Achievements, Publications, and Writing Challenges
New Poem: Midwestern Breakfast
Happy Thursday, friends! During my morning writing yesterday, I wrote an earlier version of this poem, and I revised it today and wanted to share it. I hope you enjoy it. I think it has a heartbeat. * MIDWESTERN BREAKFAST You once said---in a TikTok video, of all...
August 2022: Seafoam Green Poems, Travel Writing, & Chosen Families
Happy Monday, friends! I hope you had a wonderful weekend. I'm sorry for the temporary silence on my end; I promise it was only temporary while I was getting ready for the absolutely GIGANTIC month I have ahead of me. As I mentioned in a previous post, I've started...
Interested in What My Life As a Traveling Freelancer Looks Like? 2 Books Coming Your Way
Happy Sunday, friends! I hope you're having an amazing weekend. A few minutes ago on Medium, I shared the news that I'll be participating in this year's BYOB (Blog Your Own Book), hosted by Shaunta Grimes. The point is to blog every day throughout the month of August;...
An Inspirational Poem & Spooks in July: July 8th’s Feature Friday
Happy Friday and Happy July 8th, friends! I still can't believe we're in July already---and a week in at that! I think this week felt especially fast because of the holiday. July 4th is not celebrated in Croatia, of course, but we were already traveling for other...
The Yara-Ma-Yha-Who Says Happy Birthday: Poetry & Book Publication: July 1 Friday Round-Up
Hi everyone! Somehow, it's JULY already, and I'm back! How is everyone's summer going? I just had my 34th birthday, and tourist season is in full swing over here in Croatia. The difference this year from our 2021 summer here is that all businesses appear to be open,...
Where Is WHAT WE FIND IN THE DARK?: November 5th’s Feature Friday
Happy Friday, friends! How did everyone enjoy their Halloween season? October was an absolute whirlwind for me. My now-7-year-old daughter, Cadence, and now-3-year-old son, Grayson, both had their birthdays, which we celebrated on the day with a few friends and fun...
On the Hunt for Halloween & A Short Story Release: October 1st’s Feature Friday
Happy Saturday, friends! I know I'm late for Friday and for October 1st, but I'm so excited to reach out to you! How was your week? Are you doing anything special for the beginning of the Halloween season? I've got a big weekend ahead of me, including some pretty...
Read “The Duplex” Free Now!
Hi friends! Happy Wednesday! I hope you're all having a wonderful week. As some of you know, I've been focusing primarily on my clients the last few years (copywriting, line-editing, resumes, publishing assistance, etc.), but in 2020, I decided it was time to dedicate...
Literary Scene
I’m Getting All the Jewel-Vibes from This News that Halsey’s First Poetry Collection Is Coming This September.
I’m getting ALL the Jewel vibes from this news that Grammy-nominated musician Halsey has a poetry collection coming out this September.
AWP Is This Week! Here’s How To Make The Most Of It.
Welcome to AWP 2020 week in San Antonio, Texas! Though I won’t be able to attend, I wanted to share my favorite tips and tricks for navigating the conference successfully, and my recommendations for this year’s top panels, readings, and new book releases. Enjoy! #AWP #AWP2020
Are You Telling Me—I Could Go for a Writer’s Retreat at Stephen King’s House?
Great news! Stephen and Tabitha King are talking about converting their iconic Maine home into a writer’s archive AND writer’s retreat! Here’s what I know so far. Enjoy!
Tell Me Now: Is Harry Potter Coming to NYC?
Fellow Potterheads! Is Harry Potter coming to NYC? Here’s what I know so far. Enjoy!
![“The Hunt for Red [Starbucks]” & A Friday Round-Up](https://mckenzielynntozan.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/AE6DD674-023B-4876-950B-1EE42016F9CA.jpeg)
“The Hunt for Red [Starbucks]” & A Friday Round-Up
Join me in my search of all things Halloween and Pennywise at Starbucks! Plus, here’s my weekly round-up of publications ICYMI and would like to get caught up!
Celebrate with Me! I’m a Poetry Reader for Muzzle Magazine!
