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N: Volume Three
Life’s a kiln and we all start off with clay. Every encounter, every hardship lays a brick in the foundation of our very being, and through pure grit, we slowly build up the powerful structure we will one day become.
In this anthology, you will find a variety of poetry and short stories from five different writers and a glimpse into their own trials-by-fire. Whether it’s family, relationships, day-to-day life, or a story that just needs to be told, it’s a crucial piece to their framework and worth sharing with the world.
In this anthology, you will find a variety of poetry and short stories from five different writers and a glimpse into their own trials-by-fire. Whether it’s family, relationships, day-to-day life, or a story that just needs to be told, it’s a crucial piece to their framework and worth sharing with the world.
- GenresPoetry
137 pages, Paperback
Published October 1, 2017
19 people want to read
About the author
A. Lynn Blumer
21 books38 followersA. Lynn Blumer lives in Michigan's Upper Peninsula where she enjoys the outdoors just as much as her smoke-laden writing station. The last five years have been devoted to developing her poetry and independent publishing business, but prose remains her chief interest.
Owner of Pyre Publishing
Owner of Pyre Publishing
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
September 15, 2017
As is the case with most anthologies, there were some pieces in N: Volume Three that I liked a lot more than others, but unlike most anthologies, this succeeds extremely well as being a cohesive collection that fits together very well indeed.
N: Volume Three combines themes of loss, loneliness, poverty, and the underside of modern America, where folk have long given up on their dreams but also appreciate the little moments of day-to-day life through connecting with others.
As an Englishman, I also picked up on something which is perhaps not noticeable to the poets and authors in this collection: this book is very much American – in the landscapes that are described, and in little references to things like trailer parks, diners and penny dishes (why don’t we have those in the U.K?) - giving the book that added dimension for non-Americans, in the same way as the adventures of Kerouac and his chums are somewhat exotic.
My hands-down favourite fiction was the opening piece ‘Drifter’ by A. Lynn Blumer; not just for the story about a mysterious young drifter’s involvement with a woman who’s being abused by her fella, and the underlying mystery of the protagonist owning a candle that never gets shorter, but also for how well the story is written and executed.
‘Jumbo’ by Jaymie Depew was a close second for my favourite story, and ‘Sex With You’ by April M. Cote was my favourite poem in the collection.
I also very much liked ‘Loneliness Quotes’ by Troy Graham, which begins:
“The path to loneliness
Is paved with people
Who you thought
Loved you.
The cure to loneliness
Is not companionship.
It’s the ability
To live outside
Your mind.”
And also his poem ‘Sketched Love’:
“I am your pencil -
Sketched Love.
That way you can erase
Me any time
You want.”
And ‘The Prettiest Star’ by Nathan D. Meadows is a great little ode to Bowie.
But the best line in the book is from the poem ‘Pep Talks’ by April M. Cote, which sums up the bittersweet melancholy of N: Volume Three nicely:
“You’ve wasted a life by not taking your own.”
A great little collection worth investing your time in.
N: Volume Three combines themes of loss, loneliness, poverty, and the underside of modern America, where folk have long given up on their dreams but also appreciate the little moments of day-to-day life through connecting with others.
As an Englishman, I also picked up on something which is perhaps not noticeable to the poets and authors in this collection: this book is very much American – in the landscapes that are described, and in little references to things like trailer parks, diners and penny dishes (why don’t we have those in the U.K?) - giving the book that added dimension for non-Americans, in the same way as the adventures of Kerouac and his chums are somewhat exotic.
My hands-down favourite fiction was the opening piece ‘Drifter’ by A. Lynn Blumer; not just for the story about a mysterious young drifter’s involvement with a woman who’s being abused by her fella, and the underlying mystery of the protagonist owning a candle that never gets shorter, but also for how well the story is written and executed.
‘Jumbo’ by Jaymie Depew was a close second for my favourite story, and ‘Sex With You’ by April M. Cote was my favourite poem in the collection.
I also very much liked ‘Loneliness Quotes’ by Troy Graham, which begins:
“The path to loneliness
Is paved with people
Who you thought
Loved you.
The cure to loneliness
Is not companionship.
It’s the ability
To live outside
Your mind.”
And also his poem ‘Sketched Love’:
“I am your pencil -
Sketched Love.
That way you can erase
Me any time
You want.”
And ‘The Prettiest Star’ by Nathan D. Meadows is a great little ode to Bowie.
But the best line in the book is from the poem ‘Pep Talks’ by April M. Cote, which sums up the bittersweet melancholy of N: Volume Three nicely:
“You’ve wasted a life by not taking your own.”
A great little collection worth investing your time in.
September 29, 2017
The N series continues with a third installment just as varied in its voices as it's faithful to its focus. While I always look forward to reading new stuff from stalwarts A. Lynn Blumer and Troy Graham, it was great discovering April M. Cote, Jaymie Depew, and Nate D. Meadows this time around as well.
