Undawnted Interviews Dawn Pisturino, Day Seven of the WordCrafter Poetry Treasures 5: Small Pleasures Book Blog Tour

 WordCrafter Poetry Treasures 5: Small Pleasures

 

About Poetry Treasures 5: Small Pleasures

Open the cover, and you will discover Poetry Treasures from the guests on Robbie Cheadle's 2024: Treasuring Poetry blog series on Writing to be Read.

 

Poetry Treasures 5: Small Pleasures

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Introduction

Welcome, Undawntables to the Poetry Treasures 5: Small Pleasures blog tour. This year, I and several other poets created a wonderful poetry anthology delving into the theme: Small Pleasures. 

Dawn Pisturino is one of my compatriot poets in this publication. She is a beautiful writer with a bright future in the creative writing field. I interviewed Ms. Pisturino about her poetry.

Please welcome her to Undawnted with our warm and gracious hospitality.

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Interview with Dawn Pisturino

Every poet has a favorite poet, but do you have a favorite song? Songs are poetry set to music. Tell me yours and why it is your favorite.

I love all kinds of music, from opera to heavy metal, so I don’t really have a favorite song. Every song touches me in some unique way. Some of my favorite rock songs are “Nights in White Satin” by the Moody Blues and “A Stairway to Heaven” by Led Zeppelin. Abbey Road by the Beatles and The Wall by Pink Floyd are among my favorite rock albums. Opera-wise, I’ve liked the Gershwin classic, Porgy and Bess, since I was a child. I enjoy singers like Enya, Billie Holiday, Aretha Franklin, Al Green, Michael Jackson, Sting, and Roberta Flack. My favorite classical composers are Wagner, Rachmaninoff, Chopin, Debussy, Satie, Tchaikovsky, and Grieg.
 

Poetry can be found in anything, and since a picture is worth a thousand words, what school of art (impressionism, expressionism, cubism, et al) inspires you to write poetry and why?

I rarely write poetry based on a photo or a piece of art. My favorite artists are the Italian Renaissance masters, like Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo. My poetry derives from my own emotions and imagination. Since I have a wide range of interests, I can always find something to write about.

If you have a favorite flower (it can be a tree), which one would you write a poem about? 

I love daffodils and tulips, but purple irises are my favorite because they are delicate and fragile.

Tell me your poetic journey. Where did it start? Does it still influence you today?

I’ve been writing poetry since I was in third grade. My first poem was about spiders. I mainly grew up in the country, so I’ve always lived close to nature. As a teenager, I discovered the great English poets like Keats, Shelley, Tennyson, the Brownings, and Blake. Then, it was American poets like Whitman, Eliot, Cummings, and Millay. Although these poets still influence me, I spend more time reading contemporary poets.

Whatever else you would like to impart upon my readers.

I’ve published five poetry collections, all Amazon bestsellers and/or #1 Amazon New Releases. Ancient Voices: Poems About Ancient Egypt can now be pre-ordered on Amazon. The Kindle, Kindle Unlimited, paperback, and hardcover editions will be available on May 1, 2025. On pre-order, the collection has already achieved #1 Amazon New Release status in African Poetry and History of Egypt. Amazon Blurb “The Ancient Egyptians loved life and celebrated it with joy. Their deepest desire was to live an honorable life and achieve immortality in the afterlife, where they could exist in perfect harmony with the cosmic order and never experience pain, suffering, and hardship again. These original poems by Dawn Pisturino reflect the hopes and dreams of people who were not much different from us. They worked, loved, raised families, worshiped their gods, honored the dead, enjoyed festivals and celebrations, imbibed beer and wine, danced, sang, and played, aspired to better themselves, and appreciated the beauty and wonder of nature. Take a journey back in time to explore the
minds and hearts of the Ancient Egyptians.”

Amazon Purchase Link: https://a.co/d/bmcFOIf
Thank you for your support!

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About Dawn Pisturino

Author photograph of Dawn Pisturino

Dawn Pisturino is a retired registered nurse in Arizona whose international publishing credits include poems, short stories, and articles. Her first poetry collection, Ariel's Song: Published Poems, 1987– 2023, debuted with five-star reviews and reached #60 on the Amazon Bestseller List for Haiku; Japanese Poetry. Her short chapbook, Lunar Gazing Haiku, became a #1 Amazon New Release in six categories. 

Her Halloween collection, Haiku for the Midnight Hour, achieved #1 Amazon New Release status in three categories. Sun Haiku: 365 Days of Sunshine, released in December 2024, quickly climbed to #1 Amazon New Release status in Japanese Poetry: Haiku. She is a member of Mystery Writers of America and the Arizona Authors Association.

You can catch Robbie Cheadle’s interview with Dawn Pisturino here: https://writingtoberead.com/2024/10/16/treasuring-poetry-meet-talented-poet-dawn-pisturino-and-a-review-poetrycommunity-poetry-treasuringpoetry.

