Karla Potter

About Karla

I was born in Landstuhl Germany to American parents. I grew up in, California and Ohio. In 1971 I gave birth to a girl, whom I named Toska. In the early part of 1972 my husband Walter Reed passed away. I shall never forget him, because he told me I could do anything if I set my mind to it, I was only 16 at the time. My first working career was as a tree trimmer, and then I became a nurse’s aid in Springfield Ohio, between 1972-1978. I then went on to be part owner in a carpet installation business in Springfield, Ohio in 1979-1980. I decided to travel a bit so went to Fort Worth, Texas to be a waitress in 1981. Decided to move again. This time I went to Carlsbad New Mexico. I owned my own wholesale outlet “Karla Marshall’s Wholesale” and also did accounting for 2 or three small companies during 1982-1986. I became a Sunday school teacher in Carlsbad New Mexico in 1984. I decided to try my hand at something else so I moved to Florida, got my CDL then drove trucks for a while in 1987-88. I then moved to Washington State in 1989. I took up writing poetry, then in 1993 started going to writing schools. I graduated three writing courses. During 1999 I became a Bible School Teacher at Elbe, Wa. I have been writing poetry, short stories and novels off and on for 22 years. I’m now Reverend for a non-denominational Church, Divine Word Ministries, which I started after graduating BridgeWater Univeristy in 2003. I live in the morning shadow of Mt Rainier, in Washington State. I have lots of dogs who help me keep me on my toes. I like to hike, ride bikes, swim, canoe, fish, plant trees and flowers and of course write. Towards the end of 2003 some of my poetry became internationally published.

 

Published Poetry

Tub Talk, in Dark Side of the Moon by The National Library of Poetry in 1994

Treasured Love, in East of the Sunrise by The National Library of Poetry in 1995

A Winding Trail, in At Water’s Edge by The National Library of Poetry in 1995

A Little Old Man, in Voices by Iliad Press in 1995

Guiding Light, in Treasured Poems of America in 1995

Sharks, in Best New Poems 1995 by The Poet’s Guild

Demon Wind, in Promises to Keep by Creative Arts and Sciences Enterprises in 1996

Magnumopus, in Meditations by Iliad Press 1996

Blessed Are Tiny Hands, in Spirit of the Age by The National Library of Poetry in 1996

Your Destiny, in Poetic Voices of America Fall 1996 by Sparrowgrass Poetry Forum Inc.

Friendship, in Poetic Voices of America Spring 1997 by Sparrowgrass Poetry Forum Inc.

Blessed Are Tiny Hands, in The Growing Season by The Int’l Library of Poetry 2001

Take A Chance, in Tumbling Into Tomorrow by The International Library of Poetry in 2002

Time’s Fee, in Theatre of the Mind by Noble House in 2003

For All Time, in The Colors of Life by The International Library of Poetry in 2003

 

Recorded Songs

Demon Wind, on Profiles in Music by Tin Pan Alley

Tub Talk, on America by Hill Top records

Last Chance, on Music of America by Hollywood Artist Record Co.

 

Awards

Certificate of Recognition of Artistic Merit, for poem, from Poet’s Guild in 1989

Certificate of poetic achievement, for Poetic Artistry from Amherst Society in 1994

Accomplishment Of Merit, for outstanding literary achievement “Demon Wind” from Creative Arts and Science Enterprises 1994

Editor’s Choice Award, for the poem, “Tub Talk”, from National Library of Poetry in 1994

Editor’s Choice Award, for the poem, “Treasured Love” from National Library of Poetry in 1995

Editor’s Choice Award, for the poem, “A Winding Trail” from National Library of Poetry in 1995

Certificate of Publication, for the poem, “A Little Old Man” from Iliad Press in1995

Editor’s Choice Award, for the poem, “Blessed Are Tiny Hands” from National Library of Poetry in 1996

Certificate of Honorable Mention, for the poem, “Magnumopus” from Iliad Press in 1996

Editor’s Choice Award, for a poem, “ from National Library of Poetry in 1996

President’s Award For Literary Excellence, for a poem, “from The National Authors Registry in 1996

Accomplishment of Merit for the poem, “Easy to Please” from Creative Arts and Sciences Enterprises.

Accomplishment of Merit, for the poem “Treasures” from Creative Arts and Sciences Enterprises.

Editor’s Choice Award, for the poem, “Blessed Are Tiny Hands” from National Library of Poetry in 2001

Editor’s Choice Award, for the poem, “Take A Chance” from National Library of Poetry in 2002

Certificate of Completion in Bible study from Bible Universe University in 2002

Editor’s Choice Award, for the poem, “For All Time” from International Library of Poetry

Certificate of Completion with Honors, Bible Study “The Old Testament” ifrom World Christianship Ministries in 2003

Certificate of Completion with Honors, “Bible Course 1” from World Christianship Ministries in 2003

Certificate of Completion with Honors, “Bible Course 2”” from World Christianship Ministries in 2003

Certificate of Completion with Honors, Bible Study “The New Testament” from World Christianship Ministries in 2003

Certificate of Completion with Honors, Bible Study “Morals and Values” from World Christianship Ministries in 2003

Certificate of Achievement in “Storacles of Prophecy Bible” from Amazing Facts in 2003

Certificate of Completion with Honors, Bible Course “Book of Matthew” from World Christianship Ministries in 2003

 

My Education

High School Diploma from board of education in Carlsbad New Mexico in 1983

Diploma in Novel writing from Writer’s Digest School in 1995

Diploma Fiction Writing from NRI School in 1997

Diploma in children’s writing from Institute of Children’s Literature in 1998

Diploma in short story writing from Long Ridge Writer’s Group in 2001

Doctor of Divinity in Bible studies from BridgeWater University in London in 2003

Honorary Educator from St. Joseph’s Indian School in 1997

Honorary Doctor of Divinity from World Christianship Ministries in 2003