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Writings of Andrea W. LeDew
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So glad you have signed up to receive the For Random Learning Comes Newsletter! This is the one hundred and twenty-fifth edition.
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This will be short, as my new content will take most of your patience to read, if you are up for it. No shortage of political topics this fortnight!
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My first piece is long, fair warning. It is an essay, called At the Pleasure, and plays on the fact that certain elevated positions in government depend upon the President's consent and approval, and therefore are not in any way guaranteed. Those of you who are fans of the political series West Wing will know this expression well.
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Now, whether this condition applies to all federal positions, as the current administration seems to believe it does, is an open question. I talk a little about my view of the state of the nation, so to speak, and how things have changed over time, leading to where we are now.
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My second piece is a poem called Butterfly Whispers which comments on absurd current events, which I wish someone would put an end to.
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My third work is called Touch Grass, which is an expression my daughter introduced me to, meaning, get out there in nature! In the poem, I talk about why I find prompts disturbing.
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This arose from a writing group I went to, where I made the comment that I was "suspicious" of writing prompts. Several people were surprised at this, and I attributed it to the fact that we homeschooled so long, and therefore find many schoolish notions difficult to swallow.
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This week has been much busier that I'd like and thus, the novel languishes. I did have the great opportunity to speak with an agent at Tropicon in St. Augustine about my work in progress. I had not done much work on my pitch and I suppose it showed, but I'm glad I got the first one out of the way, so I'll be less likely to be nervous next time. Still, all in all, I was happy with the result! Also, the agent allowed us each seven minutes, gratis, which was very gracious, indeed.
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I attended Tropicon in St Augustine on Thursday and Friday, the 20th and 21st, which is when the talks were. I skipped the book selling portion on Saturday and Sunday. It was just too much time away from my family duties.
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I met some wonderful people and heard from other authors on social media that the sale was very successful. I remember hearing that somewhere around 700 readers went through the tabling room last year, with about 100 tables, but don't quote me on that.
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I might try tabling another year (once I have a book!!) I was pleased to hear that they prioritize first come first serve, not based on reputation or sales or fame. Everyone was so nice and it was in a nice venue near the old downtown, so lots of good eating and sightseeing nearby. It was a good mix of genres and of indie vs. traditionally published authors.
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Sorry so political this week. Hope to get back to calmer, more even-keeled novel writing soon.
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Hope all is well with you and yours! Till next time!
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Please recommend my newsletter to your friends!
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So Close and Yet So Far
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This essay discusses the Semiquincentennial celebration and compares it with Fourths of Years gone by.
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Drawing
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A poem on redistricting, the drawing of new districts to serve the ruling party's political purposes, with the blessing of the Supreme Court and with enthusiasm unchecked by either the people's will nor the State's Constitutional provisions.
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Attempt
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A poem describing the swirling emotions on and offline provoked by the attempted assassination of President Trump at the dinner for the press. Caveat: I do not doubt the attempt on his life was real. P.S. The photo is an attempt at beauty.
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Approaching May 1st, 2026, Anniversary of The Great Fire, Jacksonville, FL
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A poem about a very dry spring in Florida which calls to mind the terrible fire which consumed Jacksonville early in the 20th century.
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Smiles
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This poem analyzes the loss of reputation of the US in the eyes of its closest allies, and the attitude it projects, about that loss.
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