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*Giveaway*

This tour, we’re giving away digital copies of Poetry Treasures 5: Small Pleasures to three lucky winners. Follow the tour and comment at each stop, so we’ll know you were there. You’ll be entered for another chance in the giveaway at each stop. Winners are chosen through a random drawing by WordCrafter Press. We’ll be watching for your name.

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Support Great Artists 

Poetry Treasures 5: Small Pleasures will be released on April 22, 2025. I hope everyone will have a chance to read the exceptional creative works therein. Every poet featured is a stellar rhythm-rhyme writer.

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Join poets DL Mullan, Barbara Harris Leonhard, Jude Itakali, Ivor Steven, Robbie Cheadle, Michelle Ayon Navajas, Gwen M. Plano, Elizabeth Gauffreau, David Bogomolny, Dawn Pasturino, Maggie Watson, and Colleen Chesebro share their own small pleasures in poetic verse.

Tour Schedule

April 21-28 - Poetry Treasures 5: Small Pleasures, by Kaye Lynne Booth, et.al.
Mon. 4/21 - Opening Day- Writing to be Read - (Intro. post & Book Trailer)
Tues 4/22 - Colleen Writes & Publishes - (Dawn Pisturino. Guest Post)
Wed. 4/23 - Patty's Worlds - (Michelle Navajas Guest Post)
Thurs. 4/24 - Carla Loves to Read- (Ivor Stevens Reading))
Fri. 4/25 – Poetry By Mich - (Barbabra Harris Leonhard Reading)
Sat. 4/26 - Book Places - (DL Mullan Reading)
Sun. 4/27 - Writing to be Read – (Wrap up) - Undawnted (Interview with Dawn
Pisturino)

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Become an Undawntable

Keep up-to-date with everything Undawnted through Substack: Undawntable Newsletter. Join today! 

Undawnted's DL Mullan can be booked for your online Blog Tour, Book Event, Book Review (w/ARC), Interview, Writing Conference, or Genre Convention. Ms. Mullan has years of experience in public speaking, readings, present- ations, events, and tours.

Book a quality author and presenter with Undawnted: Bookings online form.

 

 

Poetry Treasures 5: Small Pleasures Anthology Publishing DL Mullan's Original Works

Celebrate Poetry Month 

Poetry Treasures is a poetry anthology series by Robbie Cheadle (aka Roberta Eaton Cheadle) on Kaye Lynne Booth's Writing to be Read blogsite.

After realizing that I wrote poetry, Ms. Cheadle invited me into her select group: Treasuring Poetry, 2024: Introducing the poetry of DL Mullan and a review. With the culmination of a year's worth of poets, the fifth installment of her poetry anthology is set for publication this month.

Yours truly will be the first poet, since I was Ms. January 2024. Six of my poems will be available for perusal: Daybreak, Home, Myth, Quantum Time, Galactic Ride, and Slap-Happy Contagion. Each one brings a different perspective to the theme: Small Pleasures. 

Poetry Treasures Anthology on Undawnted.  

Poetry Treasures Poetry Slam on Undawnted's channel (Playlist).

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Song Release

Quantum Time is the inspiration for my song released on my self-titled: Undawnted album. 

Listen here and leave me your thoughts on my channel. 

Remember to Like, Comment, and Subscribe!

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Support Great Artists 

Poetry Treasures 5: Small Pleasures will be released on April 22, 2025. I hope everyone will have a chance to read the exceptional creative works therein. Every poet featured is a stellar rhythm-rhyme writer.


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Album Release

Ages instrumental album was inspired by DL Mullan's poems published in this anthology. 

This LP (long play) album's singles are available for listening via the Ages Playlist. 

For more information, or to read the song track titles, visit Ages Album & Singles on Undawnted.

 

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About the Poet

 

DL Mullan is much more than a lyrical and literary poet. Her elementary school taught Japanese theater and poetry, foreign languages, writing, cooking, drama, as well as drawing skills. Secondary education was an Arts Magnet High school, introducing her to the technical side of art through theater and concert choir. Everything a budding artist would need until community college filled her with a love for poetry. As a poet, she won academic awards and writing credits. Director of her own community poetry group, she presented, taught the love of poetry, as well as created her own poetic forms. During 2020, participants from around the world, including Europe and Asia, flocked to Undawnted to learn poetry from Ms. Mullan. Experience poetry in genres and styles that aren’t taught in the traditional English textbooks, but should be.

Ms. Mullan holds several college degrees, including a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies, as well as a Masters of Arts in Teaching and Learning with Technology.

For more information about DL Mullan’s creative writing, digital art, poetry, music and more, visit http://www.undawnted.com.

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Become an Undawntable

 Keep up-to-date with everything Undawnted through Substack: Undawntable Newsletter. Join today!

