patrica neely-dorsey - electronic press kit

8/14/2019 Patrica Neely-Dorsey - Electronic Press Kit

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Patricia Neely-Dorsey

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Press Kit designed by Tywebbin Creations .

Press Kit Index

About the Author 3

About the Book 4

What Readers Are Saying 5

Suggested Interview Questions 7

Discussion Questions 9

Contact the Author 10

Book Postcard 11

Author Photo 12

Book Cover 13

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About the Author Patricia Neely-Dorsey is a 1982 graduate of Tupelo High School in Tupelo, Mississippi.She received a Bachelor of Arts Degree inPsychology from Boston University in Boston,Massachusetts. After living for almost 20 years inMemphis, Tennessee, working in the mental healthfield, she returned to her hometown inAugust 2007. Her first book of poetry was

published in February, 2008 (Grant HousePublishers).

Patricia currently lives in Tupelo with her husbandJames, son Henry, and Miniature Schnauzer,Happy. She is a proud, active member of AlphaKappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., an avid reader and passionate writer. Patricia says thatshe has always considered herself a "Goodwill Ambassador" for Mississippi and thesouth.

Patricia believes that we can bridge many gaps of misunderstanding acrossregional, racial, cultural, generational and economic lines by simply telling/sharingour stories. The author hopes, through her writings, to have an intimateconversation with readers about the south... giving an up-close and personal viewof the southern way of life.

Using poetic storytelling, she seeks to not only, entertain, but also, educate andenlighten, while helping to preserve the beautiful, rich southern culture, historyand heritage that she knows, along with promoting and fostering an appreciationand understanding of the importance of cultural diversity, individuality, self expression and regional pride.

Reflections of a Mississippi Magnolia has been called a poetic autobiography and a

poetic love letter to the south. The author agrees with both.

Visit Patricia online at www.patricianeelydorsey.webs.com .




http://www.patricianeelydorsey.webs.com/








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About the Book

Patricia Neely Dorsey's Ref lec t ion s o f a Miss i s s ipp i M a g n o l i a - A L i f e i n Po e m s is "a true celebration of thesouth and things southern." The author states, "There are somany negative connotations associated with Mississippi andthe south in general. In my book, using childhood memories,personal thoughts and dreams, I attempt to give a positiveglimpse into the southern way of life. I try to show thatthere is much more to Mississippi and the south than all of the negatives usually portrayed. I invite readers to Meet

Mississippi (and the south) Through Poetry, Prose and TheWritten Word."

Southern Life If you want a glimpse of Southern life,Come close and walk with me;I'll tell you all the simple things,That you are sure to see.You'll see mockingbirds and bumblebees,Magnolia blossoms and dogwood trees,Caterpillars on the step,Wooden porches cleanly swept;Watermelons on the vine,Strong majestic Georgia pines;Rocking chairs and front yard swings,Junebugs flying on a string;Turnip greens and hot cornbread,Coleslaw and barbecue;Fried okra, fried corn, fried green tomatoes,Fried pies and pickles too.There's ice cold tea that's syrupy sweet,And cool, green grass beneath your feet;Catfish nipping in the lake,And fresh young boys on the make.

You'll see all these thingsAnd much, much more,In a way of life that I adore.

Copyright 2008 Patricia Neely-Dorseyfrom Reflections of a Mississippi Magnolia-A Life In Poem

ISBN-10: 097962942XISBN-13: 978-0979629426

Find online at: www.Amazon.com

Autographed copies are available fro

• Reed's Gumtree Bookstore and The Village GreenBookstore in Tupelo, MS

• Main Street Books inHattiesburg, MS

• BOOKS Bookstore inGrenada, MS

• Main Street Post OfficeMuseum in Pontotoc, MS

• SAGE Coffee and Books inMeridian, MS

• Oren Dunn City Museum inTupelo, MS

• Union County HeritageMuseum in New Albany, MS

• The BookmartStarkville, MS

• Lemuria BookstoreJackson, MS




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What Readers Are Saying …

In R e f l e ct i o n s o f a M i s si s s i p p i M a g n o l i a : A L i f e i n P o e m s , Patricia Neely-Dorsey has written, in poetic form, akind of primer on southern life, manners, and customs.Rick Torgerson, Delta State University, Book Reviewer,Mississippi Library Association

