Raw Earth Ink
Spit mixed with dirt – Muddy words flow
“The Shadows of Blackout Island” a dark fiction anthology
Raw Earth Ink is proud to announce the release of The Shadows of Blackout Island, a collection of dark fiction short stories.
Inside you’ll find seven horrifying tales which take place on Blackout Island as told by:
- L.E. Aleman
- Darren Diarmuid
- Lauren Rylant
- A.P. Christopher
- -M. Taggart
- M. Ennenbach
- Joann L. Berg
Rumors and speculation surround the possible inhabitants of Blackout Island, located just a few miles off the coast. Conspiracy theories abound while social media leaks surface about government experiments gone wrong. Certainly something or someone must live there, for haven’t we all seen the shaky home videos of the occasional wisp of smoke or recordings of eerie sounds carrying far across the water on a calm summer night? Something wicked has been let loose within its depths… And it is time for the truth to be revealed.
Where Junior Officer Jaime discovers the sad reality behind the island’s Wallymoos; where a group of teenagers brave the dark to witness the mysterious actions of the Stump Maker; where a young woman named Eskyl is transformed into mind-controlling siren; and where William pays the ultimate mind-bending price after filling the role of a don’t-ask-don’t-tell Mercury.
In paperback at: lulu, Barnes & Noble, and Amazon.
As eBook at: lulu, Nook, Kobo, and Kindle.
Leave a review at Goodreads.
Collective copyright 2020-23 by Raw Earth Ink
Individual text copyright by contributing authors
Book Review – Darkness Under Siege by Reaper VX
Reaper’s Instagram link: @reapervx
The Amazon link
I read this book in paperback. This is an unsolicited review.
What I Loved:
I have followed Reaper VX on Instagram, oh about a year, I couldn’t say exactly when I found him over there but I was immediately drawn to his longer (for Instagram) pieces which trended towards the darker side of humanity, but full of layers, rhythm, and intelligence.
This, his debut book, is a collection of those works, all within a thought-provoking layout. His sections include “The Pendulum of Synchronicity” a collection of death (quite dark), “Frostbitten Warmth” a collection of love, “Kerosene Chains” a collection of dark/nightmares (very dark), “The Eternal Staircase” a collection of grief, and “Remnants of the River” a collection of self.
Reaper is clearly intelligent, gifted, artistic, and relevant, while still somehow including heart and oh so many layers of emotion into every single piece. I’ve never read a writer quite like this before, so it came as no surprise to me to see how well thought out his self-published book was.
Most of the pages are on a black background with either white or other colored font. There are a lot of artistic photos and digital art included, which appears to be the combined work of eight artists (he includes each of their Instagram handles). All the art is well done and adds fuel to the flames of his words. Some surreal, some thoughtful, some quite disturbing. Which really encapsulates his poetry as well.
The book is a great size, feels good in the hand, and the cover is intriguing. Since this is a higher quality “art-style” book, the pages are thick and glossy and feel nice on the fingers. The fonts are readable and the use of color here and there, I found, amplified the writing, rather than distracted.
What I Didn’t:
My only two gripes (and minor complaints they are) are one, I really wish there was an “about the author” or bio included and two, as par for course from the Amazon printers (which is well-known for its lower quality products), almost all the pages were poorly trimmed, showing a thin white band where it isn’t printed at the bottom of the pages. This is clearly not the author’s fault, and was somewhat distracting only because the pages were very dark to begin with.
My Favorite Bits:
Hard to pick favorites really, because with this sort of caliber, for me it really depends on my mood as to what is going to catch my fancy more or less. I really like his “love” section, and his “grief” section was hard-hitting. I felt every word in both collections. Some of the poems trend towards very dark inner struggle and turmoil which nearly take your breath away, such as many of the pieces in “self”.
My Overall Score:
5/5 stars
(it really doesn’t get much better than this and I can see I will keep coming back to this amazing collection of art again.)
Final Thoughts:
I am hoping that Reaper VX will continue this publishing journey because this guy has got some stories to tell. Having followed along on his social media, I know he is a lyricist as well as a storyteller, prose-style. I look forward with my fingers crossed to a day when he releases more books with those included as well.
