October 2025 Reading Challenge: Matchy, Matchy

My third blackout poetry and art book, Carried Away was published a couple months ago and is the color palette for this month's reading challenge! Match covers to the Carried Away color scheme: yellow, brown, turquoise, green, and a splash of red. So matchy-matchy!

October Reading Challenge

Matchy, matchy!

Here's the color-coordinated reading list (Amazon links included):

1.) Carried Away: Blackout Poetry and Art by Stacia Leigh

2.) Burn Collector by Al Burian

3.) Sparrow Envy: Field Guide to Birds and Lesser Beasts by J. Drew Lanham

4.) This Is How the Bone Sings by W. Todd Kaneko

5.) A Bit Much by Lyndsay Rush

6.) Two-Minute Mysteries by Donald J. Sobol 

________________________________________________

"The best color in the whole world

is the one that looks good on you." ~ Coco Chanel

Blackout Poetry and Art on Display!

Art Wall

South Bellevue Community Center

Sixteen original blackout poems are framed and hanging on the art wall at the SBCC from now until the end of September. My previous books--Sounds Complicated and Distance Between (Amazon links) are represented as well as my latest book, Carried Away, available today!

Carried Away: Blackout Poetry & Art

by Stacia Leigh

October 2023 Reading Challenge: Picture Book BINGO

Since my picture book entry was a finalist for the PNWA conference this year, I decided to immerse myself into picture-book reading with a hefty stack checked out from the library.

A Hefty Stack of Picture Books

What's a better way to deep dive the genre than to play a game of reading BINGO? A quick win is reading five-in-a-row, but why not go for the gold? Read all twenty-five for a solid blackout win and find your next favorite book, author, illustrator...or maybe even a new series!

Stacia Leigh's October 2023 Reading Challenge

Picture Book BINGO!

Ready to read along? Print the BINGO card if you're able, otherwise the list below sums it up nicely. I will post Amazon or Powell's Book Store links for the recommended reads I want to share (regular links are a 4/5 star read, bold links are 5 stars). From left to right, here's the breakdown: 

1.) Collage Pictures: Wonder Walkers by Micha Archer

2.) Award Winner: Watercress by Andrea Wang

3.) Retelling: Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs by Mo Willems

4.) Two-Word Title: Mel Fell by Corey R. Tabor

5.) Set in the Forest: Little Witch Hazel a Year in the Forest by Phoebe Wahl

6.) A classic: Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson

7.) Non-Fiction: I Was Born a Baby by Meg Fleming

8.) Reptile on the Cover:

9.) Blackout Poetry by Stacia Leigh: Sounds Complicated by Stacia Leigh

10.) Hide & Seek: Where's the BaBOOn? by Michael Escoffier

11.) A Number in the Title: The Three Ninja Pigs by Corey Rosen Schwartz

12.) Title Starts with Letter "F": Frog and Toad Together by Arnold Lobel

13.) Free Space: Sidewalk Flowers by JonArno Lawson

14.) Green Cover: Evergreen by Matthew Cordell

15.) Little Free Library Find: Georgia in Hawaii by Amy Novesky

16.) Book with Bugs: Burt the Beetle Doesn't Bite by Ashley Spires

17.) Underwater Setting: Out to Sea by Helen Kellock

18.) Book with Robots: The Little Wooden Robot and the Log Princess by Tom Gauld

19.) A Holiday Story: Creepy Crayon! by Aaron Reynolds

20.) Sports Theme: H.O.R.S.E.: A Game of Basketball and Imagination by Christopher Myers

21.) A Cultural Read: The New Rooster by Rilla Alexander

22.) Back in School: Sector 7 by David Wiesner

23.) Learn Something New: Share a Scare: Writing Your Own Scary Story by Nany Loewen

24.) Rhyme Time: Frog on a Log? by Kes Gray

25.) Based on Actual Events: Ida, Always by Caron Levis

_________________________________________________

“Reading one [picture] book is like eating one potato chip.” — Diane Duane

Goodbye Little Etsy Shop

Things change, and that's just the way of life. Sometimes it's good and sometimes it's not. After some thought, I've decided the latest change by Etsy is a sign for me to simplify my life. Today the EpialDesign shop is closing the Etsy door. Maybe it's for good or maybe a door will open somewhere else. Who knows? If you'd like to inquire about my wares--young adult reads, greeting cards, crafts, blackout poetry pages, book bags, bookmarks--feel free to email me! Until then, adieu to you!