Undawnted's DL Mullan can be booked for your online Blog Tour, Book Event, Book Review (w/ARC), Interview, Writing Conference, or Genre Convention. Ms. Mullan has years of experience in public speaking, readings, present- ations, events, and tours.

Book a quality author and presenter with Undawnted: Bookings online form.

 

Great Paranormal and Supernatural Treats this Autumn Cider Season on Undawnted

Autumn is most people's favorite season. How is that even a question? Hot cocoa. Campfires. Halloween. What is there not to love? 

Aaachoo! Oh, may be that. While we grab some tissue, see what Autumn Cider Seasonal Reads has ready for download from Lulu & Amazon: 

Novels  
In the Name of Blood: Vampires are Relative
Some people have a supernatural lineage unlike any other.

Short Stories

The Reality Hackers
Don't let your life get hacked. 

Long Form Poetry
Baptizing the Dead 
Beware... the Devil may come bearing gifts.

Wild West and the Pueblo Diablo 
A lone sheriff tracks the devil to a remote pueblo.

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If there are treats, then there has to be a trick, right?

The Legacy Universe's Ophlupin werewolf mythology short story will not be out until after All Hallow's Eve! Darn it! 

We knew there was a catch.

Short Stories
The Story of Ophlupin  
How the mythology and origin of werewolves began: anger the gods, pay the price. 

But that doesn't mean we won't party-hardy on October 31st. Join DL Mullan and Undawnted as Sonoran Dawn Studios hosts this event for our favorite holiday with music, movies, and author takeovers. 

It will be 24 hours of not stop action...

Sonoran Dawn Studios' All Hallows' Eve: What Web We Weave Book Event

So what are you waiting for? If you are an artist, author, or provide publishing services, then be sure to have a slot to sell your wares. It's easy, just post a comment below the Sign-Up Sheet.

See you there! 

DL Mullan to Participate in Sonoran Dawn Studios All Hallow's Eve: What Web We Weave Book Event

What are you doing for Halloween? 

DL Mullan will be celebrating her 2023 releases with other authors like Robbie Cheadle, Joseph Carrabis, and Kaye Lynne Booth at Sonoran Dawn Studios' All Hallows' Eve: What Web We Weave Book Event, on October 31, 2022. 

Why don't you join us? 

If you are an author, artist, or offer publishing services, then sign up for a 30- or 60- minute slot. There you will meet other creators and grow your community. 

Isn't that what events and parties are for? To grow our community? 

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Ms. Mullan will be discussing her Legacy Universe, her mythology books, and the newly released origin story: The Reality Hackers. 

 

Legacy is a global crime-fighting unit dedicated to defending humanity against the  negative effects of supernatural forces. A paranormal law enforcement division, through specified taskforces within Legacy, sends special agents to investigate and halt activities against the mortal realm. All the while, the organization keeps humanity ignorant of its existence and the unseen forces behind the everyday curtain of normalcy.

When ghouls, goblins, magicians, sorcerers, werewolves, and the plethora of undead become rogue actors, who are you going to call? The Special Agents with the Legacy Taskforce.

If there are paranormal problems, you can bet that one of their special agents has already been assigned to the task.

Nothing is what it seems.

Legacy special agents are what monsters fear. 

Come, and learn more about this multi-book series, plus her poetry chapbooks. 

It will be an exciting day of movies, music, and mayhem! ...as well as contests and giveaways!

See you there! 

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A writer at heart, Undawnted's own creative spark, DL Mullan, began writing short stories and poetry before adolescence. Over the years, Ms. Mullan has showcased her literary talents by self-publishing several collections of her poetry. She also writes novels, designs apparel, and creates digital art. Ms. Mullan‘s creative writing is available in digital and print collections, from academia to commercial anthologies. As an independent publisher, she produces her own book cover designs as well as maintains her own websites. She is an award-winning digital artist and poet.

Currently, she has embarked on writing her multi-book Legacy Universe series. The Reality Hackers, published in Visions anthology, is the first Origins book of the series.

With her education and experience in writing, DL Mullan has begun sharing her knowledge via her newsletters. If you too want to become a Fearless Phile, then subscribe to her newsletter on Substack.

Her innovative style teaches writers how to reach their creative potential, and write more effectively.

Learn. Grow. Master… with Undawnted.

Undawnted Presents: WordCrafter Blog Tour, Haunted Halloween Holiday by Robbie Cheadle

Book Trailer

 

Summary

 

Count Sugular is delighted when the Sugarpop Bats invite his family to a Halloween party at the Haunted House. He and his wife, Witch Honey, decide to hire a caravan and enjoy a weekend away with their family.

Includes some fun limericks to introduce the various characters.

 

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Interview

 

Some writers write for the "moral of the story." In your children's books, do you write for the imaginative aspects of the narrative, or do you also prescribe to having a teachable moment in your books? If so, how and why?

