Limited edition, hardbound, 112 pages.
Audio CD included.
($20.00 + shipping through PayPal)
Contact: cynthiajobincj@gmail.com
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A Certain Age has won
Honorable Mention in the US national WRTIERS’ DIGEST 23rd Annual Awards for a self-published book in the category of Poetry.
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In a blog post entitled OUR BEAUTIFUL BRAINS
on October 21, 2015
Author Hilary Custance Green
reviews two books, one of which is A CERTAIN AGE:
“When I arrived on holiday in Chicago this summer my daughter handed over the three copies of the book I had ordered from the poet Cynthia Jobin. I find it difficult to describe the pleasure with which I sank, jet-lagged, into bed that night and opened A Certain Age. I am not an orderly poetry reader, I started with the last poem,”Acknowledgement” which made me laugh out loud, it is so perfectly judged a final comment – but I can’t give away the joke.
This poetry is both accessible and yet also of the highest intellectual standard. Cynthia knows about, and plays with, poetic forms, metre, rhythm, rhyme etc. She handles language with delicacy and certainty, yet all the machinery is hidden, we can sit back, read and listen. I do mean listen. The cream of this publication is the enclosed CD of Cynthia reading her poetry. If you doubt for a moment that you would enjoy this, just try “Weblog”, for something short and funny, for an observation that hits the spot. One that moves me to tears does not have a recording, so you must read it–“Without You the Cat.” I could go on. She writes with humour, insight and tenderness about the humans and animals in her life, and with heart-aching clarity about grief.
There is no way, in this brief overview that I can do justice to contents of A Certain Age. Go see, read, listen for yourselves.
The book itself is a treat to look at and handle; the cover, utterly appropriate, is of a tulip past its prime and yet fascinatingly beautiful [little diversion: years ago I saw a photo of an 80-year-old woman throwing a javelin and it reminded me of an ancient Greek sculpture].”
[Hilary is the author of three books (SMALL RAIN, UNSEEN UNSUNG, and BORDERLINE) and is currently preparing for her publisher the manuscript of her new non-fiction booK, SURVIVING THE DEATH RAILWAY: A POW’S MEMOIRS AND LETTERS FROM HOME. She blogs at Green Writing Room, here on WordPress.]
Ginene Nagel
foxandfinchantiques.wordpress.comx
foxandfinch@aol.com
71.90.105.99
Review: Cynthia Jobin is my second favorite poet. I am particular about poetry. I’ve read all the classics. The poems I’ve reread for 40 years were written by Edna St. Vincent Millay. I recently found Cynthia Jobin. Finally, a second poet whose work speaks to me. Actually, she speaks for me. She writes what I think, but never put into words. Her poetry is intense and causes introspection. I am personally touched by the images she forms in my mind, from the past to the present. It is an emotional read, remembering moments from my life and things I am staring in the face today. Cynthia Jobin uncovers raw spots, but it isn’t a lonely feeling, it is comforting to know that this intelligent and accomplished woman also saw the world, people, and life like I did and do currently. I realized that I am not alone but in good company.
A CD is included with the book. Cynthia could make a career of recording books on CD. Her voice is delightful. The inflection perfect. The poetry stands alone, but I bought for listening. Turns out, I read and listen to it.
G.Nagel
P.S. Loved the beautiful handwriting on the package, Cynthia, and I wished I would have asked you to sign my copy. When I opened the book, I saw you had. I’m delighted.
ON SELF-PUBLISHING
There are several reasons why an author might choose simply to go straight to a printer, and publish his or her own work. Among them are: (1) it may have been rejected several times by trade publishers, but the author has faith in it and wants to see it in print; (2) it may appeal to a limited audience only; (3) the author wants to retain both artistic and legal control over the work.
Some famous poets and writers who self-published: Mark Twain, Walt Whitman, Beatrix Potter, Edgar Allen Poe, T.S.Eliot, Carl Sandburg, D.H.Lawrence, George Bernard Shaw, Henry David Thoreau, e.e.Cummings, Rudyard Kipling, Ezra Pound, Marcel Proust, Gertrude Stein, James Joyce, Virginia Woolf, Robert Frost….
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Comments and brief reviews welcome below….
littleoldladywho.net 
This is exciting! I have long thought that you are much better than the well-anthologized authors of our age; you write in the classical tradition which I love. And which is timeless. The L=A=N=G=U=A=G=E poets predominate today; I think most readers of poetry prefer formal verse.
