🚂 Poetry Rx: The Little Publisher That Could
Dear Friends,
I’m sorry I haven’t been in touch for a while but I’d like to fill you in on what’s been going on.
As many of you probably know, I have felt for a long time that poems can have a powerful beneficial effect. I have certainly enjoyed this benefit directly in myself, my patients and my clients. The more I looked for examples of poems that had these healing and enlivening properties the more examples I found. I thought it would be a good idea for a book. Four agents disagreed with me and turned down my proposal as did editors from two publishers with whom I had released successful books in the past. It was as though they were saying to me, albeit not as plainly, that from a sales point of view poetry is the kiss of death. Then I came across G & D Media, which I am now happy to call “the little publisher that could.”
It turns out that G & D Media, which is not one of the bigger publishing houses that you may all have heard of, is actually a group of extremely experienced and competent publishing professionals with whom I have been delighted to work in producing my latest book, Poetry Rx: How 50 Poems Can Inspire and Bring Joy to Your Life. It turns out that poetry was not the buzzkill that others had predicted. Rather, the idea of poetry can heal has been embraced by the media and the public. Jane Brody, a distinguished journalist from the New York Times was first to write a kind review of the book and its value (as shown below) and others followed. But what was perhaps most meaningful to me was how many people from all walks of life have embraced the book and commented on its power to delight and soothe. Check out my Amazon reviews for some of the things people have said, which have helped me realize that I accomplished my major goal in writing the book. I have brought poetry to people in a way that is useful and meaningful to them.
Giving the gift of poetry
Here is an example of one reviewer who was particularly kind.
Even though Poetry Rx is my tenth book, there is something about it that is different from my other books: people are giving copies of the book to their friends and family. The reason for that is, I believe, is that the book is an upper. It makes people feel better. It seems to be an antidote to the feelings of languishing that many people have reported as a result of the pandemic. In it you will find poems about love, appreciation of nature, aspects of the human condition, a design for living and the search for meaning.
Best wishes to all of you for a safe and enjoyable summer as we continue to emerge carefully from the long and sometimes grim and dangerous months of the pandemic. Wishing you light, transcendence — and poetry
Norman Rosenthal
Poetry Rx in The New York Times
I am excited let you know that Poetry Rx — about the healing powers of poetry — was featured in the NY Times on April 12th.
If you are interested in reading the article, here is the link
When the Doctor Prescribes Poetry
