Robbie I are excited to share that the 2025 edition of Sunflower Tanka has published. You will find the book available in print, Kindle, and Kindle Unlimited. We’ve kept our prices the same as last year.

The theme of “dreams,” was perfect for 2025. We’re looking forward to 2026, and another wonderful year of writing syllabic together.

Sunflower Tanka, edited by Robbie Cheadle and Colleen M. Chesebro, is an annual anthology showcasing contemporary tanka, tanka prose, and experimental tanka. Each volume brings together a vibrant tapestry of voices—both emerging and established—from across the globe.

For 2025, our theme “Dreams” invites poets to explore the symbolic language of dreaming, where metaphors blur the line between reality and imagination. Dreams often serve as gateways to layered meaning, offering fertile ground for syllabic poetry.

This year’s contributors journeyed deep into their dreamscapes, opening portals to boundless creativity. Through the timeless form of syllabic verse, they captured visions that transcend waking life, weaving poetry that resonates with mystery, wonder, and the infinite possibilities of the human imagination.

✨ ✨ ✨

Robbie and I want to thank each of you for helping us bring the craft of writing syllabic poetry into your hearts. We’er so proud of all the hard work from our poets and the Tanka Tuesday community. We couldn’t do this without you. Thank you.

Please share the publication news of this exciting new edition. Reviews are an author’s dream. We thank you in advance for your reviews. ❤️🎅🏻

Robbie created a video for the 2025 Sunflower Tanka Anthology. She grabbed many magical lines from the submitted poetry, as she shares some of her amazing artwork.

Robbie & Colleen

Contributing Editors, Sunflower Tanka

172 responses to “New Release – Sunflower Tanka: A 2025 Anthology of Tanka, Tanka Prose, & Experimental Tanka”

  1. ben Alexander Avatar

    Mazal tov!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Colleen Chesebro Avatar

      Thanks, David. This is a lovely collection. The taiga made this book extra special.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. ben Alexander Avatar

        👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

        Liked by 1 person

  2. Terri Webster Schrandt Avatar

    Congratulations! Looks fantastic!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Colleen Chesebro Avatar

      Thank you, Terri. We added taiga (photo) poems this year. It came out so well. Robbie and I are so proud. 🥹

      Liked by 1 person

  3. merrildsmith Avatar

    So exciting! I love the cover, and the video!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Colleen Chesebro Avatar

      Robbie tried to grab lines from the poetry. I love the way the video came together with her paintings. 🥹

      Liked by 1 person

      1. merrildsmith Avatar

        It’s wonderful!

        Liked by 1 person

  4. Sadje Avatar

    Congratulations Colleen and Robbie.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Colleen Chesebro Avatar

      Thank you so much, Sadje. I hope to get more Tanka Tuesday poets submitting in 2026. 🥳

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Sadje Avatar

        I’ll also try to submit poems.

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Colleen Chesebro Avatar

        Next August. Robbie and I are going to teach a few classes, I think. 💗

        Liked by 1 person

      3. Sadje Avatar

        Awesome

        Liked by 1 person

  5. brazannemuse Avatar

    Oh I love the video, the artwork is lovely and a lot of hard work has gone into this ❤️

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Colleen Chesebro Avatar

      Each year, Robbie and I combine our skills. But the real stars are the poets. You all contributed excellent poetry. Thanks for being part of this magic, Suzanne. 💖

      Liked by 1 person

      1. brazannemuse Avatar

        Thank you for making it happen 💞

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Colleen Chesebro Avatar

        It’s a great joy for both of us, Suzanne. 💖

        Liked by 1 person

  6. Dave Astor Avatar

    Congratulations, Robbie and Colleen and all the contributors! Great video, too. :-)

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Colleen Chesebro Avatar

      Thank you, Dave. Robbie and I have so much fun putting the book and video together.

