If you are still with me...

If you are still with me, I would like to say hello and I am sorry for being away for so long. I have been busy with school and working full-time as a preschool teacher. I have neglected this beautiful space, yet  I have missed it tremendously. Yes, life has kept me away. However, every now and then I do think about this blog and all my ramblings. Well, I think I may be back...

The truth is, up until recently, I have not written. Anything. And as a result, I have felt there was no purpose in blogging. I honestly tried, but everything I wrote seemed forced and disingenuous. I was uncomfortable with posting anything that did not feel real to me, as I take this space very seriously and I care greatly about the content I share on here. From my heart to this screen, my words are my weapon and my truest evidence of my mark in this word. So, what I write does matter.

As of late, however, I have been writing. In fact, I am currently working on a third collection of poetry. It is a small collection, but nonetheless, it is a collection and I am super excited about it! It has been over four years since I released my last collection, Northside Cries and Lullabies. And in those four years I have struggled creatively, going back and forth with my decisions to publish again or not. However, with a little encouragement from a friend, I decided it was time. This next collection, entitled Coming,  is way overdue!

Coming is a small, pocket poetry collection of short poems (or as I like to call them, "shorties".) The idea of writing a collection of short poems came from my love of short and simple poetry. I have always loved the idea of someone taking less than a minute out of their busy lives to appreciate a single piece of poetry. I do not believe poetry has to be long. So much can be said - so much can be felt in very few words. And to be frank, I have survived off of short poems in the duration of my four year hiatus. Writing short poems helped me stay creative without committing too much time. It was kinda like, you write a few lines, and then you carry on. 

And that is exactly what I have been doing - carrying on. And carrying all of my readers in my heart while I have been away. I do have lovely things planned for us in the next couple of months. 

Just wait on it, xoxo.

-nv

Now Available: Northside Cries & Lullabies by N.V. Torres

Northside Cries and Lullabies is the second collection of poetry and prose by poet N.V. Torres. The book is a poetic exploration into the growth and struggles of a woman living on the northside of Philadelphia.

Excerpt:
"Once upon a time, I was in love with the world and the world was infallible in my young eyes. War and Crime were not guest at my tea parties. Inequity was irrelevant. On summer afternoons in the omnipresence of chaos, drugs and violence, I was a little girl sitting on hot pavement - ants in my hand as they wandered the mounts of my palm. According to my 6 year old self, all was good in the world. Sometimes I feel like I will never see that little girl again."

Northside Cries & Lullabies (2010)
ISBN: 978-0-578-05067-6
Goodbye Publishing House
Paperback, 113 pages

Now Available on Lulu.com! Click the link for a preview!

Also, I decided to open an account on Formspring.me so you guys can submit any questions you may have about NC&L. Check it out! And I opened a NC&L Fan Page on Facebook! Make sure you add it! Shouts to everyone who already added themselves as fans :)

My next steps are to...

*Set up a few readings

*Promote, Promote, Promote!

*And maybe plan a small book release party? We'll see :)

I want to thank everyone who has helped me make this book happen...you all know who you are. Enjoy the book. It is not only 110% all me, but its also a dream come true to be able to leave my mark and produce something that will be around long after I'm gone. I'm humbled and proud. Gracias.

Almost there.

So, my proof copy of NC&L has arrived and I'm very pleased. I made some changes to the cover, for the better - at least I think so. Next step is to edit any mistakes I might have missed the first time around, and make a few minor edits to the front and back cover.

I'll be taking a short break away from the laptop to help chaperone a retreat in the Poconos this weekend. Still, I'm gonna try and get some editing (and homework!) done in my free time, and hopefully I could post the book up for purchase on Monday :)

Big Pimpin', baby...Philadelphia Demeanor

Yo-la, Phil-ly! Guess who is this month's Big Pimpin' feature?

Yup. Philadelphia's own Irwin Roman, also known as P.

So, I first met P in early 2009 at an open mic night hosted by Dope Boys of Poetry which is a group of Philly poets in which P is also a member. He is notoriously known within the group for writing short, yet powerful poetry. The man is direct and likes to get his readers straight to the point and ain't nothing wrong with that!

I decided to feature him this month because not only do I enjoy his writing style, but he has also officially joined the self-publishing club with the recent release of his first poetry collection, Philadelphia Demeanor.

Plus, dude was kind enough to split a little ink with me on a collaborative poem, The Zoo, in my upcoming book which you will get to read very soon.

Feels good to see Philly doing big things :)

Here's a poem from his collection, and one of my personal favorites...Isis:

Isis

by Irwin "P" Roman

He told me her code name was Isis

But he doesn't realize that he's not the first man she treated like this

The highs where unbelievable but they came with devastating lows

Isis was well versed in the ring she handed excruciating blows

But he still loved her and just quite why nobody knows

He adored the she devil from her head down to her toes

And then came the day he couldn't take it no more

Next thing he knows Isis had walked out the door

But he never had the chance to tell her how he feels

He was so ready to buy that ring and on bended knee kneel

With wounds so deep that years later they still haven't healed

But it's over now like 112's Bad Boy deal

And Isis' M.O. just keeping it real

Is playing with the hearts of men just to stomp them with her stiletto heels

Now once he told me about the girl with the code name Isis

I told him since the days of Adam and Eve there's always been girls like this.

Click HERE to purchase P's book

Philadelphia Demeanor

by Irwin Roman

More...

http://www.nerdgang.blogspot.com/

http://stores.lulu.com/nerdgang

Northside's Coming Out (the cover)

Ladies and Gents, here is the cover to my second collection of poetry....

Being that I am completely self-publishing this book, the cover was designed and created by me under Aslin V. Designs (yes, I wear many hats).

Besides what is printed on the pages, the book cover is one of the most important aspects of any book. It's the first thing the reader will see, so you have to make a great first impression. I choice this design because I think it is a perfect reflection of the poems I selected for this book. Many of the poems talk about the urban surroundings and struggles of my neighborhood in North Philly (Northside). The collection is really not only about my growth as a woman, lover, poet and artist, but it's also a tribute to the place where the growth happens - my neighborhood. I thought it would only be right that I put a shot of the Northside on the cover. Shout outs to Google Maps for providing me an aerial picture of my hood!

And...if you get a chance, please check out my WEBSITE.

Thanks for all the love & support. It means the world to me. I can't wait for you guys to read it!!!

xo