Amazon Category:  Poetry Publisher: Omega Publications ISBN-10:  9780985035068 Type: Fiction Pages: 207 Copyright: November 15, 2012 ISBN-13: 9780985035075 A collection of witty and ironic Japanese short-form poetry by several authors. Delightful! This collection of senryu, kyoka and haiga are created by women, lending a rich female voice to what has been a male-dominated arena.  The eighteen authors lend different styles and thoughts to this witty and thoughtful collection that will leave you thinking -- and laughing --  long after you put it down.   About the Book: Pieces of Her Mind: Women Find Their Voice in Centuries-Old Forms is the first anthology of three types of short Japanese poetic forms (senryu, kyoka and haiga), as well as instructive and reflective essays, published exclusively by contemporary English Language women poets. While readers who appreciate this genre of poetry will be particularly interested in this book, the book will also appeal to men and women who love satiric and ironic “three-liners” that provide insight into how women think. Pieces of Her Mind is the result of a year-long collaboration of 18 diverse women poets who live throughout the world. These women studied the poetic forms and shared their unique voices through online classes, group study sessions, interactive conference calls and online research. The book evolved over time due to the special talents and contributions of the various authors. The result is a merging of individual voices into one common voice, a voice which will be enjoyed by readers whether they like to read from front page to back or skip to a page while on an airplane ride. Pieces of Her Mind will also be enjoyed and appreciated by book clubs, classes and writing and reading groups as a vehicle to study and reflect upon not only how women think about their worlds but also about the centuries-old forms of Japanese poetry. Throughout the book are instructive and personal reflective essays. In addition, an extensive, selected annotated bibliography and free online website resource (Q&A’s to facilitate and prompt discussions) are provided by the authors. List of Authors: Melissa Bickel Vicki Taylor Bonnell Susan Galletti Campion Connie Chiechi Robyn Corum Nancy Bravo Creager Alvin Thomas Ethington Suzanne Fuller Lois J. Funk Dana Furrow Carol Judkins Deborah C. Kammer Nina Marshall (Rama Devi) Nessie Noel Phillippa Ross Joan E. Stern Karyn Stockwell Excerpt thirty-day diet is the answer to my prayers ten days lost so far -Stockwell as siblings squabble over Mom’s heirloom pearls I reach for her box with food-stained recipes that define her legacy -Chiechi

Liam Wilkinson, Former Editor, Prune Juice.
Thank goodness for this anthology. There lies, within this astounding volume, an affirmation of senryu's power, grace, charm, flexibility and vitality. As an editor, I have occasionally allowed myself to fall into the seemingly endless and often somewhat thorny debate concerning the status of senryu as a singular form and, with this genuinely absorbing collection of poems and essays, we have, at last, a substantial and authoritative answer to those who may question the form's significance. We should have learned by now that the most tangled of dilemmas is best unraveled by the women of this world, and, certainly in the case of this anthology, with such admirable sensitivity and precision. I'm more deeply in love with senryu now than I've ever been.

Chen-ou Liu, haiku columnist and author of three books.
A well-crafted collection of English language Japanese short form poetry! Through their collaborative learning, hard work, and practically nuanced approach to senryu, kyoka, and haiga, the women authors of this anthology successfully adapted these centuries-old forms and made them their own. The reader will experience their unique poetic voices in the book

Janie Sullivan, Director, Center for Writing Excellence.
The women who contributed to this work, Pieces of Her Mind, have incredible voices. They expressed their passion, humor, strength, and wisdom through an art form which allowed them to discover and expose themselves. My favorite chapters are the ones on laughter and friendship, although I sighed, laughed, and nodded in affirmation throughout the book. I highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys re-charging her or his sensibilities in moments of time.