Motesbooks releases Motif: Writing by Ear: An Anthology of Writings about Music

MotesBooks

cover of Motif: Writing by Ear: An Anthology of Writings About Music

MotesBooks
First Volume of Motif Anthology Series Published

Louisville, Kentucky—MotesBooks has released the first volume in the Motif series of anthologies, each of which is focused on a particular motif or theme. Edited by Marianne Worthington, communication and journalism professor at University of the Cumberlands, Williamsburg, Ky., the first volume is entitled Motif: Writing by Ear. An Anthology of Writings about Music.

“Volume one of the Motif series includes poetry, song lyrics, fiction, and nonfiction, and each piece uses music as a motif, either prominently or in artfully subtle ways.  The 116 writers represented in this inaugural volume is a testament to the importance of music in the writers’ lives, how writers use, connect to and rely on music,” Worthington said.

Songwriter and banjoist Sue Massek (Reel World String Band) said of this inaugural volume:  “The writers’ voices reflect the rich form and styles of their deliciously diverse home places.  From lullabies to rants, lonesome fiddle tunes to sassy saxophone improvisation, past the blues through jazz and hip-hop, Writing by Ear takes us on a journey on the wings of words sure to connect us with the songs of our souls.”

“Motif editor Marianne Worthington has woven these stories, songs and poems with music’s silken threads, creating a symphony that rocks, sways and syncopates in rhythm to the heartbeats of humankind and follows the melodies and harmonies flowing through our veins,” said Massek.

The anthology features writings by both established and emerging artists, including Evie Shockley, Sue Walker, Silas House, Maurice Manning, Wayne Cresser, Barbara Crooker, Jeff Daniel Marion, Marilyn Kallet, and Frank X Walker.  Song lyricists contributing to Motif: Writing by Ear include, among others, Buddy and Julie Miller, Patty Griffin, RB Morris, and Scott Miller.

Music journalist and critic Peter Cooper of The Tennessean said, “Within this beautiful book are thousands of words that offer poetry, and laughter, peace and respite, Piano Red and Patty Loveless.  There are burgundy shoes here, and feet that tattoo the earth.  There is Roy, the wino, who worked for Bud Whedbee doing maintenance jobs.  There is bourbon and ginger, and melody and harmony in between the lines.  All adorn the mystery, with no notion to unravel.”

“We are really pleased with this beautiful book,” said Kate Larken, owner of MotesBooks. “It holds high quality writing on a variety of music-related topics from very diverse writers and musicians.”

For more information on Motif: Writing by Ear, contact MotesBooks at 502-594-8010.  The publisher’s website is www.motesbooks.com.  Contact the editor at 606-521-7115 or mworthington@motesbooks.com.

Motif: Writing by Ear:
An Anthology of Writings about Music

Marianne Worthington, editor

MotesBooks

Louisville, Kentucky, publisher

Publication date March 2009

ISBN 978-1-934894-08-8 * $15.00 paper