Praise for Body of Work
Glenis Redmond
Author of The Listening Skin
"In Body of Work, Rowe Carenen writes with breathtaking fierceness and vulnerability. These are radical love poems forged in a time when the world is on fire—testaments to how much a woman can endure: the ache of longing, of loss, of what’s been taken—through a hysterectomy, a thyroidectomy, and what the poet willingly surrenders. Still, she finds her way—eventually running to, and not away from herself.
In doing so, she wields her voice like water, quelling the flames. She instructs us to do the same: to keep fighting, keep loving, in these hard-won spaces. To find joy, even in the turmoil. To look beyond the din and notice the daffodils."
Mari Ramler
Associate Professor of English
Tennessee Tech University
"Rowe Carenen has been taking notes. In Body of Work, the bodies observed are working, not working, and at every middle-aged point in between. With careful attention, Carenen witnesses bodies (with so much work to do!) who are unanticipated, unappreciated, and largely unseen. She begins with her own working body: 'I don’t know who told me first to be small, to be little, to shrink down to less than in order to fit.' She juxtaposes this moment of self-reckoning with her best friend’s cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Am I sick enough? Carenen asks. She mourns Ethel, the daughter she will never have. She loves—and is loved—after divorce. She holds space for the ailing world: 'Measles are back in Texas and Georgia.' And yet, even with so much shit, there are daffodils in her yard.
This is the book you read when you just can’t take anymore, and there is still so much to take. This is the friend who guides you through it."
Praise for First Drafts from the Brewery
Kate Fallon
Author of The Book on Fractures,
Demoted Planet, and The Toothmakers’ Daughters
"In First Drafts from the Brewery, Rowe Carenen has created the kind of collection we need to see. It straddles the boundaries between universality and confession, between sophistication and accessibility so deftly that those who think they don't love poetry might find themselves lost in its pages. Ultimately an exploration of many griefs, these poems are also dedicated to a return to self in body and in spirit: 'My happiness is mine/ and no one owns it/ but me.' At times playful, at times meditative, at times rife with disappointment, First Drafts from the Brewery is a collection that fights to and succeeds in 'creak[ing] out/ of ... bed and beat[ing] back/ stagnation, again.'"
Mamie Morgan
Author of Everyone I Danced with is Dead,
My Husband is Learning to Draw, and
Midsummer Night's Toast
"First Drafts from the Brewery is a book about repair, about what we do when the waters haven't quite claimed us yet-that furtive in-the-meantime. 'Grief,' our speaker says, 'lives in my body.' But also in that body lies the psychic excavation of so many riches: confetti and PetSmart, Lemon Pledge and Elvis, resin. And in our grieving bodies we are kept such great company: land surveyors, Paul Simon, bad dates, grandparents, even famous writers. There lives inside these thoughtful and honest, observant poems an invoking familiarity. I used to love a song that asked: 'Where do you go when you're lonely?' These poems answer that. You go everywhere, and with all your people, and with all your things. And you clink the festive glasses of curiosity and gratitude while you're at it."
Praise for In the Meantime
Marjory Wentworth
Author of One River, One Boat, New and
Selected Poems, The Endless Repetition of an
Ordinary Miracle, Shackles, Despite Gravity,
and Noticing Eden. South Carolina Poet Laureate 2003-2020
"In The Meantime, A collection of poems, is divided into three sections that each focus on life, loss and love and how those three concepts work together in order to create an experience of a full existence. This heartfelt collection of poems reads like a litany of affirmations and a celebration of the ordinary things we take for granted every day. There is sadness here; of course, but it is handled with wisdom and compassion. We read poems to remember what makes us human, and Rowena Carenen’s, In The Meantime, A Collection of Poems, is a virtual manual for how to live a good life. Read these poems and learn how to savor every moment!"
Praise for Editing
Lawrence Davis
Author of Blunt Force Magic, Destruction
of Justice, and Dawn of of Legacy
"I’ve had the pleasure of working with the same editor throughout my entire writing journey, which has been one of the most significant contributions to my growth as an author. Rowe Carenen has helped me elevate my standard with each book, farming from the lessons and notes from my previous novels and using them as a framework for growth."
Susan Crawford
Author of The Other Widow and
The Pocket Wife
"I sat down to write a testimonial for Rowe and there honestly were so many thoughts that filled my mind, I had to back away for a moment to sort them out. And that's exactly why I'm so happy to have Rowe in my life. She is organized, but not intimidating. She's extremely amiable and flexible, creative and empathetic. But she is structured! She keeps me on track. I would highly recommend The Book Concierge to any author."
John Carenen
Author of Keeping to Himself, The Face
on the Other Side, A Far Gone Night, and Signs of Struggle
"Rowe Carenen is the consummate literary professional. She is smart, witty, hard working, and savvy. A published poet in her own right, she has been a huge help to me as my Book Concierge, promoting my debut novel, Signs of Struggle, and convincing my publisher to begin a series from that first book to the point that she helped me again when A Far Gone Night released in September of 2014. Her sense of humor is quick, kind, and self-effacing, yet she brings strength and brains and clarity to her work. She is skilled in electronic media, networking, editing, and booking events for her clients. A quick study, Rowe is constantly researching and adding to her repertoire of skills. Looking for help with anything literary? Contact Rowe Carenen, Book Concierge."
Barbara Evers
Author of The Nature of the Beast,
Pieces of Her, The Watchers at War,
The Watchers in Exile, and The Watchers of Moniah
"Rowe Carenen provided clarity and reassurance about my book at a time when I needed it most. Her ability to hone in on the story and identify what needs to be fleshed out and what doesn’t helped me move beyond a time of indecision. She shared my vision for this series’ success and helped me with the dreaded query letter, too. My story encompasses an epic fantasy world. It’s hard to trim something of that magnitude down to a few paragraphs in a query while providing enough information to entice an agent or publisher. Thanks to Rowe, I went from no responses to my queries to many positive responses. It was a no-brainer to ask her to help me with the second book, and once again, she managed to nail down the areas that needed work. Not everyone can follow the world-building of epic fantasy, but she managed with no problem. I plan to seek her assistance again when I finish writing the third book."
Kara Zajac
Author of The Significance of Curly
Hair: A Loving Memoir of Life and Loss
"I am not a traditional writer. When choosing an editor, I was looking for someone to give my memoir direction and focus. Rowe’s editorial style broadened my capabilities by pushing my limits, allowing me to find the depth that was lacking. Like an un-intimidating friend, her gentle support helped me discover my voice, giving me the courage to narrate the story as it was meant to be. Rowe’s insight and connection, knowledge of the business, and consistent availability make you feel like you have found a partner."