Coming Together In Verse

Coming Together in Videos

December 13, 2015 by ashlister, posted in Uncategorized

As I may have mentioned, I’ve edited a book of poetry: Coming Together in Verse. The book is published through Alessio Brio’s wonderful Coming Together collective and it would not have been possible without the hard work and generosity from a lot of very talented and very patient poets.

All the profits from the book’s sales go to benefit a nominated charity. The charity I’ve nominated is Hope for Paws. They are an amazing charity who do some amazing things, as you’ll see if you take time to check out this video.

Several of the authors have videoed themselves reading their work.

Because I know how much fun it is to watch or listen to an author reading their work, I thought it might be fun to collect some of the samples on this page. (I know I’ve missed some of the authors reading here and I apologise unreservedly for any oversights. However, if I’ve missed yours and you’re reading this, please drop me an email and I’ll update the page accordingly).

And, in no particular order, here are some of the ones I’ve been enjoying over the past few weeks.

http://janineashbless.blogspot.co.uk/2015/11/blue-monday-special-ashbless-reads.html

Coming Together in Verse is a brilliant collection of poems but, if you’re not into poetry, you might still want to consider making a donation to Hope for Paws as the work they do helps address a great amount of unnecessary suffering. http://www.hopeforpaws.org/

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Coming-Together-Verse-Ashley-Lister/dp/1518833667/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1448613928&sr=1-1&keywords=ashley+lister

http://www.amazon.com/Coming-Together-Verse-Ashley-Lister/dp/1518833667/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1450017258&sr=8-1&keywords=ashley+lister+coming+together+in+verse

Coming Together – Logos by Lisabet Sarai

November 23, 2015 by ashlister, posted in Uncategorized

Earlier this year I finally got a chance to meet the author, poet and all round legend, Lisabet Sarai. Not only is she a fantastic writer but it also turns out she’s a truly lovely person.

Lisabet has poetry in Coming Together in Verse and she’s been gracious enough to record herself reading Logos, a deliciously erotic piece of poetry. The book is officially released later this week but, for now, sit back and relax and enjoy this taster from the collection read by its author.

You can purchase your copy for the US from here: http://www.amazon.com/Coming-Together-Verse-Ashley-Lister/dp/1518833667/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1447761264&sr=1-1&keywords=ashley+lister

Or you can purchase your UK edition here: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Coming-Together-Verse-Ashley-Lister/dp/1518833667/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1447761378&sr=8-5&keywords=ashley+lister

You can find it on CreateSpace at this link: https://www.createspace.com/5831577

And you can find it on SmashWords here: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/593587?ref=comingtogether

Contributors include: myself (Ashley R Lister), Alessia Brio, Victoria Blisse, Rachel Woe, Janine Ashbless, Liv Honeywell, AJ Chilson, Roy Clements, Katy J, Ashe Barker, Lisa Bower, PJ Bayliss, Geneva Rose, Jay Willowbay, Slave Nano, Lily Harlem, Kay Jaybee, KD Grace, Norbert Gora, IG Fredrick, Jade A Waters, Adrea Kore, Bella Settarr, Okami No Koga, Daniel Davis, Joanna Harrington-Cruise, Sophia Sophia, Le Petite Mortimer, Eleanor Meadows, Angell Brooks, L Hollamby, Blacksilk, CA Bell, Ian Jade, Tamsin Flowers, Ruby Red, Colin Davies, Desmond Field, Rachel McGladdery.

Please, if you get a chance, buy your copy today.

Poem 69 – Colin Davies

November 21, 2015 by ashlister, posted in Uncategorized

It’s here! It’s here! It’s finally here!

For those of you who know me well, you’ll realise that I don’t use exclamation marks lightly. I’m of the opinion that we should be allowed six exclamation marks in our lifetime. Anything more than that is simply abusing the privilege.

But I’m excited with this announcement. Coming Together in Verse is officially released on Friday 27^th November. It’s available for pre-order from the links below.

Last night I was lucky enough to be on stage with some tremendous poets and a good number of them (in the audience and on the stage) had contributions in the book. This is one of the poets, Colin Davies, who kindly shared his poem from Coming Together in Verse with last night’s audience.

You can purchase your copy for the US from here: http://www.amazon.com/Coming-Together-Verse-Ashley-Lister/dp/1518833667/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1447761264&sr=1-1&keywords=ashley+lister

Or you can purchase your UK edition here: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Coming-Together-Verse-Ashley-Lister/dp/1518833667/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1447761378&sr=8-5&keywords=ashley+lister

You can find it on CreateSpace at this link: https://www.createspace.com/5831577

And you can find it on SmashWords here: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/593587?ref=comingtogether

Please, if you get a chance, buy your copy today.

Coming Together in Verse – release date

November 15, 2015 by ashlister, posted in Uncategorized

OK. I’ve collected the poems. I’ve edited the collection. And we’re due to release on black Friday: Friday 27^th November 2015.

