From Those Death Left Behind

From Those Death Left Behind

Here it is my first book, I still can’t believe it, shocked, elated, and truly overjoyed I can now really call myself a writer.

My book “From Those Death Left Behind” is dedicated to the memory of my father, who sadly took his own life in 1990.   He will always be remembered in my heart.  Anyone interested in purchasing this book can do so from my website http://www.amandawrites.com/ftdlb from Lulu http://www.lulu.com/content/120733 and it is also available from Amazon.

Here is an extract, let me know what you think:

Overcoming death and beginning once again to live is the one thing that we never anticipate happening after we have experienced death. The truth is however, that whether we like it or not life continues on. The decision that we need to make is whether we wish to move on with life.
It can often help to remember that although our loved ones have left us in this life they are still there watching over us and guiding us through the rest of our lives. They will never stop loving us and will never fully leave us. As long as we need them they will be there.
Taking the first step is always the hardest and this is where sharing your feelings can help, be it sharing with someone close, a stranger or even through writing, expressing how we feel is always the first and hardest step in the recovery from death. I know that I say recovery but let me assure you that you will never fully recover, once you have been touched by death your life changes and you as a person also change. Your outlook on life changes and you finally understand that life is but a pathway to death.
Life will always continue to progress and a new day will always follow night. Even after death, life, the one thing we wish we could control is just like death itself uncontrollable. Learning to live again is one of the hardest things we face after death but like life it is something that happens. Through writing and expressing what we feel we help to deal with the emotions we are feeling, the grief, the pain, the anger and the loss, all these feeling can be spilled out onto the paper and can help to ease the suffering. These writings just like the ones in this book may in turn help others come to terms with their pain and suffering.
Remember, anyone who purchases this book will be donating to a very worthy cause – SUICIDE AWARENESS.

Take care,

Amanda

My Writers Update

My Writers Update

Well it has been a busy couple of months since my last post but an experience that I have been enjoying immensely.  In July I joined Elance.com a website where freelance writers can bid on projects they would like to complete.  This of course is all ghost writing work but the pay can be quite good.

I have updated my website, published my first book, had more poetry accepted for publication and been invited to write for numerous websites.  All in all a very lucrative couple of months.

Now I’m back and ready to blog, keeping everyone updated with the happenings and goings on in the world of writing.

My Poem "Suicide" to be Published

Hi everyone,

I am on a high today, I have just received confirmation that my poem "Suicide" has now reached the finals of the International Open Poetry Contest to be held in June 2005 and that's not all. My poem "Suicide" is also to be published in their Summer Anthology "Eternal Portraits". I really can't believe it. I sent back my permission slip immediately as this will mean more publicity for my writing. This is my 3rd poem to be published by the International Poetry Library - you can find my poems on http://www.poetry.com , just search for Amanda Evans. You will receive a huge listing. My poems are titled "Withered Love" - this was published in a book titled "Tender Moments" in September 2001 (my first publication), "Birth" and "Suicide" - both of these poems are to be included in the Eternal Portraits Anthology.

I do have a question however, exciting as it may be to have my work in print I sometimes wonder do companies like these just publish anthologies to make money. I have been asked to purchase a copy of the anthology for $49.95 plus $11.00 shipping (and this is the authors discounted rate) and I am wondering if it is just a gimmick for them to make some extra money. I did purchase a copy of Tender Moments back in 2001 and I have to admit that the book is really well made but I just feel like $60.00 is alot to pay for just one book. What do you think?

Would you be prepared to pay?

I would love to hear your thoughts on this,

Till next time,

Amanda.

I've Been Ranked

All my hard work has finally paid off - I've been ranked. I still can't believe it. Searching just my name - Amanda Evans - on google ranks me in 3rd, 4th, 16th, 37th, 47th and 93rd and all for different things. My ranking for 3rd is for a website called Sensual Venus. This is where I have some of my erotic poetry published. Ranking number 4 is for ezinearticles where I am listed as an expert author, my blog at lulu.com is ranked 16th and so on..........

If I search my name - Amanda Evans - and the word poetry I am ranked 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 19th. I am still in shock and this is just with google.

Searching with Yahoo brings up similar results. Just searching my names - Amanda Evans - ranks me 17th, 32nd, 76th, 82nd and 112th and just as above these are all for different websites. Searching my name and poetry ranks me 1st, 2nd, 5th, 6th, 7th and 11th.

It really is amazing to look up your name and to see so much. I really can't believe all this has happened in just a few short months. My website traffic has soared, I guess search engine placement really is vital afterall.

Look forward to updating you all soon,

Thanks for reading,

Amanda.

Published at Last

I have just publised my first book titled "From Those Death Left Behind". This book is in memory of my father who sadly took his own life on the 29th October 1990. This book contains poetry from both me and my mother portraying the emotions and pain we suffered as a result of my fathers death. In writing this book I am hoping to finally let go of all the pain and suffering I have felt over the last 15 years. It has been a struggle writing this book, poetry of this kind is so personal but I do hope that by sharing others can be helped.

The main objective to publishing this book is to help others who have suffered as I have. Suicide rates increase yearly and I hope that by reading my book people who have suicidal tendencies might seek help and prevent causing pain to their loved ones. The pain of suicide is one that stays with you for life, so many unanswered questions, the feelings of guilt, could I have done anything to stop this from happening?. Questions that will forever remain unanswered.

Secondly by publishing this book I hope to help raise money for the various bereavement and suicide prevention organisations throughout the world.

People who buy this book can also see where their money has been donated to by clicking on the donations page of my website www.amandawrites.com/donations.htm

This book can be purchased for $12.95 (hardcopy) or $7.50 (ebook) from Lulu.com. The link for this is http://www.lulu.com/content/120733.

If you purchase the book and have any comments I would love to hear them.

Many thanks,

Amanda

My Poem "Dreams" to be Published

Yesterday I submitted one of my new poems "Dreams" to as many poetry competitions as I could find and I am delighted to announced that today I received an e-mail from voicesnet.com stating that they would like to publish my poem in their VoicesNet Anthology that is published every 3 months.

Their e-mail stated that they receive more than 3,000 visitors per day to their website and their anthology is shipped to over 38 countries worldwide. They also stated that they receive thousands of poems each day for entry into their competition and only the finest are chosen for publication. I feel so honoured, still can't believe it, I only wrote the poem and sent it off.

I was asked for my permission to publish this poem which I have given and I am also eligible for Special Recognition as a top 3 poems. The prizes for this are $100 and a free book for 1st place, $50 and a free book for 2nd and $25 and a free book for 3rd. I really hope that I might be among the winners.

So anyway I have ordered a copy of the book which is due out in September of this year. I was also given a really good choice on ordering. You could have it as a hardback with an engraving, a hardback with no engraving, a paperback with an engraving or a paperback with no engraving. I also ordered a Publishing Certificate to hang on my wall at home just to remind me of my success. Probably a bit daft I know but I am really delighted at being published. My dream is now becoming reality.

Can't wait to receive my book.

Till next time,

Amanda.