Nigel Byng’s debut poetry collection The Drifter The Prodigal The Last Son launches this weekend

On By Mike U.In Previews / Reviews
Image credit: Nigel Byng

This weekend marks the launch of The Drifter The Prodigal The Last Son, the debut poetry collection from Nigel Byng, an immensely talented writer and creator of the Helping You To Succeed blog. I’ve known Nigel for a while now, and a couple of things stand out to me: his relentless creative drive and his genuine authenticity as a good human being. Nigel is a poet and fiction writer, a collaborator with many others here on WordPress, and an advocate for all who desire to create worlds with words. You can find him lifting up fellow writers on his blog, reaching out to encourage and inspire, and championing his fellow creatives when they publish their works. He is tireless in his quest to capture and convey the human condition in his unique style, and yet he always has time for his writing friends. I know he’s dreamed of having his work published in book format, and now his hard work has come to fruition.

From the book’s blurb:

“Within these pages, you will encounter a boy on a quest. The peripatetic, searching for a home; the stoic chased relentlessly by God, and the rebel confronted by destiny. Somewhere between childhood and a midlife crisis, a reluctant poet found his voice, set aside childish pursuits, and sat with divinity on a cold windswept beach in North Wales. You may join him on this quest, and much like life, it promises to be an adventure. Or, you may sit beside him in quiet contemplation, and chart the familiarity of souls all headed to the same destination. The choice is yours.”


The Drifter The Prodigal The Last Son is being released through Michelle Navajas Publishing House. Michelle is a prolific international best-selling poet and editor for the online literary journals Hotel by Masticadores, Masticadores Philippines and LatinosUSA. She is well known for going above and beyond to promote, encourage and advocate for her writers, and her compassionate nature is truly inspiring to all those fortunate enough to work with her.

The estimable and gracious Joni Caggiano handled the editing duties, working long hours with Nigel to mold his manuscript into a brilliant, cohesive collection. Joni herself is an accomplished best-selling poet with many accolades under her belt, and her kindness and sensitivity set her apart from the crowd and lend her poetry a timeless, ethereal quality.

I offer my most sincere congratulations to my buddy Nigel as he lives his dream. I can’t imagine what’s going through his head and heart right now as the release date approaches, but I want him to know I’m proud of him. He’s worked so hard for this. I wish him the best of fortune with this book, and may this be the beginning of a new literary journey for him.

The Drifter The Prodigal The Last Son launches May 9 in Asia and May 10 globally, and will be available at Amazon in paperback and Kindle versions.

You can visit Nigel’s blog here:

Helping You To Succeed

33 thoughts on “Nigel Byng’s debut poetry collection The Drifter The Prodigal The Last Son launches this weekend”

  1. thank you so much for such a wondeful gesture, and the very kindest of words, Mike. This means the world to me, my friend.

    whats going through mu heart and head?…

    Geatitude. My immense gratitude to the friends and writing family on WP for the love we share.

    You’ve made my day, brother.

    thank yiu so much, Mike.

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    1. It’s my pleasure, amigo. I’m completely stoked for you. You deserve all the success and accolades you receive. I look at your work and think, man, I wish I could write like that… This is your time to shine, Nigel. You’ve got a buddy here in southwest Colorado cheering you on and wishing you the best, always. 😊

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      1. Thank you, Mike. It’s always a pleasure to hear from you. Everything is now out of my hands, im gonna sit back and try to enjoy the process. It’s a learning experience for sure.

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    2. I’m trying to imagine what I’d be doing if I were in your shoes right this moment. All I can do is grin and shake my head. Enjoy this moment, man. It’s so nice to see good things happening to good people for a change. *raises glass of tea* 😊🧋

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      1. YOU should be here, Mike.
        My anxiety levels were off the charts earlier in the week. Too much happening for me to focus on book launch.
        But today, Im chilling. Went to bed at 530..woke up a few hours later.
        Life doesn’t take a pause but id love to see you put together a collection, Mikey.
        The world needs to see your writing..feel it and hold it in their hands.

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    3. I’ll be in your position sooner than later, I hope. I haven’t given up on my own dream of publishing a collection of my poetry (or two). It may not happen for a bit until things straighten out and it becomes feasible for me, but I still want this dream to happen. I hope to learn from you and your experience with this process.

      Sending good vibes your way, dude. I’m so looking forward to holding your book in my hands. 😊

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    1. Hi, Michelle. I’m glad to do what I can to help promote Nigel’s book. He’s living his dream and I’m so happy for him. Thank you for publishing his book. I wish the very best for Nigel and his poetry collection, and for you and your publishing house. May both of you be blessed. 😊

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  3. Pingback: Reblog – Nigel Byng’s debut poetry collection The Drifter The Prodigal The Last Son launches this weekend – Helping You To Succeed

    2. Thanks, Lauren. I’m stoked for Nigel. So many of my WP friends have published books now. I’m still hoping I can join all of you in that regard. Can’t wait to read what Nigel’s been up to. He’s one of the best, for sure. 😊

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    1. Thank you, Beth. This WP family is special to me, and I just want to support my friends, you know? Nigel’s a brilliant writer and he’s earned this moment, for sure.

      Wishing you a good weekend. 😊

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  7. Mike, it’s just been too long. I’m sure time must have brought certain changes, but one thing has not changed at all – your humility, kindness, and beautiful writing. I appreciate you as a person and also as a passionate writer. Life throws its punches – sometimes we duck and sometimes we’re hit right between the eyes. However, one can never say that all is lost, as long as there is always a step to take in any direction. You’re an inspiration and also a perfect example of courage and grit. Congratulations to Nigel! He truly deserves this recognition. May his words reach people all over the world! 🙂

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    1. I can’t even tell you how delighted I am to see you here, Terveen! Just super-excited to hear from you after all this time. I know you’ve just released your new book and I’m going to pick it up soon. You gave me my first publishing credit after dreaming of being published for four decades. I’ll always remember this gift. I hope you’ve been doing well, and I hope you know how much you mean to this WP community. So glad to see you back. 😊

      I’m so excited for Nigel. He does so much for this community and he’s such a good guy. I hope this book opens doors for him as a writer and new opportunities arise for him. He certainly deserves to be read by the masses.

      Best of luck with your new book, too, my friend. I’m really looking forward to the adventure that awaits within its pages.

      Don’t be a stranger. You’re always welcome here. 😊

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  8. What a wonderful introduction to Nigel’s book, Mike! He, like you, is gifted, talented, heartfelt and incredible with stringing words!
    Thanks for sharing and hope you’re well! It’s been a while! ❤️💕❤️❤️

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    1. Hi, Cindy. Yes, Nigel deserves his place in the spotlight, for sure. Amazing writer and person, and well deserving of success. Hope things are good in your neck o’ the woods. Sending you sunny (well, partly sunny) vibes from southwest Colorado! 😊

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      1. He sure does and it’s fun for him to finally get his time after all his support of all of us! He works like a dog. It’s gorgeous here today and glad you have a bit of sun. I gotta get out of these p,j.s and get Duke out.. lol ❣️❤️💗

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  10. Dearest Mike,

    What a wonderfully encouraging post for Nigel’s much anticipated and written debut poetry book. He has worked long and hard and spent several years now defining his style, structure and use of his experiences in his homeland.

    When you deliver all that together and mix it up you find an intensely colorful palette of poetic words that touch the heart and linger.

    Thank you for your kind words on my behalf as well. I am so grateful to see Nigel getting his work out there and excited for people to see just how diverse in subject matter, yet intersectional the collection is when it comes to the flow of growing of a young boy to a man.

    Bless your heart for being so supportive and so happy for Nigel for this publication. We will all be just as excited for you, when you decide it is time to publish your first collection, Mike.

    Sending hugs,

    Joni

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    1. Thanks, Joni. It’s a pleasure to help spread the word about Nigel’s debut collection. The dude is talented and works so hard and he really deserves this opportunity. I’m hoping for the absolute best for him.

      I do still dream of having my poetry published in a collection or two. It may not happen soon (way too much instability and chaos in this country right now), but I haven’t given up on my dream. I think about it often and wonder what it must be like to hold a copy of my own book in my hands… Nigel is living this at the moment, and I’m so glad it’s happening for him.

      Wishing you a grand Sunday, dear friend. 😊

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  11. Hello my dear friend Mike,
    How have you been doing? I hope life has been treating you gently and that your heart and pen are both still full of beautiful thoughts.

    I sincerely apologize for being away for so long and not being able to read your posts lately. I got caught up in some other things, and time somehow slipped through my hands. But even during this distance, I often thought about the depth and sincerity in your writing.

    I’m looking forward to reconnecting with your words again soon. I’ve truly missed the quiet wisdom and warmth your posts carry.

    Take care of yourself, my friend, and keep writing the kind of words that leave echoes in people’s hearts.💕

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