A New Publication, my PhD, and Other Certainties

La fenêtre sur l île de bréhat, Marc Chagall

It is an honor and a pleasure to announce the publication of two of my poems—“Mutiny” and “Density and Divinity”—in the Summer Issue of Snapdragon: A Journal of Art & Healing.

Both of these poems first appeared right here on Dreams. It has been a while since I submitted any creative writing for review, mainly due to my focus on my dissertation work and clinical papers. My deepest gratitude goes to Kim Williams for the gentle nudge he delivered that sent me spiraling back into the creative writing publication realm. Kim, a tender poet and a warm friend, has a captivating poem published in the same issue. Be sure to head over to Snapdragon: A Journal of Art & Healing to order your copy of the Summer Issue today. You may also elect to order an annual subscription to this very unique journal.

And, since we’re in the celebratory spirit, why not celebrate another extraordinary occasion: I am now officially Dr. Nevine Sultan. :-) 

I defended my dissertation on March 26, 2015. My degree was conferred on May 9, 2015. Going through doctoral studies and writing my dissertation was one of the most profoundly spiritual and metamorphic experiences of my entire life. It was also deeply liberating. To be certain, it was not without its tears. And yet, as I journeyed through that process, I became fiercely intent on uncovering and finding those parts of Her that others had imposed on me, and that I had swallowed whole without a second thought. By the end of that numinous venture (particularly the dissertation phase), everything I envisioned and manifested for myself had unfolded… and, I had distilled what I like to refer to as Nevine Absolue. 

Other wonderful events emerged during the last part of my dissertation work, and continue to evolve! I will not share all of my good news in one swoop; I will write more about those gifts in a later post… soon. ;-) For now, I will just say that the Universe is truly remarkable and filled with effervescent surprises! I will also say that what has already happened is a certainty, while what is to come is almost entirely in the realm of the Unknown. Be that as it may, life never ceases to be colorful and abundant. And yet, healing and empty space are a necessity.

Since May 9, I have been in recovery mode. I have been sleeping, cooking, writing, reading, doing body movement, and practicing meditation on a regular basis. I feel like I am slowly regaining my energy—a new, revitalized form of it—and re-finding myself! I have also been spending some truly rich moments with my husband, who stood by my side unwaveringly throughout my doctoral studies. It has been a restorative time for me (and for us), and I am ever so glad I made the wise decision to slow my pace and take things easy for a while.

In the meantime, during these past few weeks (months, really), Dreams and the naked light have gone largely neglected. While I kept up with my creative writing and expression offline, I elected not to share much of it online due to 1) its exceedingly personal nature, and 2) the fact that I wished to keep myself hermetically sealed within my real-life experience. It is my fervent hope to reconnect with my online presence more unequivocally, in the near future.

And so, without further ado, I will be back soon… with a new poem, or a new short, or something else that is creative and exciting. In the meantime, don’t forget to order your copy of the Summer Issue of Snapdragon: A Journal of Art & Healing. There is so much ease, purity, and splendor of spirit within those pages, and you will not want to miss any of it. 

Slowly, slowly… life opens new windows… and creates space for the advent of new beauty. And what can we do but drink of life’s bounty?!?! Enjoy, and… until soon!

xoxoxo

Nevine

Finishing Line Press Announces the Publication of My First Poetry Chapbook!

Finishing Line Press proudly announces the publication of my first poetry chapbook, From Darkness, Beatitudes.

It has been an exciting process working toward publication of this small, and very dear to my heart, collection of poetry. It has also been somewhat of an emotional challenge. This chapbook holds the expression of some of my deepest, most haunting, poetic meditations. Somehow, delivering this expression into the hands of others was like tearing out a part of myself and giving it away. Inside of that darkness, however, was beatitude: Release.

This is what the poems in From Darkness, Beatitudes are all about. They are about sitting with the discomfort of the darkness, eyeball to eyeball, and heart to heart. They are about allowing the darkness to touch us, and teach us . . . and finally, to grace us with the gifts that inhabit its deepest crevices. 