Contributors include (in no particular order), myself (Ashley R Lister), Alessia Brio, Victoria Blisse, Rachel Woe, Janine Ashbless, Liz Honeywell, AJ Chilson, Roy Clements, Katy J, Ashe Barker, Lisa Bower, PJ Bayliss, Geneva Rose, Jay Willowbay, Slave Nano, Lily Harlem, Kay Jaybee, KD Grace, Norbert Gora, IG Fredrick, Jade A Waters, Adrea Kore, Bella Settarr, Okami No Koga, Daniel Davis, Joanna Harrington-Cruise, Sophia Sophia, Le Petite Mortimer, Eleanor Meadows, Angell Brooks, L Hollamby, Blacksilk, CA Bell, Ian Jade, Tamsin Flowers, Ruby Red, Colin Davies, Desmond Field, Rachel McGladdery. I’d like to take a moment here to thank each of them for the generous submission of quality work to this incredible anthology.

As soon as the book is available to order, I’ll be letting you know more about it. I’m also hoping to share recordings from some of the contributors, so that you can hear how good they are, and so that you get a taste of the top quality writing that’s gone into this collection.

And, if you’re wanting to hear one of my poems from this collection, here’s a link to me reading ‘The Ballad of Poor Simple Dave’ whilst I was at Smut Manchester last year.

Writing Exercise – Limericks

September 26, 2015 by ashlister, posted in Uncategorized

As some of you may be aware, I’m currently compiling an anthology of poetry, Coming Together: In Verse. The call for submissions is listed here: http://ashleylisterauthor.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/call-for-submissions-coming-together-in.html

For those of you wanting to submit, but lacking inspiration or ideas, below you’ll find one of the poetry writing exercises I’ve previously shared on the blog for the Erotic Readers and Writers Association (http://erotica-readers.blogspot.co.uk). I’m going to try and share them here on a weekly basis until we reach the deadline date.

A silly young woman called Alice
Used live dynamite for a phallus
It blew her vagina
To North Carolina
And her ass to a ranch up in Dallas

I’ve mentioned limericks before but I’m mentioning them again as a writing exercise for one very important reason: they’re fun.

Note the rhyme scheme: a-a-b-b-a. This is consistent for the majority of limericks.

A very good friend of mine, Paul
Has got a hexagonal ball
The result of its weight
Plus his dick’s length times eight
Is his phone number: give him a call

Note the metre/syllable count. In this one it’s 8/8/6/6/9. Commonly, each limerick is 8/8/5/5/8 although they can go a couple of syllables either side depending on how they’re being performed.

Please remember that the most important thing about the limerick is that the form lends itself to fun.

One morning a nobleman, Andy
Woke up feeling properly randy.
He said to his aide,
“Please fetch in my maid,
Or the dog, or whatever is handy.”

If you do want to submit to the current anthology, information can be found on: http://ashleylisterauthor.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/call-for-submissions-coming-together-in.html

Last Reminder – Call For Submissions

September 23, 2015 by ashlister, posted in Uncategorized

I’ve been asking for your best poems and there’s only a week left for you to submit something. The deadline is October 1st 2015.

Coming Together: In Verse will be a collection of erotic poetry and risqué verse edited by Ashley R Lister. Sales proceeds benefit Hope for Paws.

Erica Jong said, “Poetry is what we turn to in the most emotional moments of our lives – when a beloved friend dies, when a baby is born, when we fall in love.” Wallace Stevens said, “A poet looks atthe world the way a man looks at a woman.” Edgar Allan Poe said, “Poetry is the rhythmical creation of beauty in words.” Most of us agree, when it comes to expressing passion, there is nothing more effective than poetry.

Whether it’s blank or free verse, or a rigid rhyming metrical form, well-written poetry can touch us in places deeper and more personally than any fiction. There’s nothing sexier than a poem that speaks to us on such an intimate level.

Author, lecturer and occasional performance poet, Ashley R Lister, is looking for your best pieces of original poetry, erotic verse, risqué rhymes, cheeky cinquains or saucy sonnets. The collection will contain a broad range of quality erotic poetry submissions, from the rude, ribald and vulgar through to the suggestive, sensuous and sensitive.

Standard Rules apply: No underage, no non-consensual, no scat, incest, or necrophilia. Any pairings or groupings accepted and encouraged.

Deadline for submissions is October 1, 2015.

Send poems double-spaced, 12 point font (Times New Roman or Georgia) in .doc or .rtf format to me@ashleylister.co.uk, with “ATTN: Coming Together, your pen-name, your story title” in the subject line. Indent the first line of each paragraph, do not add extra lines between paragraphs. British English grammar please. Double quotes around dialogue.

Only submit your final, best version of the poem; do not send multiple versions of the same piece. Up to three poems will be considered from each author. Include your legal name (and pseudonym if applicable and be clear which one is which), mailing address, and up to 250 word bio. You will be notified as to the status of your poem by no later than November 1, 2015.