With R ef l e c t i o n s o f a M i s s i ss i p p i M a g n o l i a , Patricia Neely-Dorsey gives the world a book that is part biography, partrhymes, part imagination but all Mississippi!Joey Pinkney, Joey Pinkney Reviews, Raleigh,NC

To live in Mississippi and not own this book is a shame!Maggie Moran, Public Services and Reference Librarian,

Northwest CC, Senatobia, MS

Your poetry genuinely uplifts our state better than anythingI have ever read.Ralph Gordon, President, Mississippi Writers Guild , Meridian, Mississippi

This is one of the best books of historical poetry that I have read.Agnes Levine, Baltimore, Maryland, author/publisher

Patricia has a great eye and an ear for the south and the images that make it unique. I planto use some of her quick rhymes when working with children in Mississippi schools.Heather Truett, Poet/Creative Writing Instructor, Tupelo,Mississippi

I was enthralled by your use of verse in a seamless and synchronized manner...I likenedyour words in print to an orchestrated symphony of instruments working in harmony toproduce a melodious sound.Dr. Morris R. Stanton, Assistant Superintendent of Schools, Natchez, MS

Your poems are quite peaceful and soothing. They take you back to childhood, first lovesand sunsets. Love it!Felicia Myrick-Samuels, Jacksonville, FL

They (your poems) are beautiful in their simple language and easy flow. I'm a NY-erthrough and through, only having lived in FL for 5 years, but even I can relate to yourpoems. Patricia Woodside, Author

BEAUTIFUL!! I hear a simple passion in your writings that connects us to the things we takefor granted every day.Debra Harris, Tuscaloosa,AL








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I hear a strong voice of the South speaking clearly through the poems --- andhave been delighted to hear that voice "talking." Your words take me back to the hills of Monroe County to a time and place long gone --- thanks for letting me visit again.Terry Thornton, Hill Country of Monroe County

Uplifting does not describe what your body of work is… Everyone should feed their soul withyour soothing words....Antthony Mark Hankins, Los Angeles, CA, Designer, HSN

I always tell my students that there is not a right or wrong way to write poetry, but anypoem that has the power to bring tears to my eyes is a good poem, in my opinion. It isabout the power of emotion more than the way words are strung together. “If Mississippi IsIn You" and "Mississippi Through and Through" both brought tears to my eyes. Each poemtouched me in such a personal way.Carolyn O'Brien, Owner, BOOKS Bookstore, Grenada, MS, Creative Writing Instructor

Heartwarming, insightful, funny & thought-provoking. Transcends generations, gender and

locale.Ronald Weathersby, Los Angeles, CA

Ms. Dorsey has taken her knowledge of the South and put in a book of poetry which sings.Yvonne Mason, Author, Port St. Lucie, FL

Mrs. Dorsey's passion for life, love, and the South come shining through in this collection.Ran Walker, Hampton University, Hampton Roads, VA

Patricia Neely-Dorsey is a Poet of that fair Southern spirit, but she is also leagues with poetslike Robert Frost, or Elizabeth Bishop, who wrote in that seemingly simple read, yetaddressed universally and infinitely one's soul. A book of poetry that one can contemplateupon, consider in every aspect of a life in any city, country of world.Lydia Nolan, International Books Cafe

Like the lovely flower on i ts cover, R ef l e c t i o n s o f a M i s s i ss i p p i M a g n o l i a is beautiful inits simplicity. These wonderful poems tell the story of a woman supremely comfortable inher own Southern world, a place of beauty and grace, honor and tradition, where family iseverything. It is a warm hearted look at the nuances of a culture that is slowly slippingaway and should be embraced and treasured before it, too, is gone with the wind.Ann B. Keller, Author, Cleveland, OH

This book is pure delight! It really is some of the finest southern poetry I've read! PatriciaNeely-Dorsey knows southern, she knows poetry and she knows emotion.Carol Murdock, The Writer's Porch, Hattiesburg MS

It has been a while since I have read a modern poetry book that has stirred as manyemotions and memories as Patricia Neely-Dorsey's.Jeanette Singley, Contributing Writer/Book Reviewer, Bella Online, Cincinnati, OH








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Suggested Interview Questions Tell us about yourself.My name is Patricia Neely-Dorsey. I am from Tupelo,Mississippi. I am a 1982 graduate of Tupelo HighSchool. I received a Bachelor of Arts degree inPsychology from Boston University in Boston,Massachusetts. I lived in Memphis, Tennessee foralmost 20 years, working in the mental health field,before returning to my hometown in August 2007. Ihave been married for almost sixteen years to JamesDorsey and we have one child, Henry.

