Afarin Rava: Placeholders

Thursday, January 16, 2025

Placeholders

I was thinking about the origins of words like thingamajig and whatchamacallit. These words are playful placeholders that step in when the actual word escapes us, yet they reveal a fascinating quirk of language: our creativity under pressure. Each placeholder has its own vibe. For example, thingy feels casual, while gizmo might suggest something techy. These words remind us that language is a playground for imagination, ready to adapt when the right word hides behind the tip of our tongue.

Pun-Pulsing Purr

Dive into the playful world of language with Pun-Pulsing Purr! This book is a treasure trove of puns and linguistic surprises designed to delight readers of all ages. Whether you're a word nerd or simply someone who enjoys a good laugh, this collection will tickle your funny bone and stretch your imagination. Perfect for fans of humor, language enthusiasts, and anyone who loves to play with words, Pun-Pulsing Purr, written by a cat and edited by her human, is more than a book — it's a celebration of the art and joy of language itself. "From a quiet garden and a rock, through whiskers, paws, and a well-timed meow, I found my way into the home of an editor who could help me spread my insights and brilliance, one clever tale and thoughtful word at a time. Somehow, the editor understood my every meow, and I found my family."

Dearest Devised Darling

Dearest Devised Darling: Anthology is a dedication to the brave heroes and enchanting heroines who have touched our hearts and taught us valuable lessons through their struggles and adventures — and to the authors who created these cherished characters. The contributors to this anthology, who wrote letters to their favorite fictional figures, are — in alphabetical order : Jay Armstrong, Wendy Bayne, S. S. Bazinet, Gail Boenning, Jane Cornwell, Holly Dobbie, Humzah Farrukh, Umiemah Farrukh, Marni Graff, H. C. Helfand, Ewan Lawrie, Trish MacEnulty, J. G. MacLeod, Sallie Moffitt, Natasha Morningstarr, Chris Palmore, Afarin Rava, Diane Riley, Nina Romano, Carolyn Ruffles, Edward Selender, Denis Shaughnessy, Wendy E. Slater, Paul Spalding-Mulcock, Diana Stevan, Vicky Whedbee, Gerry Wilson, Wanda L. Worley, and George Yuhasz.

Dear Twelve-Year-Old Me

Over thirty writers hoping to make a positive change in the world have contributed their valuable life experiences and advice to children and adolescents. This book is a collection of priceless life lessons shared by random people, each of whom wished they could reach out to their twelve-year-old self and whisper their precious lessons in a way that their younger self would hear, believe, and learn. Many thanks to B.H. Arias, P.D. Austin, Jerome Berglund, Mike Bowerbank, Rocío del Mar, Holly Dobbie, Hannah Downey, Glenna Gill, Ilya Gutlin, Claude Inkwell, Althea Hogsett, Karen Hoffman, Margaret Lindsay Holton, Roberta Beach Jacobson, Heather Lynn, IA McCleery, Kelly Miller, Sallie Moffitt, Danielle Moody, Natasha Morningstarr, Chris Palmore, Diane Riley, Nina Romano, Gloria Worley Ruberry, Edward Selender, Claire Sheehy, Leif E. Slusher, Paul Spalding-Mulcock, Vicky Whedbee, Peter B. Williams, Charles Dan Worley, and Wanda L. Worley, whose contributions brought this book to life.