20260801 . The HaikuPrajna Challenge . Prajna or The Elephant . Different Ground (Instrumental Demo) . APRILandALLEN's Roadmap

I am unfit for \

The structure, this ride, I will \

Remain another 

. Prajna or The Elephant . Different Ground 

. 

Zine on YouTube! https://youtu.be/TFCEPQH5q5w

Mini zine available on APRILandALLEN's, YouTube, Patreon and Substack FREE FOR ALL READERS. https://aprilandallen.square.site/haikuprajna

.

. Write your own poem \ using this Zine as a prompt \ to take the Challenge!

. HaikuPrajna . The HaikuPrajna Challenge

. Digital . Mini-zine series with poetry and art

. Open to all humans . Purchase unnecessary to participate

. Accepting submissions for future releases

. Subscribe to get this with all past and future releases

.

Thank you for reading and subscribing online at HaikuPrajna

.

Hello reader, 

Have a handful of zines to share, so I thought I would make a bigger compound-update.

The HaikuPrajna Challenge

20260801 . Prajna or The Elephant . Different Ground . Queer Artists Showcase at City Side Cafe

I am unfit for \ The structure, this ride, I will \ Remain another 

. Prajna or The Elephant . Different Ground

. We were welcomed back to City Side Cafe for the Queer Artists Showcase (hosted by @Project14_ on Instagram), where I read the lyrics for a demo song called Different Ground, and got to listen to poetry and music by a handful of artists, including the solo guitar debut of the one and only Electric Armchair. I was panicking a little, to be honest, sorry that I had kept to myself, but it was real nice listening to and being part of our local queer community. Our three other performers were so good.

. Video credit for the clip goes to April, who enjoyed the iced macha. I thought it was good too, tasting more like a quality vanilla ice cream. 

. Different Ground is a demo song by Prajna or The Elephant, framed as part of the series Together In Forever which follows our hero the Overseer. Themes of otherness and incongruence stemmed from the inability to communicate when others, unawares, discriminate about people in or close to the conversation, and one's need to come on down from up on some higher morality in order to have the chance of any meaningful interaction. I have struggled with identity for the better part of my life, so I wanted to explore the feeling of disinclusion and the act of reaching out to those perpetuating it.

.

.20260711. Joe Bean’s Seventh Birthday

. For Joe Bean's seventh birthday, we wrapped up toys and treats as kind-of Christmas-in-July presents. We treated ourselves to a tiramisu style cake to mark the occasion, while snagging the free Slurpee for 7-Eleven day.

. Joe has also been known to help re-string my acoustics.

.

20260804 . Spider-man Brand New Day 

. Brand New Day was so good. April and I caught it at Scotiabank Theatre. Peter and Frank's banter was top notch. May, MJ and Ned delivered a perfect amount of heartfelt. Love how Marisa Tomei had a good role in this, instead of being written off. 

. Though, I missed Flash, Happy and JJJ (even though the latter would have clashed with this film's NYC). Also feel bad for Banner. 

. Jean Grey continued the casual reveal of MCU mutants. I liked her providing a reason why the public could be mistrustful of pre-Xavier mutants, while also showing off why superpowered people should continue being mistrustful of the government’s desire to harness their abilities, while also still establishing some foreshadowing for potential growth into a family-centric character. 

. Inhibitor chip was spooky, even if there are other instances of power dampeners in past MCU stories. V-MAX was a heartbreaking subversion. I hate how convinced I was. DODC’s the franchise's true villain.

. Action was great. Humor was awesome. Spider-man was lifted out of the comics, far beyond the first act's sizzle recap. Thought I would dislike Peter's evolution, but the execution of organic webs and overstimulation was spectacular.

. Acceptance. Denial. Repression. Dysphoria in metaphor. Death and abandoning those still close to you. The 24-hour Hero Arc. A classic Spider-man tale of needing to balance both parts of his identity. Brand New Day was for real a film for the fans, like Tom Holland in the intro had said. Scenes paid visual homage to the previous film franchises and the video games. Just hope the actual Spider-man rogues we saw will get more screentime in the future.

. The Marvel Studios logo at the start showing Peter fading out from memories was heartbreaking. Glad Ned and MJ seem to remember now, or at least were accepted back into Peter's life.

. DeWolff was a great addition to the roster, she provided much needed grounding, while still being able to rebuke Peter for his mistakes despite liking what he does for New York. I also loved seeing Spidey being respected by the public.

. Post-theatre rambling over. An instant classic; up there with, if not the best of Spider-man on-screen. 

. (Still have to watch Noir, though)

.

. Brampton JAM, Treeline Park x2

. 20260722 20260728

. We have played along with a circle of other musicians as part of Brampton JAM at Treeline Park, just having fun making good tunes together. A real good time, check them out on IG.

.

. 20260725 Toronto

. We spent a day in Toronto gathering free ice cream, grilled cheese, froyo, slushee and beer. We also got $3 Harvey's grilled hotdogs.

. Chinnen, a street performer by the waterfront, was fantastic and hilarious--check him out online!

.

The warm comfort of \ 

being around others, who \ 

love the little things 

. HaikuPrajna . BICZ @ City Side Cafe Downtown Brampton 

. 

Zine on YouTube! https://youtu.be/eeGJg0Q-VFI

.

The HaikuPrajna Challenge

. 20260707

. The warm comfort of \ being around others, who \ love the little things . HaikuPrajna . BICZ @ City Side Cafe Downtown Brampton

. We attended the BICZ meetup at City Side Cafe downtown Brampton, where I spent my time with a nice hot rich Americano coffee, formatting a digital photography mini-zine, we also contributed a panel each to the collaborative comic, all while surrounded by art and artists; check out both City Side Cafe and Brampton Indie Comics & Zines! The cafe’s coffee was so good that I used it in my watercolour so I could take it home.

.

. 20260719 . Summer Artists' Market 

. We vended the Summer Artists’ Market at the Springdale Brampton Library.

. Very kind and accommodating event hosts from BAO kept us fed and hydrated, they came to each table with a full trolley! 

. High energy environment, it was nice just being among other creators in the library while drawing and writing.

