Poetry Friday: Cover Reveal for ONE STEP FORWARD
Margaret at Reflections on the Teche is our host today. Hop on over there for the roundup.
Cover Reveal
I’m so excited today to reveal the cover of my forthcoming verse novel ONE STEP FORWARD.
This gorgeous cover art was done by Babeth Lafon. The details in this cover are just perfect.
ONE STEP FORWARD is coming out from Versify on September 10, 2024 and is now available for pre-order.
Places to preorder:
It’s the story of Matilda Young, the youngest suffragist to be jailed for protesting in front of the White House. She was imprisoned at Occoquan Workhouse, just a few miles from my house. She lived in Washington, DC her whole life. At Occoquan, she was one of the women (a teen at the time) who suffered violence at the workhouse on the Night of Terror in 1917.
It’s a young adult, historical fiction verse novel, and I can’t wait to share it with the world.
Haiku of the Week
I walk among trees
they listen to my whispers—
Votes for Women
Photo Taken: Meridian Hill Park, Washington, DC 2019
Haiku Written: February 14, 2024
I don’t usually try to explain my haiku, but I think today’s deserves a bit of an explanation. When I was writing the book, I took the walk that Matilda Young would have taken from Central High School (now Cardoza High School) to her family’s home near Adams Morgan.
I know this is where she went to high school because I was able to get ahold of her high school yearbooks thanks to DC Public Library’s Washingtonia Collection.
I took pictures of the row houses and the Meridian Hill Park which she likely walked past on her way home. The property has belonged to the U.S. Government since 1910. Matilda graduated from Central High School in 1916.
This photo was taken at Meridian Hill Park, and I like to think Matilda Young talked to the trees.
43 Comments
Linda
Marcie- Congratulations! I’m so happy for you!
The cover is beautful, and I can’t wait to read your book.
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
Thank you, Linda!
Susan T.
Marcie, congratulations! That is exciting news indeed. I can’t wait to read your verse novel; it sounds great!
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
Thank you, Susan!
Sally Murphy
Wow Marcie – what a stunning cover. Congratulations.
I can’t waitto read this story – it’s a topic I have been researching msyelf, from an Australian perspective. So many women who fought hard for what should be a universal right.
And your haiku is perfect. It must have been special to retrace Matlida’s steps.
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
Oh! I’d love to know more about the Australian suffrage movement!
Tracey Kiff-Judson
Marcie! This is so exciting. I cannot wait to read your novel. Such an interesting topic — I can’t wait to learn more. Plus, you wrote it in verse! Congratulations on the cover reveal. I look forward to the release!
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
Thank you, Tracey!
Buffy Silverman
So exciting–and a beautiful cover! Congratulations.
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
Thank you! I love the cover. So excited for the amazing cover artist’s detailed work!
Rose Cappelli
Yay, Marcie! Congratulations! I’m so excited to read this book. How exciting that you walked the same walk as Matilda. You are a detailed researcher!
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
It was a fun bit of research!
Linda Baie
It is wonderful to “see” the cover & hear about your coming book, Marcie! I love the background you shared and the haiku background as well. My students studied women’s suffrage one year and drove to Cheyenne, Wyoming, to study some of the history and to see the statue commemorating Esther Hobart Morris, a mover in the movement, especially in Wyoming, the first state to give women the vote! Congratulations!
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
Yes, Wyoming gave suffrage to women early on!
Margaret Simon
I’m so excited for you. The cover is wonderful, but even more wonderful is to be getting your passion for women, voting, poetry, out into the world. Go Girl!
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
Thank you! I’m so excited it’s finally getting more real!
Irene Latham
Marcie, the cover is gorgeous! And how adorable are you with your “votes for women” sign?? Love the new color scheme too. Woohooo! So happy for you! xo
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
Thank you! I’m so excited!
PATRICIA J FRANZ
Ka-POW! Yay! Pre-ordered!
Marcie, this is such great news. YOu’ve worked so hard. I can’t wait to read it!
And what a joy to see your haiku so intimately connected to Mathilda’s story.
Congratulations, friend!
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
Thank you for always cheering me on!!!
jama
LOVE the cover, Marcie. Congratulations!!! Thanks for your haiku and sharing some backstory about it. 🙂
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
Thank you so much!
Linda Mitchell
Hooray! I have pre-ordered the book and cannot wait to read it. That cover art is beautiful. I love the colors and how the shadow lines define the young woman. I am doing some research right now that is kinda tough. I will plan a walk as part of my research. I think that is a FABulous idea.
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
Oh yes to research walks!!!!
Robyn Hood Black
CONGRATULATIONS, Marcie – This looks fabulous. I’m grateful you are sharing this important life story! Wow.
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
Thank you so much!
Carol Labuzzetta
Marcie,
Congratulations! Your book sounds fascinating and much-needed! Thank you! Having been born and raised outside of Rochester, New York, I am well-versed in the female suffragette movement. I will look into the preorder! Thanks, again! I’m excited for you!
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
Yes, this takes place during the WW1 era — a little later than those early days of suffrage. They worked for the vote for so long!
Carol Labuzzetta
Just pre-ordered! Thanks!
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
Thank you so much!
Ruth
Wow, this is so intriguing!
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
I’ve been endlessly fascinated for years!
Bridget Magee
Congratulations, Marcie! The cover is gorgeous! 🙂
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
Thank you so much!
Mary Lee Hahn
Congratulations again, and thanks for the backstory that goes with your haiku.
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
Thank you, Mary Lee!
Karen Eastlund
This indeed looks wonderful, Marcie! Congratulations. I can’t wait either!
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
Thank you so much!
Pingback:
Teresa Ho Robeson
I CAN’T WAIT TO READ THIS!!! 💙
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
Thank you, Teresa!!!!
Elisabeth
Congratulations Marcie! The cover of the book is beautiful.
What an important story – I look forward to reading this when it comes out!
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
Thank you so much!