Good Afternoon,

Thank you for visiting my blog. Have you seen the latest posting on the Florida Writers website? https://youtu.be/nsa4iJKvM8w. Yes! It’s a video with my name and photo as a 2020 RPLA finalist. Now I can share not only my Finalist Badge but the link to this video. Did I win again? I’m praying.

When will I know who the winners are? The names will be revealed at the live remote awards ceremony October 17, 2020. No, there won’t be 500+ of Florida Writers Association members and their guests in a ballroom. It will be Barry and I in our office. 

Through Crowd Cast technology, we’ll learn if No Parents Allowed will be a winner. I’ve revised this book and put my blood, sweat, and tears into the rewrites. Because of the pandemic, the ceremony will be far different from the usual gala, but if I win, I’ll be happy to celebrate with my husband.

How has Covid changed your plans?

Received my copy of Robert N. Macomber’s most recent Peter Wake Novel, Word of Honor. The countdown has begun. On October 15, from 7-8 P.M., I shall introduce Mr. Macomber, the Florida Writer Association’s Writer of the Year and Mr. Greg Pincus, the FWA’s National Writer of the Year. As the president of the Florida Writers Foundation it is my pleasure to welcome you to witness the Florida Writers Association’s first-ever virtual conference. Robert N. Macomber and Greg Pincus will interview each other. Learn more about Greg Pincus in an upcoming blog. 

Proud to say that my husband, Barry Dimick’s memoir is Amazon’s #1 New Release in New England US biographies. Woohoo!!!

Barry’s Book Available on Nook

Sometimes there isn’t room to take a book on a trip. In that case, you may want to have a few books on a Nook. For example, Barry Dimick’s memoir, Second Son is available on Nook. Follow this link to purchase: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/second-son-barry-dimick/1137613756?ean=9781949066579

Good Morning,

Thank you for visiting my blog. As most of you know, I’m a former teacher and student. I enjoyed my school days on both sides of the desk, but I saw examples of injustice. Luckily, I was rarely the victim of injustice, but it ate at me when I witnessed bias and unfair treatment of students.

When I started writing, I tried to subtly bring wrongs to the light. I’ve decided the time for subtly has passed. I must be less understated and more forceful with my message. Black Live Matter. Women making eighty cents for every dollar a man makes, human trafficking, and White Supremacy Riots are wrong. Treating the rich better than the poor and working-class Americans is wrong. Breaking laws is wrong. I believe we must work through the legislatures in our communities, states, and federal governments to change what is not just.

For those reasons, I’m working with a UCF student to change my logo. It will be on face masks and on my other advertising materials. What do you think? Do you like this logo? I welcome comments on my site at www.melodydeandimick.com. Please click on Contact Melody. Thank you for your help.

Stay safe.

Some writers publish a book a year. A day to celebrate in our house. Barry Dimick’s book, Second Son, is finally available on Amazon after years of revising. Revising is key to a good memoir. 

To purchase, follow this link:https://www.amazon.com/Second-Son-Growing-Vermonts-Northeast/dp/1949066541/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2N2LY18IA7BUW&dchild=1&keywords=second+son+by+barry+dimick&qid=1601630052&sprefix=Second+Son%2Caps%2C187&sr=8-1

Florida Writer of the Year, Robert N. Macomber and my husband, Barry Dimick, shown here in a picture taken at a Florida Authors and Publishers Association FAPA Conference. Both have books coming out this week. Congratulations.

I Made It!

Good morning. Thank you for visiting My News. Today is an exciting day in my second act. I’ll be reading a poem in a competition sponsored by the DeLand Museum of Art at the Thin Man Watt’s amphitheatre located on S. Clara Avenue in DeLand.

Yesterday, I was featured in a blog by The Seymour Agency. Obtaining literary agent, Joyce Sweeney, was a dream come true. My obtaining an agent proves hard work and revision bring results. To read the blog, follow this link: https://seymouragency.blogspot.com/2020/09/the-call-with-melody-dean-dimick.html

The Missing Man Table/Ekphrastic Poems

Thank you for visiting My News.

On Saturday, September 26, I’m scheduled to participate in an event at the Thin Man Watts Amphitheater at the African American Museum of Arts at 325 South Clara Avenue in DeLand, Florida. It is an outside event–my first live event since the coronavirus quarantine.

I’ve been asked to read my ekphrastic poem, “Running on Air.” It’s a competition for best ekphrastic poem, and follows a Breakin’ Bad Poetry Slam. I’ll wear my mask when I’m not reading.

Ekphrastic poems are defined as poems written about works of art. My poem is about a work of art currently on display at the Museum of Art located on Woodland Boulevard across from Stetson University.

I rarely write ekphrastic poems, except for the August Postcard Poetry Festival poems I write in response to postcard photos. However, my first ekphrastic poem was in response to the Missing Man Table located in the Veterans Museum & Education Center above the Tic-Toc Store in Daytona Beach, Florida.

Yesterday, I was reminded of the poem and The Missing Man Table when I walked into a restaurant in Wildwood, Florida.

The same table arrangement sits at the entrance to the restaurant as the one I saw in Daytona Beach.

Although it is not on canvas, this table is the most inspiring work of art I’ve ever seen. It makes me want to write poetry. What ignites your inner fire?

I’m Devastated

Sorry, I cannot say “Good Morning” and mean it. Ruth Bader Ginsburg was my heroine. I wanted to be her. I wanted her courage.

I wrote about her in No Parents Allowed. One of my characters says:

Suzie: Dangerous for girls if we let the dream die. Girls need strong women role models like Greta Thunberg and the notorious RBG. It’s my main issue with the Catholic church. I think the church needs women priests, but my brother would have a stroke if he heard me say that.

I’m mourning the loss of RBG. Praying for a kinder world.