Renaada Williams on boundaries, success, and self-love
Bestselling poetry and self-help author Renaada Williams carved her name into the poetry scene with her first collection, fluid., in June 2018. Her tender but empowering analysis of growth, change, and healing carried through in her next book, an interactive
Examining Love in the Rear-View: An Interview with Emily E. Dalton
Spurred by a dare, a kiss between two college friends sets in motion a story that is equal parts romance and coming-of-age. Gender, sexuality, and societal expectations fall under the microscope as Be Straight With Me (available May 19) splices
Poet Simi K. Rao Explores the complexities of womanhood and Indian-American life
Poet, contemporary fiction writer, and practicing physician Simi K. Rao was born and raised in the center of India, where she was exposed to the vastly diverse cultures and languages of the North and South regions. She immigrated to the
Poet Kafar Myers Talks Music, Poetry, and Authenticity
"Never let failure discourage you. Use it as fuel to continue on your path and work hard every day." Kafar Myers is a 20-year-old artist, poet, and musician from New Jersey. His latest poetry collection Soulful of More features 59 poems
Poets for a Cause Spotlight: C. Churchill Bravely Speaks about The Isolating Grief of Widowhood
Every month, I have the honor of talking to a poet in the community about a cause that they are passionate about spotlighting through their writing. Last month, I spoke with Elizabeth Diane Daniel about the heartbreaking realities of childhood
8 Questions With I Hope You Stay Poet Courtney Peppernell
“Remove what doesn’t let you grow, instead let light and love in,” poet Courtney Peppernell writes in her latest collection, I Hope You Stay, released this March from Andrews McMeel. This advice appears in different ways across many of the
Amanda Lovelace talks about her new collection, break your glass slippers
Two-time winner of the Goodreads Choice Award for Best Poetry, and USA Today and Publishers Weekly bestseller, Amanda Lovelace needs no introduction. The New Jersey-based poet made her debut with the princess saves herself in this one, the first book
Growth and Collaboration Take Center Stage in An Interview with Upile Chisala
Raised in Zomba, Malawi, Upile Chisala is a storyteller, sociologist, and activist. Her hope is to tell stories from the margins, and through her work, help others and herself come to terms with the past, celebrate the present, and confidently
Seven Questions with Sana Abuleil
“you’ve been told / you love like whales drink ocean water / that you open too wide / take in too much / too quickly,” poet and educator Sana Abuleil writes in her latest collection, letters to the person i
A Conversation with J.M. Farkas and Allie Michelle
J.M. Farkas: Who are your "Poetry Mothers" (or fathers) aka the poets who have most influenced you? And who/what are you reading right now? Allie Michelle: I love mystic poetry. Hafiz, in particular, stole my heart. He has this cosmic sense
Imran Khan opens up about mental health, career, and his writing process
Poet, essayist, and Amnesty International Speaker Imran Khan made major strides in 2019, including being nominated for Menacing Hedge’s Best of Net Award with his poem, “Carousels.” In addition to his work with Amnesty International, Khan’s poetry discusses themes surrounding
Omar Sakr Talks Culture, Identity, and Collection The Lost Arabs
“Identity, like culture, is fluid; it moves and you must move with it. Look for love and those who love you. Nothing else matters.” Identity is the way we relate to ourselves and the lens through which we view the world.