The advance sales period begins today and runs approximately six weeks. Pre-sales determine pressrun (the number of copies that will actually be printed), so if you would like to order a copy, please do so soon as that would boost my final pressrun! The price of the chapbook is $14, plus $2.99 for shipping, and pre-orders ship June 21, 2014. You can order online by clicking on the following link:

Click here to pre-order now!

Finishing Line Press is also accepting checks and money orders at:

Finishing Line Press

PO Box 1626

Georgetown, KY 40324

Please send $14 per copy, + $2.99 shipping per copy

By Mail Only: If you are ordering multiple copies, shipping is $2.99 for the first copy, and $1.99 for each additional copy.

* * * * * * * * *

Here is what some writers/editors have to say about From Darkness, Beatitudes:

The lyrical language and subtly drawn message in Nevine Sultan’s poetry reaches in and pulls one inside out, exposing the nerve endings—open, raw, and trembling, to the outside world. Conversely, there is an intimacy in her work, finding only You and She and The Other, a trio of long lost losses and long lost founds, together whispering discoveries ancient and future, known and unknown. Nevine’s poetry is approachable yet ethereal, poignant yet not over-wrought. A fine collection I will read again and again. — Kathryn Magendie, Publishing Editor of Rose & Thorn and author of The Lightning Charmer

Nevine Sultan’s From Darkness, Beatitudes takes the reader on a journey between the line of dreaming and reality, through loss and rebirth, through the greyness of understanding the definition of life. The opening poem, “Freefalling,” begins the whirlwind as we are left helpless and may only witness that around us: “I do not mean to see this thing / this most private of commissions. / But the eye captures / before the mind receives.” This catapults the imagination into places between lightness and darkness—and everything in-between. — Nick Sweeney, Assistant Editor of The Summerset Review

Nevine Sultan’s slender collection generously renders the visceral impact of nocturnal experience that resists the harshness of light. Reveling in the fresh perspective of darkness, the vital signs of life are born midst the shadows. Here steep the haunting questions, the rippling consequences, the oxymoronic beauty of fractured frames. — Judy Wilson, author of Trespass and other Stories and Founding Editor of Yellow Medicine Review

Cover Photo: Natural Justice by Vincent Sanchez

Click here to pre-order now!

"The Dancer" is Published!

It feels like eons since I last announced the publication of a short story or poem. It’s no surprise, really. Lately, my writing has centered around proposals for research studies, literature reviews, and clinical papers. That’s not to say I haven’t been creative writing (hey… clinical papers are creative, too!). I have been… really… I have. Trying to get through doctoral studies without having a creative outlet would be insane… and I don’t want to go that route, for sure! On the other hand, writing a poem, short story, or piece of creative non-fiction is one thing. Having it published is quite another.

Long story short…

I am honored to announce the publication of my short story, “The Dancer,” in the ever-beautiful and ever-intriguing Yellow Medicine Review: A Journal of Indigenous Literature, Art, and Thought. This illustrious journal features narratives of subjective cultural experiences, and “The Dancer” is just that! It is a story of somatic experience, existential meaning, spirituality, and holism. It is a story of beauty beyond the physical… and faith beyond reason. It is a story of transcendence. It is a story of immortality. It is a story of Egypt. It is a story of love.

I am proud to say that this is not my first publication in Yellow Medicine Review. My short story, “Zar,” was published in the Fall 2011 edition. I would also like to say that, time allowing, I plan to write more material for future publication in this delightful journal.

The ravishingly stunning Spring 2013 paperback edition of Yellow Medicine Review, guest edited by Natalia Andrievskikh, is available for purchase from Amazon, and yes… I highly recommend it! Please do spread the word!!!

"Night Talk" is Published!