* * *

Etsy Sellers Demand Reversal of "Train Wreck" Policy: The company is asking users to verify their bank details via Plaid, a fintech company that recently settled a privacy class action lawsuit - by Hyperallergic

 

 

 

 

June 2022 Reading Challenge: BINGO BLACKOUT!

Stacia Leigh's Cozy Reading Challenge

BINGO card

Half a year of reading with a BINGO here and a BINGO there, and I'm truly ready for a blackout. Found some favorites and even found a couple to buy for my shelf. I posted Amazon links to my recommended reads. Here's the breakdown:

R1C1: One-word title: CABLE by Jeffrey A. Pitts

R1C2: Set in the northwest: WONDERLAND POEMS by Matthew Dickman

R1C3: Repeat Read: THE EX-GAMES by Jennifer Echols

R1C4: A Rec-o-mended book: EVENTOWN by Corey Ann Haydu

R1C5: Picture book: WAITING by Kevin Henkes

R2C1: Non-fiction: 27 PRINCIPLES OF STORY BY Daniel Joshua Rubin

R2C2: By an independent author: WINDS OF SKILAK by Bonnie Rose

R2C3: A number in the title: 2K to 10K, HOW TO WRITE FASTER by Rachel Aaron

R2C4: Bottom of your To Be Read pile: WHERE THE WORLD ENDS by Geraldine McCaughrean

R2C5: Blue cover: BOOK ARCHITECTURE by Stuart Horwitz

R3C1: Little Free Library find: ALWAYS SOMETHING THERE TO REMIND ME by Beth Harbison

R3C2: About your dream job: HOW TO BE AN EXPLORER OF THE WORLD by Keri Smith

R3C3: Free space: SUITCASE OF SEAWEED AND OTHER POEMS by Janet Wong

R3C4: A holiday story: HONEYMOON FOR ONE by Jennifer Peel

R3C5: Memoir: ABOUT MY MOTHER BY Peggy Rowe

R4C1: Set in nature: WILD BIRD by Wendelin Van Draanen

R4C2: A cultural find: AMAL UNBOUND by Aisha Saeed

R4C3: Made into a movie: GONE GIRL by Gillian Flynn

R4C4: YA romance by Stacia Leigh: DEALING WITH BLUE by Stacia Leigh

R4C5: A forgotten classic: YELLOW WALLPAPER by Charlotte Gilman

R5C1: Sci-fi or fantasy: DAUGHTER OF YS by M.T. Anderson

R5C2: Based on a true story: WINDS OF SKILAK THE CONTINUING SAGA by Bonnie Rose

R5C3: A scary book: DANGEROUS PRAYERS by Craig Groeschel

R5C4: An award winner: RUNNING DREAM by Wendelin Van Draanen 

R5C5: Art, poetry, or play: MOTHER by Maya Angelou

It was fun while it lasted. Now I'm going to run off and read whatever the heck I want. Enjoy your summer reads, my friends!

March 2022 Reading Challenge: BINGO Update

 

Five in a row...fourth BINGO!

My two favorite reads.

 

SET IN THE NORTHWEST
Wonderland: Poems by Matthew Dickman (Poetry) - 4 out of 5 stars.
The eighties were a dreary time in Portland, yet the author's words seemed as apropos then as they do now, which inspired my ode to Wonderland:

This is Portland then and now.
This is Seattle, too, a green and seedy place, full of despair.
This is pills and brown powder on the streets and spent needles floating on puddles.
This is home to Billionaire Bill.
This is sprawling suburbia where neighbors in beige McMansions whisper behind their hands, "They're new here."
This is twenty years of "We should get together," on the other side of the fence.
This is the weather, wet, moist, gray, pushing people into their living rooms to collectively hate the color orange.
This is what 3 a.m. looks like.
~by Stacia Leigh

 

BY AN INDIE AUTHOR
Winds of Skilak by Bonnie Rose Ward (Memoir) - 5 out of 5 stars!
An adventurous read already mentioned on the February 2022 BINGO win.