Good for you!
In light of your longtime experience as student, professor, and lover of poetry, I am very, very pleased by your kind words, Natalie.
Thank you for your order of four books. They will soon be on their way to Ohio, and I hope those who receive them as your gift will enjoy!
Hi Cynthia, congratulations with the publication of your book! Good luck, you are a very good writer and I hope many people will think so too 🙂 ❤
Thank you very much, Ina!
Well done Cynthia – this is a beautiful book. I think you know that I read and reread the poems on your blog with pleasure and admiration, so it is a treat to find them here in book-form – and the form is itself a pleasure with 112 pages on good quality paper, a hard cover and dust jacket both looking most attractive with Sheila Creighton’s photograph. It’s a lovely object to hold and read, and it does justice to the contents.
Thank you very much, John. Your enthusiasm from my first blogging days has been a great encouragement.
Hiyacynth….
What a stunning volume! I read the first and last poems and think it will take me a while to read the rest, but what a pleasure. Obviously you added new ones or at least ones I haven’t seen before. This is what they said to me at Princeton University Press: my prose spoke for them.
In poetry, you speak for me.
I can’t imagine a nicer compliment, Marta. Thank you.
Cynthia, huge congratulations on this terrific publication. I am thoroughly enjoying it; you are one of my very favourite poets but Im sure you are already aware of this! Don’t ever stop writing! 😄. I think I have learned more from you in the past year or so than I ever did at school. Although I have to say, these days I actually listen 😊
I am going to buy a copy for a friend’s christmas present. 😊
Now that’s really exciting! I hope your friend likes it too. You always manage to push my egghead button and get me going on some technical matter—which, of course, I enjoy—but I think we all learn from each other, don’t we? As always, thank you Chris.
Thank you for ordering yet another copy, Chris. I hope your gift recipient enjoys the poems!
I’ve been rereading. One of the pleasures in seeing your poems in book form is seeing them grouped together; they support each other. And of course there’s the surprise of something new (Bedtime Story:Little Woman is very striking — and that too comes in the context of a group). Your book is a treat, Cynthia.
I was just thinking of you as I listened to news of the chaos in air traffic over London a little while ago. I’m pleased you notice the groupings in the book. I think we had a conversation once about what my “theme” would be if I were to collect my poems in a book….and neither one of us could come up with one! I’m so glad you like the book, John..
I totally missed this post Cynthia, so sorry. I’m going over to order now, can’t wait to receive it!
Thank you for buying my book, Mary. A specially autographed copy is on its way to the great state of Texas!
Ah, you been busy I see, Cynthia dear.
And congratulations on bringing out this anthology. I agree with John – the book cover is also professionally done befitting its contents. Now, I can count a published poet among people whom I know – and more importantly know, me too.
All good wishes 🙂
Eric
How nice to find your comment here, Eric! You’ve been away from this part of Blogsville for quite some time, but I see you’ve been very busy yourself. Is that 10 books you’ve published now? And scriptwriting….and teaching/mentoring other writers…..it’s nice to be young and full of piss and vinegar! But, as an old poem says: “Gather ye rosebuds while ye may….”
And thank you for your kind words about my book. You were among my very first regular readers when I started this blog, and I have always enjoyed your unique point of view, as well as your loyalty. We’ve both come a long way since then. 🙂
Hope all is well in Singapore!
Cynthia dear,
I’m not Mechanic Leigh and don’t insist on the last word but must reply to your reply —
(Mechanic Leigh: Will you get on with it! Sigh!)
Okay, Leigh. Sorry, Leigh.
Cynthia dear – your remark – “full of piss and vinegar” – gave me a great chuckle. Thoroughly enjoyed it and am grinning still, even as I type this comment.
Yes, I’ve 10 books and yes, we’ve come a long way, you and I. And what a ride beckons 🙂
You do have a sense of humour that I relish 🙂
I’m going to say this –
Luv and Hugz to a friend,
Eric
P/s Great to be back!
email from Lance Weisser, Kamloops BC
July 17, 2015
“Cynthia, what a lovely book! It is so tastefully and exquisitely put together, from cover photo to choice of typeface to sequence of pieces. I am taking time to savour the lines, gleaning multiple meanings and it is particularly resonating when written by a peer in years and life experience. That we share an appreciation of place, my having lived in both the Adirondacks as well as New Brunswick and Nova Scotia allows an approbation of seasonal metaphors and allusions—a cherishing of that history, that incomparable sense of landscape and dissonant beauty.
