ONE ROOM SHACK released

PRESS RELEASE

ONE ROOM SHACK, the debut poetry publication from Delroy Nesta Williams, comes from a special place, his heart. And within his heart is a myriad of issues and ideas that were egging to get out. One Room Shack can be described in one short phrase, simply special. Special not only because it is the first book from the author but also as a dedication to the “mothers” that have influenced Nesta’s life.

The poems address various issues including poverty, failure, personal struggle, “faith and hope… but the greatest of these is love.”

Mr. Williams is the Immediate Past President of the National Youth Council and by all accounts an advocate for various youth issues, some of which come through clearly through his poetry. He attributes his love of poetry and writing from an early exposure during his high school years at the Dominica Grammar School and his interest in creative arts.

ONE ROOM SHACK contains poems and thoughts that all can comprehend and take as words of discovery, wisdom, comfort, warmth and inspiration. The book also signals a transitional and developmental stage in his writing and personal life as well. We encourage you to share in the moment and make it your own.

FREE EXPRESSIONS POETRY COMPANY is proud to release this publication, ONE ROOM SHACK, Delroy Nesta Williams’ labour of love to the World…

For additional information please contact:

FREE EXPRESSIONS POETRY COMPANY

56 LIME STREET, BATH ESTATE

ROSEAU

COMMONWEALTH OF DOMINICA

cini26@hotmail.com

1 (767) 615 5881

Poetry Offering: Colours

The Dominica Writers Guild is currently organizing a call for poems under the theme Colours in preparation for the Nature Island Literary Festival.

Below is the poem that I have submitted, wish me luck... It is also in my upcoming book One Room Shack which should be out just before the Festival.

My Dominica

by Delroy Nesta Williams

Shades of green and everything in between

Encircled by seas of translucent blue,

Displaying wonders above and below

A beauty for all to behold,

Peaks that touch the sky

Stars that bless the night,

While the clear rivers quench the thirst

Of the land that grows it all.

Flowers of red, yellow, orange and blue

Birds of all sizes and colours sweetly sing,

The wind greets the hills and valleys

As the swaying palms speak to the flamboyant

Giving shade to the people below,

As they busily go about their day,

Each and everything mixed in.

For in Dominica they are well pleased

For here, Nature carefully prepares the way,

A path though full of bumps and bruises,

Potholes and ditches,

An experience second to none.

This is where all this is found,

Undisturbed it stands

Dominica,

shining jewel among other islands.

poor crowds despite quality festival

Once again, the Dominican public didn't grasp the opportunity afforded to it during the Nature Island Literary Festival and Book Fair. The second annual festival, although, one of high quality (except for the opening ceremony) was poorly attended by Dominicans.

The highlight of the festival should have been the hundreds of nationals flocking the University Campus instead the lawns of tertiary institution remained almost undisturbed during the weekend of Dominican, Caribbean and International Word Power.

I remember the Minister for Culture, the Hon. Laureen Bannis-Roberts, emanating from her bowels the need for more locals to pay more interest in literacy and creative arts (poetry, short story, etc). Despite the poor crowds, the few who stepped forward were pleased with the output from all participants. I only attended the opening ceremony on Friday Night and most of Saturday (I performed during the Saturday open mic session) but I came out of the event with even a greater enthusiasm for poetry and short story.

I wasn't going to let the poor showing deter me, instead I saw it as a challenge to get our young persons more involved in creative writing. Besides, the young people weren't the ones who were absent, although there could have been more youth attending the festival, there was a good percentage of them seated and even participating in the performances.

The highlight for me wasn't the opening ceremony or the performances but I actually prefered the workshop sessions. I enrolled in the creative writing workshop (last year I was enrolled in the poetry workshop) and my lecturer surely took me off guard. He wasn't what I expected, he was alot better. Colin Channer, noted Jamaican writer and best selling author, gave us daily sessions on improving our creative writing. He has unorthodox processes, well at least they are to me, but still I could relate to his methods and except for one time (where he scolded my writing) I was always engaged in what he was saying.

So now, I have partnered with a friend (Monelle Alexis) and we are going to start off a writer's club for young people who are involved in poetry and short story writing. It will be an avenue for us to critic our work and eventually assist in our development as writers and maybe authors (sooner if not later).

The Dominica Writer's Guild has also seen a sort of rebirth, a meeting is scheduled for this Wednesday to look at ways of developing the grouping. I'm looking forward to it but if those old bums, lol, don't engage the young minds, I am prepared to do so.

All in all, I think the festival reached its main objective and stimulated the minds of those interested in the artform. Oh, by the way, look out for my poetry book, it is in the final stages of edit.

Nesta