Celebrate with me! I’m one of the new Poetry Readers for Muzzle Magazine!
An Inspiring Day in Kalamazoo: Poems
Happy Sunday, all! I had a wonderful, literary weekend, celebrating with Bill Olsen, New Issues Poetry & Prose, and fellow writer friends. Here are a few poems I loved from my weekend; enjoy!
Yours Truly is Going To Be a Judge!
A fun announcement for today, friends! I’ll be one of three of 2019’s INSPY Speculative Fiction judges!
Newsletter
Writing My Own HOCUS POCUS, Working in Publishing Again, and the Final Days of Summer: September 9th’s Feature Saturday
Happy Saturday, friends! I know I usually post my Feature Fridays on---well, Fridays---but yesterday was an especially exhausting day, so I hope you'll forgive me for posting late. A sick kiddo with a high fever, a full day of work, an unexpected editing project, and...
An Inspirational Poem & Spooks in July: July 8th’s Feature Friday
Happy Friday, all! Here is my Feature Friday for July 8th, complete with book news from the week, inspiration for new writing, and updates on WHAT WE FIND IN THE DARK.
The Yara-Ma-Yha-Who Says Happy Birthday: Poetry & Book Publication: July 1 Friday Round-Up
Happy Friday and Happy July! Here’s my favorite moment from the week, and what’s to come in July.
Where Is WHAT WE FIND IN THE DARK?: November 5th’s Feature Friday
Happy Friday, friends! I’m happy to share what I’ve been working on, and a little update on WHAT WE FIND IN THE DARK. Have a wonderful, cozy weekend!
On the Hunt for Halloween & A Short Story Release: October 1st’s Feature Friday
Happy Saturday, friends! Here’s my weekly newsletter, featuring my publications and fun from the week—of course including “The Duplex.” Enjoy!
It’s the “Almost Halloween” Friday Round-Up!
TGIF, friends! I hope you had a wonderful week! This week, I had the pleasure of writing in entertainment and reflecting on my poetry, in addition to my usual trending pieces. Enjoy!
Birthday Weekend Round-Up!
Happy Friday, friends! Here are TWO weeks’ worth of content; I hope you enjoy these! In the meantime, tell me about your favorite things this fall, and how you’re preparing for NaNoWriMo!
A Birthday Saddle & A Friday Round-Up!
TGIF, friends! This week was my daughter’s fifth birthday, and I also did a little writing! I hope your week was wonderful!
Reading and Poem of The Day
Reading Franz Wright
Happy Wednesday! Here are four poems by Franz Wright, from his Selected and New Poetry collection, ILL LIT.
Your Next YA Graphic Novel Pick Is Sprinkled with Spooks, Awkward Love, and Magic in Balazs Lorinczi’s DOUGHNUTS AND DOOM
Happy Friday, friends! We are officially one week into September, which of course means it's spooky season---which means it's time to break out the pumpkins, the decor, and of course, the spooky reads. First up this season is a graphic novel that was light on the...
Poem of the Day: Susan Prospere
Happy Monday! Enjoy this Poem of the Day: “Silver Thaw” by Susan Prospere
Poem of the Day: 5 Poems to Settle into the New Year
Happy Tuesday, friends! I don't know about you, perhaps especially with being sick, it's been harder to shake off that looming feeling of the holidays this year. But at the same time, I'm feeling all that excitement of the new year and what it promises: page one of a...
Poem of the Day: Olena Kalytiak Davis
Happy Tuesday, friends! Today’s Poem of the Day is a pair of poems by the incredible Olena Kalytiak Davis. Enjoy!
Poem of the Day: Nikki Giovanni
Happy Sunday! Today’s Poem of the Day is “Sky Diving” by Nikki Giovanni. Enjoy!
Let’s Finish February Strong: Poem by Toni Morrison
Happy Saturday! Let’s finish the month strong with some poems by some fantastic Black poets. Today’s poem is “Eve Remembering” by Toni Morrison.
Poem of the Day: Justin Phillip Reed
Happy Tuesday, friends! Coming to you late, but here is today’s Poem of the Day: “What’s Left Behind After a Hawk Has Seized a Smaller Bird Midair” by Justin Phillip Reed. Enjoy!