Wh en did you begin to realize you liked to w rite?The poetry writing was really a surprise to me. I have always liked to write all kindsof things but never for any particular purpose and certainly never with a book inmind.

I woke up on Valentine’s Day 2007 with this poem swirling around in my head. Igot up and quickly scribbled it down. After that day, many more poems followed.

A friend was very instrumental in encouraging me to "get them out there".

In February 2008, my book, R ef l e c t i o n s o f a M i s s i ss i p p i M a g n o l i a , waspublished.

How long did it take you to write your poetry?I always tell people that it probably takes only about 5 or 10 minutes for me towrite a poem, maybe 15 minutes for the longer ones because the poems come fullyin my head and I just write them down. Believe it are not, I would say at least 75%of the poems have come to me in my car. I call it my own personal "think tank"(smile)

How did you come up with the title of your book, R ef l e c t i o n s o f a M i s si s si p p i M a g n o l i a ?That was a natural choice for me. The book is basically reflections on my childhoodand my life in general. I am from Mississippi and the state flower is the Magnolia.

Women in Mississippi are often referred to as Mississippi Magnolias. So,R ef l e c t i o n s o f a M i s s i ss i p p i M a g n o l i a just felt/sounded right to me. I had namedthe collection of poems long before there was any thought of a book.








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Discussion Questions Common themes in Southern literature

FAMILY AND COMMUNITY"The South-Where roots, place, family and tradition are the essence of identity." -Carl N. Deglar, Social Historian

THE PAST-Southern literature, is often, seemingly "obsessed" with the past. Faulkner spoke

for all of us when he said, “The past isn’t dead, it’s not even past.”

RACIAL RELATIONS- Southern literature is almost always concerned with racial relationships. Evenwhen race is not the focus of the story, details will emerge that touch on racialrelationships

LANGUAGE, DIALECT- Southern literature is concerned with language—dialect, idioms, names,nicknames.

LAND/PLACE/SETTING"The black Southerner and the white Southerner are locked to the land...it clings tous like the moss on the trees "- Maya Angelou

-Southern literature concerns itself with the land itself. It can often assume therole of a character. As Eudora Welty pointed out, setting in a Southern story isnever a “minor god.” The land yields up everything to the story: the characters,the conflicts, the themes.

• How are these elements carried out in Ref lec t ion s o f a Miss i s s ipp i M a g n o l i a ?

• Discuss the role that FAMILY AND COMMUNITY play in Neely- Dorsey'spoetry.

• Discuss the role that the PAST plays in Neely-Dorsey's poetry.• How are the elements of RACE/RACIAL RELATIONS introduced/handled in

Neely-Dorsey's poetry?• What is the tone in which they are handled?• Discuss the use of DIALECT in one or more of Neely Dorsey's poems.• Discuss the role that LAND/PLACE/SETTING play in Neely-Dorsey's poetry.








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Overall Considerations/ Discussions for any poem or poems in thecollection:

• Does the poem imply a story of some sort?• What is the beginning, middle and end?• What was your response to the poem at first reading?• Were there any parts that especially pleased, displeased or puzzled you?• Does the writer reveal her personality, culture, values in the poem?• In what instances? Give examples.• Note the images in the poem. How do they add up to one complete picture?• Is there a poem that you find especially funny, memorable or inspiring?• Is there a poem that led you to revisit personal childhood memories or see

them in a new light?• Is there a poem that helped to you see Mississippi/ the South in a new light?

More discussionA LIFE IN POEMS

1. Which foods did the author remember from her childhood?2. What does she recall about religion/spiritual experiences?3. What special gatherings did she experience?4. What types of jobs did the adults in her life hold?5. What were her hobbies or interests?6. Where might she have enjoyed spending time?7. What notable event does the author recalled?8. How do these poems illustrate the authors culture?

Readers' Personal Childhood Reflections

• Special foods• Sayings adults repeated• Religious/spiritual experiences• Special gatherings• Favorite places to be / go• Notable Events (Tragedies/Celebrations/Ceremonies)• Hobbies/Interests• Jobs of parents/guardians/family members








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Contact the Author [email protected]

MAI LING ADDRESSPatricia Neely-Dorsey1196 CR 681Saltillo, MS 38866

PHONE NUMBER(901) 848-6800 (cell)




mailto:[email protected]




patrica neely-dorsey - electronic press kit

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