Blog - Auroras & Blossoms

Auroras & Blossoms Is Growing!

On August 23, 2021

Hello everyone!

2021 has been a time of reflection for us. For many months, we wondered how to make Auroras & Blossoms more inclusive of the diversity of voices in this world.

We love featuring inspirational artists in our publications. But we also believe that it is important to give a platform to those who do not consider themselves artists and still do inspirational things. Their work matters too!

We are delighted to announce that Auroras & Blossoms is changing and growing! Read below for more information.

Our Logo

Did you notice the acronym “A.R.T.” has replaced the word “art”?

The acronym stands for “Actions Rally Thoughts.” This motto means that art is no longer the sole focus of our platform. From now on, we also want to feature narratives, anecdotes, stories, and testimonies that nurture hope and optimism in every facet of life.

So who can submit to us? Anyone who has a positive story to share. This includes business owners, entrepreneurs, activists, artists, philanthropists, and anyone else in between, especially young people ages 13 and over. If you are working on an uplifting project or concept, we want to hear from you as well!

PoArtMo

This change also applies to PoArtMo, which now stands for “Positive Actions Rally Thoughts & Momentum.”

PoArtMo remains a yearly movement, of course. But now it is an invitation to business owners, entrepreneurs, activists, artists, philanthropists, and anyone else in between (ages 13 and over) to come together to bring positivity and upliftment to the forefront.

The PoArtMo Collective

Last but not least, the PoArtMo Collective has turned into an exclusive network of people (entrepreneurs, business owners, artists, activists, philanthropists, and anyone else in between, especially young people) who follow the “Positive Actions Rally Thoughts & Momentum” mantra.

The collective offers opportunities for members to collaborate with one another on uplifting projects (books and exhibitions), build relationships, and support one another.

Membership to the collective is free but requires an application process. Visit this page for more information.

We hope that you will enjoy the changes we have implemented and cannot wait to read your feedback. We know that today’s announcement is a great new step in our journey!

David & Cendrine.

PoArtMo Anthology (Volume 2): Cover Reveal

By Auroras & Blossoms

On August 16, 2021

In Announcements

Hello everyone!

Last week, we announced that we had two major pieces of news to share with you.

The first one is the unveiling of the cover for the PoArtMo Anthology (Volume 2)!

As you can see, this cover is very different from Volume 1. We went for something simple, yet intriguing, so people know that they can expect more than uplifting words.

Speaking of which, congratulations once again to the artists whose works will be featured in this new volume of our yearly anthology!

Poetry: Amanda Baker, Lakshman Bulusu, Claire Champommier, Tara Dasso, Lynn DeLong, Ken Allan Dronsfield, Stacie Eirich, Nicole S Entin, Casandra Hernández Ríos, D. R. James, Emory Jones, Brice Maiurro, Zia Marshall, Julia McNamara, Kathryn Sadakierski, Anna Sallee, Wesley Sims, Giuseppe Sloan, Bri Stoever, Mike Todd, and Shelby Wilson.

Six word stories: Cindelle Ancajas, Amanda Baker, Melissa Frentsos, Lisa Marie Lopez, and Chris Slade.

Short stories and flash fiction: Rati Pednekar, Anna Sallee, and J.W. Wood.

Visual art: Azelle Elric, Ángeles Martínez Pomata, and Annette Solakoglu.

From the editors: photography, a flashku, and a pareiku.

Note to selected artists: If you have opted to receive royalties, Draft2Digital will send you an email to accept payments when volume 2 is published.

What’s Next?

We are putting the final touches to the PoArtMo Anthology (Volume 2) and should be able to announce a release date very soon!

As a reminder, there will be no pre-ordering period. However, you will be able to purchase copies at a reduced price for two weeks following the release of the anthology.

In the meantime…

Check out our current submission calls!

David & Cendrine

Two Major Announcements Coming Soon!

By Auroras & Blossoms

On August 9, 2021

In Announcements

Hey there everyone.

You may have noticed that we have been quiet lately.

We have some major news coming your way very soon. The news concerns the direction Auroras & Blossoms will be taking, plus a few more things.

