A Soul-Making Keats Collection - by Gail Wilson Kenna (Paperback)

About the Book

Thirteen award-winning writings treat a theme about soul making." Book includes the comic, "Ink Stained Wench," to the provocative "Malay Days," to the reflective, "One Face from the Shadow of Millions," on the USA's immigration imbroglio.

Book Synopsis

This collection includes five fiction and eight non-fiction works, of varied length: flash fiction, novel excerpt, short story, international essay, humor, memoir vignette, creative non-fiction. The subject matter covers the world, from countries where the author lived: Germany, Malaysia, Venezuela, Colombia, Peru. The writing reflects diversity of settings, a style both comic and serious, and carefully edited prose. The thirteen works won multiple first and second place awards in the Soul-Making Keats (SMK) literary competition in San Francisco (now in its 30th year) and also in the NLAPW's 2020 biennial, in which the author won first and second in all five categories that she entered. "Three Artists in Arrested Time" won second overall of three genres in the NLAPW's Vinnie Ream 2019 competition. An excellent book for writers entering literary competitions or writing personal pieces for family as legacy. All thirteen treat the SMK theme from poet John Keats: "Some say the world is a vale of tears, I say it is a place of soul making."

Review Quotes

"Love the presentation and layout of your book." Mary Kennedy Eastham, SMK Flash Fiction judge

"What a lovely book! The prologue tells its own story, and look where it has led. Wow! Congratulations." Sue Prunella, SMK Humor judge

"Gail Wilson Kenna has compiled a treasure of her award-winning writing. Precise and perceptive...the characters are imaginatively drawn to reflect a diverse, often funny, captivating voice. Readers will find stories written with feeling and sensitivity that are a joy to read." Dorie Battelle

"Gail Kenna's writings cover a range of topics from humorous memoir to thought-provoking intercultural essays. Whether fiction or non-fiction, her prose is engaging and luminous. A book to read more than once. I highly recommend it." Ilona Duncan, linguist, piano teacher, writer