. Thank you for everyone who showed up, means a lot, hope you enjoy your BATTLE Cats!

.

. 20260523 . Doors Open Toronto 

. On a wet windy Doors Open, we took the tunnel to Billy Bishop on Centre Island, where we got to see a number planes in the hangar. Vendors were met with an unending procession of a crowd. Was cool, but we got soaked. 

. Walked to Liberty Village to hear about how Zoomer radio operates, handles call-ins, requests and their variety of programs and music dating from 1930 to 2000; they also handed out ice cream!

. The conjoined Television Museum is worth the visit just to absorb how the device has evolved into the screens we use today. For Doors Open, the museum had the world's rarest television on display, from the 1939 World's Fair, which April was broadcast to! 

.

. 20260502 . Cherry Blossom High Park FCBD New York Fries 

. High Park’s cherry blossoms are beautiful every year. 

We disembarked the subway at High Park Station and walked through from the north side on Bloor to the south. The path is lined with trees in full bloom, with tons of people taking turns posing for photos, giving the season a real festival vibe. There is a museum with paintings, the curators are charismatic, informative and nice to talk to. Bring some snacks and enjoy a relaxing afternoon or evening.

. The Negative Zone is the comic book store we visited for Free Comic Book Day 2026!

The store is located on Bloor and Dundas and was run by a generous guy who made us feel welcome. There was a table with the FCBD offerings in the middle of the room, with that week's latest comics along with boxes of back issues and toys I recognized from the 2000’s. We left with a Pokemon booster pack, zines, comics and more trading cards; thanks for having us!

. We have always enjoyed New York Fries. 

This location at Dufferin Mall has never failed us. Their pulled pork poutine is always a great treat. Large is enough for two portions! We just keep coming back here, especially when we want a ton of fries and cheese.

.

The Seer's One Form . The Great Work of Allen W. McLean

. The Seer's One Form . The Great Work of Allen W. McLean 

. One more that you will have to read yourself! A bite-sized outline of the philosophy behind HaikuPrajna and the rest of my projects.

.

Thank you for reading,

Until next time!

Allen W. McLean

.

Subscribe, share or leave a comment for more Bite-sized Insights to relieve your stress and suffering! APRILandALLEN's Handmade Art Works, Book Merch, and Clay Quirks . https://aprilandallen.square.site/

@HaikuPrajna metaphysical stories, book reviews, mindfulness meditation scifaiku and haiku poetry . @PrajnaOrTheElephant music . https://aprilandallen.square.site/haikuprajna 

@ElectricArmchair psychedelic music videos, art and poetry, available on all streaming platforms . https://aprilandallen.square.site/electricarmchair

All readers subscribed by email on Patreon, Substack and Medium have access to a selection of Zines--visit to submit to our public poetry prompt and view more features! https://aprilandallen.square.site/social  

These poems will be collected in future editions of the HaikuPrajna Collection.     

20260607 . The HaikuPrajna Challenge . Web of Venom (2026)

Like they always said, \ 

“What goes around comes back ‘round,” \ 

like a boomerang 

. HaikuPrajna . Web of Venom (2026)

.

Zine on YouTube! https://youtu.be/Wbgv94feOlU

Mini zine print available for download on Patreon and Substack.

.

Thank you for reading and subscribing online at HaikuPrajna

.

Hello reader,

Of course I was curious who the new symbiote was going to be in Web of Venom, but it was well after I had read the issue (and the Toronto Comic Arts Festival vendor list) that I remembered where I recognized the name of the one shot’s writer, the Mythical Jordan Morris! We love watching him on YouTube, 

I have been a Boomer since Peter Parker was a highschool teacher in the first comics I had as a kid (Peter Parker: Spider-man #53 “Rules of the Game”), and I loved seeing him as one of Peter’s recent roommates, so imagine my un-spoilered surprise as Fred Myers, aka Boomerang, set out to save fellow crook Overdrive, who had wanted to get Fred in on upgrades being offered by Tombstone, which led to Boomerang bonding to a symbiote calling itself Passenger. 

Some context; the Shocker had brought Boomerang back from the dead, and since Fred wishes to return the favour now that Herman had been murdered by Torment during the Carnage event Death Spiral, Myers was further influenced to unretire [again], leave suburbia to help Overdrive and stand up for other lackeys against Tombstone. 

This was a fun issue, and I am excited to see where it goes from here. Will Fred bring poor old Herman back, or will his death be an Uncle Ben moment for Comeback, this unlikely symbiote duo? 

Stealing VenoMJ’s not-Spidey design is hilarious too--Fred has history with the original Jackpot, who modelled herself after MJ.

I like the idea of Boomerang getting a cosmic or magic upgrade like this, so while I anticipate the status quo to do its comic-book thing, I do hope these changes stick. 

Recent Spider-man developments have been nice too, in my opinion, such as the Venom and MJ ongoing, along with Norman Osborn’s redemption and Spider-versity stint. (Also being co-written by Jordan! Go check out his writing credits and shows, we love seeing him online!) 

Very excited for Brand New Day, hope the MCU versions of The Shocker and Boomerang get to share some screentime sometime down the line.

P.S. We met Jordan Morris at TCAF and we gave him April's art inspired by Cotton Candy Randy and a minizine of this review with fanart of the interiors by Ramón Rosanas, Luke Ross and David Curiel! Read Jordan's original works, Youth Group is available through your library and its ebook platforms! (IG @jordandavidmorris)

.

. Write your own poem \ using this Zine as a prompt \ to take the Challenge!

. HaikuPrajna . The HaikuPrajna Challenge

.

. Digital . Mini-zine series with poetry and art

. Open to all humans . Purchase unnecessary to participate

. Subscribe to get this with all past and future releases

.

Thank you for reading,

Until next time!

Allen W. McLean

.

Subscribe, share or leave a comment for more Bite-sized Insights to relieve your stress and suffering! APRILandALLEN's Handmade Art Works, Book Merch, and Clay Quirks . https://aprilandallen.square.site/

@HaikuPrajna metaphysical stories, book reviews, mindfulness meditation scifaiku and haiku poetry . @PrajnaOrTheElephant music . https://aprilandallen.square.site/haikuprajna 

@ElectricArmchair psychedelic music videos, art and poetry, available on all streaming platforms . https://aprilandallen.square.site/electricarmchair

All readers subscribed by email on Patreon, Substack and Medium have access to a selection of Zines--visit to submit to our public poetry prompt and view more features! https://aprilandallen.square.site/social  

These poems will be collected in future editions of the HaikuPrajna Collection.    

202510111 . HAIKUPRAJNA . Inside the Jack o’ Lantern [Together In Forever: The Wisps Book IV]

The scarecrow, looming, /

consumes every Hallowed Eve; /

dead leaves, rustling. 

. HAIKUPRAJNA . Inside the Jack o’ Lantern [Together In Forever: The Wisps Book IV]

.

Thank you for reading and subscribing online at HaikuPrajna

.

Hello reader,

Happy Halloween!

Summond the Scarecrow is about the titular Giant consuming the patrons of the Sorauren Farm’s pumpkin parade, and was inspired by the 2022 Inktober prompt list along by a trip with April [who co-wrote this story!] to a number of parks across Toronto; April likened Summond the Scarecrow to E.B. White’s Charlotte’s Web, and I have taken inspiration for the Overseer from superhero characters like Marvel’s Spider-man and Doctor Strange.

Read now, links on the APRILandALLEN site!

https://aprilandallen.square.site/together-in-forever

.

Blurb:

The scarecrow, looming, /

consumes every Hallowed Eve; /

dead leaves, rustling. 

. HAIKUPRAJNA . Inside the Jack o’ Lantern

.

Summond the Scarecrow had consumed the Overseer of the Forest.

The Seer had brought the Giant jack o’ lantern head to a post-Halloween pumpkin parade.

They were forced to watch in the form of timeless spectating Shadows, while the daemon rolled through the annual Halloween event and caused people to go missing every year. But, in part of their plan to free the patrons trapped in the pumpkin, the Seer had to tempt Summond into consuming more.

The Overseer issued the Terraform a dire warning; the Scarecrow would burn unless they released those who Summond had been consumed. 

.

Thank you for reading and for subscribing to emails!

All parts of this collection will be released to read for subscribers. Free previews are available online! 

Together In Forever: Part I-V is available as an eBook and a Paperback through a variety of retailers, including our public library! Links can be found on the APRILandALLEN site, you can also ask a sales associate at your local bookstore or use the search box on their website to order your copy!

(Book II - Ado the Owl can be read for free online, and will be emailed next, while Book III will follow that!)

.

Thank you for reading,

Until next time!

Allen W. McLean

.

Need more Bite-sized Insights to relieve your stress and suffering?

Share, subscribe or leave a comment, it means the world to authors and is the easiest way to support the work you read, as you will help reach other readers! @HaikuPrajna @ElectricArmchair

Read mindfulness meditation scifaiku and haiku poetry, book reviews and metaphysical stories, such as "Escape Perennial City", plus more writing online at HaikuPrajna! https://aprilandallen.square.site/haikuprajna 

Show your support with our Handmade Art Works, Book Merch, and Clay Quirks at APRILandALLEN's! https://aprilandallen.square.site/

April's psychedelic music videos, art and poetry is available on all streaming platforms at Electric Armchair! https://aprilandallen.square.site/electricarmchair

Read more haiku, listen to April's music and follow online; all readers subscribed by email on Patreon, Substack and Medium get book reviews with poetry in their inbox and have access to a selection of eBooks--visit to submit to our public poetry prompt and view more features! https://aprilandallen.square.site/social  

These poems will be collected in future editions of the HaikuPrajna Collection. 

20241001 - Dates in the Springtime ... HaikuPrajna (APRILandALLEN's Roadmap 2024 04 01 - 2024 06 30)

...

Spin around the world, \\ welcoming the open doors, \\ exploring with you 

... Dates in the Springtime ... HaikuPrajna (APRILandALLEN's Roadmap 2024 04 01 - 2024 06 30) 

Video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/_6sD0HXclV8

...

Hello reader,

The Fall season is here! Let me take you back in time a bit, as we recap what April and I were up to around her birthday.

We explored the Royal Botanical Gardens in Hamilton, had picnics at the Beaches of Toronto, enjoyed many new and revisited landmarks during Door's Open across Ontario, and tried a lot of food. Reviews will be archived on our Patreon!

April and I were both invited to Brampton Library's Local Author's Showcase, at the Farmer's Market outside of City Hall in the heart of downtown; we met a lot of awesome writers and readers, we had a real great day and are very thankful to all the staff who made it possible for us to connect in this way!

Fright Folk is April Salisbury-White's debut poetry collection; 31 magical stories inside to discover with whimsical characters and spooky illustrated scenes!

What happened to the girl who never closed her eyes?

The pirate with a beard made of cotton candy?

The spider with seven legs?

Find out in Fright Folk's 83 page poetry book, illustrated in detail with ink front to back; a book perfect for art lovers and/or poetry lovers, the stories and illustrations in this book have been compared by others to the styles of Dr Seuss, Tim Burton, Shel Silverstein, Moebius, and Neil Gaiman.

The song used in the Roadmap video slideshow is the instrumental version of “Moon and Midnight-man” from “Last Halloween”, a psychedelic synth album by Electric Armchair.

Thank you for reading,

Until next time!

Allen W. McLean

...

Need more Bite-sized Insights to relieve your stress and suffering?

Share, subscribe or leave a comment, it means the world to authors and is the easiest way to support the work you read, as your comments will reach other readers! @HaikuPrajna @ElectricArmchair

Get one of Allen's eBooks for free, listen to April's music and follow online or by email https://aprilandallen.square.site/social 

I write mindfulness meditation scifaiku and haiku poetry on my book reviews and on previews of my metaphysical stories, such as "Escape Perennial City". Read all of my books and writing online at HaikuPrajna https://aprilandallen.square.site/haikuprajna 

Show your support with our Handmade Art Works, Book Merch, and Clay Quirks at APRILandALLEN's https://aprilandallen.square.site/

April's psychedelic music videos, art and poetry is available on all streaming platforms at Electric Armchair https://aprilandallen.square.site/electricarmchair

APRILandALLEN’s Project Roadmap is our photo book and video log series where subscribed Patreon readers have access to archives with photos, captions and videos which will be collected in future APRILandALLEN’s books--visit our Patreon to submit to our public poetry prompt and view more free features, including the latest Project Roadmap Updates and Theatre calendars! https://patreon.com/asquaredproductions

Read more HaikuPrajna: https://haikuprajna.blogspot.com/2021/08/20210806-review-dune.html

These poems will be collected in future editions of the HaikuPrajna Collection.

20240403 - The Giant's Shadow - HaikuPrajna Project Roadmap Update - 2024 Jan Feb Mar

...

Darkness and snowfall, \\ transcends to walks in the park, \\ better together. 

... The Giant's Shadow - HaikuPrajna

Read online https://haikuprajna.blogspot.com/2024/04/20240403-giants-shadow-haikuprajna.html

...

Hello reader,

Thanks for reading the first HaikuPrajna Project Roadmap Update of 2024; hope you had a good Easter weekend and enjoyed some April Fools Day jokes.

We have updated the APRILandALLEN website with new mini-zines, lyric books and stickers, along with April’s illustrated poetry book, Fright Folk! (Visit Electric Armchair for more info)

...

. Current Reads:

. Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith - Matthew Stover

. 2061: Odyssey Three - Arthur C. Clarke

. Thus Spoke Zarathustra - Friedrich Nietzche

. Enneads - Plotinus

I am still reading the Star Wars novels and the Space Odyssey series while taking notes from Thus Spoke Zarathustra and Plotinus’s Enneads; am also keeping up on Spider-man comics, loving what Hickman is doing with Ultimate so far, and I was also going through my favorite parts of the Dragon Ball manga to relive and honor Akira Toriyama’s legacy.

. Finished Books:

. Attack of the Clones - R. A. Salvatore . 2024 01 10

. The Clone Wars - Karen Traviss . 2024 02 18

. Stuart Little - E.B. White . 2024 03 28

HaikuPrajna book reviews coming soon (trademark pending).

...

HaikuPrajna Project Roadmap

Upcoming Releases by Allen W. McLean: 

. Together in Forever

. Collected editions of both The Wisps Book and the new The Deeper Forest series will be released as two sub-series to Together in Forever

. Together in Forever: Part IV-V

... The sleeping hero, \\ their eyes blind to injustice \\ with misplaced mercy. ... (Simmer Down - HaikuPrajna (Together in Forever: Part V)

. As part of “SM-SARA: Poetry and Other Stories”, the short story “Artemis” will receive an independent release coupled with an all-new entry in Together in Forever.

Recent Releases by Allen W. McLean:

. 2024 04 Project Roadmap 2024 Jan Feb Mar

Mini-zine print-out which features the latest from APRLandALLEN’s ABCs.

. 2024 02 Together in Forever - The Deeper Forest: The Giant's Shadow 

(Darkness and snowfall, \\ transcends to walks in the park, \\ better together. ... The Giant's Shadow - HaikuPrajna)

For Valentine’s Day, April and I made mini-zines for each other; I started a new series and she illustrated her song, Love Boat.

In one of the Deeper Forest’s trees, the Overseer and Sol were chased through a snowed-in city by a Shadow while its Giant fled from the team, due to their partnership violating the trial’s solo nature. 

This action-packed short-story was inspired by the sci-fi and anime that we watch and read together.

...

In addition to the new APRILandALLEN Roadmap video on YouTube, and all the other changes we have been making to the website, this is just some of the stuff April and I have been up to in the past three months, and we are as excited as always to keep showing off our new projects and connecting with readers and creators alike.

Thank you for reading,

Until next time!

Allen W. McLean

...

Read more from HaikuPrajna: https://haikuprajna.blogspot.com/2023/08/20230813-haikuprajna-holes-book-review.html

...

Need more Bite-sized Insights to relieve your stress and suffering? 

Leave a comment, share or subscribe, it means the world to the authors and is the easiest way to support the work you read, as your comments will reach other readers!

All readers get one of Allen's eBooks every Monday, Wednesday and Friday-- short stories rotate often. 

Listen to April's music and follow via email at https://aprilandallen.square.site/social

I write mindfulness meditation scifaiku and haiku poetry on my book reviews and on previews of my metaphysical stories, such as "Escape Perennial City". Read all of my reviews at goodreads.com/HaikuPrajna

Email

Medium https://haikuprajna.medium.com/subscribe

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Amazon https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0867C5D24

Follow.it https://follow.it/haikuprajna

Social media 

Electric Armchair https://linktr.ee/electricarmchair

YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@electricarmchair/

Instagram & Threads https://www.instagram.com/electricarmchair/

Tumblr https://electricarmchair.tumblr.com/

HaikuPrajna https://haikuprajna.blogspot.com

Youtube https://www.youtube.com/@haikuprajna

Instagram & Threads https://www.instagram.com/haikuprajna

Twitter https://twitter.com/HaikuPrajna

Get your Samsara Edition of Escape Perennial City for the metaphysical sci-fi readers of your life in eBook or paperback at https://aprilandallen.square.site/product/book-Escape-Perennial-City-Samsara/7 

Escape Perennial City - Samsara Edition - YouTube https://youtu.be/Jf93oSMyQDw

Support with our Handmade Art Works, Book Merch, and Clay Quirks at https://aprilandallen.square.site/

Check out April's psychedelic music videos, art and poetry on all streaming platforms; Electric Armchair - Last Halloween (Full Album) [ https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/electricarmchair/last-halloween ]

Electric Armchair - In The Snowfall (Single) [ https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/electricarmchair/in-the-snowfall ] 

APRILandALLEN’s Project Roadmap is our photo book and video log series where subscribed Patreon readers have access to archives with photos, captions and videos which will be collected in future APRILandALLEN’s books--learn about our Patreon at patreon.com/asquaredproductions to submit to our public poetry prompt and view more free features.

24 01 03 Project Roadmap https://haikuprajna.blogspot.com/2024/01/20240103-infinity-begins-project.html

Support by connecting online [ https://haikuprajna.blogspot.com/p/follow-on-social-media.html ]

These poems will be collected in future editions of the HaikuPrajna Collection.

   

20240103 - Infinity Begins (Project Roadmap Update 2023 Q4)

...

The end meets its start, \\ the snake consumes their own tail, \\ beginning again.

... Infinity Begins (Project Roadmap Update 2023 Q4) ... #HaikuPrajna

Read online https://haikuprajna.blogspot.com/2024/01/20240103-infinity-begins-project.html [Public Post]

...

Hello reader,

Happy 2024! Time for a relaxed New Years update.

APRILandALLEN’s site has been updated with the Samsara Edition of Escape Perennial City, with April’s latest album “Last Halloween” and her new colouring book, with our 12 Clays of Christmas (which will each get their own product pages), and with a video showing off our Niagara Falls trip on our 11th Anniversary; we thank you for reading and sending us art in the mail during our holiday events in 2023!

This year, instead of pledging a Goodreads goal, I want to instead measure how much I read and strive for the goal of reading as much as I can, with the hope of being more mindful of my achievements rather than what I might have accomplished; to that end I read 20 books in 2023, which can be viewed on my Goodreads profile! Right now, I am reading the final book of Plotinus's Enneads, Nietzsche's Thus Spoke Zarathustra, Star Wars novels with Anakin or Vader (on Revenge of the Sith now) and the Space Odyssey series, along with Spider-man comics and the Bleach manga, having thrifted a handful of volumes.

Continue below for the HaikuPrajna Project Roadmap!

https://aprilandallen.square.site/haikuprajna

....

Thank you for reading,

Until next time!

Allen W. McLean

...

Read more from HaikuPrajna: https://haikuprajna.blogspot.com/2023/08/20230813-haikuprajna-holes-book-review.html

...

Need more Bite-sized Insights to relieve your stress and suffering? 

Leave a comment, share or subscribe, it means the world to the authors and is the easiest way to support the work you read, as your comments will reach other readers!

All readers get one of Allen's eBooks every Monday, Wednesday and Friday - short stories rotate often. 

Listen to April's music and follow via email at https://aprilandallen.square.site/social

I write mindfulness meditation scifaiku and haiku poetry on my book reviews and on previews of my metaphysical stories, such as "Escape Perennial City". Read all of my reviews at goodreads.com/HaikuPrajna

Email

Medium https://haikuprajna.medium.com/subscribe

LinkedIn (email) https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/haikuprajna-6917324809479610368/

Patreon https://www.patreon.com/asquaredproductions

Books2Read https://books2read.com/AllenWMclean 

Amazon https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0867C5D24

Follow.it https://follow.it/haikuprajna

Social media 

Electric Armchair https://linktr.ee/electricarmchair

YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@electricarmchair/

Instagram & Threads https://www.instagram.com/electricarmchair/

Tumblr https://electricarmchair.tumblr.com/

HaikuPrajna https://haikuprajna.blogspot.com

Youtube https://www.youtube.com/@haikuprajna

Instagram & Threads https://www.instagram.com/haikuprajna

Twitter https://twitter.com/HaikuPrajna

Get your Samsara Edition of Escape Perennial City for the metaphysical sci-fi readers of your life in eBook or paperback at https://aprilandallen.square.site/product/book-Escape-Perennial-City-Samsara/7 

Escape Perennial City - Samsara Edition - YouTube https://youtu.be/Jf93oSMyQDw

Support with our Handmade Art Works, Book Merch, and Clay Quirks at https://aprilandallen.square.site/

Check out April's psychedelic music videos, art and poetry on all streaming platforms; Electric Armchair - Last Halloween (Full Album) [ https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/electricarmchair/last-halloween ]

Electric Armchair - Show Me A Sign (Single) [ https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/electricarmchair/show-me-a-sign-demo-version ] 

APRILandALLEN’s Project Roadmap is our photo book and video log series where subscribed Patreon readers have access to archives with photos, captions and videos which will be collected in future APRILandALLEN’s books--learn about our Patreon at patreon.com/asquaredproductions to submit to our public poetry prompt and view more free features.

23 09 30 Project Roadmap https://haikuprajna.blogspot.com/2023/10/20230930-interconnected-form-project.html

Support by connecting online [ https://haikuprajna.blogspot.com/p/follow-on-social-media.html ]

These poems will be collected in future editions of the HaikuPrajna Collection.

 

20230228 - Inside the Jack o' Lantern [Summond the Scarecrow Official Release]

...

The scarecrow, looming, // consumes every Hallowed Eve; // dead leaves, rustling. 

HAIKUPRAJNA - Inside the Jack o’ Lantern

Read online [ https://haikuprajna.blogspot.com/2023/02/20230228-inside-jack-o-lantern-summond.html ]

...

Hello readers,.

The latest and greatest Terraform story from The Wisps Book, Summond the Scarecrow is now available to read!

Download your copy now or start reading with Kindle Unlimited!

Amazon [ https://www.amazon.com/Summond-Scarecrow-Wisps-Book-IV-ebook/dp/B0BWWHW25N/ ]

Save on Goodreads [ https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/123158961-summond-the-scarecrow ]

Merch [ https://haikuprajna.redbubble.com ] 

Trailer [ https://youtu.be/ExmNwcsetoY ]

Banner

Summond the Scarecrow is about the titular Giant consuming the patrons of the Sorauren Farm’s pumpkin parade, and was inspired by the 2022 Inktober prompt list along by a trip with April [who co-wrote this story!] to a number of parks across Toronto; April likened Summond the Scarecrow to E.B. White’s Charlotte’s Web, and I have taken inspiration for the Overseer from superhero characters like Marvel’s Spider-man and Doctor Strange.

Cover designed by Allen W. McLean 

Intro to Summond the Scarecrow 

[Blurb]

“ Summond the Scarecrow had consumed the Overseer of the Forest.

The Seer had brought the Giant jack o’ lantern head to a post-Halloween pumpkin parade.

They were forced to watch in the form of timeless spectating Shadows, while the daemon rolled through the annual Halloween event and caused people to go missing every year. But, in part of their plan to free the patrons trapped in the pumpkin, the Seer had to tempt Summond into consuming more.

The Overseer issued the Terraform a dire warning; the Scarecrow would burn unless they released those who Summond had been consumed. “

Thank you for reading.

Allen W. McLean 

...

Need more Bite-sized Insights to relieve your stress and suffering?

Banner : Tomothy and the Overseer of the Forest

Connect via email or social media [ https://haikuprajna.blogspot.com/p/follow-on-social-media.html ]

Readers are gifted a Kindle eBook on Fridays and Mondays--short story selection rotates every few weeks, so visit My Author Profile and follow via email [ https://www.amazon.ca/Allen-W-McLean/e/B0867C5D24 ]

I write mindfulness meditation scifaiku and haiku poetry on my book reviews and on previews of my metaphysical stories, such as "Escape Perennial City". Learn more about my reviews here [ https://haikuprajna.blogspot.com/p/book-review-summary-study-notes.html ]

Read the latest Project Roadmap [ https://medium.com/haikuprajna/20221230-my-year-in-reviews-project-roadmap-2022-12-6b6c671e575 ]

Thanks to you, over ONE-THOUSAND (1000!) readers have joined us on Medium! Need to stay in the Medium Partner Program? Please follow and turn on email notifications; I will follow you back! "Ado the Owl" and "Hector Blake" are available to read, right now, on Medium. [ https://haikuprajna.medium.com/subscribe ]

April's psychedelic music videos, art and poetry is available on all streaming platforms; Electric Armchair - Mister Valentine (Official Animated Music Video) (With Lyrics) [ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrJcLSsCSsQ ]

Electric Armchair - After Party (PRE-SAVE ALBUM [ https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/electricarmchair/after-party ]

"Falgara the Giant" is available on Amazon and Kindle Unlimited! Add to Goodreads and learn more [ https://haikuprajna.blogspot.com/p/falgara-giant.html ] 

Support by buying a sticker [ https://haikuprajna.redbubble.com ]

Kindle ebooks can be read on any device at www.read.amazon.com

These poems will be collected in future editions of the HaikuPrajna Collection.

20230131 - BATT-LE Colosseum [ Reveal Announcement ]

...

Queuing while solo, \\ waiting for the right motion, \\ capturing actions.

#HAIKUPRAJNA - BATT-LE Colosseum [Reveal Announcement]

https://haikuprajna.blogspot.com/2023/02/20230131-batt-le-colosseum-reveal.html

...

Hello readers, 

As revealed in the latest Project Roadmap [which can be read here https://haikuprajna.blogspot.com/2022/12/20221230-my-year-in-reviews-project.html ], "BATT-LE Colosseum" is the next story in the Fluke series, set after ULTRAVIOLET, although the two stories can be enjoyed without reading the other. [Check out ULTRAVIOLET here https://haikuprajna.blogspot.com/p/ultraviolet.html ]

This story takes place within a virtual reality video game and follows the user playing as Nina, one of the avatars that players can choose to play as, while fighting others for the badges that computer controlled bosses drop in order to compete for the Champion position; I have been working on this story since April 2021 and am very excited to be sharing it at last; I was inspired by a wide variety of genres and mediums for this story, from games like the Halo franchise and the Half-life\Portal series to action comics like Spider-Man and sci-fi from authors such as Douglas Adams.

Here's the current blurb:

" Welcome, Nina, to BATT-LE Colosseum!

Here, using over one hundred unique armours such as Ian the Turtle, engage other players across the environments spread across the arena.

Use your telekinetic abilities in the game!

Secure badges and compete for the Champion position against old allies and new foes!

Score the highest today in BATT-LE Colosseum! Available only at your local MEGA Holo-Plex. "

Below, a logo mockup I designed, which I am still playing with, and a short excerpt from the story.

Logo mockup by Allen W. McLean

Intro to BATT-LE Colosseum by Allen W. McLean

BATT-LE Colosseum is looking at an early March 2023 release date and will be available to read through Kindle Unlimited; a physical paperback copy of the story may be released, and may be bundled with stories that are at the moment a digital, including stories from The Wisps Book.

Thank you for reading.

Please share your thoughts in a comment.

Allen W. McLean 

...

Need more Bite-sized Insights to relieve your stress and suffering?

Banner : Tomothy and the Overseer of the Forest

Connect via email or social media [ https://haikuprajna.blogspot.com/p/follow-on-social-media.html ]

Readers are gifted a Kindle eBook on Fridays and Mondays--short story selection rotates every few weeks, so follow via email or visit My Author Profile [ https://www.amazon.ca/Allen-W-McLean/e/B0867C5D24 ]

I write mindfulness meditation scifaiku and haiku poetry on my book reviews and on previews of my metaphysical stories, such as "Escape Perennial City". Learn more about my reviews here [ https://haikuprajna.blogspot.com/p/book-review-summary-study-notes.html ]

Read the latest Project Roadmap [ https://medium.com/haikuprajna/20221230-my-year-in-reviews-project-roadmap-2022-12-6b6c671e575 ]

Thanks to you, over ONE-THOUSAND (1000!) readers have joined us on Medium! Need to stay in the Medium Partner Program? Please follow and turn on email notifications; I will follow you back! "Ado the Owl" and "Hector Blake" are available to read, right now, on Medium. [ https://haikuprajna.medium.com/subscribe ]

April's psychedelic music videos, art and poetry is available on all streaming platforms; Electric Armchair - The Charlatan (Official Music Video) [ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYROJsg98Xs ]

Electric Armchair - Amorphous I (FULL ALBUM) [ https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/electricarmchair/amorphous-i ]

"Falgara the Giant" is available on Amazon and Kindle Unlimited! Add to Goodreads and learn more [ https://haikuprajna.blogspot.com/p/falgara-giant.html ] 

Support by buying a sticker [ https://haikuprajna.redbubble.com ]

Kindle ebooks can be read on any device at www.read.amazon.com

These poems will be collected in future editions of the HaikuPrajna Collection.

20221230 - My Year in Reviews (Project Roadmap 2022 12)

...

Following threaded / passageways, choices to choose, / forming mediums.

#HAIKUPRAJNA - My Year in Reviews (Project Roadmap 2022
12)

https://haikuprajna.blogspot.com/2022/12/20221230-my-year-in-reviews-project.html

...

Hello readers, 

It is the time of year where everyone is rounding up their 2022 Year in Review across the various websites that offer it, which means that it is time for a new Project Roadmap.

This year, eighty-five hundred (8.5k!) people read on the HaikuPrajna blog.

Readers are enjoying these book reviews across social media; over 900 followers have joined HaikuPrajna on Medium.com; 500 people follow on Instagram; 300 subscribers are reading on LinkedIn.

Since the last Roadmap update [ https://haikuprajna.blogspot.com/2022/09/20220907-forming-attractions-project.html ], these readers have been enjoying free ebooks on not only Fridays, but also every Monday as well.

Read on until the end to hear about our upcoming and recent book releases.

The Best Books Reviewed in 2022

Before we head onto new book releases, let’s check out the top five HaikuPrajna book reviews--as chosen by you, readers!

The top books on HaikuPrajna are...

.1. Seconds - Bryan Lee O’Malley [ https://haikuprajna.blogspot.com/2022/05/220530-review-seconds.html ]

.2. Bloodborne - Ales Kot [ https://haikuprajna.blogspot.com/2022/06/20220614-bloodborne-comic-book-summary.html ]

.3. Scott Pilgrim - Bryan Lee O’Malley [ https://haikuprajna.blogspot.com/2022/07/20220712-scott-pilgrim-comic-book.html ]

.4. Batman and Robin - Grant Morrison [ https://haikuprajna.blogspot.com/2022/02/20220209-review-batman-and-robin-2009.html ]

.5. The Legend of Sleepy Hollow - Washington Irving [ https://haikuprajna.blogspot.com/2022/02/20220202-review-legend-of-sleepy-hollow.html ]

.Honourable Mention. Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? - Philip K. Dick [ https://haikuprajna.blogspot.com/2022/03/20220307-review-do-androids-dream-of.html ]

Top HaikuPrajna Posts of 2022

Out of my own projects, the following are the top announcements as determined by your viewership;

.1. Fishing for Caribou - Release Trailer [ https://haikuprajna.blogspot.com/2021/11/20211128-fishing-for-caribou-release.html ]

.2. Message of the Wisps - Fishing for Caribou Preview [ https://haikuprajna.blogspot.com/2022/02/20220212-message-of-wisps-fishing-for.html ]

.3. The Artifact - SM-SARA, Poems and Other Stories Anniversary  [ https://haikuprajna.blogspot.com/2022/03/20220303-first-anniversary-of-sm-sara.html ]

Your most viewed videos on the HaikuPrajna YouTube channel:

.1. Self-love [ https://www.youtube.com/shorts/r7dbBAGTSyM ]

.2. Amazing Spider-man - Kraven’s Last Hunt Book Review [ https://www.youtube.com/shorts/9ABQHHS6aNU ]

.3. Howl’s Moving Castle Book Review [ https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Tm767r1Sx44 ]

.4. Foundation Book Review [ https://www.youtube.com/shorts/sP6a7q-JBFg ]

.5. Corpus Hermetica Book Review [ https://www.youtube.com/shorts/7e17tcMMc7Q ]

On Medium, here are your top five articles: 

.1. Review: Howl’s Moving Castle - [ https://medium.com/haikuprajna/haikuprajna-review-howls-moving-castle-13d0cfa9921e ]

.2. The Queen’s Gambit Book Review - [ https://medium.com/haikuprajna/20221111-the-queens-gambit-book-review-analysis-and-summary-b62af4828735 ]

.3. Fishing for Caribou (Preview) - [ https://medium.com/haikuprajna/fishing-for-caribou-preview-d00fae8f29b5 ]

.4. Amazing Spider-man Issue 900 - [ https://medium.com/haikuprajna/20220728-the-amazing-spider-man-issue-900-comic-book-review-f112d3773525 ]

.5. Review: Final Crisis - [ https://medium.com/haikuprajna/haikuprajna-review-final-crisis-9e2d06fb9f05 ]

The Highest Rated Books of 2022

Last, but for certain not least, here are the best books that I read during 2022, on Goodreads:

.1. The VALIS Series - Philip K. Dick [ https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2449886486 ]

.2. The Epic of Gilgemesh - Unknown [ https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4659102995 ]

.3. A Scanner Darkly - Philip K. Dick - [ https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2449885461 ]

.4. The Enneads - Plotinus [ To be reviewed ] 

.5. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland - Lewis Carroll [ https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2449833643 ]

Did your favorite books make the cut? Either way, let me know in the comments! Maybe your favorite book will end up here next year~

Shoutout to Goodreads for their 2022 “My Year in Books” page. Check out my stack here: [ https://www.goodreads.com/user/year_in_books/2022/83965332 ]. 

Last year I pledged to read two books a month, and I wrangled together twenty-seven books (which composed of two comics and one of my own releases, for an even twenty-four), you can check out that reading challenge at the end of my Goodreads Year in Books (linked above).

I keep comics that I read unlisted, for the most part, to avoid inflating my reading stats, but readers are free to browse my been-read comics shelf on Goodreads: [ https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/83965332-allen-mclean?order=d&ref=nav_mybooks&shelf=co-been-read&sort=rating&view=table ]

There is a Goodreads shelf for the books yet to be reviewed with a few from 2022 that I still need to do; most of the comics are probably able to be moved to my to-reread shelf. Check out the to-be-reviewed shelf here: [ https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/83965332-allen-mclean?ref=nav_mybooks&shelf=to-be-reviewed ]  

I shake up my reading routine by rereading favourites and books that need a review, and you can view that shelf over here: [ https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/83965332-allen-mclean?ref=nav_mybooks&shelf=to-reread-and-review&sort=rating ] 

Last year, I put together a shelf for the books that I wanted to read in 2022, and at its close I started putting together my 2023 shelf: [ https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/83965332-allen-mclean?ref=nav_mybooks&shelf=2023 ]

Now for some project announcements.

BATT-LE Colosseum

Blurb:

" Welcome, Nina, to BATT-LE Colosseum!

Here, using over one hundred unique armours such as Ian the Turtle, players engage each other across the different environments spread across the arena’s map.

