Welcome to the “CHASING THE RAINBOW” Blog Tour! FRStepnowski @4WillsPub #RRBC

I am so excited to host a stop on Forrest’s tour! I love his poetry, and I hope you enjoy reading this sample of his work.

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“Chasing the Rainbow” Blog Tour
Day 2

About the Book: “Journey to the Rainbow’s End: A Drag Queen’s Odyssey”

A collection of poetry that describes the coming of age and coming out of a man who struggled with his self-worth and identity, in the hopes to show others who share similar struggles that they are not alone.

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Writer’s Q&A

What inspired you to write and become published?
Answer: Many people have heard me say “I like to represent the people who are in the land of misfit toys.” What do I mean by that you may ask? When I use the analogy of the “island of misfit toys” I am talking about people who do not fit inside the heteronormative, fully Caucasian, privileged society. Does that still exist you may ask? If you look at politics in the United States and our current government, you can see these examples fully. I represent the different, LGBT, people of color, the poor, etc. We are all human, however, there are many who are privileged who tend to focus on their own “special needs” and forgetting that they are supposed to represent all people.
“We the people” does not mean you pick and choose who get civil liberties, or cutbacks in taxes. It means all of us. I may live in a utopian mindset, but I believe we can get back to taking care of each other again. As far as why I pursued publishing? Was it to become a famous author that would be a NY Times best seller? No, I never imagined my work would elevate to such levels. Not that I would be opposed to it, however, my goal has always been to inspire others to find and use their voice, to make the world a better place, and to show others they are not alone. I have survived more than most people, so I have been told. I truly believe literary arts help bring people together and brings them into a world of common ground. When we start to see the similarities in each other’s eyes and hearts, we then can become united and complete the tasks that help the greater good.

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Excerpts from “Journey to the Rainbow’s End” by Forrest Robert Stepnowski

Human
I sit here in the silence, complacent, and meaningless.
Am I but a whisper of make believe, a soldier trapped in a world of turmoil and lies,
I am alone,
I walk through a shadow driven by what I believed to be my calling,
An inspirational relic lost in the memes of my successors,
I am lost,
I stare at the night sky wondering where I’ve been, trying not to dwell on the should’ves, could’ves, and would’ves,
Not knowing what exactly I’m doing wrong and why I walk in pensive dreams of those who may oppose me,
I am drowning,
I lay my head down trying to escape the nightmares of existence, of a world that still identifies me as the keeper of rainbows and glitter.
Forgetting I left my heels and tiaras at home in a closet that I thought I’ve long since escaped in distant memories,
a closet which many wish me to return,
The Journey continues,
I wake up and begin to laugh at the adversity being thwarted at my doorstep, for I have survived this demon before.
It attempts to taunt and hinder me, trying to break my will and sparkle,
I am my own utopia.
They say god doesn’t give you more than you can handle, I am broad shouldered after all,
Even the meek can fight the negative blood outpoured from those who say they are true friend,
I am humbled.
I am captured by rejuvenated thoughts and energy, and begin to rise and embrace new beginnings…
I fly like an eagle, soaring out of the darkness and into the light,
For this I say… I am human.

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About the Author:

Forrest Robert Stepnowski is an advocate, a writer, a social worker, and a performance artist in the Pacific Northwest. He has been writing poetic works and prose for most of his life. He realized how important is to share his work with others who have dealt with similar pathways of self-hate, self-deprecation, and self-loathing in the hopes they find they are not alone, as well as help them realize they are not deviants, nor are they against “human nature.” They are part of a collective of misfit toys on an island where being different is beautiful. We all have a voice, and the world should hear it. Forrest is a proud member of Rave Reviews Book Club.

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Social Media Links:
Website/Blog: https://www.forresttakesajourney.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/forrestrobertstepnowski
Twitter: https://twitter.com/frstepnowski
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forreststepnowski

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Journey to the Rainbow’s End: A Drag Queen’s Odyssey (Available on Kindle and Paperback)

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To follow along with the rest of the tour, please visit the author’s tour page on the 4WillsPublishing site. If you’d like to book your own blog tour and have your book promoted in similar grand fashion, please click HERE.

Thanks for supporting this author and his work!