ABOUT YOUR DREAM JOB
27 Essential Principles of Story by Daniel Joshua Rubin - 5 out of 5 stars!
A shelf-worthy book with a new take on story crafting. Highly recommend.

A CULTURAL FIND
Amal Unbound by Aisha Saeed (Middle Grade) - Highly recommend!
A fun read already mentioned on the October 2021 BINGO win.

BASED ON A TRUE STORY
Winds of Skilak: The Continuing Saga by Bonnie Rose Ward (Memoir) - 5 out of 5 stars!
The author certainly lived an adventurous and dangerous life. I think she should write a cook book next or maybe even one on canning. How many jars does it take to can a moose or a bear? Loved this series and would recommend it to anyone who's interested in homesteading, Alaska, or just being in the great outdoors.

Follow the BINGO wins here:
June 2022 Reading Challenge: BINGO Blackout!
February 2022 Reading Challenge: BINGO Update
January 2022 Reading Challenge: BINGO Update
October 2021 Reading Challenge: BINGO Update

______________________________________________

Want to join the fun? Click here to get your own BINGO card on Etsy.

February 2022 Reading Challenge: BINGO Update

Five in a row...third BINGO!

 

ONE-WORD TITLE
Something a little different for this one: I read an as-yet-to-be-published manuscript for a friend that crosses off this BINGO box for the win! A great book that I'll be able to talk about VERY soon.

BY AN INDIE AUTHOR
Winds of Skilak by Bonnie Rose Ward (Memoir) - 5 out of 5 stars!
The pages were filled to the brim with hardships, wild critters, and adventure. I was truly sad for it to end, but thankfully there's another book by this author, the saga continues.

FREE SPACE
A Suitcase of Seaweed and Other Poems by Janet S. Wong (poetry) - 5 out of 5 stars!
A beautiful and amusing read already mentioned on the January 2022 BINGO win post.

YA ROMANCE BY STACIA LEIGH
Dealing with Blue by Stacia Leigh (Young Adult Romance) - 5 out of 5 stars!
I published this in 2015 and after reading it through with a lens of six more years of experience (more books written and published, judging contests, and providing critiques), I gave my debut baby a little polish. Update your Kindle or buy a new copy. It's now New & Improved!

ART POETRY OR PLAY
Mother: A Cradle to Hold Me by Maya Angelou (Poetry) - 5 out of 5 stars!
Short and sweet and nearly made me cry. Highly recommend.

Follow the BINGO wins here:
June 2022 Reading Challenge: BINGO Blackout!
March 2022 Reading Challenge: BINGO Update
January 2022 Reading Challenge: BINGO Update
October 2021 Reading Challenge: BINGO Update

______________________________________________

Want to join the fun? Click here to get your own BINGO card on Etsy.

January 2022 Reading Challenge: A BINGO Update

 Five in a row...second BINGO!

I'm taking the long way around this Bingo card, but I've finally managed another BINGO win, starting the New Year on the right foot. Here's what I've read so far (Amazon links included):

REPEAT READ
The Ex Games by Jennifer Echols (Young Adult Romance) 4 out of 5 stars.
A romantic comedy with lots of snow-filled high jinks. It's a quick read and perfect for the holidays.

A NUMBER IN THE TITLE
2000 to 10,000: How to Write Faster, Write Better, and Write More of What You Love by Rachel Aaron (Nonfiction) 4 out of 5 stars.
What's this book about? Exactly what the title says. It's a quick and motivational read for a dedicated writer.

FREE SPACE
A Suitcase of Seaweed and Other Poems by Janet S. Wong (Poetry) 5 out of 5 stars!
The author denotes beautiful and amusing words depicting family pride, being Korean, Chinese, and American. I loved this one.

MADE INTO A MOVIE
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn (Suspense) 4 out of 5 stars.
A fun read already mentioned on the October 2021 BINGO win.