I think the proceedings are summed up fairly well with the following statement:
"Every encounter, every hardship lays a brick in the foundation of our very being, and through pure grit, we slowly build up the powerful structure we will one day become."
However, the converse of this is the erosion that inevitably occurs over time, wearing us down for better or worse. You can't have creation without destruction, of course, as these poems and stories plainly show.
I think the proceedings are summed up fairly well with the following statement:
"Every encounter, every hardship lays a brick in the foundation of our very being, and through pure grit, we slowly build up the powerful structure we will one day become."
However, the converse of this is the erosion that inevitably occurs over time, wearing us down for better or worse. You can't have creation without destruction, of course, as these poems and stories plainly show.
March 11, 2018
This is an amazing collection by five different writers, it is very raw and emotional, and they all open their heart to you. Each writer is strong and not one fades into the background.
The collection is opened with a brutal short story by A.Lynn Blumer. It's about a drifter that rents a room, he has a chequered past but none of that is shared with the reader, you know as much as the other characters. It is one of those stories that builds up the tension until the very good climatic ending.
Next up is April M. Cote, and boy is she good! Such powerful poetry, two stand out poems here are "A Mother's Love" I got my wife to read that one and she agrees it is 100% accurate. Then we have "Hope" a contender for the best poem I'll read this year:
Hope
I have no hope for the human race
No way in hell we deserve this place
Humans take everything good and pure
And then destroy it, make it disappear
Ruining everything that is ever real
Replacing it with concrete and steel
Slicing each other as they cut down trees
Laughing at nature down on its knees
This cannot be what we were meant to be
Only sowing more and more misery
Something, anything has to give
Because this is the only place we have to live.
Next up is Jaymie Depew with some very angry writing, I have made note of how to treat those serving you when you dine out.
Troy Graham supplies some dark lonely stories and poems. "My Dear Friend" was a lovely poem, very moving.
The book ends with some stories by Nate D. Meadows. The highlight of his was "The Grove (Jane Says)" I was blown away by this, stunning writing and the best thing in the book.
I highly recommend giving this a read, you won't be disappointed.
Blog review is here> https://felcherman.wordpress.com/2018...
The collection is opened with a brutal short story by A.Lynn Blumer. It's about a drifter that rents a room, he has a chequered past but none of that is shared with the reader, you know as much as the other characters. It is one of those stories that builds up the tension until the very good climatic ending.
Next up is April M. Cote, and boy is she good! Such powerful poetry, two stand out poems here are "A Mother's Love" I got my wife to read that one and she agrees it is 100% accurate. Then we have "Hope" a contender for the best poem I'll read this year:
Hope
I have no hope for the human race
No way in hell we deserve this place
Humans take everything good and pure
And then destroy it, make it disappear
Ruining everything that is ever real
Replacing it with concrete and steel
Slicing each other as they cut down trees
Laughing at nature down on its knees
This cannot be what we were meant to be
Only sowing more and more misery
Something, anything has to give
Because this is the only place we have to live.
Next up is Jaymie Depew with some very angry writing, I have made note of how to treat those serving you when you dine out.
Troy Graham supplies some dark lonely stories and poems. "My Dear Friend" was a lovely poem, very moving.
The book ends with some stories by Nate D. Meadows. The highlight of his was "The Grove (Jane Says)" I was blown away by this, stunning writing and the best thing in the book.
I highly recommend giving this a read, you won't be disappointed.
Blog review is here> https://felcherman.wordpress.com/2018...
November 16, 2017
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November 27, 2017
4 1/2 stars. I absolutely loved the opening story 'Drifter' by A. Lynn Blumer to set the gritty mood of this collection. I have to say I got the biggest kick out of Jaymie Depew's 'Things You Shouldn't Say or Do When You Dine Out'. Well said!!! I think this should be posted on restaurant doors with the hours of operation. And April M. Cote's poems were unflinching and heartbreaking. 'Pep Talks' sank deep into me. Loved the quirkiness of 'My Favorite' and poems by Troy Graham. And 'Light of Truth' by Nathan D. Meadows is one I read over and over. Those are the ones I related to most but this whole collection is definitely one to get lost in. Each author's voice is unique and yet they all tied together so well. I enjoyed it very much!
November 19, 2017
All five authors had their own voice. A. Blumer's "Drifter" was very visceral and left you wanting to know more about this mysterious young man's past..and future. My favorite poems by April Cote were "Poverty", "One Final Favor", and "Panic". I loved how Jaymie interspersed poetry into a description of a city in "Tacoma", I feel like I know what it is like to live there. For me, Troy Graham's best pieces were "Pin Wheels", "Loneliness Quotes", and "Not in the Cards". As far as my contribution turned out...I am happy. Other than that I feel it wrong to comment upon.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews