“This author is skilled in succinctly stirring emotion through her art.”–In Tori Lex

“All the poems in Every Watering Word vary in length and style, but the one common theme is the sincerity of the writing, even when the themes are difficult to digest.”–Melan Mag(azine)

“This collection is thoughtful, complex, heartwarming, heartbreaking, and stunning—and underneath it all is a playfulness and love of language that leaps off the page and makes me wish I had written these phrases.”–Crystal Velasquez, Amazon Book Reviewer

“Readers of Manning-Yarde’s first poetry collection, Every Watering Word, are well-served to read in the order that the author has intended, because this book of poems invites us on the journey its writer has undertaken. Manning-Yarde is working her words with fierce determination, with sweat on the brow, that the words, in their primacy, will reveal the stubborn, elusive, blessed truths of human degradation and sublimity. She is fearlessly and tenderly honest as she weaves both personal history and imagined moments. This woman warrior sings about what has made her, is making her, with poems that web outward and affix to other selves across oceans, continents, spanning time, and, with startling agility, alight once again into the now of the author’s life.”–Mike Pipa, Amazon Book Reviewer

“Tanya paints the most beautiful, nuanced pictures with her words. And her subject matter–which is deeply introspective as well as it is externally observing–will resonate with those who had no idea they had anything in common with her. What sets Tanya apart from other contemporary poets is that her words themselves are art….Her poetry is a complete experience that leaves you richer and wiser, and wanting to read more.”–Sonja Mack, Goodreads Review

“Tanya Manning-Yarde, Ph.D., writes with a divine love that is as temporal as the earth beneath our feet and as other-worldly as one struck with ecstatic vision. She reminds us all — particularly women and especially women of color — that we attend a living church every day by just being. Our bodies are the sanctuaries; our cycles are the sacrificial rituals; our thoughts are the prayers; our actions the will of that which is greater; and our dreams the prophecies. You will not be able to read Every Watering Word without throwing your hands skyward.”–Ketch’s Korner

“Her metaphors are so intricate that it takes a moment to understand them, and when you do, it brings tears to your eyes….Prose is her calling in life, and Every Watering Word is a beautiful ensemble, and a deep dive into the light, and darkness of what it means to be a woman in the world.” –Adrian, Amazon Book Reviewer

“Her unflinching observations of life leap off the page, her economy of words astounds me.”–Catherine Kadar, Amazon Book Reviewer

“This book reached the bottom of my core. She left me in tears, in joy and evoked a sense of self discovery….This is a stellar debut and I know she will continue to shine and dazzle us with her words.”—–Nashrah, Sisters with a Booktique

“Tanya Manning-Yarde writes with a divine love that is as temporal as the earth beneath our feet and as other-worldly as one struck with ecstatic vision. She reminds us all — particularly women and especially women of color — that we attend a living church every day by just being. Our bodies are the sanctuaries; our cycles are the sacrificial rituals; our thoughts are the prayers; our actions the will of that which is greater; and our dreams the prophecies. You will not be able to read Every Watering Word without throwing your hands skyward.”–Kretch’s Korner

“I really enjoyed the style, the writing was evocative and even sensual at times, and then sharp and to the point at others. It’s also stylistically rich and there are several poems that would make for excellent discussion in class in uni or high-school.”–Bina, Goodreads Review

“Tanya Manning-Yarde has written poems that make the reader both ache and rejoice; hers is the quintessential voice of the African-American woman–her dreams, her fears, her experiences, and her triumph. Each poem is a journey along the very rough road of self-awareness. They call out to the hearts and minds of every woman of the diaspora, reaching into the horrors and glories of being African-American and female. Take a deep breath before you begin, for each of these poems will take a bit of your breath away.” –Tricia Amiel, Amazon Book Reviewer

“Tanya Manning is a gifted poet. Her writing is beautiful and profound. The sounds and cadences of her lines are stunning. Her perfect but unexpected word choice and phrasing are visceral. She startles, delights, rails and glories. She takes us to places only expertly crafted poetry can. But what she says and how she forms it is fully her own, strong and original. Her stories are personal, about her life, family, friends and history. She carefully selects then intensifies moments in womanhood, parenting, ancestry, faith, love, abuse, racism and most of all, the tenacity and courage to prevail. Hers are the poems of a Black woman using the horrific realities of past and present to spotlight minefields, tragedies, setbacks and fears on the one hand and self-worth, stalwart persistence and unyielding belief on the other. Her words sting and stun. They are exquisite and important. I expect this book to be widely read and cited, and for Tanya Manning to be inscribed in the poets’ pantheon.”–Judith Langer, Amazon Book Reviewer

“I appreciate the style, structure, and intensity this collection of poems brings. It challenged my worldview on a variety of topics. Like an onion, I had to read each poem multiple times to see the full effect and meaning of each piece. It opened my eyes to a perspective unlike my own. Her metaphors are strong, her alliteration tantalizing and terrific. A challenging but worth while read.” –L. McCutcheon, Amazon Book Reviewer

Additional reviews are available at Amazon.com, Goodreads.com, and online.