By Faye Rapoport DesPres

Soul to Soul: Tiny Stories of Hope and Resilience

Fiction

READER COMMENTS

“I finished your book last night, and I wished there was another hundred pages!”

“…I am in awe of your incredible gift of writing! Each page brings me to a special place and moment, and I can’t wait to read more!”

“I’ve loved reading it; each tiny story is a rediscovery of joy–again and again!”

Beautifully illustrated by European artist Anya Lauchlan, this special collection of 100-word stories is for readers from all walks of life.

Author

Faye Rapoport DesPres

Discover the books, essays, fiction, and poetry of Faye Rapoport DesPres. Enter a world of animals, nature, entertainment, and the breadth of the human spirit.

Published Books

Other Books

Memoir-in-Essays

From an astonishing blue jay to a lone humpback whale, from the back roads of her home town to the streets of Jerusalem and the Tower of London, debut author Faye Rapoport DesPres examines a modern life marked by a passion for the natural world, unexpected love, and shocking loss, and her search for a place she can finally call home in this beautifully-crafted memoir-in-essays.

Book 1, Stray Cat Stories

From a wily feral, to a member of the family, Little White’s story will charm the hearts of animal lovers everywhere. This is the true story of how Little White went from being a feral cat who faced danger at every turn to a well-loved indoor cat with a family of her own.

Book 2, Stray Cat Stories

ribbs was just a kitten when his human family abandoned him. His mom did her best to her best to find food and shelter for the two of them, but the streets are no place for a kitten! Finding their way into foster care, the two are soon separated when his mom is adopted. The little kitten is growing up fast, will Tribbs ever find his forever home?

Memoir-in-Essays

The tenth anniversary edition of Faye’s first book, released in 2024, includes a foreword from award-winning novelist and memoirist Joan Schweighardt, a publisher’s note, and two essays not included in the original edition. Find your way home again with Message from a Blue Jay.

This delightful trilogy of short stories previously published in literary journals is perfect for a plane ride or a stocking stuffer.  Includes the award-winning story “Who Let the Cats Out?” as well as “Capture the Moon” and “The Varmint.”

Psychologists, healers, massage therapists, academics, creative writers, and others reflect on or tell personal stories about what it means to be able to touch or experience touch, or to have to go without it—as so many did and still do because of the COVID-19 pandemic. They explore how transmissions such as texting may impede opportunities for touch, while those like Zoom may make it possible for people who otherwise might be left behind to stay “in touch.” From the experience of touching beloved animals to the life-changing ways in which books and performances can touch us, virtually all aspects of touch are acknowledged in these pages.

Pre-order Now Available!

Available November 1, 2023

Message from a Blue Jay: Tenth Anniversary Edition

Creative Nonfiction

This celebratory edition of Faye Rapoport DesPres’s first published book is ready to find a new generation of readers. The new book includes a foreword by award-winning novelist and memoirist Joan Schweighardt, a publisher’s note from new publisher Huntsville Independent Press, and two additional essays that weren’t included in the original book. Find your way home again with Message from a Blue Jay or gift a copy of the new edition to a reader who has not yet discovered this moving collection of personal essays.

Faye’s Blog

Taking Flight: Notes from the Writing Life

Somehow, We’ll Make It

Somehow, We’ll Make It

As I write this post, I’m sitting in a donut shop on a sunny day in our neighborhood. Acooling cup of coffee and an empty paper bag are situated on the table next to my iPad. I’ve already scarfed down the jelly donut that was in the bag (Saturday: a day off from...

Pre-Order Links Now Available for Two New Books

Pre-Order Links Now Available for Two New Books

Thanks to Huntsville Independent Press (HIP), my first book, Message from a Blue Jay, is all set to find a new generation of readers. The 10th Anniversary Edition -- featuring a foreword by award-winning author Joan Schweighardt, a publisher's note, and two essays not...

My Review of Alison Stone’s New Poetry Collection, Informed

My Review of Alison Stone’s New Poetry Collection, Informed

I was honored to write a literary review for Cider Press Review of Informed, the new book by poet Alison Stone. I have crossed paths with the crazily talented Alison many times in life -- we are both alums of Brandeis University and the British and European Studies...

A New Poem to Be Published

A New Poem to Be Published

Just a quick note with some good news; a new poem, “September 1, 2024” will be published in Judith Magazine next week. Many thanks to the editors for this poem, which I wrote in the early hours of the morning just two weeks ago. Stay tuned for a link when the poem is...

Navigating the World of Social Media (or not)

Navigating the World of Social Media (or not)

It’s a Tuesday in late August, and the leaves of a small maple tree outside our living room window are glowing in the early morning sun. This summer has felt long, yet over before it began; summers have a tendency to feel both ways at once. It’s difficult to know how...

Cover Reveal Day is Here!

Cover Reveal Day is Here!

On December 1, Huntsville Independent Press will publish a special 10th Anniversary Edition of my first published book, a memoir-in-essays titled Message from a Blue Jay. The original book was published by Buddhapuss Ink, a wonderful independent press that eventually...

My Review of Alison Stone’s “Informed” Will Be Published

My Review of Alison Stone’s “Informed” Will Be Published

I’m happy to report that a review I wrote of poet Alison Stone’s new full-length collection, Informed, has been accepted for publication in the October issue of Cider Press Review. Many thanks to the editors. I hope poetry lovers will check out Alison’s amazing work....

New, Fun Facebook Page for My Books

New, Fun Facebook Page for My Books

Hey, I've decided to create a Facebook page where I'll talk more informally about my books, the publishing process, writing anecdotes, and more. I'll even run a few contests -- and maybe give away some books. You can find the page here:...

