About

Do you want to write and publish poetry, articles in magazines/newspapers/newsletters/ company/trade publications, columns, non-fiction books, or do writing of other genres? Then, this blog will give you a lot of practical instruction, ideas, and reading enjoyment. No matter what your background, level of education, or profession, you can write. You can! You can experience the joy and rewards of the good life of writing. You can be respected by friends and family alike for your skills. Your work will be appreciated by people you’ve never met and even those who live in far-flung places. This site is especially instructive for those seeking haiku mentorship.

This blog, edited by me, Charlotte Digregorio, is instructional for authors, business and professional people, creative writers, journalists, publishers, and poets, both beginning and experienced. You will learn the how-to’s of writing/marketing your work through hundreds of posts. Topics include: book publishing; publicity/networking for writers; feature/column/news writing; appreciating and writing poetry including short Japanese-style forms; nurturing creativity; and general wordsmithing.

The site also features author interviews, book reviews, reader surveys on the writing craft, essays, advice, tips, inspiration for writing as a healing exercise, The Daily Haiku from poets in 61 countries, and free verse, sonnets, tanka, haibun, and rhyming poems by a variety of poets. Quite simply, this blog includes insightful writing that encourages creative inspiration for all and productive living. Doesn’t everyone want to be creative in some way? Sometimes, your job doesn’t include creative thinking. Get creative thinking skills here!

I have published books – marketed and/or published 55 titles. These books are sold in 46 countries to bookstores, libraries, universities, professional organizations, government agencies, and book clubs. I was recently honored by the Governor of Illinois for my lifelong achievements in the literary arts, and my passion to promote the field and educate the public about it through workshops, speaking, exhibits, organizing writers’ festivals, and many other activities.

I am also the award-winning author of seven books: Ripples of Air: Poems of Healing; Haiku and Senryu: A Simple Guide for All; Everything You Need to Know About Nursing Homes; You Can Be A Columnist; Beginners’ Guide to Writing & Selling Quality Features; Your Original Personal Ad; and Shadows of Seasons: Selected Haiku and Senryu by Charlotte Digregorio.

Many of my books have been adopted as supplemental texts at universities throughout the U.S., Canada, India, Pakistan, and Catalonia. They are sold in 49 countries, and are displayed in major metropolitan venues and cultural centers. These books have been reviewed, recommended, and praised by hundreds of  critics, librarians, and professors worldwide.

Two of my books have been Featured Selections of Writer’s Digest Book Club. I am interviewed by major print, radio, and television organizations throughout the U.S. I sign books regularly at libraries, chain bookstores, and university bookstores.

I was recently nominated for four Pushcart Prizes in poetry. I have been nominated and listed in “The International Authors and Writers Who’s Who” in Cambridge, England and in the “Who’s Who In Writers, Editors & Poets U.S./Canada,” among many directories.

My background includes positions as a news reporter, feature editor, columnist at daily newspapers, and as a magazine editor. I have been a public relations director, and am currently self-employed as a public relations/marketing consultant, having served more than 150 clients in dozens of states. In other professional areas, I’ve been on university faculties, teaching French, Italian, and Writing. I was educated at The University of Chicago.

I have won eighty-one awards for my writing. I am an internationally-published poet of sixteen forms. My poetry has been translated into nine languages. I have done poetry readings at a variety of bookstores, libraries, art centers, and galleries.

My traveling poetry/art show is featured at major libraries, corporate buildings, park districts, hospitals, and galleries. My individual poems have been displayed at supermarkets, apparel and wine shops, banks, restaurants, botanic gardens, and on public transit. I’ve been interviewed on cable television about my poetry. I also hosted my own radio program, “Poetry Beat,” on public broadcasting. I am the creator and columnist for a poetry page in Winnetka-Kenilworth Living Magazine in Illinois.

My poetry has been featured on library web sites, such as those of Shreve Memorial Library in Louisiana and Cornell University’s Mann Library.

I regularly give special lectures and workshops on publishing, publicity, journalism, poetry, and creativity to business and professional groups. I also give “writing for publication” and poetry workshops at national writers’ conferences, universities, literary festivals, non-profit organizations, and libraries. I’ve been a writer-in-residence at universities. I often judge literary contests.

There have been about 400 articles written about me in the media. I have served on the Boards of writers’ and publishers’ organizations. My positions have included Board Secretary of the Northwest Association of Book Publishers. I served for many years as Midwest Regional Coordinator of The Haiku Society of America, and as its Second Vice President.

You may click on my “Bio and Books” page to see photos of the books I’ve authored. They are all available from me with free shipping. You can reach me at my email address: c-books@hotmail.com.