Joanne Van Leerdam

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About Joanne Van Leerdam
Joanne is a poet, blogger, writer, thinker, puzzler, teacher, traveller, photographer and generally nice person.
She drinks far too much coffee, but is highly dependent on the caffeine for successful navigation of that part of each day that occurs before lunchtime, so she's not giving it up anytime soon.
Despite having lived all her life in Australia, she has, thus, far, avoided being killed or maimed by any of the deadly wildlife, which is probably a good thing. Furthermore, she does not surf, live at the beach, or have a pet kangaroo.
Other than Australia, Canada is her favourite place in the world. She's proud to have been adopted as an honorary Canadian.
In addition to writing powerful, thought-provoking poetry, short-but-incredibly meaningful stories, and some creepy, macabre horror, she teaches senior high school English, History and Drama/Production. She is an active member and performer in her local theatre company.
Joanne's poetry is contemporary, moody, sometimes sensual and always easy to read - and it will get you in the feelings. One reviewer put her on the "shelf of legends" with Ginsberg and Whitman, calling Nova "A beautiful ride through a beautiful mind".
It's high praise - why not read her work today and see if you agree?
She drinks far too much coffee, but is highly dependent on the caffeine for successful navigation of that part of each day that occurs before lunchtime, so she's not giving it up anytime soon.
Despite having lived all her life in Australia, she has, thus, far, avoided being killed or maimed by any of the deadly wildlife, which is probably a good thing. Furthermore, she does not surf, live at the beach, or have a pet kangaroo.
Other than Australia, Canada is her favourite place in the world. She's proud to have been adopted as an honorary Canadian.
In addition to writing powerful, thought-provoking poetry, short-but-incredibly meaningful stories, and some creepy, macabre horror, she teaches senior high school English, History and Drama/Production. She is an active member and performer in her local theatre company.
Joanne's poetry is contemporary, moody, sometimes sensual and always easy to read - and it will get you in the feelings. One reviewer put her on the "shelf of legends" with Ginsberg and Whitman, calling Nova "A beautiful ride through a beautiful mind".
It's high praise - why not read her work today and see if you agree?
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Blog postWe all know the basic elements of writing a sentence in English: starting with a capital letter and finishing with some kind of ending punctuation appropriate to the form of the sentence, be it a statement, a question or an exclamation. Most people have mastered the fact that each sentence should communicate one key idea, […]2 weeks ago Read more
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Blog postAs Victoria enters a five day lockdown designed to halt the spread of that dratted virus after its recent escape from a quarantine hotel, there’s a lot of kvetching going on. Yes, it’s our third lockdown. Yes, we all saw this coming when the Australian Open was allowed to go ahead. Naturally, we’d all rather […]2 weeks ago Read more
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Blog postA week ago I had an epidural spinal injection into my lower back to treat constant sciatic pain. One week later, I have good things to report.After a rough couple of days following the injection, things started to improve. I’m very happy to report that I’m doing much better now. Because the weekend was difficult, […]3 weeks ago Read more
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Blog postIt’s Valentines Day on the weekend, and while I don’t pay a lot of attention to the day, I do think it’s a good opportunity to offer something to my readers. Think of it as a small token of my appreciation, if you will. Among the numerous short reads over at wordynerdbirdwrites , you’ll find […]3 weeks ago Read more
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Blog postThis fascinating article appeared on my Twitter feed this morning. It’s healthy to be reminded that the things we do with language to make it vivid and powerful are not just the domain of the English language: indeed, to imagine so would be both insular and ignorant. Given that English is such a mutt of […]3 weeks ago Read more
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Blog postIf there’s something word nerds love, it’s word-nerdy books. Personally, I love a great dictionary or thesaurus. I also enjoy books that explore different aspects of the English language and how we use it. These three books are books I have particularly enjoyed over recent months. Word Perfect by Susie Dent This is a wonderful […]3 weeks ago Read more
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Books By Joanne Van Leerdam
Smoke and Shadows
Jan 6, 2019
$2.99
It's a common thing. As we go through life, we discover that people and things are frequently not what they seem to be, and what we understand to be the truth of our own experience often turns out to be something quite different instead. Life is as full of illusions as it is of genuine experiences.
False friends abound. Trials hurt, but then deliver unexpected strength and blessings. People put up smokescreens to hide their true intentions or feelings; and only sometimes do we ever discover why. The world seems hateful until someone delivers light and love in a surprising way.
The poems in this new collection explore some of the illusions and deceptions people experience in their lives, the clarity and wisdom gained from hindsight, and the lessons we can learn from them.
“Smoke and shadows yield to glimpses of light—
Only then we begin to see:
When we learn to perceive things as they are,
We can have peace with whatever will be.”
False friends abound. Trials hurt, but then deliver unexpected strength and blessings. People put up smokescreens to hide their true intentions or feelings; and only sometimes do we ever discover why. The world seems hateful until someone delivers light and love in a surprising way.
The poems in this new collection explore some of the illusions and deceptions people experience in their lives, the clarity and wisdom gained from hindsight, and the lessons we can learn from them.