Two New Drabbles Are Out in the World

Two New Drabbles Are Out in the World

If you've been enjoying the 100-word stories ("drabbles") in my latest book, Soul to Soul: Tiny Stories of Hope and Resilience, you'll probably enjoy my two new publications. "Figure Worship," a surprising (and perhaps amusing) take on the theme of "Alien Fetishes,"...

New Work is On the Way

New Work is On the Way

It's been a while since I've posted on the blog, but never fear! Life sometimes takes me away from my creative work, but when things calm down, I can re-focus. I do have a fun piece coming out this month in a new anthology of drabbles titled, of all things, Alien...

The Puzzle of Drabbling

The Puzzle of Drabbling

The first questions I'm asked in my new interview with Five Directions Press are phrased this way: Your new story collection, Soul to Soul: Tiny Stories of Hope and Resilience, includes 100 stories, and each of them is 100 words long. This kind of precision, I...

Thank You for the Wonderful Reviews!

Thank You for the Wonderful Reviews!

Just a quick note to thank the readers who have been reviewing Soul to Soul: Tiny Stories of Hope and Resilience on Amazon, BN.com, and/or Goodreads (you don't have to buy the book from one of these sites to review it there). Online reviews are so important to a book...

A Note on Writers as Teachers

A Note on Writers as Teachers

Lately I've been teaching a Saturday morning creative writing class for 7th graders. The class takes place on Zoom, and I'm working with the students to write science fiction stories. In the meantime, I was invited to present a Symposium webinar on "Submitting to...

Readers Love Soul to Soul!

Readers Love Soul to Soul!

Now that Soul to Soul: Tiny Stories of Hope and Resilience is landing in mailboxes around the country and world, the verdict is in! Readers are loving the book. Here are a few of the comments I've received: “I finished your book last night, and I wished there were...

Soul to Soul Has Arrived!

Soul to Soul Has Arrived!

Soul to Soul: Tiny Stories of Hope and Resilience is now available, right on time for the holiday season! I wrote this book -- a collection of one hundred 100-word stories -- hoping readers of all ages would find moments of hope and inspiration in its pages. With the...

New Interview on Linda K. Sienkiewicz’s Literary Blog

New Interview on Linda K. Sienkiewicz’s Literary Blog

...even before the latest global events that are frankly frightening and challenging each of us in different ways, I felt it was timely to write and publish a book about overcoming obstacles and finding moments of hope and resilience in our daily lives. - Faye...

Pondering Thanksgiving During Difficult Times

Pondering Thanksgiving During Difficult Times

These are strange times. The Merriam-Webster dictionary's first definition of the word "strange" is: "different from what is usual, ordinary, or expected." What is "usual, ordinary, or expected" differs widely from country to country, culture to culture, community to...

“The Art of Touch” is Now Available!

“The Art of Touch” is Now Available!

It's November 1, the official launch date for The Art of Touch: A Collection of Prose and Poetry from the Pandemic and Beyond. In this book, which I co-edited with Joan Schweighardt and which includes one of my own personal essays, the unique voices of thirty-nine of...

Light Above Darkness

Light Above Darkness

I took this photo recently, just with my phone, while I was walking at a nature reserve near our home. Only days later did its significance hit me -- there is light not just after, but above the darkness. It's been a difficult month for people around the world....

Thank You

Thank You

Just a quick note of thanks to everyone who has been pre-ordering Soul to Soul: Tiny Stories of Hope and Resilience from Huntsville Independent Press. The book has been available for pre-order for 10 days, and I'm excited for those who eagerly ordered to start...

Shaky Landing, but Soul to Soul is On the Way!

Shaky Landing, but Soul to Soul is On the Way!

Last Thursday night, my husband and I returned from a week-long trip to England and Iceland. The trip had been in the planning stages for a year; we’d be surprising a friend in England for her 50th birthday, spending two days with her lovely family, and then circling...

“The Art of Touch” Editor’s Copies Arrived

“The Art of Touch” Editor’s Copies Arrived

I have two book releases to look forward to this fall, and I just received my contributor's copy of the first book: The Art of Touch: A Collection of Poetry and Prose from the Pandemic and Beyond. (I also received some editor's copies, as I wore two hats for this...

More Microfiction Publishing News

More Microfiction Publishing News

This is just a note to share some good news: two of my new microfiction stories have been accepted by journals that publish wonderful work. Why do writers share news like this?

“Their Own Heroes” Published at Friday Flash Fiction

“Their Own Heroes” Published at Friday Flash Fiction

My latest microfiction piece (a "drabble" of exactly 100 words") was recently published at Friday Flash Fiction. You can read "it "Their Own Heroes" at this link. As many of you know, I am a life-long animal and wildlife advocate. In fact, I wrote my children's books...

The “Situation” and the “Story” — What’s the Difference?

The “Situation” and the “Story” — What’s the Difference?

When I launched a new website and blog, one of the unfortunate side effects was the loss of years of blog posts from my previous website. I’d chronicled important moments in both my personal and writing life, as well as lessons I’d learned about the craft of writing....

New Interview Out with Novelist Joan Schweighardt

New Interview Out with Novelist Joan Schweighardt

Faye Rapoport DesPres discusses her new interview with Joan Schweighardt, author of the new contemporary novel, Under the Blue Moon. The interview was published on Women Writers, Women’s Books.

No Need for Perfection In First Drafts, or Life

No Need for Perfection In First Drafts, or Life

here’s this thing about writing that I think also applies to a lot of things in life: striving for perfection can be stressful and self-defeating, and it can actually prevent any progress.

New Website Takes Flight

New Website Takes Flight

Welcome to my new website and blog. You might want to check out The Free Website Guys, too!

All Photos Copyright Faye Rapoport DesPres