I do so appreciate having your own voice to accompany the written page. Often the reader misses the nuance of the broken line, not knowing how long the pause, the tenor of the phrase.
It is always a joy to find a kindred spirit through the unforeseen benefits of a technology we find much to lament over and pick apart. That said, I am so glad I have an actual book to complete the friendship.”
Lance
Cynthia, I would like to buy three copies of A Certain Age, and have them posted to my daughter in Chicago, where we will be going in September. I am probably being dim, but I could neither get the system to let me buy three, or bill me in the UK but ship to the USA. So I will get my daughter to order them between now and September (I’m assuming them will come directly from you).
That’s interesting, Hilary,and a new glitch I didn’t know was in the process: I just went there myself, and there’s indeed no place to indicate purchase of more than one copy. (I have had orders for 7 copies, and for 4 copies, but that was after an initial purchase and the buyers knew my address, I knew theirs and we simply used personal cheques.)
You, of course know the trials and tribulations of self-publishing, so maybe this comes as no surprise. I would suggest you e-mail me with your daughter’s address, and I will send the copies there before September, and you can forward payment at your convenience, since my return address will be on the parcel.
This first edition is almost sold out, so I will be happy to put three copies aside for you!
Update, Hilary….
I have received the order for three books, which will be autographed and on their way within the next week. Thank you so much for your support!
Hi Cynthia. I’d love to buy a copy of your book if it is still available. I followed the link to[ ] but it appears to be no longer active.
Regards,
Brad
Hi Brad, I am shocked that someone or something has messed with the web site that was set up by my printer for me to sell my book I am going to look into it first thing in the morning (it’s nearly midnight here).
The web site was set up with a pay pal button and has been working well up to now, so I really don’t know what has happened. I decided to market, sell, and distribute on my own this time around, and so far it’s worked out well. (As you can guess, we’re not dealing with hordes of buyers, here, for poetry.) I never got into this for the money. I’m just happy to have readers!
I have only a few copies left of this limited hardbound edition (including CD). and would be very happy to send you one. We can worry about payment when I get the #$%^&* problem of the website solved. Just email me the address to which I should mail the book, and it’s yours.
So far, I’ve avoided using Amazon, but if I go into a second edition, I think I’ll give up the hassle and just let them do it! 🙂
Thanks so much for your interest, and send me that address.
Cynthia
Cynthia, I would like to buy your CD (and book) if you have any left. My email is foxandfinch@aol.com. I would be happy to mail you a check if that would be helpful and then wait until it clears for shipment. Thank you
Ginene Nagel
Review Cynthia Jobin is my second favorite poet. I am particular about poetry. I’ve read all the classics. The poems I’ve reread for 40 years were written by Edna St. Vincent Millay. I recently found Cynthia Jobin. Finally, a second poet whose work speaks to me. Actually, she speaks for me. She writes what I think, but never put into words. Her poetry is intense and causes introspection. I am personally touched by the images she forms in my mind, from the past to the present. It is an emotional read, remembering moments from my life and things I am staring in the face today. Cynthia Jobin uncovers raw spots, but it isn’t a lonely feeling, it is comforting to know that this intelligent and accomplished woman also saw the world, people, and life like I did and do currently. I realized that I am not alone but in good company.
A CD is included with the book. Cynthia could make a career of recording books on CD. Her voice is delightful. The inflection perfect. The poetry stands alone, but I bought for listening. Turns out, I read and listen to it.
G.Nagel
P.S. Loved the beautiful handwriting on the package, Cynthia, and I wished I would have asked you to sign my copy. When I opened the book, I saw you had. I’m delighted.
Such a beautiful review, Ginene, and especially valuable coming from one who knows the classics. It is quite humbling, and quite the honor, to be read in the company of Edna St. Vincent Millay…a great favorite of mine too. I’m glad the book arrived safely and I hope you continue to enjoy it. My heartfelt thanks.
(I’ve also posted your review with the one at the top of the page, so it shouldn’t be missed!)
Hear Ye, Hear Ye!! all lovers of the poetry of Cynthia Jobin. A final volume has je=ust been published by Bennison Press and is now available for purchase on Amazon.com….
Quelle Joie!