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Writings of Andrea W. LeDew
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Buy Now: Polemics: Political Poems & Prose
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This is the page to buy Polemics: Political Poems & Prose. The button will lead you to a universal link at Books2Read, from which you can choose your favorite vendor.
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So glad you have signed up to receive the For Random Learning Comes Newsletter! This is the one hundred and thirty-fourth edition.
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I have one new piece for you below this time: An essay/blogpost called Bare[sic] Witness. It's chiefly about being sad about bad luck, from unexpected house and car repairs to beloved celebrities having their jobs taken away, to one's country falling apart before one's very eyes.
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As you may recall, I had a reading on July 13th in Jacksonville at Happy Medium Books Cafe at Park and King in Riverside, a neighnorhood in Jacksonville.
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My co-presenter, Phoebe Mullis went first, and shared some very interesting poetry on appearing white and yet being half-Philippino, and what cultural confusion that can cause, inwardly and outwardly.
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She also compiled a very insightful list poem of rules, on how best to exist in public as a female, and yet avoid sexual assault. The point, of course, is that men generally don't have to worry about such things, and that not having to worry is a point of privilege. A very apropos poem, with all the Epstein nonsense in the air right now.
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I really enjoyed seeing people in real life, and they were a very engaging and receptive audience. So many of the local writers I admire and respect were there, and I received several comments at the end which were most gratifying. Erica Schaffer, a local writer, remarked upon my use of personas to present points of view that might not be familiar to my audience.
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I read eight poems, including Lunatic (with the persona of a would-be king), Great Patriots (with the persona of a January sixth rioter/protester) Wardrobe of Kings (with the persona of James Comey, the former FBI director--words and thoughts presumed, of course) Dominate (about Lafayette Park during Black Lives Matter) and a few others, such as Suddenly Silent (about the rule of law being like music which we miss, when absent) Five Things (about Elon Musk demanding that federal employees prove that they deserve to keep their jobs) Radio Free Europe (about the closure of Voice of America and our retreat from the world stage) and Scream (about wronged immigrants, kidnapped unceremoniously and sent to an El Salvadoran Gulag.)
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Writing is such a silent, solitary occupation, but when you have the chance to speak your piece, it all comes flooding out. My presentation was quite dramatic, I am told. As I explained during Q & A, to me, the structure and musicality is important, but every bit as important, is the story.
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I think of many of my pieces as ballads, setting in "song" or poetry, a moment in time, or an instance of particularly bad behavior, in much the same way that a monument carver sets great men and women, and also some very bad ones, in stone. (See my poem Statues, and my essay Death and other Ailments, in the book, for more on that!)
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I did not read anything from my essays or short story, but fellow writer Wyn did remark that he felt the introductory pieces were every bit as well written as the poems. Hearing that was very gratifying, indeed.
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So, now that my ego is all pumped up, I will dare to suggest that you check out the book yourself.
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The ebook is still on sale at Smashwords till the end of July and of course Amazon and other online outlets have both the ebook and the paperback. They still are missing the cover illustration on the paperback page, but don't let that deter you!
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I also have several copies at the house. If that's more convenient for you, let me know!
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I am trying to get some other local bookstores to also carry some copies (Happy Medium had one, last time I checked!) but they can already order it for you and get it much quicker than you probably would on your own.
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I will also let you know next time I'll be out and about reading from my book. Please feel free to suggest me for events!
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While we're thinking big, a book tour would be super cool. My sister has already suggested PA near the New Jersey border. I told her find me a book store and I'll ask them if they're interested. Feel free to plant those ideas in bookshop owners heads! All ideas welcome!
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My planned book cover cake fell through for various reasons, but I did get a delicious berry cake from a local bakery in red white and blue (the book's colors.) All the family came over, and we celebrated birthdays and books. My daughter brought a cheese tray and fresh bread and we had some prosecco in some very delicate glasses that we almost never use.
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The 352-page paperback books are $22.99 each. I did invest in a Square reader, so I'll be able to take tap payments (phone and card) and chip cards for payment whenever necessary.
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The bookshop took care of paperback sales at the last reading and I'm happy to report there were some!
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The e-book is $4.99, normally. At the moment Smashwords has it for $3.99 till the end of July. There will be other ebook sales in the next month or two. You as my subscribers will always be the first to know.
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Just a reminder to check out the new pages on my site.
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If you can think of someone who might have an interest in holding an event about Polemics, or who has a podcast or radio program or other venue, where I can be interviewed about the book, read from the book, or do a signing, please put in a good word for me. Thanks in advance!
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Publications Page. This page lists the places where my poems have been published and my short stories selected, for reading. My About page says a lot about my background, too. For the person who wonders "Who is this chick?"
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If you have any friends that might like the newsletter or the book, please forward it to them and encourage them to subscribe!
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My universal link for Books2Read lists the venues where I know my book is online, in both print and e-book. Click on the book cover to see details, and then choose a button for your favorite store. Print books are print on demand, so they may take two to three weeks from purchase to arrive, fair warning.
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Please take photos if you see my book in the wild! I recently posted a video my sister shot of her receiving her package in the mail. I was tickled pink. The more of these I get, the better! See my Author Facebook Page (Andrea W LeDew, Author) or my Instagram (Andrea LeDew) for the video. And please follow and share with me your own videos related to my book!
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Please drop me an email in reply if you have any questions or want to give me any feedback. Or you can always contact me through the form on my Contact Page.
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Still no progress on my novel, sorry. Time to get back on the horse!
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All the best, and hope to see many of you soon at an event, or hear from you. I hope to stay on this rollercoaster ride for a while! Please let others know if you enjoy the book!
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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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Bread and Butter
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This poem is a response to the claim by politicians, that "bread and butter" issues are the most important ones to the most people. It questions whether that is true, and whether fixing other issues might cause people to focus less on mere survival.
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Doubt & Definitions, 3 am, Ancient City
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A poem about doubt and definitions at 3 am in the Ancient City of St Augustine while mulling over a glorious day of PoetFest 2026. Written with the utmost affection for those, for whom poetry and writing in general, is not their first love, but who listen to us writers anyway.
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Hostages
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A poem describing two incidents where presidents were called upon to rescue "hostages" with very different outcomes.
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Raven
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A poem nearly as dire as Poe's own Raven, pointing out the attraction of such birds to shiny objects. By Andrea LeDew.
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Democracy is Slow
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A poem in which Technology is likened to mice and Democracy is likened to a slow, hibernating bear.
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