“I’ve kissed a woman, you know,” you declare with a bit of a tremor in your voice. “It just happened. We were in an elevator. Just the two of us. We teased each other, playing hard to get. And when our lips met, it was just . . . so different from kissing a man. Her lips were like mine, but different. That kiss wasn’t about lust. It was about communion. It was beautiful.” You close your eyes for a moment. When you open them, you say, “I’ve always preferred women.”

The above is an excerpt from my short story, “Night Talk,” published in the Spring 2012 Edition of The Summerset Review. And what good hands my “Night Talk” has ended up in! I am joyful and proud, at once.

While you’re there, please check out some of the other fiction pieces and poetry selections in this edition . . . or in previous editions, for that matter. The Summerset Review is always selective and discerning, and never disappoints.

“Night Talk” is just one click away. I hope you enjoy. And hey . . . I know I’m a week or so ahead of the day for spring wishes, but . . . Happy Spring, everyone!

Bittersweetly . . .

I am beside myself with pride and joy as I announce a new publication. My short story, "Zar," has found itself a home in the Fall 2011 edition of Yellow Medicine Review: A Journal of Indigenous Literature, Art, and Thought. Set in Cairo, Egypt, "Zar" is a story of culture, ritual, superstition, and faith. It is a story of the persistence and resilience of the human psyche in its unwavering pursuit of Light and Truth.

I really wanted for "Zar" to be published in the proper niche, and after searching long and hard for an appropriate publication, I found YMR to be just the right journal. As luck would have it, the editors of YMR felt my story was right for them, too. How about that for happy endings!

The beautiful Fall 2011 paperback edition of Yellow Medicine Review is available for purchase from Amazon. I highly recommend it. This magnificent bouquet of ethnically flavored and skillfully written stories and poems from the four corners of the globe has something to satisfy every literary palate. Enjoy . . . 

Back Story for "Strings"

Puppet Master by Chiara Fersini

Remember my short story, “Strings,” published in the Spring Edition of Rose and Thorn Journal? If you read the story and you’re interested in reading the back story for how “Strings” all came together, please visit Back Story: Strings by Nevine Sultan at the Roses and Thorns blog. “Back Story” is a weekly posting where the writers published in Rose and Thorn Journal describe… well… the back stories of their prose and poetry. Simple, yeah? ;-)

I hope you enjoy. :-)

"Strings" is Published!

The instant before realization happens is the most uncertain of moments. Thus begins my short story, “Strings,” published in the Spring 2011 edition of Rose and Thorn Journal. Oh, joy!

“Strings” was a labor of love in more ways than I can begin to name. I opened up my imagination and allowed it to fly free. And for a few weeks, I was on a wicked, wild, and heady ride. And I immersed myself in it… literally. And I loved it… completely.

Please read and let me know what you think. Just click here and you’ll be taken there.

I hope you enjoy!

Published Again!

The Notes from Underground Anthology, published by The Literary Lab, is out! And two of my works are in it:

      Short Story:     “The Smell of Closed Windows”

      Poem:                “Your Eyes Will Open”

This anthology includes the work of 25 talented writers selected through the “Notes from Underground Contest,” held last fall by The Literary Lab, whose editors are way too cool for words.

There is some really high talent in this anthology and I totally mean that! I am both honored and proud to be featured in an anthology that includes such amazing writers. Thank you, Literary Lab!

The anthology is available both as a print book and as a Kindle eBook on Amazon. It is also available on createspace. You will not be disappointed!

All proceeds from the sale of this book go to the Writer's Emergency Assistance Fund. How about it?

And hey, don’t forget to stop in and visit The Literary Lab. You just might end up becoming a permanent fixture. Everyone who hangs out there is totally awesome!

Enjoy!

I'm Published!

Yes! Freefalling, Creator of Illusion, and Love, Suddenly are all published in the Autumn 2010 issue of The Copperfield Review, which is now online. I’ve been a regular reader of this literary journal for a few years, and now I’m in it… and over the moon with elation! I hope you will forgive the cliché; my muse is too busy celebrating, and I’m on an adrenaline high! Please click on the links to read. I hope you enjoy!