Thanksgiving is approaching this week. The feverish shopping frenzy will begin on Friday, and I hope all the shoppers in the Murphy, Hayesville, Robbinsville, and surrounding area will stop in at Curiosity Shop Books at the Shoppes of Murphy for my book signing of NOW MIGHT AS WELL BE THEN, poetry by Glenda Council Beall.
Some comments about the book from Scott Owens:
Beall begins the collection with a love poem that celebrates the timelessness of a relationship. The speaker in the title poems says, “You brought me spring in winter // youth when I was old, / you found my childhood self.” If not for the dedication of the poem which announces who is intended by the indefinite second person pronoun, one could easily read this as a celebration of many things--god, nature, the mountains of North Carolina—and interestingly, any of these meanings would fit for the poems that follow as these poems celebrate the presence and influence of all of these elements.

     We would love to have you come in and vist a few minutes with me and Linda Ray, owner of the bookstore. 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. If you have a favorite poem in the book, I'll be most happy to discuss it and read it for you. Pick up a few books for Christmas gifts.
Scott Owens in his review that will be posted online in mid-February likes the poem, Roosevelt, and this Roosevelt is not a president. I'd like to know your favorite.

NOW MIGHT AS WELL BE THEN by Glenda Council Beall

Finishing Line Press is taking pre-orders for Now Might As Well Be Then, poetry chapbook by Glenda Council Beall, Program Coordinator for Netwest since 2007.


It is the second book on the page of new releases coming out in October.


This book is dedicated to her husband, Barry Beall, who was an unofficial member of Netwest as he made many of the photos at writing events, for articles, and of members that are used in publicity today.


Like William Wordsworth, Glenda Beall was raised knowing well the "yoke of earth," how the fields, pastures and woodlands yield both beauty and terror. Her evocations of being a daughter in the deep South, growing up on a farm, riding her mare, witnessing death and tragedy, as well as joy and fruitfulness, ring absolutely true. She gives us love poems from a mature woman's perspective, too, and poems that celebrate the vistas and culture of the mountains where she now lives. Every poem pulses with detail that brings life back to us in all its varied detail and music. The "yoke of earth" is also the poet's yoke, and she bears it gladly. --- Kathryn Striping Byer, NC Poet Laureate