Acceptance and a Review

Another review that really warmed my heart:

Laala's ability to convey the pains and pleasures of a coming of age in a world frought by controversy and conflict is nothing short of genius. She paints emotions as vibrantly as an artist, and conjours images that are so prolific that they linger in the reader's mind long after the book is closed. 'Behind the Mask: A Folded Heart' is an unforgettable journey into the mind of a poetic prodigy far ahead of her time. With such superb imagery, this chronicle is both visceral and tender hearted. An enjoyable read, and hopefully, a portent of more to come from this extraordinary author.

-Jezzy Wolfe "Jez" (Viginia, Usa)

Also, I've been accepted at SubtleTea. I'm not quite sure when the poem will appear (probably January or thereabouts), but when I do know I'll link to it.

The surprise project that I mentioned is coming along fantastically. It's beta version is completed and it should be ready to launch on the day I wanted to do it - 1 January 2007. I'm really pleased, very apprehensive but overall excited.

On the Waterstone's front, we've reached an agreement. We've signed a trade agreement, but they won't stock the book unless its either well promoted in the UK or if someone from Waterstone's reads its and gives a favourable review. I chose the latter option, and mailed them a copy yesterday. Let's hope their reply is favourable.

That's it for now.

Reviews

A couple of the best reviews I've gotten:

“Behind the Mask: A Folded Heart” is a warm and complementary mix of the scribbling of a teenage girl and a passionate and powerful set of works written by an honest poet. In this collection, Laala manages to grab hold of the deepest and darkest of our emotions and mold them into shining monuments. She isn’t afraid to be open; to be able to portray her true emotions without a trace of fear or discomfort. This is apparent throughout her writing and is truly inspiring for readers like myself. This particular volume is a refuge for me; a hideaway from the outside world, for minutes at a time.

-Taufiq Khan

I must say your book is an interesting insight of yourself - intelligent yet simple and very inspiring.

As an artist, your book is a refreshing representation of a uniquely talented teenager - the words and the poems itself. I would say that your future publishers will be delighted in your endeavours. It's inspiring for them to know how invaluable your works are - now and in the decades to come. As for the ordinary audience who will see the book, they will be romanticized at first and spirits uplifted the next. It will be an outburst of new emotions as I dare say. The book is easy to digest and direct in layout. I say the book is a must have.

Kudos to you... really great book.

-Maria Vivero

World Aids Day

So today's World Aids Day. It's something that still needs more awareness, especially for the orphans in Africa who suffer because of AIDs.

Writing-wise, I'm on a semi-hiatus. I'm still constantly writing poetry and prose, I'm still waiting on replies from several online journals and e-zines, I'm still trying to get my book out there. I'm also actually working on quite a large and ambitious project - it's a surprise for now, but details will follow very soon, hopefully. It will definitely be done by January. I'm excited, and so are the few who know about this.

There's only a couple of weeks left of school, then three weeks of 'holiday'. In reality, of course, all us sixth formers are going to spend a large amount of time studying for our first AS exams in January.

I think that's it for now.