New Release: apparitions!

April is National Poetry Month and today is a very special day. My fifth book and first poetry collection is born. It's FINALLY book day for my long-awaited (five years, to be precise) poetry chapbook, apparitions, with what may be a familiar cover image by my husband and collaborator Jonathan Montgomery Pollock, now available from Highland Park Poetry Press!

apparitions explores the cycles of anxiety and depression, from the isolation of trauma and despair to the hope found in connection, reconciliation, redemption, and resiliency. Poet and storyteller Amelia Cotter invites readers to walk the liminal spaces between alienation and belonging, darkness and light, and the earthly and otherworldly in this lovingly curated collection of micro- and prose poetry, including haiku and haibun.

Salute to Haiku Featured Poets Reading & Poetry Open Mic with Charlotte Digregorio in Highland Park: Join me on May 14 at 5 p.m. at Madame Zuzu's Teahouse in Highland Park, Illinois, for the book's debut reading! I'll be sharing this event with renowned haiku poet Charlotte Digregorio, my haiku mentor and one of the book's editors.

Launch Party in Chicago: Join me on May 15 at 7 p.m. at Cuddle Bunny for a short reading from the book, a showcase of work from local poets Ruari Blake, Angelica Davila, Chris Kelle, and Jenene Ravesloot, light refreshments, and, of course, BUNNIES! My hope is that Cuddle Bunny will be a fitting location, considering the themes of the book, since animals inspire calm and healing. Of course, it will also be lighthearted fun for folks who are otherwise trapped in a room for an hour listening to depressing poetry. If you plan to attend, please consider bringing a donation of money or supplies, or making a purchase in the gift shop, to support Cuddle Bunny's mission.

Spring and Summer Poetry Series: An early part of the apparitions project involved collecting the poetry and photography of other talented writers and artists to share as part of a greater anthology. This component of the project didn't quite come together for many reasons, but I wanted to share the finest work Jonathan and I received as part of our celebration of the book's publication and this incredible year of poetry. I'll be sharing this series starting on Monday!

Your support is so much appreciated. This little chapbook "that could" is the culmination of years of hard work and I'm so proud to present it. The book has been on an intense journey. I have been on an intense journey, not only as a seasoned and confident writer who absolutely struggled through every minute of bringing this collection to fruition, but with my own mental and physical health over the course of the last five years. Most recently, I received a fairly serious diagnosis in February requiring surgery, which will happen in May. This collection bears more significance to me now than ever on my path to finding joy and taking pride in my survival. Please consider ordering a copy from Amazon or my online Store, and if you do, please also consider leaving a positive review on Amazon or Goodreads. Thanks and Happy Hauntings!