Robert McDowell is a poet, novelist, ghostwriter, teacher, speaker, editor, author and co-author, editor and translator of 22 books, including the bestselling Poetry as Spiritual Practice: Reading, Writing and Using Poetry in Your Daily Rituals, Aspirations and Intentions (Free Press/Simon & Schuster), Emily & Virginia, a novel from Homestead Lighthouse Press, The More We Get Together: The Sexual and Spiritual Language of Love (Poiesis Press). His books of poetry include Sweet Wolf: Selected & New Poems (Homestead Lighthouse Press, 2023), Quiet Money, The Diviners (a book-length poem), On Foot, In Flames and The World Next to This One. He was the co-founding publisher of Story Line Press, where he served as editor for twenty-two years. With Mark Jarman, he also edited The Reaper, a literary quarterly. He created the Rural Readers Project and co-created The Poets Prize.
Before I Pray introduces an evolving, gritty hero, Los Angeles private investigator Kevin Killgallen, who even as he seeks greater equanimity and meaning must come to terms with the greatest losses and violence of his life. Before I Pray is a hoot to experience, a fast-paced, evocative, character-driven mystery that delivers the goods. It's a knock-out!
You have a story to tell, a poem or memoir or essay to write, but you just can't get started. Every writer and would-be writer knows this scenario only too well. But poet Robert McDowell rides to the rescue with this readable and enjoyable Guide to banishing writer's block forever.
The favored poetry form of Shakespeare comes to modern life for all writers in this splendid Guide. McDowell's examples and exercises effortlessly lead the reader/writer into the intricacies of the English, Italian and Spenserian sonnets to original compositions. This book is informative and fun.
Haiku is fun to write and inspires communal transactions. Award-winning poet and teacher, Robert McDowell, provides a succinct introduction and playful exercises, perfect keys to the composition of this timeless poetry form from Japan.