“Smoke and shadows yield to glimpses of light—
Only then we begin to see:
When we learn to perceive things as they are,
We can have peace with whatever will be.”
Trick or Treat Thrillers - Best Horror - 2018
Dec 22, 2018
by
Roma Gray ,
Dona Fox ,
Toneye Eyenot ,
Andrew Bell ,
David A. Simpson ,
Jeremy Mac ,
Howard Carlyle ,
Kathryn Meyer Griffith ,
John T. M. Herres ,
Kerry Alan Denney
$0.99
23 Tales of Terror, Flavors of Fear. Here for your twisted culinary delight we present some of the best horror fiction of 2018. We sincerely hope you survive it.
$0.99
Curious Things.
Stories about a black cat, superstition and strange events.
Friday is a black cat with a lucky habit of being present when curious things take place.
He's highly intelligent, fiercely loyal and devilishly handsome.
If you've ever wished for karma to move a little faster, indulged in uncharitable thoughts about certain annoying people, or suspected that having a black cat cross your path was not quite as unlucky as people seem to think, these stories are for you.
Stories about a black cat, superstition and strange events.
Friday is a black cat with a lucky habit of being present when curious things take place.
He's highly intelligent, fiercely loyal and devilishly handsome.
If you've ever wished for karma to move a little faster, indulged in uncharitable thoughts about certain annoying people, or suspected that having a black cat cross your path was not quite as unlucky as people seem to think, these stories are for you.
Other Formats:
Paperback
The Silver Feather
Sep 29, 2017
$2.99
A graveyard.
Atalisman.
A confrontation with evil personified.
When Phil loses the girl he loves, life as he knows it comes to a screeching halt.
Little does he realise that there is so much more yet to be lost.
This haunting, macabre tale will please all lovers of horror and dark fiction.
Atalisman.
A confrontation with evil personified.
When Phil loses the girl he loves, life as he knows it comes to a screeching halt.
Little does he realise that there is so much more yet to be lost.
This haunting, macabre tale will please all lovers of horror and dark fiction.
Other Formats:
Paperback
No! How To Say It So They Know You Mean It
Sep 10, 2019
$0.99
Among all the different people in this world, there are two groups who invariably find each other: those who have trouble saying no, and those who take advantage of them.
This quick and quirky self-help guide to saying no more effectively provides insights and tips on how to say "no" so that others know you mean it, and thereby reclaim your freedom from those who would readily exploit your generosity.
This quick and quirky self-help guide to saying no more effectively provides insights and tips on how to say "no" so that others know you mean it, and thereby reclaim your freedom from those who would readily exploit your generosity.
Other Formats:
Paperback
A Rose By Any Other Name
Jun 14, 2019
$2.99
Sinister hands snatch a newborn child and carry her to a tower where she lives in loneliness.
Enmity between feuding families results in an elopement that ends in ways that nobody could foresee.
You think you know these stories... but do you really?
The destinies of these star-crossed teenagers entwine in this tale that reveals the story that Shakespeare and the Brothers Grimm never told.
Enmity between feuding families results in an elopement that ends in ways that nobody could foresee.
You think you know these stories... but do you really?
The destinies of these star-crossed teenagers entwine in this tale that reveals the story that Shakespeare and the Brothers Grimm never told.
Other Formats:
Paperback
by
Claire Buss ,
C H Clepitt ,
Ted Akin ,
Amy Bethan Evans ,
Ann Frowd ,
A.M. Leibowitz ,
Maria Riegger ,
Joanne Van Leerdam ,
Lyra Shanti ,
Layla Pinkett ,
Margena Adams Holmes ,
Sophie Kearing ,
Chloe Hammond ,
Jane Jago ,
E.M. Swift-Hook ,
Gill Edwards
$5.17
An anthology of Christmas themed short stories to raise money for Avon Riding Centre for the Disabled.
A BADGER CHRISTMAS CAROL
C H Clepitt and Claire Buss bring you a modern retelling of a classic story, with badgers
CHRISTMAS UNDERWATER
Ever wondered if Santa could make it to mermaids? Wonder no more with this short story from Ted Akin
INVISIBLE CHRISTMAS
A poem from playwright, dramaturge and disability activist Amy Bethan Evans
MRS. CLAUS’S HOLIDAY
Sometimes even Mrs. Claus gets overwhelmed, but how will Santa manage Christmas without her? A sweet short story from Ann Frowd
WISHIN’ YOU WERE HERE BY ME
Will Lindsey and Claire get their happy ever after when Lindsey runs out on their wedding? From author A.M. Leibowitz comes a wonderfully romantic and quirky short story
MIDNIGHT LASAGNE
Some of the best conversations happen at midnight, over lasagne! A gentle short story from Maria Riegger
CHRISTMAS EVE, DESPONDENT
A poem from poet and novelist Joanne Van Leerdam
UNIDENTIFIED FLYING REINDEER
Staying awake to meet Santa doesn't always go as planned in this quirky short from Lyra Shanti
SANTABOT!