A SCARY BOOK
Dangerous Prayers: Because Following Jesus Was Never Meant to Be Safe by Craig Groeschel (Spiritual) 5 out of 5 stars!
I'd never read a book about prayer before, but the cover and title sounded scary enough to cross off this BINGO square. All said and done, it did the job in more ways than one. I'd recommend.

 

Follow the BINGO wins here:
June 2022 Reading Challenge: BINGO Blackout!
March 2022 Reading Challenge: BINGO Update
February 2022 Reading Challenge: BINGO Update
October 2021 Reading Challenge: BINGO Update

______________________________________________

Want to join the fun? Click here to get your own BINGO card on Etsy.

A Fall/Winter 2021 Reading Challenge: BINGO!

By the time October rolls around, we're getting ready for rain, fog, snow, big holidays, boots, and plaid flannel. 'Tis the season to stay warm and cozy under a pile of dogs and blankets. With hot chocolate on one side and an open book on the other, let's settle in for a month or stay through the winter...it's time to read until we blackout, literally. It's reading BINGO! 

Need a place to start? Might I suggest heading to your favorite book store, like Powell's in Portland for instance, and ordering a stash of books by Stacia Leigh? Burnout would check the "One-word Title" box, Dealing with Blue would check the "By an Indie Author" box and Hanging Around for You would check the "YA Romance by Stacia Leigh." Sounds Complicated could fill the "FREE" space and Distance Between would check the "Art, Poetry, or Play" square. A quick win with five in a row. But since autumn's just getting started, you might as well keep reading. Another twenty books and you'll hit blackout gold status and be a true champ.

Stacia Leigh's Cozy Reading Challenge

BINGO!

Print the BINGO card if you can, otherwise the list below sums it up...

R1C1: Read a book with a one-word title.

R1C2: Read a book set in the northwest.

R1C3: Find a book you've read in the past and read it again.

R1C4: Read a book someone's recommended to you.

R1C5: Read a picture book.

R2C1: Read a non-fiction book.

R2C2: Read a book by an independent author.

R2C3: Read a book with a number in the title.

R2C4: Read the book sitting at the bottom of your To Be Read pile.

R2C5: Read a book with a blue cover.

R3C1: Read a book from a Little Free Library.

R3C2: Read a book about your dream job.

R3C3: Free to read whatever book you want!

R3C4: Read a holiday story.

R3C5: Read a memoir. Or an auto-biography. Or whatever because rulz are made to be broken.

R4C1: Read a book with a nature setting.

R4C2: Read a book about a different culture.

R4C3: Read a book that's been made into a movie.

R4C4: Read a young adult romance by Stacia Leigh, because Stacia Leigh made the rulz.

R4C5: Read an old classic.

R5C1: Read a science fiction novel or a fantasy.

R5C2: Read a story based on true events.

R5C3: Read something that is scary.

R5C4: Read an award winner: Newbery, Caldecott, National, Best Independent Book Review, etc.

R5C5: Read a book about art, poetry, or read a play.

 

October 2021 Reading Challenge: BINGO Update

January 2022 Reading Challenge: BINGO Update

February 2022 Reading Challenge: BINGO Update

March 2022 Reading Challenge: BINGO Update

June 2022 Reading Challenge: BINGO Blackout!

_____________________________________________

Bingo Queen by WizardMode

New at the ESPIALdesign Etsy Shop

The ESPIALdesign Etsy shop has had a busy 2021 so far, shipping orders to Eastern Washington, Alaska, Virginia, and Arizona! The support for my art and my little shop really means a lot, so thanks again, and know that the proceeds will go to funding my next book with editing and proofreading costs. I have to draw, cut, and glue so I can keep writing. A rough life, I know.

Now, it's time to stock those shelves. I had to think twice about selling the alien blackout-poem originals because they're some of my absolute favorites. But then, why keep 'em when they're published in my first book collection, Sounds Complicated? So, I made them a bundle to keep them together and included pictures below. Check them out and stay tuned! There's more to come.

