Tag: Independent Publishing

Explore the lively atmosphere of Little Italy, NYC, under a colorful, festive display on a sunny day.

October is Italian American Heritage and Culture Month in the U.S.!

Published on by abbernLeave a comment

Do you have a connection to Italy?
Do you want one?

My new book, Dreams of the Return, contains my poems, translations, stories, and photos based on my connections to Italy, especially southern Italy and Naples, where I lived in 1965 as a teenager attending liceo, and continuing through to the present day.

Published by Old Scratch Press in 2025, Dreams of the Return is available from Amazon:

For more information about the book, visit:

Dreams of the Return

If you’re looking for a gift for October or for the upcoming holiday season, I hope you’ll consider Dreams of the Return.

I send greetings and wish you well in these difficult times.

Alan Bern
Poetryandpics.com

Thanks for your interest in my work and my new book!

Alan Bern is a poet, writer, photographer, and retired children’s librarian whose work brings together poetry, prose, and visual art. A Pushcart Prize nominee, he is the author of three books of poetry, the hybrid fictionalized memoir In the Pace of the Path, and the chapbook because lack. His work has appeared in Third Street Review, EcoTheo Review, The Hyacinth Review, DarkWinter, Feral, and Porridge Magazine, among others. His recent honors include winning the 2022 Saw Palm Poetry Contest and being longlisted for The Bedford Competition in 2023. Alan is also a founding member of the Old Scratch Press collective. Please visit him.

Alan’s newest book, Dreams of the Return, is available from Old Scratch Press. The collection brings together poetry, prose, photography, memoir, and translations inspired by Alan’s lifelong connection to Italy, particularly Naples and Southern Italy.

IT’S LIT MAG WEEK!

Published on by diannePLeave a comment

It’s #LitMagWeek, a celebration of the independent literary magazines that give writers a place to take chances, find readers, and get their work out into the world.

Start with our own Instant Noodles Literary Magazine, sponsored by Current Words Publishing and curated by the Old Scratch Press Collective.

Then go exploring! Check out some of our fellow literary magazines celebrating this week:

F(r)iction
Mom Egg Review
The Dolomite Review
Midnight Mind Magazine

Read a lit mag. Discover a writer. Find something wonderful and weird.

Happy #LitMagWeek!

Small Independent Presses Provide Opportunities for New Voices

Published on by Nadja MarilLeave a comment

By Morgan Golladay

Five major publishing companies pretty much cover the market for books. But it’s the indies that take more risks on new authors, like me and my fellow writers at Old Scratch Press (an imprint of Current Word Publishing {CWP}). We write because we have something to say, not necessarily for fame and fortune (although that certainly wouldn’t hurt).

If you find a book you like, ESPECIALLY if it’s from an indie publisher, give it a review on whatever national website for books that comes up. Just that small bit of verbal support that says “I like this book” means a great deal to the writer, and the publisher. And it doesn’t have to be my book (but it’d be great if it were!).

So let me tell you about my book. There are fifty-five poems, 8 black and white full-page sketches, several smaller sketches, and other material in the book. They are all original I hope you’ll buy it, either in Kindle or print form.

Hot Off the Press: The Song of North Mountain an Amazon Top 100 Bestseller 8/17/24

For those of you who don’t know me, there are a few things that are important. I am 77, and I have retired from two jobs. I started publishing only in late 2019, and this truly is my Very First Book that is by myveryownself. At times I feel like it’s awfully late to start a new career, but then again.

I live in a community where many people move to when they downsize into their own retirements. THIS part is important: there’s no reason to stop just because we’re retired, or older, or more physically limited than we were when we were 35. We still have the ability to create, whether with words, paint and brush, whisks and casserole dishes, pottery wheels, or needle and thread. There really is nothing we can’t do, just some things we may not do as well as when we were younger (like blacksmithing, or crawling under vehicles).

Available here for pre-order  on Kindle with delivery May 1st, I hope you like The Song of North Mountain. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D1P64FHC soon to be available in softbound print as well.

This post was adapted from an essay on Morgan’s own blog and you can read more of her words at https://morgangolladay.wordpress.com/ Don’t forget to follow this blog and our facebook page for the latest news.