How on Earth can Santa get around all of the houses in just one night? Layla Pinkett has a decidedly SciFi theory
JOEY THE LITTLE CHRISTMAS TREE
Discover Christmas from the viewpoint of the tree in this unusual short from Margena Holmes
ZOË QUINN AND THE BEST CHRISTMAS EVER
Spend Christmas with Zoe Quinn, as she learns that there is a lot more to it than just presents in this short story from Sophie Kearing
THE VISIT
Horror author Chloe Hammond weaves a spine tingler of a tale with a twist at the end that you will not see coming
A CHRISTMAS TAIL
Writing partnership Jane Jago and E.M. Swift-Hook bring a cute story in verse about a girl discovering the meaning of Christmas with the help of a mouse
A BADGER CHRISTMAS CAROL
C H Clepitt and Claire Buss bring you a modern retelling of a classic story, with badgers
CHRISTMAS UNDERWATER
Ever wondered if Santa could make it to mermaids? Wonder no more with this short story from Ted Akin
INVISIBLE CHRISTMAS
A poem from playwright, dramaturge and disability activist Amy Bethan Evans
MRS. CLAUS’S HOLIDAY
Sometimes even Mrs. Claus gets overwhelmed, but how will Santa manage Christmas without her? A sweet short story from Ann Frowd
WISHIN’ YOU WERE HERE BY ME
Will Lindsey and Claire get their happy ever after when Lindsey runs out on their wedding? From author A.M. Leibowitz comes a wonderfully romantic and quirky short story
MIDNIGHT LASAGNE
Some of the best conversations happen at midnight, over lasagne! A gentle short story from Maria Riegger
CHRISTMAS EVE, DESPONDENT
A poem from poet and novelist Joanne Van Leerdam
UNIDENTIFIED FLYING REINDEER
Staying awake to meet Santa doesn't always go as planned in this quirky short from Lyra Shanti
SANTABOT!
How on Earth can Santa get around all of the houses in just one night? Layla Pinkett has a decidedly SciFi theory
JOEY THE LITTLE CHRISTMAS TREE
Discover Christmas from the viewpoint of the tree in this unusual short from Margena Holmes
ZOË QUINN AND THE BEST CHRISTMAS EVER
Spend Christmas with Zoe Quinn, as she learns that there is a lot more to it than just presents in this short story from Sophie Kearing
THE VISIT
Horror author Chloe Hammond weaves a spine tingler of a tale with a twist at the end that you will not see coming
A CHRISTMAS TAIL
Writing partnership Jane Jago and E.M. Swift-Hook bring a cute story in verse about a girl discovering the meaning of Christmas with the help of a mouse
Other Formats:
Paperback
Lac Du Mort and Other Stories
Aug 24, 2018
$2.99
From the macabre to the deeply disturbing, Lac Du Mort and Other Stories delivers eight chilling tales that will please lovers of horror and dark fiction.
Other Formats:
Paperback
A Poet's Curse
Jul 27, 2018
$1.50
These poems say the things that many people wish they could, but feel they probably can't.
Uncomfortable truths, observations about life, and unashamedly honest responses to hateful people make this collection of poems highly relatable and deeply, darkly satisfying.
Uncomfortable truths, observations about life, and unashamedly honest responses to hateful people make this collection of poems highly relatable and deeply, darkly satisfying.
Other Formats:
Paperback
The Passing Of The Night
Aug 8, 2017
$2.99
People experience all kinds of night: loneliness, grief, depression, anxiety, fear, pain, and countless other darknesses.
This collection of profound lyrical poems explores the poet's own experiences and observations of both dark and light, revealing her determination to not only survive, but to conquer whatever tries to overcome her.
At the end of it all, the poet demonstrates that the smallest sign of light is enough to help a wandering soul find hope in the passing of the night.
This collection of profound lyrical poems explores the poet's own experiences and observations of both dark and light, revealing her determination to not only survive, but to conquer whatever tries to overcome her.
At the end of it all, the poet demonstrates that the smallest sign of light is enough to help a wandering soul find hope in the passing of the night.
Other Formats:
Paperback
Curious Times (Curious Things Book 2)
Sep 28, 2018
$2.99
Friday, the magical black cat with a devilish sense of justice, returns in a second collection of macabre and darkly humorous stories. Set at significant times of the year, these stories celebrate key events while Friday delivers his own brand of feline justice to people who fully deserve what's coming to them.
If you have ever wished for revenge, or taken pleasure in seeing horrible people get their just desserts, this book is for you.
If you have ever wished for revenge, or taken pleasure in seeing horrible people get their just desserts, this book is for you.
Stained Glass
Mar 27, 2017
$1.50
'Stained Glass' is poetry that reflects the light and shade of life, and all the colours in between.
The poet celebrates the strength and extraordinary resilience of women through the exploration of diverse issues, including love, loss, social expectations, self-awareness and integrity.
In rare moments the glass is rose-coloured; elsewhere, the window is astonishingly clear.
The poet celebrates the strength and extraordinary resilience of women through the exploration of diverse issues, including love, loss, social expectations, self-awareness and integrity.
In rare moments the glass is rose-coloured; elsewhere, the window is astonishingly clear.
Other Formats:
Paperback
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