Reviews
Your Next YA Graphic Novel Pick Is Sprinkled with Spooks, Awkward Love, and Magic in Balazs Lorinczi’s DOUGHNUTS AND DOOM
Happy Friday, friends! We are officially one week into September, which of course means it's spooky season---which means it's time to break out the pumpkins, the decor, and of course, the spooky reads. First up this season is a graphic novel that was light on the...
We’ll Never Know What We’re Leaving Behind: Reading SWIMMING LESSONS by Claire Fuller
At once troubling and lovely, infuriating and breathtaking, Claire Fuller’s SWIMMING LESSONS is a triumph in literary fiction—and one that demands you have your next read ready if you want any chance to cope.
My Review of Angela Voras-Hills’ LOUDER BIRDS is Now Live at Green Mountains Review!
Happy News! I’m pleased to announce my poetry review of Angela Voras-Hills’ LOUDER BIRDS from Pleiades Press, 2020, is now live at Green Mountains Review!
Yours Truly is Going To Be a Judge!
A fun announcement for today, friends! I’ll be one of three of 2019’s INSPY Speculative Fiction judges!
An Interview with Shaindel Beers!
My interview with Shaindel Beers, hosted by The Rumpus, is here! It features thoughts on Shaindel’s writing process, SECURE YOUR OWN MASK, nature and violence, and our mutual experiences of the Midwest and motherhood. Enjoy!
The (Im)Precision of Language, Nature, & Violence: Reading Shaindel Beers’ Secure Your Own Mask
Here is my complete book review of Shaindel Beers’ SECURE YOUR OWN MASK, from White Pine Press (2018). Enjoy!
Book Review Up at BookPage!
Here is a link to my review of K. Arsenault Rivera’s THE PHOENIX EMPRESS, available now over at BookPage.
“My Face Resembles / The One Reflected in the Water”: Reading David Dodd Lee’s And Others, Vaguer Presences
The thing that I love about erasure poetry is how interactive it can (and should!) be with the original work it is pulling from. I think, for some writers who attempt this form, the goal is to reinvent the words that are on the page, than to accept them and...
Writing, Publishing, and Marketing Tips
Interested in What My Life As a Traveling Freelancer Looks Like? 2 Books Coming Your Way
I’m happy to share that I will be blogging two new books this August: one about chosen families and cultures, and another about unique tips for the digital nomad lifestyle.
Book Strategy Week: Did You Hire the ‘Write’ Editor?
Hi friends! Welcome to Day 2 of Book Strategy Week, where we’re going to talk about editors! Make sure you know the differences between these roles, so you can get the help you actually need.
Book Strategy Week: My Response to Doing “All the Things”
Hi Friends! Happy Monday! I’m so happy to share with you the first installment of Book Strategy Week, where I’ll be walking you through some of my favorite tips for writing, publishing, and book marketing. Let’s get started with priorities, AKA: doing “all the things.” Enjoy!
Writer Tip Thursday: Say “Goodbye” to Impostor Syndrome. You Want to Write for a Reason.
Happy Thursday, friends! Coming at you late is our Writer Tip “Wednesday”: Overcoming Impostor Syndrome! You can do this, and you should do this, because you want to write for a reason. Keep going.
Writer Tip Wednesday: What Should We Share with Our Readership?
Happy Wednesday! For this week’s Writer Tip, I’ll be talking about our readerships and how we can nurture them through our content. Enjoy!
New Poem “In Nature” & The Prompt Behind It
Happy Writing Prompt Wednesday! Here is my poem and the prompt I used to write it, plus a little love for Ecopoetics. Enjoy!
“A Sleeping Octopus Changes Color While Dreaming” & The Prompt Behind It
Happy Writing Prompt Wednesday! Here is my latest poem, “A Sleeping Octopus Changes Color While Dreaming,” and the writing prompt behind it. Give it a try, and send it to me for a read!
A Night of Building a Manuscript & Reading Poetry
Here’s a quick snapshot of my Labor Day weekend! The Good Place, IT, reading poetry, and compiling my poetry manuscript!