MSI Press Blog

image from DML Editing & Writing check out their latest post on " How to Write Good Poetry " In observance of poetry month, MSI Press would like to share with its readers and fans two books worth reading: One will bring a comforting smile to an unbidden tear. The other will bring an outright laugh page after page. Time spent with comforting and/or happy thoughts is time well spent indeed. Marti Wells-Smith's Lamentations of the Heart Mingled with Peace and Joy combines prose and poetry in a comforting missive for bereaved parents. Through its pages, one finds not only the resilience of the author but sources for anyone to develop needed resilience in the face of devastating life circumstances. When it came out, it quickly became one of Amazon's "hot, new releases." Lamentations of the Heart soulfully combines contemporary free verse poetry and nonfictional prose to tell the story of one mother's grief following the death of her only child. The autho

  Marti Wells-Smith, author of Lamentations of the Heart , has written her last blog post, "Not Really Good-Bye." She writes, Dear Kindred Spirits in Christ, I've been writing my blog for several years now. It all began with the passing of my son Grant in 2019. Then came the grief, then a quickened faith, and finally the book, Lamentations of the Heart - Mingled with Peace and Joy. This blog has been an extension of my faith, of wanting to reach out to others. But life unfolds in chapters, and everything alters in time, with the exception of God, Who is eternal and unchanging. To read the rest of the blog post, click HERE . To read other posts about Marti and her book, click HERE . Sign up for the MSI Press LLC newsletter Follow MSI Press on  Twitter ,  Face Book , and  Instagram .   Interested in publishing with MSI Press LLC? Check out information on  how to submit a proposal . Interested in receiving a free copy of this or any MSI Press LLC book  in exchange for 

  Excerpt from Lamentations of the Heart (Marti Wells-Smith) -  SPARROWS   House sparrows swoop and hide in the old holly bush to the side of my porch; clustered with berries and sharp-edged leaves that never turn dull or lifelessly fall.                                                               A place for small flocks to tuck in their wings when rain pours upon them or snow settles in. These sparrows that scatter and fearfully fly from the young, rumpled boys who often pass by and the chattering girls who follow behind, never, not once, see the woman inside. I perch in the background, hidden away with a lap of white paper and rambling thoughts— of what is, and could be but simply is not… And the sparrows, they console me, as I sit, watching God move upon their lives— providing every need.   Matthew 10:31 So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows.   For more posts about Marti and her book, including more exce

  Today's shared blog post comes from Marti Wells-Smith, author of Lamentations of the Heart ; in it, she asks how much is enough for living a good life. Short, interesting, worth a read HERE . For more posts about Marti and her book, click HERE . Sign up for the MSI Press LLC newsletter Follow MSI Press on  Twitter ,  Face Book , and  Instagram .   Interested in publishing with MSI Press LLC? Check out information on  how to submit a proposal . Interested in receiving a free copy of this or any MSI Press LLC book  in exchange for  reviewing  a current or forthcoming MSI Press LLC book? Contact editor@msipress.com. Want an  author-signed copy  of this book? Purchase the book at 25% discount (use coupon code FF25) and concurrently send a written request to orders@msipress.com. Want to communicate with one of our authors? You can! Find their contact information on our  Authors' Pages .

  Today's shared post comes from Marti Wells-Smith ( Lamentations of the Heart ); she writes about Women of Wisdom . Check it out! For other posts about women and women's issues, click HERE . For other posts about Marti and her book, click HERE . Sign up for the MSI Press LLC newsletter Follow MSI Press on  Twitter ,  Face Book , and  Instagram .   Interested in publishing with MSI Press LLC? Check out information on  how to submit a proposal . Interested in receiving a free copy of this or any MSI Press LLC book  in exchange for  reviewing  a current or forthcoming MSI Press LLC book? Contact editor@msipress.com. Want an  author-signed copy  of this book? Purchase the book at 25% discount (use coupon code FF25) and concurrently send a written request to orders@msipress.com.  Want to communicate with one of our authors? You can! Find their contact information on our  Authors' Pages .

  In her most recent blog post, Marti Wells-Smith ( Lamentations of the Heart ) writes about "women warriors of God." Click HERE to read the post. For more posts about Marti and her book, click HERE .   Sign up for the MSI Press LLC newsletter Follow MSI Press on  Twitter ,  Face Book , and  Instagram .   Interested in publishing with MSI Press LLC? Check out information on  how to submit a proposal . Interested in receiving a free copy of this or any MSI Press LLC book  in exchange for  reviewing  a current or forthcoming MSI Press LLC book? Contact editor@msipress.com. Want an  author-signed copy  of this book? Purchase the book at 25% discount (use coupon code FF25) and concurrently send a written request to orders@msipress.com. 