      Liked by 1 person

  7. Esther Chilton Avatar

    Wonderful! Congratulations to you both ❤️

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Colleen Chesebro Avatar

      Thank you so much, Esther. 💖

      Liked by 1 person

  8. Darlene Avatar

    Congratulations to all of you!! It looks like a marvellous addition.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Colleen Chesebro Avatar

      It turned out fabulous. The taiga photos look great too. Thanks so much, Darlene. 💖

      Liked by 1 person

  9. Gwen M. Plano Avatar
    Gwen M. Plano

    Congratulations, Colleen and Robbie. It looks fantastic, and I will savor its pages.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Colleen Chesebro Avatar

      Thank you so much, Gwen. It’s a lovely book. I love all the dream imagery everyone conjured up. 💖

      Like

  10. poetisatinta Avatar

    Congratulations to you all – the presentation is amazing 👏❤️

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Colleen Chesebro Avatar

      Thanks, Ange. I appreciate you being part of the magic. ✨

      Liked by 1 person

  11. lesleyscoble Avatar

    Congratulations, Colleen and Robbie. Robbie your video and artwork are awesome. 👏

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Colleen Chesebro Avatar

      Thank you, Lesley. Wait until you read this edition. 🥳

      Like

  12. Meelosmom Avatar

    Congratulations! I’m reblogging and sharing on social media.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Colleen Chesebro Avatar

      Thanks so much, Barbara. It’s so good to have help getting the word out. 🥳

      Like

      1. Meelosmom Avatar

        You’re welcome!

        Liked by 1 person

  13. Annette Rochelle Aben Avatar

    Fabulous! Absolutely fabulous!! <3

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Colleen Chesebro Avatar

      Thanks so much, Sis. I hope you submit next year. 💟

      Liked by 1 person

  14. Rebecca Budd Avatar

    Congratulations!!!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Colleen Chesebro Avatar

      Thank you, Rebecca. 💖

      Liked by 1 person

  15. Rebecca Budd Avatar

    P.S. LOVE the video!!!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Colleen Chesebro Avatar

      Thank you, Rebecca. Robbie went through the poetry and grabbed some of the magical lines from the poems. I loved that she used her artwork. We’re a great team, and we blend our talents to create an amazing anthology. We’re so proud of the poets who submitted. 💖

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Rebecca Budd Avatar

        I love hearing how you and Robbie weave your talents together. I know it will show in every part of the anthology. The way Robbie gathered those magical lines, and paired them with her artwork, creates such a beautiful sense of unity. You really are a wonderful team, and the poets who contributed must feel so proud to be part of something crafted with such care.

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Colleen Chesebro Avatar

        Thank you so much, Rebecca. Robbie is the best poetry partner. We do blend our talents together. It’s quite magical. It’s our accounting backgrounds that seem to mesh so well. This anthology showcases the talent of our poetry community. We are so proud. 💖

        Liked by 1 person

  16. Luanne Avatar

    Congrats to you both and all the contributors!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Colleen Chesebro Avatar

      Thank you so much, Luanne. The taiga images in this book make it really special. 💟

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Luanne Avatar

        Oh, yes!!!!

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Colleen Chesebro Avatar

        Yay, I’m glad you like them. 🥳

        Liked by 1 person

      3. Luanne Avatar

        It’s loaded on my Kindle.

        Liked by 1 person

      4. Colleen Chesebro Avatar

        Thank you so much, Luanne. I know you will enjoy all the dreamy creativity! 💖

        Liked by 1 person

  17. Chris Hall Avatar

    Ooh… wow, and wow! Many congratulations to both of you 💛💛

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Colleen Chesebro Avatar

      I’m glad you were part of the magic it took to create this book, Chris. 💖

      Liked by 1 person

  18. yvettemcalleiro Avatar

    Congratulations to Robbie, Colleen, and all the poets! I look forward to reading it.

    Yvette M Calleiro :-)

    http://yvettemcalleiro.blogspot.com

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Colleen Chesebro Avatar

      Thanks for being part of the magic of dreams, Yvi. 💖

      Liked by 1 person

  19. Eugi Avatar

    Congratulations to you both, and all the contributors. 💖

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Colleen Chesebro Avatar

      Thanks so much for being part of the magic, Eugi. 💖

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Eugi Avatar

        You’re most welcome, Colleen. 💖

        Liked by 1 person

  20. Nicole Sara Avatar

    Congratulations to you both, Colleen and Robbie… and to all the contributors! I look forward to holding it in my hands, it is wonderful! 💝

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Colleen Chesebro Avatar

      Thank you so much, Nicole. Thanks for being part of this magical journal. 🥳

      Like

  21. Miriam Hurdle Avatar

    Congratulations, Robbie and Colleen. I love the cover. I watched the video yesterday and loved it. Another year of marvelous work. 🥰

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Colleen Chesebro Avatar

      Thanks for being part of the magic, Miriam. 💖

      Like

  22. Stine Writing and Miniatures Avatar

    Congratulations and good luck!

