to se your book and events popping up everywhere! Confession: I haven’t read it yet. I took the compact ORBITAL with me on my trip which I hadn’t read since receiving it as a Yuletide gift and wow, what a book. But I’ll get to ONE STEP FORWARD, yes I will! Glad you enjoyed your Spring Break!

Marcie Flinchum Atkins

May 1, 2025 at 5:27 PM Reply

No worries! There’s plenty of time to read when you get the chance.

Tabatha

April 25, 2025 at 8:05 PM Reply

An excellent post as usual, Marcie! You are recreating in the best ways. That photo with your haiku is fascinating. It feels like I am looking at the moon. Also, your crackers and cheese/bacon jam look yummy!

Marcie Flinchum Atkins

May 1, 2025 at 5:28 PM Reply

Apologies to vegans for the cheese bacon combo, but it was delicious!

Karin Fisher-Golton

April 26, 2025 at 12:43 AM Reply

Oh my goodness–verse novels in indie bookstores, the ocean, puzzles with butterfly images, the garden, a gluten-free treat, and a haiku poem that brings me to the pier. These are things I love. Thank you for the imagination vacation!

Marcie Flinchum Atkins

May 1, 2025 at 5:28 PM Reply

Glad you enjoyed.

Linda Mitchell

April 26, 2025 at 9:22 AM Reply

What a delightful post. Loved the kirkus article and that you are now officially in the VA Poet Database. I’m in awe of getting to spend time in ocean air and recreating a PB manuscript. You go, writer girl!

Marcie Flinchum Atkins

May 1, 2025 at 5:28 PM Reply

Yes, I probably did a bit too much work on vacation, but I finally had the headspace.

Rose Cappelli

April 26, 2025 at 9:42 AM Reply

Such a joyful post, Marcie! Congratulations and continued success with One Step Forward.

Marcie Flinchum Atkins

May 1, 2025 at 5:29 PM Reply

Thank you, Rose!

Denise Krebs

April 26, 2025 at 1:46 PM Reply

Marcie, so much love and goodness here. I love the haiku of the earth breathing through all those airways. And the peaceful spring break at the ocean, good food, butterflies, and writing magic. Congratulations. I’m sure you are feeling refreshed.