This is a charity anthology. Contributors will receive ebook copies of the publication. Additional compensation is likely to come in karma and tax-write offs. Hope for Paws will benefit from all proceeds. Hope for Paws is a non-profit animal rescue organisation. They rescue dogs (and other animals) who are suffering on the streets and in shelters. Their goal is to educate people on the importance of companion animals in our society. Find out more at hopeforpaws.org

Writing Exercise – Standart Habbie

September 19, 2015 by ashlister, posted in Uncategorized

When it comes to raw sex appeal, it’s difficult to think of a country sexier than Scotland. Famous for muscular males, proficient in caber tossing and kilt-wearing; equally famed for feisty flame-haired females, Scotland has been the home of raunchy romance since the earliest days of print.

Scotland is also blessed with a proud poetic heritage which gives us this month’s writing exercise. The Burns stanza is named after Scotland’s national poet Robert Burns.

The form did exist before Burns made it his own in the form of the Standart Habbie. It’s also known as the Scottish stanza or, sometimes, simply the six-line stave. Personally, I’m happy calling it a Burns stanza. This is my attempt at the form.

Wee, sleekit, cowran, tim’rous lassie,
Blessed with a perfect, peach-shaped assie
Your heels and stockings look so classy,
Have a guess what’s on my mind
You know I’d love to mount your chassis
And take you rudely from behind.

Stanzas have six lines rhyming aaabab.

If you do want to submit to the current anthology, information can be found on: http://ashleylisterauthor.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/call-for-submissions-coming-together-in.html

Writing Exercise – Shadorma

September 12, 2015 by ashlister, posted in Uncategorized

The shadorma is something of an enigma. Authorities are unsure about its ancestry. Is it an overlooked Spanish form that has been around for ages? Or is it a relatively new innovation that has been brought to us in the guise of something with a history?

These questions won’t be answered here. This is partly because I’m not clever enough to know how to respond but mainly, because I don’t care one way or the other. Whether it’s ancient or modern, the shadorma is a fun poetic form that’s worth the time and effort of any writer wanting to stretch literary muscles with a brief warmup exercise. To my mind, this is the only detail worth considering with regards to any poetic form.

I don’t want
your lace-topped stockings
black thong or
fuck-me shoes.
I just want you without your
designer labels.

The shadorma is a six lines stanza made up of lines that contain 3-5-3-3-7-5 syllables respectively. There is no fixed rhyme scheme. A shadorma can consist of a single stanza, or the form can be used to produce a longer poem with multiple stanzas.

Sad to say

despite best efforts

(replacing

batteries

shaking it ‘til it wobbles)

the rabbit is dead.

Take comfort
or consolation
from this fact:
that rabbit
died doing what he loved best.
His last words were, “buzz.”

The shadorma can be a lot of fun and, as with all poetic forms, it’s a great way to discipline your writing muscles. The majority of online material discussing this form reiterates the need for six unrhymed lines in the format of 3-5-3-3-7-5 syllables.

If you do want to submit to the current anthology, information can be found on: http://ashleylisterauthor.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/call-for-submissions-coming-together-in.html

Writing Exercise – the rispetto

September 5, 2015 by ashlister, posted in Uncategorized

This is what the Encyclopaedia Britannica has to say about the Rispetto:

rispetto, ( Italian:: “respect,” ) plural rispetti, a Tuscan folk verse form, a version of strambotto. The rispetto lyric is generally composed of eight hendecasyllabic (11-syllable) lines. In its earliest form the rhyme scheme was usually abababcc. Later, the scheme ababccdd became more prominent, and other variations can also be found.

Here’s an interpretation of the second cited form of the rispetto that was written for me by an anonymous colleague.

Won’t you tie me to the bed before we start?
At least secure my wrists so I’m held rigid.
You may take my body like you took my heart
I’m motionless and cool but far from frigid.

I’ll surrender to your absolute control
Let me languish in my loved submissive role
Make each punishment seem painful and unjust
I’ll be bound and tied: a prisoner to your lust.

There are other versions of the rispetto. There are heroic interpretations when written in iambic pentameter. I’ve even seen versions written in tetrameter. The key things to remember for this form are:

1) Regardless of which meter or rhyme scheme you select, retain the strict meter.

2) Have fun.

If you do want to submit to the current anthology, information can be found on: http://ashleylisterauthor.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/call-for-submissions-coming-together-in.html

Call For Submissions – Penultimate Reminder

August 31, 2015 by ashlister, posted in Uncategorized

I’ve been asking for your best poems and there’s only a month left for you to submit something. The deadline is October 1st 2015.

Coming Together: In Verse will be a collection of erotic poetry and risqué verse edited by Ashley R Lister. Sales proceeds benefit Hope for Paws.

Standard Rules apply: No underage, no non-consensual, no scat, incest, or necrophilia. Any pairings or groupings accepted and encouraged.

Deadline for submissions is October 1, 2015.