GOOD BYE

Dear Campers, my poem and the link to Poetry Friday are below.

I am veering from our topic this round (which is: writing spaces/places—talking about our physical writing space and/or how we’re motivating ourselves to write) to share sad news. 

Recently I learned a new word: felix culpa (FAY/FEE-liks KOOL/KUHL-pah). It means "An error or disaster that has fortunate consequences." 

Still, it knocked me for a loop when, on August 30, 2021, the following floated into my inbox (an excerpt):

We are sorrow-filled to share this announcement with you: Bookology and Fresh Bookology will no longer be published. It has been a project of our heart since 2014 but a change in life circumstances has brought us to face the reality that we can no longer commit over 40 volunteer hours each week to publishing the magazine and the weekly newsletter. We must, instead, focus our attentions on Winding Oak, our "day jobs."

My all-time favorite children's literature ezine, Bookology, which I urged all my students to subscribe to, published by Vicki and Steve Palmquist, has passed away. 

I am bereft.

photo credit: Arwan Sutanto

Vicki and Steve have had to make this difficult decision partly because Steve is dealing with a serious medical issue. 

A GoFundMe page has been created by author and editor Lisa Bullard, who titles it, "Seeing Steve Palmquist Through Tough Times." On it she writes:

If you’ve read this far, you may already know what I know: few people have been as instrumental as the Palmquists in building bridges between the people who create children’s books and the advocates who place those books in front of kids. For the past three decades, the Palmquists have worked tirelessly to create innovative programs and organizations that promote literacy. Bookology, Children’s Literature Network, Books for Breakfast, the Alphabet Forest—these are just a few of the initiatives in which they’ve played instrumental roles and to which they’ve devoted countless volunteer hours.

Steve and Vicki have made an impact on the careers of hundreds of children’s book authors and illustrators, everyone from newcomers to some of the biggest names in the field. As one of the many writers who has benefitted from their wisdom, generosity, and hard work, I’m so grateful to them—not only for what they’ve done for my career, but for everything they’ve done to put books into the hands of young readers.

Steve and Vicki are happiest when they’re shining the spotlight on others.

I urge you to read Candice Ransom's final column in Bookology titled Listening for Stories...a sample of the beautiful, hilarious, inspiring, gripping, mind-exploding stories and events that swam into subscribers' inboxes each week for seven years...for free.

But...wait! 

It's a bird, it's a plane, it's a possibility of BLUE SKIES ahead!

Albuquerque, NM 2006 

BREAKING NEWS: BOOKOLOGY NEWSLETTER IN ANOTHER FORM 

You may be aware that we have ceased publication of Bookology and Fresh Bookology in order to focus on Winding Oak work (see “medical expenses”). However, one of our clients had the great idea to send out occasional newsletters to that faithful mailing list (self-selected children’s literature professionals and enthusiasts) to announce our clients’ new books, share event news, and do book giveaways. We will be announcing this to those subscribers shortly so if you’re interested, contact us and we’ll provide you with the opportunities and costs for promoting your book(s) in this way. 

Fantastic news!

Here's today's poem:

FUNERAL FOR A MAGAZINE
by April Halprin Wayland

There will be no casket—just a link,

and had you asked it,

it would think you were asking for the moon.

“It’s just,” you protest, “you are leaving us too soon.”

In the fall of 2016, the Palmquists had to end the publication of another marvelous ezine, Quercus, for which we paid just $20 per year.

I was dumbstuck. 

I sent them the following:

Subject: ...but how will I...face the sun......or find a way through this book...without Quercus???

Dear Vicki and Steve,

Thank you. 

For creating a marvel.

 

For clearing space 

for the good stuff.

 

For writing and fighting 

for rights, 

for mirrors, 

for sunlight, 

for windows.

 

Thank you for putting 

so much 

into such a small box 

which made opening email 

a blessing.

 

With love, respect, admiration ~

and for the knowledge 

that your continued reinvention 

will be gifts to all of us.

I am learning that many crises in my life or in our world may, in the long run, turn out to be blessings. Bless you, Vicki and Steve!  

Steve & Vicki Palmquist, founders of Winding Oak.

And thank you, Denise, at Dare to Care for hosting Poetry Friday!

posted with sadness and hope by April Halprin Wayland (and a little help from our 9-month-old tortoises, Meredith & Derek)