From the blog of Marti Wells-Smithm author of Lamentations of the Heart : As I believe it is for most of us, I have moments where I question myself - what I've managed to accomplish in life, and where it all stands in this particular time and place. Do I do enough for God's Kingdom? Do I have a positive impact on those who move within my circle, or at least within my reach? Sometimes I think so. But not always. It is written in John 4:44 that not even Jesus Christ Himself had honor in His own country. One explanation offered is the factor of familiarity. Read the rest of the post on Marti's blog HERE . For more posts about Marti and her book, click HERE Sign up for the MSI Press LLC newsletter Follow MSI Press on  Twitter ,  Face Book , and  Instagram .   Interested in publishing with MSI Press LLC? Check out information on  how to submit a proposal . Interested in receiving a free copy of this or any MSI Press LLC book  in exchange for  reviewing  a current or forthco

  As I believe it is for most of us, I have moments where I question myself - what I've managed to accomplish in life, and where it all stands in this particular time and place. Do I do enough for God's Kingdom? Do I have a positive impact on those who move within my circle, or at least within my reach? Sometimes I think so. But not always. It is written in John 4:44 that not even Jesus Christ Himself had honor in His own country. One explanation offered is the factor of familiarity. Those who watched me grow up, with all the pitfalls and mistakes of youth, already have a preconceived notion of who I am. Those who are aware of my adult downfalls probably view me from a tarnished perspective. Do you feel this way, at least sometimes? Read the rest of the post HERE . Read posts about Marti and her book HERE . Read more posts about letting go HERE . Sign up for the MSI Press LLC newsletter Follow MSI Press on  Twitter ,  Face Book , and  Instagram .   Interested in publi

(graphic from posts of Julia Aziz )   Today, as I watch the remaining leaves swirl down from our maple trees and scatter at the slightest touch of wind, I feel a sense of letting go within myself. It speaks to my heart of change and movement, in each of our lives, at the appointed times of God. I know that change is inevitable, yet it stirs something wistful within me, something that makes me yearn to hold on. But I can't. Read the rest of the post HERE . Read posts about Marti and her book HERE . Read more posts about letting go HERE . Sign up for the MSI Press LLC newsletter Follow MSI Press on  Twitter ,  Face Book , and  Instagram .   Interested in publishing with MSI Press LLC? Check out information on  how to submit a proposal . Interested in receiving a free copy of this or any MSI Press LLC book  in exchange for  reviewing  a current or forthcoming MSI Press LLC book? Contact editor@msipress.com. Want an  author-signed copy  of this book? Purchase the book at 25% discount

  San Juan Books is the hybrid division of MSI Press LLC. It allows first-time writers to become published in a traditional way through the reduction of risk by sharing publication costs. All other publishing features are traditional in nature, and most SJB authors go on to be offered traditional contracts for their subsequent books. SJB publications are available as paperback, hard cover, and e-book versions. SJB authors' books very much hold their own against their contemporaries in the traditional publishing division. Indeed, a number of them have outsold their traditional compatriots. Today, San Juan Books presents author Marti Wells-Smith. Marti Wells-Smith is a Christian, wife, friend, and grieving mother, who finds great hope in continuing her life journey amid unexpected joy and sadness. She shares her deepest thoughts and experiences through free verse poetry and non-fictional prose to comfort others who struggle with the loss of a child or loved one, or with life itself.

  Excerpt from Lamentation of the Heart (Marti Wells-Smith) -  TO THOSE WHO HAVE OPENED THIS BOOK   In these pages, you will read of the loss of my only child. I share the details not to inflict needless pain—but rather, to share the incredible signs I received assuring me that he is safe in heaven. The circumstances were shocking but had miraculous consolations. I was so overwhelmed with them all that I felt compelled to express my emotions in both poetic and prose form, while honestly conveying the facts as they unfolded.   As believers, we know that the innocent young always ascend to their heavenly homes upon passing. But perhaps you have also lost an adult child, or other loved ones—and are concerned about their eternal well-being. If so, then I have written this book for you. The Lord has led me to this place—where I discovered, in the midst of my loss, that our heavenly Father is more loving and compassionate toward all of His children than I could possibly have imagined