    Liked by 1 person

  23. […] for all the hard work and perspiration they put in this year’s anthology. If you go over to tanka Tuesday, you can find a link to amazon to buy it. I’m pleased three of my poems are included in this […]

    Liked by 1 person

  24. Sunflower Tanka Anthology 2025 – Dreams published on Amazon… & A Week of Flowers 2025: Day 5 – Starry Steps Avatar

    […] If you click on the image, it opens on Amazon […]

    Liked by 1 person

  25. Jacqui Murray Avatar

    Congratulations on this book. What a wonderful trailer.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Colleen Chesebro Avatar

      Thank you so much, Jacqui. Robbie did a wonderful job on the trailer. 💟

      Liked by 1 person

  26. Chris Hall Avatar

    p.s. I have just bought that lovely book – should arrive at about 22nd December! 🌻🌻

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Colleen Chesebro Avatar

      Yay! I get my copy tomorrow. Thanks so much, Chris. 🎄

      Liked by 1 person

  27. Kay Castaneda Avatar

    Congratulations Robbie and Colleen! The cover is beautiful and I’m sure the poems are too. 🤩

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Colleen Chesebro Avatar

      Thank you, Kay. This was a lovely exploration into dreams. The taiga made the book unique.

      Like

  28. Jennie Avatar

    Congratulations! You and Robbie are a great team.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Colleen Chesebro Avatar

      Thank you so much, Jennie. 💖

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Jennie Avatar

        You are welcome, Colleen. 💕

        Liked by 1 person

  29. Cindy Georgakas Avatar

    Congratulations, Colleen and Robbie! A beautiful cover and wonderful trailer. Can’t wait for my copies! 🌻🌻

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Colleen Chesebro Avatar

      Thank you, so much, Cindy. You’ve been such a great supporter of this anthology. 💖

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Cindy Georgakas Avatar

        You are so very welcome. I’m honored part of it and you’re as astute poetry that always teaches me!

        💕

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Colleen Chesebro Avatar

        You’re so welcome, Cindy. Robbie and are determined to help poets get their poetry out into the world. 💖

        Liked by 1 person

      3. Cindy Georgakas Avatar

        It’s a lovely thing to do!!!
        💕

        Liked by 1 person

  30.  Avatar
    Anonymous

    Congratulations, Robbie and Colleen. I can’t wait to get my copy. I’m ordering it as soon as I get through writing this. My fingers are bouncing on the keys to finish the comments. YAY!!!!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Colleen Chesebro Avatar

      Thank you so much. You show up as anonymous. 💟

      Like

  31. Jules Avatar

    Dear Colleen and Robbie,

    Thank you for including my verses. I just updated my link on my blog with the new information about the Sunflower Tanka and ordered a few hard copies… some to give as gifts.

    Best to all who were included. Quite a few are folks who I know and enjoy!

    Cheers and Best wishes for the different winter celebrations ahead and to a the best in the New Year! ~JulesPaige (or just Jules).

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Colleen Chesebro Avatar

      You’re so welcome, Jules. It’s our greatest pleasure to help our syllabic poets see their work in print. 🥳

      Liked by 1 person

  32. nd 12.11 XXV haibun – Jules Pens Some Gems… Avatar

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  33. nd 12.12 XXV haibun – Jules Pens Some Gems… Avatar

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  34. nd 12.13 XXV verse – Jules Pens Some Gems… Avatar

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  37. The latest on Starry Steps ✨ – November and start of December posts… | Doar Nicole... Avatar

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  42. nd 12.20 XXV verse – Jules Pens Some Gems… Avatar

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Quote of the week

“Advice from a sunflower. Be bright, sunny, and positive. Know your roots. Spread seeds of happiness. Rise, shine, and hold your head up high. Keep on growing. Even on the darkest days, stand tall and find the sunlight.

~ Unknown

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