It is quite evident that he is a gifted artist and so in light of that, I expect more, much more, from him.
Highly recommended to those like intelligent free-verse poetry which leans toward the darker parts of humanity and lovers of twisted art.
Read more book reviews by following the Book Reviews Category.
be a good writer: read.
~tara caribou
Book Review – The Moon Will Listen by Beau Allen
Beau’s Instagram link: @beauapoet
The Amazon link
I read this book in paperback. This is an unsolicited review.
What I Loved:
Nearly every piece speaks of some aspect of the moon, in relation to love, it’s unattainability, it’s beauty, its loneliness, and more. I felt Mr. Allen really put together a stellar collection of free-verse and micro- poetry. At a slim just-under-100 pages, I wanted more but it wasn’t “too short”. There are throughout the book, (which, by the way, is printed on black background entirely) a smattering of very dark photos that go perfectly. When I say dark, I don’t mean emotionally, but more nighttime photography (stars, the moon, and the like). There is no mention if he is the photographer or who is the artist, but regardless, they all enhance the overall theme.
When I first unwrapped this book, I was impressed with how good it looked with those dark pages. Great font choice, it was a joy to read through it. His grasp of the heart and the emotions are tangible and relatable.
I liked reading his letters to the reader as well as his acknowledgments. They felt very personal and truly made me empathize even more with the author. This goes a long way with readers, the gratitude, humility, and humanity of a writer.
What I Didn’t:
Of course, Amazon being… well, Amazon, known for its low-quality printing, there are some pages which were trimmed poorly, but not a huge distraction, and certainly not the author’s fault.
No, my only complaints were, I do prefer longer books, say 150-pages+ but it didn’t feel TOO short. And secondly, there were some awkward formatting when it came to headers and page numbering, but that’s all aesthetics.
My Favorite Bits:
“Spent Every Wish” – wishing on everything from the stars to birthday candles to dandelions… in the end, all wishes have a cost. I loved this piece.
“Silhouette” – “looking back I can tell you the exact moment I became more of a silhouette than a man…”
“Letters to the Moon” – “… I will be your setting sun to set you free into the night”
My Overall Score:
4.75/5 stars
(1/4 for minor formatting flaws and the shorter length)
Final Thoughts:
This is actually Mr. Allen’s second book, I realized after purchasing this one, so I will be getting his first book as well. This is one of my favorite poetry books right now and I’d love to see more from him.
Highly recommended to those who appreciate short free-verse and micro-poetry and love, loss, heartache, and the human condition.
Read more book reviews by following the Book Reviews Category.
be a good writer: read.
~tara caribou
Book Review – Verbal Vomit and Other Poetry and Prose by Stephanie Lamb
Stephanie’s Instagram: @stephanielambpoetry
The Amazon link
I read this book in paperback. This is an unsolicited review.
What I Loved:
I’m not sure how anyone could equate Ms. Lamb’s intensely beautiful writing to “vomit” and yet that’s just what she has done. She writes some of the most heart-wrenching, incredibly gorgeous poetry and prose I have ever read. Definitely not your run-of-the-mill “Insta-poet”; no, what we have here is some exquisite free-flowing work, mingled with nature and indeed the cosmos itself.
When I read her work, I feel it, deep in my bones. It’s like I have known her all my life and have never known her at all. It’s exploratory while feeling like home. To be honest, I’m not sure how she does it, but it’s magnificent.
It’s a smaller book than I prefer but at just over 100-pages, it’s a good break-in to her work.
What I Didn’t:
I hate to pick on a book with such incredibly elegant writing, but this is a review of the entire book, and so I must be true to the analytical reviewer part of me, without remaining solely in the drenched soul of poetry.
For me, I didn’t care for the general “look” of the book. The front cover didn’t work for me, feeling incoherent and sophomoric. The colors and background image, and the title, weren’t the problem, more the fonts/sizing. It just doesn’t fit the delectable inner parts. With work this good, I need the cover to reflect the artist within.