Bring your telekinetic abilities into the game with you!

Secure all of the badges and compete for the Champion position against old allies and new foes!

Score the highest kill count today in BATT-LE Colosseum! Available at your local MEGA Holo-Plex. "

BATT-LE Colosseum is the next book in the Fluke series, set after ULTRAVIOLET. Set to release in the first quarter, expect a separate reveal post in January 2023.

Falgara the Giant

. Read more here : [ https://haikuprajna.blogspot.com/2022/11/20221116-falgara-giant-official-reveal.html ]

Falgara the Giant, the third story in The Wisps Book, will release on Kindle Unlimited in January 2023. Expect a release announcement soon!

Throughout 2023, readers can expect more Terraform stories on the likes of Regica the calcified calamari, Simongia the bear, Summond the jack-o-lantern, Sol the Sun, and Christmas the sheep.

The Wisps Book, when its collected physical edition is released, will serve as the fourth entry in the HaikuPrajna Collection.

Elephant in the Room

In a slight delay to ensure sufficient care and quality, before Spring 2023 the second edition of Elephant in the Room will see a wide release, just like Ado the Owl and Hector Blake.

Before autumn 2023, Two Elephants in the Room, the fifth book in the HaikuPrajna Collection, will feature all of the book reviews and poetry featured on HaikuPrajna up to the end of 2022, including the to-be-reviewed books that I had read in the year. Read about my book reviews : [ https://haikuprajna.blogspot.com/p/book-review-summary-study-notes.html ]

Looking to the rest of 2023 (and beyond) for the rest of these announcements; Bucket and Train will occupy the HaikuPrajna Collection VI slot, and will feature more stories in the same vein as the bonus Halloween story “Sprouting” which can be read for free here : [ https://haikuprajna.blogspot.com/2021/10/20211031-happy-halloween-nanowrimo.html ]

There are even more projects still being developed, including Orson Tripp and more Fluke, along with projects such as “The List”, for music/movie/game reviews.

Project Roadmap

At last, the moment we have been waiting for; here is a revised HaikuPrajna Project Roadmap, featuring all the anniversary dates for each of the stories--along with a glimpse into the future.

Where We Are 

. [2019 04 23 HaikuPrajna Day, first IG post] [2019 06 16 SM-SARA Kindle Edition] [2019 11 10 Patreon]

. [2020 04 04 Elephant in the Room First Edition] [2020 12 02 Blogspot]

. [2021 03 03 SM-SARA, Poems and Other Stories First Edition] [2021 06 13 Escape Perennial City] [2021 11 28 Fishing for Caribou]

. [2022 03 03 The Artifact . 2022 03 10 SM-SARA KID: A Edition . 2022 03 13 The Cannon . 2022 03 22 Hector Blake . 2022 04 01 SM-SARA, Poetry and Other Stories Second Edition] [2022 06 16 Together in Forever Pt. I . 2022 06 28 Pt II . 2022 07 25 Pt III . 2022 08 01 Physical Collection] [2022 09 30 Tomothy and the Overseer of the Forest] [2022 10 29 ULTRAVIOLET] [2022 12 03 Ado the Owl]

Upcoming Release Dates (may be subject to change)

. [2023 01 Falgara the Giant] 

. [2023 02 Elephant in the Room Second Edition . BATT-LE Colosseum] 

. [2023 03 Two Elephants in the Room . The Wisps Book’s Summond, Sol and Christmas stories . The Music List ]

Future Releases

. [Orson Tripp] [Fluke, Books I-III, including sequels to Hector Blake and KID: A . Book IV Together in Forever] [Sequels to Escape Perennial City] [Sequel to The Cannon] [More books in development featuring the Overseer]

And that concludes my 2022 Year in Reviews! April and I hope everyone enjoyed their Holiday Christmas season, and we wish all of our readers a Happy New Year and an exciting 2023; April and I are celebrating a decade anniversary this year, we visited the Ripley’s Aquarium in Toronto and will continue to celebrate well into the New Year.

Thank you for reading, I am forever thankful and grateful for you all.

Please share your thoughts in a comment.

Allen W. McLean 

...

Need more Bite-sized Insights to relieve your stress and suffering?

Banner: The Cannon by Allen W. McLean

Readers are gifted a Kindle eBook on Fridays and Mondays--short story selection rotates every few weeks, so follow via email or visit My Author Profile [ https://www.amazon.ca/Allen-W-McLean/e/B0867C5D24 ]

I write mindfulness meditation scifaiku and haiku poetry on my book reviews and on previews of my metaphysical stories, such as "Escape Perennial City". Learn more about my reviews here [ https://haikuprajna.blogspot.com/p/book-review-summary-study-notes.html ]

Connect with HaikuPrajna and Electric Armchair via email [ https://haikuprajna.blogspot.com/p/follow-on-social-media.html ] 

Thanks to you, over 900 readers have joined us on Medium! Need to stay in the Medium Partner Program? Please follow and turn on email notifications; I'll follow you back! [ https://haikuprajna.medium.com/subscribe ]

I have free short stories available to read, right now, on Medium:

. "Ado the Owl" [ https://medium.com/haikuprajna/20221027-ado-the-owl-official-tell-a-story-day-flash-fiction-story-e4c8a8ec8563 ]

. "Hector Blake" [ https://medium.com/haikuprajna/hector-blake-second-edition-329c5c9309e7 ]

April's psychedelic music videos, art and poetry is available on all streaming platforms; Electric Armchair - Pixie Lead (Official Music Video) (Amorphous I) [ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qIzyLZimX_I ]

Electric Armchair - Amorphous I (FULL ALBUM) [ https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/electricarmchair/amorphous-i ]

My metaphysical short story "Ado the Owl" is available as an eBook on digital bookstores! Add to Goodreads and learn more [ https://haikuprajna.blogspot.com/p/ado-owl.html ]

Kindle ebooks can be read on any device at www.read.amazon.com

These poems will be collected in future editions of the HaikuPrajna Collection. 

Read the latest Project Roadmap [ https://haikuprajna.blogspot.com/2022/12/20221230-my-year-in-reviews-project.html ]