|
>
Q: How
long have you been writing and what inspires you?
Since age 14. I started writing as a
high school student, publishing mini-chapbooks for classmates
and the Atlanta community. I went to college to study journalism,
while
continuing to write poetry. I've come a long way since
those early days.
My
writing has definitely transformed as I've become older. In
my teenage years, I wrote mainly about what I saw in the world
(Away, What
Anyone Could Do). In my early-20s, I really started to
write from my own experiences, as I found peace in the coming
of age process (Acoustic Prayer).
Since
then, I've really focused on situations and stories and moments
that define human emotions (Prelude
to Heaven). Although I do more than write rhyming verses
and spoken word, I think being a poet defines how I think
and view how I will define my time on this earth.
This
has been such a powerful influence that my
next book will be built around this concept.
>
Q:
How has being a poet impacted your life?
If
anything, I believe artists spend more time reflecting and
trying to better understand themselves and people. Look at
it like this, you share a story with us or a conversation,
and we turn it into lines that can connect with hundreds and
thousands of people. That ability transfers in other means.
I think as a a public policy professional, there's no way
that having an emotional connection with people through poetry,
doesn't show its face through how I make decisions.
>
Q:
How do we get you to speak for our organization/event?
Contact Gini Ikwuezunma, publicist/booking
agent, or myself, we can be reached via e-mail through the
contact page. Due to graduate
school + work, my current schedule is pretty limited.
> Q: Who are some of
the poets/writers that inspired you?
Of course you have the icons - Langston
Hughes, Emily Dickinson, Countee Cullen, Maya Angelou; but
poets such as Israeli poet Yehuda Amichai, jazz poet Kevin
Young, Rita Dove also are my favorites. I really enjoy the
works of Billy Collins, Ted Kooser, Kevin Young, Eustace M.
Bellille, and Georgia M.E. as well. There's a lot of talent
in the younger generations - Terrance Hayes, Kevin Powell,
etc. that have mastered how to bring their poetic voices forward
and really speak for our generation.
> Q: Do you write full
time?
Yes and No. All of my work falls within
the Communications/Public Policy arena. In addition to being
an author, I serve as the Deputy Director for City Futures,
Inc. which is comprised of the Center
for an Urban Future and City
Limits Magazine.
>
Q: Where can I buy your books? How do I get a signed copy?
You can purchase "The Poetic Repercussion"
wherever books are sold - online, in bookstores, or via 1-(800)-431-1579.
If your local book store doesn't carry the book on their shelf,
they can order a copy directly through Ingram Book Group,
the largest book distribution company in the U.S.
>
Q: I'm writing a manuscript - can you give me some tips on
what to do?
First,
finish the project...That's the fun part of all this. Then
pursue an agent or publisher who is looking for books in your
genre. Generally, literary artists don't need agents. There
are key books that will help you get published - "The
Writer's Market" or "Poet's Market" are just
two of them. Read
everything you can, including, magazines and newspapers. Support
other authors, especially those you seek advise from ;) and
subscribe to publishing-related newsletters, magazines, and
listservs.
>
Q: Who is the audience for your writing?
> My works tend to be geared towards
adults, but on this site, there are poems written during my
youth. My two books have rating for teenagers and older. A
do have a few pieces that are catered toward younger audiences
(What Anyone Could Do).
However, even as a teenager, I wrote about controversial issues
and subjects (The Reason), that
may not be suitable for school-age children. I do this with
good-intentions, while addressing the issues of the times.
Other topics and poems (Ocean
Tides, Imagine You
Wake Up With Me Beside You) are clearly for an adult audience,
but I feel are tactiful in how my message is delivered.
>
Q: We would like to use one of your poems for an event, wedding,
or program, how do we do that?
Officially, as long as you don't put
your name on it, it's legal. I welcome others using my words
to support their message or mission, or sharing my pieces
publically with others - poetry is meant to be shared.
There
are printable formats of all of my online pieces and downloadable
PDF formats, that are easily accessible on this web page.
There's also a share-function that allows you easy access
to forward my work.
>
Q: What
are you currently writing? When will your next book be released?
I'm at the middle stage of my third book, which I anticipate
will be released by 2010. If you'd like to be involved in
the project as an artist, please email me, or you can
submit a story that I will consider crafting a poem around.
Until then, I'm always open to freelancing, exploring, and
collaborating on other artistic efforts.
Submit
your questions for M.A.T...
Seeker
Magazine |