Inside there were other amateur publishing faux pas which made it harder for me to stick with it. The font, which I liked for the poetry, was too large as if trying to fill up the space. There are industry standards and this was larger than that standard. The prose, with all its impressive and pleasing imagery, needed some breaks to give the eye a break, the heart a small rest, in between thoughts.
There were a few minor punctuation and editing errors but they were few and pretty easy to dismiss.
My Favorite Bits:
Oh goodness. Don’t make me pick!! Not with this author! Her prose pieces are out of this world amazing. “Lonely Nights”, “Fickle and Feverish”, “Moonbeams and Beautifully Broken Things”, and “Vagabond Soul” could have all been ripped right from my own soul. Subjects of love, loneliness, longing… all my own common themes.
And then there’s the poetry, so many that remind me of… well, me. My thoughts and struggles and triumphs. She writes with such heart, I am swept away.
My Overall Score:
4.0/5 stars
(minus 1/2 for the cover, minus 1/2 for awkward editing/formatting)
Final Thoughts:
Ms. Lamb has presented us with a lovely flower, though one I feel should have been finessed in the editing and publishing arena. There were cringe-worthy issues in the book that screamed “self-published” though the book was actually put out by a small-house publisher, as I see by the copyright page and logos. It was the editing and formatting which was the only downfall for me. The actual writing itself is absolutely superb and I quite simply adore (darn near idolize) the author.
Regardless of all the other stuff, I will happily pay for any future books I am sure she is going to put out because man-oh-man can this woman write. From here, I see her going straight to the stars.
Read more book reviews by following the Book Reviews Category.
be a good writer: read.
~tara caribou
A FINAL NOTE ON REVIEWS: it may seem that I am harsh on many writers for their editing, formatting, grammar, punctuation, etc. I do so unapologetically. First, because this is a review not a popularity contest. Second, because honest criticism should help us grow as artists.
The fact of the matter is, these things MATTER. A mathematician must use his tools and use them correctly to be an effective mathematician. A surgeon cannot simply say, “I know I can’t sew the wound closed but at least I could remove the appendix or whatever that thing is called.” Same with writers. We can’t claim to be writers yet refuse to use proper spelling, grammar, and punctuation. We can’t claim to be a photographer just because we know how to push the button on the camera (or phone). There’s an art to it.
So while I may appreciate the artist as a person and their words, I believe that it does us all a disservice to claim that lower quality editing is okay, whether in word, deed, or omission of criticism. Instead: believe in yourself! Believe in the power of your words! Put the effort into being the very best you can be. Ask for help. Grow and learn.
Book Review – The Side Effects of L by Alex Le’Gare
The Amazon link
I read this book in paperback. This is an unsolicited review.
What I Loved:
Mr. Le’Gare isn’t just another “Insta-poet”. Inside, we’ve got 180 pages of powerful, deep, meaningful poetry filled with grit and heart. The pages are a fairly even mixture of micro-poetry, free-verse poetry, and postmodern black-and-white photography. It’s all atmosphere and mood. I really liked the varying styles in which they were presented. The micro-poetry, untitled, written on a black background, and al perfect-for-the-scene font.
I loved the introduction which describes the meaning of the title and what “L” truly means. Carefully breaking it down in a method which I adore. (I am constrained from giving any more spoilers regarding it.)
He has not only some outstanding poetry but his titles are memorable, for good reason. Things like “Every Skeleton Misses Its Skin”, “Hang ‘Em High”, and “Fireflies and Killing Jars”.
The book is a great size, feels great in the hand, and the simple cover stands out. The pages are a bit thin, which is par for course from the Amazon printers, which is well-known for its lower quality products.
What I Didn’t:
The font choice used on the free-verse poetry pages was probably the worst issue I had in the book. It’s not a great poetry font, as it feels too clinical and just doesn’t work with this. For many avid readers such as myself, the appearance is nearly as important as the words themselves. My other gripe would be a formatting issue, and this not from the author, as there are obvious back-coding issues which were not dealt with by the editor, which made for some annoyance while reading due to inconsistencies but not enough to do more than make minor pauses in reading. [This is a common issue with self-publishing but not something I would have expected from a small-house publisher (and never see in big-house publishing). Again, not a huge deal, but a small note.]
