Shirley Rickett’s “Tales” Earned Times Square Recognition After Captivating Readers as an Amazon Bestseller

Kansas City, Missouri Aug 4, 2026 (Issuewire.com) Following the remarkable success of her Amazon bestseller Tales: Memoir and Poems of an American Woman and the Wisdom of Robert Bly, acclaimed author and poet Shirley Rickett has reached another milestone with a feature on the iconic digital billboards of Times Square.

The Times Square appearance celebrates a literary work that has connected with readers through its powerful exploration of family, memory, resilience, and the experiences that shape a lifetime. Ricketts Tales blends memoir and poetry to create an intimate portrait of an American woman whose journey reflects generations of struggle, discovery, creativity, and transformation.

Set against the backdrop of Depression-era America, World War II, and the changing landscapes of twentieth-century life, Tales brings together stories of family, community, hardship, and hope. Rickett reflects on her childhood in Kansas City, her Southern family roots, and the individuals who shaped her understanding of love, courage, curiosity, and compassion.

Through vivid storytelling, Rickett preserves the voices of parents, grandparents, relatives, and neighbors, offering readers a deeply human look at the lives of ordinary people navigating extraordinary circumstances. Her memories of her great-uncle John, whose encouragement introduced her to books, art, and storytelling, reveal how early experiences can influence a lifetime of creativity.

The memoir also explores themes of resilience, family complexity, personal identity, and healing. Rickett examines how difficult experiences can shape perspective while also revealing strength, empathy, and the enduring power of hope. Her poetry throughout the collection adds another layer of reflection, capturing moments of love, loss, aging, and remembrance.

I have always believed that every person carries a story worth telling, said Shirley Rickett in a recent interview. Through Tales, I wanted to preserve the memories, struggles, joys, and wisdom of the people who shaped my life. Seeing this work reach readers and now appear in Times Square is a deeply meaningful moment. It is a reminder that personal stories can become universal stories when they are shared with honesty and heart.

Building on the success of Tales, Ricketts new poetry collection, Cicada: New and Selected Poems, offers fresh poems alongside selections from her earlier work. The collection showcases her gift for capturing the subtleties of life, memory, and human emotion, revealing her range as both memoirist and poet.

Together, Tales and Cicada present the full spectrum of Ricketts literary artistryintimate, reflective, and unforgettable. While Tales invites readers into the landscapes of personal history and family memory, Cicada highlights the lyrical voice that has defined Ricketts poetry across decades.

Both books are available on Amazon. The success of Tales and the launch of Cicada mark a significant moment in Ricketts career, reflecting a growing appreciation for authentic, emotionally resonant storytelling and poetry that speaks to universal human experiences.

For more information about the author and her books, visit https://shirleyricketttheauthor.com/.

About the Author

Shirley Rickett has been writing and publishing for five decades. At UMKC (University of Missouri-Kansas City), she was a member of the staff of New Letters Magazine. She holds an MA in Education and an MA in English. Her work has earned her a fellowship with Colgate University and a Pushcart nomination. Rickett received funding from the UMKC Womens Council (Graduate Assistance Fund) for her project to visit and interview adult children of Nazis in Norway. Publications include: A Minute of Arc, Dam Poets Press; Dinner in Oslo, Aardvark Global Publications; Love: Poems for Vintage Love Song Titles, Finishing Line Press; Transplant, FlowerSong Press. Her latest books, Chicago Publishing: Cicada: New and Selected Poems and Tales: Memoir and Poems by an American Woman, and the wisdom of Robert Bly. She lives and writes in Kansas City, Missouri, with her husband, Charles, and their rescue dog, AllieMo.