 

Blackout Poetry Bundle

Aliens (set of 4)

 

 Preparedness 101

 

"He'd forgotten how to keep his head from popping off in outer space.

Why was he here again?"

 

 

My Space

"It meant something good when it was over.

I need my space."

 

Contaminated

 

"Careful. Something was in the air...something pitter-pattering like a heart."

 

 

It's Complicated

"He ordered a large side of feeling and the avoidance maneuver roll

since they were sharing a can of love."

Fabulous Five: Favorite Reads for 2019

Here it is, a reading year in review!

Goodreads Reading Challenge

131% Done!

I've read 131 books for the 2019 Goodreads Reading Challenge. A big number for me due mainly to my interest in picture books. A really good one stands out like a bright star, and sadly, I didn't find one of those this year, so nothing to recommend on that account. However, all five of my favorite reads listed below were in the children's category:

TOP FIVE!

1.) My all-time 2019 favorite read goes to...

One of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus

Young Adult

2.) Best YA story in audio form--loved the narrator, Sarah Drew!

Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver

Young Adult Audio Book

3.) Most original read for 2019--really enjoyed the tone and pacing of this one:

Orphan Island by Laurel Snyder

Middle Grade Fantasy

4.) Best Middle Grade in audio-form, narrated by the talented Robbie Daymond:

Inkling by Kenneth Oppel

Middle Grade

5.) This book is #3 in the Berrybrook Middle School series, but #1 with me:

Crush by Svetlana Chmakova

Middle Grade Graphic Novel

BONUS!

I really enjoyed this book, beautiful with all the feels. Interested in blackout poetry? Check this one out:

A Wonderful Catastrophe by Colette Love Hilliard

Blackout Poetry and Art

Teaching Blackout Poetry to Kids

How awesome was today? Very awesome. I was invited to teach a fifth grade class about blackout poetry, and somewhat warily, I agreed. I used to be an art docent, but after a year off I felt out of practice with getting organized and engaging twenty plus kids. It's always a crap-shoot.

However, once I got the ball rolling, the kids listened! They seemed interested and attentive and that right there is more than half the battle. Not to mention, I had the help of Michael Nyers (@fade.into.a.blackout). He sent me an outline to get started, which I modified for the age of the audience and the time allotted for the lesson. I also gleaned some "how-to's" from Spark Creativity's blog: The Easy Guide to Blackout Poetry.

I had one hour, so I needed to keep the up-front talking to a minimum. Here are my notes:

_____________________________________

A 1-Hour Blackout Poetry Lesson 

MATERIALS
- Book pages
- Scratch paper to protect work space and to make notes
- #2 Pencil
- Staedtler Mars plastic white erasure
- Markers, colored pencils, crayons...
- Blackout Poetry Books for examples 

WHAT IS BLACKOUT POETRY?  
Robert Lee Brewer from Writer’s Digest says:“A blackout poem is when a poet takes a marker (usually a black marker) to already established text–like in a newspaper–and starts redacting words until a poem is formed. The key thing with a blackout poem is that the text, AND redacted text, form a sort of visual poem.” 

The process can also be called found poetry,redacted poetry, and even erasure poetry. 

It has a history that can date back to 1760, when Benjamin Franklin’s neighbor would make funny word associations between the two columns of text in the newspaper, calling them “Cross-readings.” 

Austin Kleon, author of Newspaper Blackout (copyright 2010), says:“Blackout poetry’s history looks less like a straight line and more like blips on a radar screen.” 

  
MY PROCESS
I wanted to recycle the proof copies of my YA books and was inspired by a community of blackout poets on Instagram, like Michael Nyers and Collette Love Hilliard. 

I carry a "blackout" travel bag and can create poems anytime I have to wait, like in an airport, riding the bus, a museum, the dentist's office...you name it. I'm never bored. My bag contains:
- Proof book pages from Dealing with Blue and Burnout.
- A Mead Pencil Pouch with Prismacolor pencils, #2 pencils, a pencil sharpener that holds shavings, a hi-lighter, a black ultra-fine-tipped marker, and a Staedtler eraser.
- A compass.

