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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-fifth edition.
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I wish I had more to say this fortnight, but really things have been just as dull as the August doldrums might have predicted they would be. Most of it has felt like pushing a boulder uphill, which is my rather uninspired metaphor for attempting to put ones new book before readers, i.e. marketing.
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I realize that despite being fully cognizant of the need to market, I am also painfully embarrassed to have to do so, and extremely uncomfortable, as going on and on about myself and my book goes completely against my grain.
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Needless to say, this devastatingly hypocritical state of affairs inspired a poem. You can find it below: Etiquette.
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Among my marketing attempts, I found myself trying to reach out to the local library, and now, I am deep in the process of learning their process. I was somehow under the impression that my book would just magically appear in the catalogues of libraries, at least as an e-book, but no such luck.
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A dizzying array of requirements and links to click on followed, and I was faced with the inevitable fact that in order to get on the shelves of a library, you must donate your books to them, and then hope against hope that you are lucky enough to be selected. If not, you may just find your brand new book in one of those bring-your-own bag sales. Discouraging is not the word for it.
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Another idea I had was sending out mailings. I know it is old-fashioned, but why not? I compiled a list of bookshops, starting locally of course, and composed a lovely, colorful, 2-sheet leaflet, describing my book's many disarming qualities.
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I stuffed about 35 envelopes with them this past weekend and hope to send them off soon. How much is a "forever" stamp these days? All I know is that they are forever raising the price of them.
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I can tell you, there are some wonderfully-named bookshops across the state of Florida, and it would be my pleasure, to visit each and every one of them. There were over fifty in all that I found readily. Since I had only ordered fifty of the leaflets, I decided to stop at 35, when I ran out of envelopes. Note to self: buy self-adhesive envelopes next time! And of course I tucked in a business card of mine and a bookmark!
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The four page, two-sheet leaflet is above, if you're curious, or know someone with a color printer who would be so kind as to put it in their bookshop or other shop window or share it with their friends.
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I have not done any more readings since the one July 13th at Happy Medium Books Cafe. I did send an email to Femme Fire Books nearby suggesting a similar event but have not heard back. My marketing tentacles are everywhere!
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The Smashwords sale has ended as of the end of July but a Kobo ebook sale has begun and will carry on till August 15th. As a result, my ebook is on sale at Kobo and at all other e-book outlets for $3.99, rather than the original price of $4.99.
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I am still working on the appearance of my paperback on Amazon, where it still languishes without a cover. I have been assured by Draft2Digital that they are resubmitting and hope it will be visible within a week. There is nothing wrong with the buy link, though and rest assured, the paperback you receive will have a cover!
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I also have several copies available at the house. If that's more convenient for you, let me know!
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I signed up as an author for Amelia Island Book Festival which is in February I believe as soon as I saw they were open to applications. I enjoyed going as a reader two years ago, when John Grisham and David Baldacci headlined. I got to shake John Grisham's hand!! Of course there is no guarantee of acceptance, and besides paying for a table one must also sacrifice a book (for free!) to the worthy cause of literacy, which the event supports. So, I'll let you know. December is when they announce the authors.
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Getting used to the extended organizational timelines of some of these events takes some getting used to! I feel a little like a homeschool parent, bristling at the overly-organized nature of public school. Why can't it just be simple?
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Earlier in the summer, I had tried to apply for Tropicon in Pensacola Beach after having attended the St Augustine event. I think I filled out the wrong form and was also way too late out of the gate. I never heard anything back so I'm pretty sure I did not make the cut. The joys of being a newbie.
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Of course, I plan to attend and submit a story to present at JaxbyJax this year, but I haven't heard any details about that yet so we'll see. My story is already longer than it should be, and yet, no where near done. No real spicy content this time, but I can never seem to resist throwing a little politics in.
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FWA (Florida Writer's Association Convention)comes in October as well and there's just a few days left to get the early bird rate for that statewide convention. Its a whirlwind weekend, but it gives you a good idea of what people are writing in the state, as well as offering lots of craft sessions.
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I am also going to try, especially as it gets cooler, to participate in more open mics, like Solune Coffee's, which is most Fridays at seven up near CORK arts district and Bold City Brewery, if you're familiar with those. Even though I am invariably the oldest person in the room, it's nice to have an enthusiastic audience and wonderful, to see what they are creating.
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There's another open mic close by in Murray Hill (the Walrus?) I'll have to look at the list. I'm such a homebody I really have to drag myself out to these things, but I'm always glad I did. I also tend to show up at Second Sundays at Happy Medium nearly every month. This time (in August) they will feature a few comic book creators.
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I will also be sure to let you know, next time I get a chance to do an actual reading from my book. Please feel free to suggest me for events!
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PS: I have a wonderful 5-star review on Amazon. Thank you, thank you, thank you! If you read the book, too, please let me and others know if you enjoy it!
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You'll notice this newsletter is blessedly free of politics. It's been all-Epstein all the time, which is nothing but a recipe for disgust, in my book. So--the less said, the better.
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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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