Thank you, Dawn, for this interesting question. My books do all have elements that can be picked out as teaching points. I think that all stories have these elements as they all rely on certain human behaviours and characteristics to bring the plot to a successful conclusion.

My characters meet new people and form friendships and working relationships with them. They identify issues, solve problems, and find ways around obstacles in their path. They learn to be patient and understanding as well as determined and resolved, depending on the circumstances.

My plots, however, to not revolve around morals or ethics. The settings and storylines in Michael and my children’s books are fantasy adventures.

In Haunted Halloween Holiday, Count Sugular and his family are invited to a Halloween party and take the opportunity to turn it into a family holiday. At the party, they meet up with old friends, dance and have fun, and see some beautiful artwork.

Everyone at the party is different and has a unique skill set. Some bake, some cook, some make music, and others are artists, but they are all appreciated for their talents, and they all contribute towards making the party a big success.

It is all about teamwork and acceptance as well as not pigeonholing people. Trolls can learn to cook and can open a restaurant if they work hard at it and are determined. People who are sad and depressed can find ways of seeing the brighter side of life and sharing their talents with the world.

I deliberately chose to write fantasy books and I want the books to be fun and engaging and expand the imaginations of the readers.

The illustrations in Haunted Halloween Holiday are all made from Fondant, biscuits, sweets, and cake. I have found that my illustrations encourage creativity in children. Some children want to replicate what I have done, others attempt to make the characters from other mediums like play doh and even mud.

It is amazing how innovative and creative children can be from all sorts of different backgrounds and economic circumstances.

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What is a lesson from your childhood that comes out in your writing, as a conscious or unconscious theme? When did you notice this trend?

I was a lonely child. I moved schools fourteen times over my twelve-year school career and only two of those moves were during my high school years. During my primary school years, I sometimes moved schools twice in one academic year. My shortest stay at a school was six weeks.

Moving schools was not easy for me. It was new environments, new peers, and new teachers all the time. The schools don’t teach the syllabus consistently so I would miss sections and repeat sections following a move.

I didn’t form close friendships and I was a lonely child, playing mainly with my three younger sisters.

To this day, I don’t have close female friendships. I don’t think I ever learned how to deepen friendships with people. I have always viewed all my relationships outside of my direct family as transitional. I have closer friends in my on-line world than in my physical world. I can take on-line friends with me wherever I go and reach them often and timeously.

I think my childhood loneliness and anxiety to fit in comes through in Michael and my stories. They all have a strong focus on acceptance of difference, teamwork, being helpful and supportive, and friendship. I have taught my sons to be kind to others, to invite them into their friendship groups and offer them support when they can see a need.

Thank you, Dawn, for the great questions and for hosting my book tour today.

(Anytime!)

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Review

Another wonderful installment of Robbie Cheadle's children's book series. This time, it's autumn for her sugarland family! The sinister season is not complete without a Haunted Halloween Holiday.

In this story, everyone in the community works together for a common goal: well, a party of course! Join in with her culinary characters as they win over your heart, and appetite, with their rhymes and times. Because people who play together stay friends forever!

If you like family friendly content, then her children's series is for you. It is a family affair as Robbie and her son, Michael, write these fantastical stories for other children to enjoy. 

Be sure to purchase your own copy!  

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Purchase
TSL Publications
Lulu Books

 

 

To Enter the Giveaway... go to Writing to be Read and leave a Comment.  

 

For a chance to win one of three US$10 Amazon vouchers or one of three paperback copies of Haunted Halloween Holiday just leave a comment to show you were here.

Follow the tour and comment at each stop for more chances to win.

The prizes will be given away in a random drawing.

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Robbie Cheadle is a South African children’s author and poet with ten children’s books and two poetry books.

The eight Sir Chocolate children’s picture books, co-authored by Robbie and Michael Cheadle, are written in sweet, short rhymes which are easy for young children to follow and are illustrated with pictures of delicious cakes and cake decorations. Each book also includes simple recipes or biscuit art directions which children can make under adult supervision.

Robbie has also published two books for older children which incorporate recipes that are relevant to the storylines.

Robbie has two adult novels in the paranormal historical and supernatural fantasy genres published under the name Roberta Eaton Cheadle. She also has short stories, in the horror and paranormal genre, and poems included in several anthologies.

Robbie Cheadle contributes two monthly posts to https://writingtoberead.com, namely, Growing Bookworms, a series providing advice to caregivers on how to encourage children to read and write, and Treasuring Poetry, a series aimed at introducing poetry lovers to new poets and poetry books.

In addition, Roberta Eaton Cheadle contributes one monthly post to https://writingtoberead.com called Dark Origins: African Myths and Legends which shares information about the cultures, myths and legends of the indigenous people of southern Africa.