“I write only because there is a voice within me that will not be still.”
— Sylvia Plath
GOOD NEWS!
A Tree With My Name On It, my memoir of the years I spent on a remote 160 acre ranch in the middle of the Wet Mountains in Southern Colorado has found a perfect home at Bold Story Press, a new woman’s hybrid publisher.
Signing with a publisher means that the long journey of writing my book, of finding a way to tell my story in words, is over. But the path doesn’t end here. A new journey has just begun working with the team at Bold Story Press to shepherd A Tree With My Name On It out into the world, to create a book that people can hold in their hand and read.
Without readers, the book has nowhere to go, so I need you to help on this new path. If you are one of the many friends who have said to me, “When can I read your book. I can’t wait to read your book”, sign up here to keep informed, to be ready to pre-order before the book comes out in early fall, 2024, to write a blurb, to tell your friends, to do what you can to help spread the word about A Tree With My Name On It.
Poem of the Month
Earth to Earth
Is it because I am a November baby
that the smell of fallen leaves decaying
after an autumn rain fills me
with a deep and joyful sorrow?
Or is it that we too are made of earth
rocks are our bones
branches our limbs and our skin is bark
rough and smooth to the touch?
We are no different than the ferns
we trap in pots,
the trees we prune,
the land we till.
Trample us and we bend
and die. Water us and we
will keep on growing.
Writing Retreats
In November, Barbara Bash and I teamed up again for our third annual AWAKE MIND Virtual Retreat. This year we packed it into one wild and intense day of writing, drawing and contemplating on the subjects of Loss and Authenticity. We are planning 2024 already!
“I’m always amazed at the depth of insight that comes from participating in Awake Mind. The writing and drawing prompts build on one another in unexpected ways, culminating in uncensored creativity. I learn something about myself and the world, and I often like the art that comes out of the process!” — Catherine H.
“The workshop was powerful for me. It took me into places I would never have gone on my own. I felt brave and supported.” — Eloise M.
“I appreciated all you both offered to this retreat - your wisdom, creativity and generosity. I especially enjoyed writing and drawing the haiku..” — Nora
“Very workable and real, well said and full of heart.” — Johanna
“Thank you so much for the wonderful retreat. The exchange does indeed live on!” — Karien
In June of 2023, I led a small in-person weekend retreat called The Beauty of Aging assisted by painter/writer Irma Velasquez at her beautiful place in Sebastopol, California.
I felt so nourished by the weekend
The activities and the company.
Thank you. — Lea B.
I am loving bringing more awareness of each moment into
my daily life at home. — Gena M.
It was an amazing retreat. Thank you for the care and thought
you gave as you took us through the process. — Irma V.
In the fall of 2020 I was invited to lead a day long Writing and Contemplation retreat by Tara Mandala Retreat Center. It went very well and I was invited back to lead another one in the winter of 2021.
"It was absolutely inspiring, mind-blowing, and an awakening experience for me.” — Fitri
"I loved Victress's relaxed informative style. I really had fun and felt greatly supported writing." — Becca
"I appreciated her presence, sense of humor, and knowledge of subject matter." — C.R.
Who Knew? 23 Poems on Aging
Who Knew? is a new collection of twenty three poems celebrating the joys and sorrows of aging. Through unflinching and loving attention, Victress Hitchcock shares her journey of discovery through the sometimes hilarious, often heartbreaking, always surprising world of getting older.
“This little book of poetry is an intimate and insightful exploration of aging.
- Frank Ostaseski author of The Five Invitations: Discovering What Death Can Teach Us About Living Fully
“What fun, sharp, a little outrageous but undeniably true and just liberating poetry!!”
- Johanna Demetrakas, director of Feminists What Were They Thinking
Available for purchase on Amazon
Whoosh Stripped Bare
“In the spirit of Mary Oliver, whose poems helped me forget my day-to-day problems and connect with the magic of existence, Victress Hitchcock’s new poetry book brings me pure joy, like chocolate for my soul.” – From the foreword by Anam Thubten author of No Self, No Problem and Choosing Compassion.
“Vivid, moving, and wise, this collection of poems offers an abundance of delights and surprises.”
- Olivia Ames Hoblitzelle, author of Aging with Wisdom: Reflections, Stories & Teachings
“A heartful, fluid appreciation of life in and as radiant glimpses.”
- Reed Bye, retired Chair of Writing and Poetics at Naropa
Available for purchase on Amazon
Hello Honey: Eighteen Poems from the Path – A joyful collection of poems and images that celebrates fifty years of being on the Buddhist path.
“As if harkening to us through the title itself, “Hello Honey”, author Victress Hitchcock lovingly invites us into a sweet and intimate tapestry of reflections, poetry, and images.” — Elizabeth Mattis Namgyel, author of The Logic of Faith
“A sweet and intimate tapestry of reflections, poetry, and images.”
- Elizabeth Mattis Namgyel, author of The Logic of Faith
“The poems trigger an awareness and longing that is truly precious.”
- Lama Tsultrim Allione author of Wisdom Rising: Journey into the Mandala of the Empowered Feminine
To order a copy for $14.95 plus $10 shipping, email victress@victresshitchcock.com or send a check to Victress Hitchcock, 4500 19th Street #366, Boulder, CO 80304
Screenplays:
Miss Bird and Mountain Jim is a feature screenplay based on Isabella Bird’s classic story – “A Lady’s Life in the Rocky Mountains”. The script was a semi-finalist in the 2018 Scriptalooza Screenplay Competition.
Here is a sampling of the evaluations it has received:
This is the kind of meditative, matter-of-fact, and grounded western that smoothly bends the confines of the genre that doesn’t come along very often. It’s a brave move to take the confines of a western and turn it into a character-oriented romance that steers away from the sensationalist tendencies of both genres. The author definitely deserves kudos and attention for doing a good job capturing this tone. The dialogue is excellent. It rings true and flows organically. - Scriptalooza
Miss Bird and Mountain Jim is a compelling period romantic adventure with strong dramatic elements that explores themes of identity, individuality, survival and perseverance in 1800’s Colorado. The script knows what it want to be, what it wants to say and goes for it in a way that should resonate with fans of the genre – Blacklist
Miss Bird and Mountain Jim is seeking representation and/or a production company interested in shepherding it forward. Send me a message if you would like to discuss the screenplay.