GETTING STARTED
- First skim the words on the page without reading for content. The idea is find words that catch your attention or inspire you in some way.

- Very lightly circle the words directly on the page. OR if preferred, write the words you find in order on another sheet of paper to keep track of them. 

- Go back and reread the chosen words to find a theme and fine tune your poem. Need connecting words like a, an, the, in, on, and…etcetera? Try to find them as letters within words.

- Boldly outline the words you do want with a marker and erase the pencil lines you don't want.

- Then, with a pencil, lightly sketch a picture, add shapes, or draw symbols that relate to the theme of your poem. Outline the lines you want to keep with marker. Maybe add arrows or flow lines to help reader follow the words of the poem (typically a reader reads from left to right, top to bottom).

- Last step, blackout the words you don’t want--and if you have a sketch, color it in-- using marker, colored pencils, paint, paper and glue, or other.  

TIME ALLOTMENT
Take fifteen minutes or less discussing notes and showing samples from the books. Allow forty-five minutes to work.

_____________________________________

Other links on the topic:
John DePasquale of Scholastics - Blackout Poetry
Teachers Pay Teachers - Blackout Poetry: Make poetry fun!
Emily H. Vogel - A Middle Grade Lesson on Blackout Poetry (Grades 6-8)

Blackout Poetry Book Pile

Blackout Poetry Books

I interrupt my June Reading Challenge to introduce a stack of blackout poetry books. I've been asked to teach a 5th grade class next week on how to make a #blackoutpoem and ordered some books to share, mine included. Big thanks to @fade.into.a.blackout for the teaching notes and the great read: Finding Light in the Darkness by Michael Nyers. I also particularly loved A Wonderful Catastrophe by Colette Love Hilliard.

I've truly been enjoying Austin Kleon's writing style by reading his motivational series on creativity and art and am currently reading Newspaper Blackout, which includes the history of the blackout poem. So far, really well done.

I did have my reservations starting Hidden Messages of Hope by John Carroll when I cracked open the first page. With credits like squishiepuss, Manley, funwithrobots, Cummings, DeBenedictis, and Jessica Hunt, I couldn't help but wonder if some kind of pervy word-play ensued. What kind of book did I just buy, again? I looked up the people and their links and everything seemed legit, though coincidental and curious enough. I read on and found the poetry and art, the overall book, delightful.

The two skinny numbers on the right without titles on the spine--*shakes fist* Damn you Amazon!--Well, those are mine. The colorful and whimsical duo known as Sounds Complicated and Distance Between.

I'm happy to be a part of the blackout poetry community and to support this group of artists/poets/authors. I know the fifth grade teacher is excited to learn this process, too, and that's a good start :)

Enjoy the reads!

January 2019 Reading Challenge: An Acrostic Book List

Welcome to a new year of books!

My mind has been in word-puzzle-and-poetry mode for the last couple of months while creating new blackout poems, where I search for the right words in the right place on a book page and then add some pizzazz with a doodle drawing. Check out Sounds Complicated and Distance Between to see my latest compilation and publishing efforts.

Anyway, while dreaming up a good January reading challenge, I wondered how I could use the words in the book titles. Snap! Got it. You know that poem where you take the first word in each line to spell out a message. It's not alliteration and it's not anagram. What's the other "A" word in Poetry Land? Right! Acrostic. But what exactly does that mean? 

"An acrostic is a piece of writing in which a particular set of letters -- typically the first letter of each line, word, or paragraph -- spells out a word or phrase with special significance to the text. Acrostics are most commonly written as a form of poetry, but they can also be found in prose or used as word puzzles." 

~ Bergman, Bennet. "Acrostic." LitCharts.

Acrostic Title Challenge

It took some hunting and pecking to get the right titles lined up, but I finally pulled together a list of five that I'm excited about. Can't wait to dig into 2019 with these gems:

1.) Tell Me Three Things by Julie Buxbaum

2.) One of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus*

3.) Wish by Barbara O'Connor*

4.) Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver*

5.) Midnight at the Electric by Jodi Lynn Anderson

* A recommended read!

_____________________________________________

"Don't say I wish. Say I will." ~ Unknown