Writing My Dictionary

Review

Dennis Herrell has been a regular contributor to Pennine Ink Magazine for many years. We rely on poets we’ve come to know-those whose standard is consistently high-and treasure our relationship with them. Dennis comes into this category and I have no hesitation in recommending this collection of his poetry. Laura Sheridan (Editor), Pennine Ink Magazine, UK. July 28, 2016 This new collection, Writing My Dictionary, is proof positive of Dennis Herrell’s ability to craft poems that are both precise and passionate. One poem-“Small Essentials”-defines his approach well. Plenty of room in so much within that readers have ample room to draw inferences on first and repeated reading. Definitely one of the best chapbooks I’ve read this year. David Greisman, Editor, Abbey Dennis Derrell has a special talent for seeing the universal in the seemingly trivial, the wonder in the simplest things. In Writing My Dictionary, Herrell offers 26 poems, one for each letter of the alphabet. He writes about a variety of things: from swatting flies & picking daisies, to the irrepressible lust of youth, to the Zen of the grocery checkout line. His poems are warm, wistful, joyful, and exuberant. They are all a pleasure to read. Sims McCutchan, Region Administrator (retired), Houston Public Library

About the Author

Dennis Herrell lives and writes in a 1920’s bungalow in an old historic residential part of Houston, Texas. He writes both serious and humorous poems about his life in this civilized society. (Poking fun at himself is almost a full-time job.) He especially likes to look at the small things in everyday life that make us (him) so individual and vulnerable. Dennis is a former teacher, a sporting goods wholesaler, a gift/card wholesaler, and then an antique dealer. He is now retired, but still actively and happily engaged in writing his poetry. Since 2001 Dennis has published about 500 poems in many U.S. journals and magazines, and about 20 poems also in Canada, Great Britain, and Austria. He has recent acceptances by Atlanta Review, Aura, the Aurorean, Christian Science Monitor, Blue Unicorn, Iodine Poetry Journal, Pearl, Poem, Poet Lore, and others. Publications in other countries-Ascent Aspiration Magazine (CA), Current Accounts (UK), Ink, Sweat, & Tears (UK), Ottawa Arts Review (CA), Pennine Ink (UK), and Poetry Salzburg Review (AT). One poetry book, About Women, by Book/Locker.com, 2016. Hardcover 156 pages.