Kindred Verse: Poems Inspired by Anne of Green Gables. Blue Cedar Press, 2021.

Praise for Kindred Verse

“Transformative! These exquisitely formed poems and reveries illustrate in themselves why L.M. Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables is a classic.  Julie Sellers shares a lifetime reader’s pilgrimage to real and imagined places and moments, reflecting on her younger selves.  Wise and gently playful, these beautiful pieces also celebrate a timeless nostalgia.” —Elizabeth Rollins Epperly, Professor Emerita and founder of the L.M. Montgomery Institute at the University of Prince Edward Island

An evocative homage to the world of L.M. Montgomery and Anne of Green Gables. Strong currents in Montgomery’s work—nature, imagination, friendship, community—are beautifully mirrored in Sellers’ poems and Montgomery readers will delight in the many references to their favorite people, places, things. Sellers captures the hyper local while showing the transcendent nature of imagination, literature, memory. —Kate Scarth, Chair, L.M. Montgomery Studies, L.M. Montgomery Institute, University of Prince Edward Island

“Kindred Verse invites L.M. Montgomery‘s “ like-minded souls” to walk with poet Julie Sellers on the hallowed ground of the author’s special places to catch glimpses of Anne in dunes, a bookcase, in paths and blossoms, and in reflections and possibility – a tonic for those who are “farsick for Green Gables.”  —Mary Beth Cavert, 2020 Recipient L.M. Montgomery Institute Legacy Award, Publisher of The Shining Scroll

Julie knows the way to fairyland and the red roads of imagination that will take us there–to that place behind the veil where kindred spirits dance across the geographies of our existence and remind us of all that is beautiful in the world. Her poetry sings of enchantment. —Bonnie J. Tulloch, 2018 winner of the Elizabeth R. Epperly Award for Outstanding Early Career Paper   

Sellers channels Anne’s spirit as if she is Anne reincarnate and a remarkable friendship transcending time and location occurs. She goes looking for Anne and finds herself, a woman transformed by a fictional friend. A timeless, beautifully magical book.  —Ronda Miller, Author and Kansas Authors Club President (2018–2019)

Sellers deftly explores the intersecting spaces of memory, imagination, and life, wandering Anne-like through each. Inspiring future generations of writers as she was inspired, this book is the friend Sellers describes: “waiting to be discovered.” —Trinna S. Frever, L.M. Montgomery Scholar & Author

Sellers’s dreamy words continue the legacy of Montgomery’s heroine, creating another space for kindred spirits to connect with hope, beauty, and compassion, with Anne’s impact on a Kansas girlhood, and with the transformative beauty of PEI. —Chloe Goodyear, Co-Producer “Annedemic: The East Pointers and Friends Read Anne of Green Gables”

Sellers writes: “Anne dreamed us all / into being,” and gives us farsick, longing for places seen only through Anne’s eyes. Montgomery’s love of Prince Edward Island led Sellers to rediscover her own prairie landscape, “wind and stars and fireflies” and magic.   — Deirdre Kessler, former Prince Edward Island Poet Laureate

Using an array of poetic forms, Sellers captures the spirit of indomitable Anne Shirley with skill and insight. With “Gilbert Blythe,” she portrays in seventeen words a pivotal moment in Anne’s stormy relationship with Gilbert. Julie Sellers is a gifted writer. —Duane R. Johnson, Poet & Kansas Author’s Club President

Lifelong devotees of character Anne Shirley will find Kindred Verse essential reading. Readers who have never read Anne of Green Gables will also luxuriate in Sellers’ metaphors. Sellers elucidates the longing we have to reread books we cherish; isn’t that, after all, why we all read? —Roy Beckemeyer, poet, author of Mouth Brimming Over

All of Anne’s longtime “bosom friends”—and new ones!—will treasure this collection of verse. Sellers vividly recreates Anne’s world with the living insight that can only come from a true kindred spirit. Prepare to be delightfully transported to Green Gables in each poem. —Lesley Sieger-Walls, Ph.D., English

Dwell among this beautiful collection. If you’ve not read the series about the many-faceted Anne Shirley, this book is the perfect introduction. Julie Sellers’ words remain with the reader long after turning the final page. —Nancy Julien Kopp, author, blogger of Writer Granny’s World

An homage. Whimsical, multi-sensory and full of imagery. Sellers journeys the mind’s eye of the reader far from one’s domicile to explore the depths in dreams of fragrance among lustrous Octobers, hand in hand with Anne Shirley. Each poetic transcends us beyond the page. I see, hear and smell. Do you? —Ravinder Surah, visual artist and writer

Sellers paints vivid pictures of Anne of Green Gables with her lyrical prose and poetry. Kindred Verse effortlessly transports the reader to the world of Montgomery’s beloved work. Sellers skillfully and beautifully evokes Green Gables while highlighting her contemporary flair and irrefutable love of all things Anne. —Christopher Renna, author and developmental editor

Julie’s soulful literary portrait of the people and nature of Avonlea gently wakes Anne in my heart and passionately introduces a fresh vision of the books, sharing the delicate imagination of both Anne and Julie. —Hiroe Suzuki (Japan)