My Favorite Bits:
Mr. Le’Gare filled the pages with potent, powerful pieces and a few of note were “6”, “Tsunami”, and “Title Be Not”. Just super great writing that sticks with you long after you’ve put the book down.
My Overall Score:
4.5/5 stars
(1/4 for formatting hiccups, 1/4 for font choice which goes against the overall mood of the book)
Final Thoughts:
Alex is an underrated poet, in my opinion. He’s clearly experienced some hard knocks but he’s ALL heart and soul. I am looking forward to seeing more from him because I just can’t see him stopping this. He makes it look easy and natural, a sure sign of a great writer.
Read more book reviews by following the Book Reviews Category.
be a good writer: read.
~tara caribou
A FINAL NOTE ON REVIEWS: it may seem that I am harsh on many writers for their editing, formatting, grammar, punctuation, etc. I do so unapologetically. First, because this is a review not a popularity contest. Second, because honest criticism should help us grow as artists.
The fact of the matter is, these things MATTER. A mathematician must use his tools and use them correctly to be an effective mathematician. A surgeon cannot simply say, “I know I can’t sew the wound closed but at least I could remove the appendix or whatever that thing is called.” Same with writers. We can’t claim to be writers yet refuse to use proper spelling, grammar, and punctuation. We can’t claim to be a photographer just because we know how to push the button on the camera (or phone). There’s an art to it.
So while I may appreciate the artist as a person and their words, I believe that it does us all a disservice to claim that lower quality editing is okay, whether in word, deed, or omission of criticism. Instead: believe in yourself! Believe in the power of your words! Put the effort into being the very best you can be. Ask for help. Grow and learn.
“Four” poetry and photography by tara caribou
I’m happy to announce the release of tara caribou’s second poetry collection, Four. Four is 185 pages of black-and-white photography and poetry. This book will only be available in paperback through tara caribou directly and on lulu.
“Wherever there is number, there is beauty.” Proclus, Greek Philosopher
Four. Four seasons. Four elements. Four phases of the moon. Four is the number of humanity in the physical realms and represents the now. It is a foundation in calmness and being grounded.
Within these pages you will discover fresh perspectives on love in its many forms. You will see the earth through the eyes of nature. You will feel the despair, the horror, of dark depression. You will feel the green tendrils of new love. Inside you may even experience what four can be within your own self.
The hope is that by the time you have finished, you will have viewed the soul of humanity, by the lens of nature, from a different angle.
In paperback at: lulu and directly from the author.
Leave a review on Goodreads.
©️2020-23 | tara caribou
The Mad Puppeteer Announcement – Podcast REBLOG
I hope you’ll click through to The Mad Puppeteer’s blog and give a listen to his interview on Megha Upadhyaya’s podcast, “It’s Never Too Late”. Robert and Megha had a great conversation about art, poetry, social media, and how Robert got into writing.
Greetings, my friends! I hope you all are well. Recently, I was a guest on Megha Upadhyaya’s podcast, It’s Never Too Late. We talked about writing, …
Unidentified
arctic cold seeps through bones
night sky, twinkling lights, crisp, clear
a moving star becomes something more
back and forth, back, forth, now around
circles and speed, defying logic
minutes earlier booms rattled the trees,
then our hearts
another light, brighter than the full moon
rises, rises, rests, holds, disappears
camera lifting as puffs of breath into the icy air
what is this?
not a single cloud and yet
the moon, blue, is nowhere
and then is suddenly is
unveiled yet my eyes refuse to turn away
blue, red, pale green, blinking
around and around
focus, steady, focus, click
in the shadows and yet feeling exposed
puff, puff, hold your breath
twenty minutes, thirty
my fingers glacial with chill
I blink and it’s gone, just gone
clouds form before my eyes
beneath and beyond its former shadow
thirty minutes later a jet races overhead
then another
and another
another
the stars watch it silent observation
turning ever over
the weather channel still shows
no clouds in our area though I see them
hours later
what are you hiding?
tara caribou | © 2020
Raw Earth Ink 