Please keep reading our newsletters for future developments, we can’t wait to share with you what we have been working on. But suffice to say that it will expand our offerings significantly to a whole wider audience!

For all of you who are subscribed to us, we thank you for your dedicated support and your continued interest in the projects that we continue to create.

Keep reading and writing friends, your work needs to be shared with the world.

David & Cendrine.

Last Day to Submit to Us: Free Submission Window for 12 Hours!

By Auroras & Blossoms

On July 31, 2021

In Announcements

Hello everyone!

Today, July 31, 2021, is the last day to submit to our PoArtMo Anthology (Volume 3)! Do not delay and send us something asap. (We might not re-open our submission window for a long time…)

To motivate you further, we are running a 12-hour free submission window. Yes, you read it right. You can submit to us for free for the next 12 hours!!!

We are waving the $3 fee per piece. It means that if your work is selected, you will receive a free PDF copy of the anthology. Artists interested in receiving royalty payments will be able to avail of this opportunity for a small donation instead of the usual $6 fee per piece.

To take advantage of our free submission offer, you must contact us via email by the deadline of July 31, 2021 at 11:59 p.m. CDT. Check your local time zone here.

Email address: submissions@abpositiveart.com
Subject: Free submission + full name

Do NOT send us any work directly! Wait for our response containing the submission form for the anthology and our rules / guidelines within the next 12 hours. We also ask that you take the time to read everything carefully before submitting your work to us.

Emails sent after the above deadline will require the usual submission fee to be considered. We will accept regular (paid) submissions until August 2, 2021, in case you read this blog post late.

We look forward to reading you!

David & Cendrine

The PoArtMo Mini-Reviews – Taiyō no ko Esuteban

By Auroras & Blossoms

On July 22, 2021

In PoArtMo Mini-Reviews

Today’s mini-review was written by Azelle Elric.

PoArtMo Mini-Reviews are short, quick-read reviews written by members of the PoArtMo Collective. Our goal is to introduce you to art (books, documentaries, movies, etc.) that you may not be familiar with, and that both adults and youths alike can enjoy.

Taiyō no ko Esuteban (The Mysterious Cities of Gold – TV Series)

Genre: Action, adventure, science-fiction, history, myths, archeology.

Year: French Japanese animated series originally aired in France from September 1983 to June 1984, 39 episodes.

Creator(s): The story was written by Jean Chalopin and Bernard Deyriès, and is very loosely based on the novel ‘The King’s Fifth’ by Scott O’Dell. The series’ chief director was Hisayuki Toriumi.

Summary:

Barcelona, 1532. Esteban is an impulsive young orphan who wants to find his father. He follows Mendoza, the navigator who saved his life ten years ago, in a Spanish expedition toward the New World.

The main aim of this expedition: the discovery of the Seven Cities of Gold.

During his journey from Spain to South America, Esteban will meet his best friends : Zia an Incan girl and Tao the last descendant of the Mu Empire (Hiva Empire in English).

Inspiration: 5 stars.
Positivity: 5 stars.
Family-friendliness: 5 stars.

Why we like it: Another French Japanese series with a beautiful animation, beautiful landscapes and a wonderful soundtrack. I’m fond of Tao, but my favourite character is without a doubt Mendoza, he is neither totally evil nor totally good, I find him rather realistic in his characterization.

Who can read / watch: Everyone aged 7 and above.

Favorite moment: The discovery of the solar ship Solaris in episode 6. I was (and still am) totally devastated when it was destroyed in episode 9…

PoArtMo verdict: A wonderful TV show, I eagerly awaited the documentary at the end of each episode as to how it was made! It was my first discovery of the pre-Columbian civilizations and an absolute revelation!

For more information on the show, check out these links below.

The Mysterious Cities of Gold – Wikipedia

IMDb – The Mysterious Cities of Gold

The Mysterious Cities of Gold Cartoon Intro Opening Theme HD

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=uy-0UQi6e6A

**Inspired by this review of Taiyō no ko Esuteban?**

Create your own artwork and submit it to us for potential inclusion in one of our publications. We now offer ongoing royalties to paying contributors.