Q: You were nominated last year for two prestigious awards (Pushcart Prize and Ga. Author of the Year). Were these your first nominations for poetry awards? What were your thoughts on being recognized as an important emerging voice in poetry?
A: Well, I would very much like to be an important emerging voice in poetry, and recognized for it! I think it is lovely to receive awards, a boost for self-esteem, and a little light shining on the work so that other people may see it. There is so much good writing out there, every little bit helps.
Cracked
Q: Tell me about your first published collection. What’s your theme and inspiration for this collection of poetry?
A: My first book is comprised of poems written between 2007 and 2008. They are random musings on my past and present experiences as my mind imagined them, and were written during a peaceful, cathartic and healing time for me. In order to think of myself as a legitimate poet, I sought out unique and unusual words to add to the poems’ character.
Life
Q: What’s your theme and inspiration for Life?
A: The poems in Life were also written in a random fashion, but were arranged into themed sections for a better flow. I wanted to create somewhat of a story line that one could follow from beginning to end, like a novel with a shocking beginning and a happy ending. In this second collection I was less concerned with finding interesting words, and more concerned with imparting interesting observations and giving readers something to think about. My musicality seems to have increased as well. While I believe my first two books were inspired by a simple and undirected need to create, my third book coming out in 2011 is structured around a theme and is more of a deliberate act to consider form.
Pushcart audio project
Q: Tell me about your involvement in the Pushcart audio project.
A: After receiving the nomination for the Pushcart I spontaneously and proudly announced it to others. The CEO of the audio company I use for my recordings came back and suggested I interview other nominees with their audio tools. I thought it was a brilliant idea. Out of time constraints I decided to ask only one question and have each poet read their nominated or winning poem. After displaying each recording on my website, I approached other poetry sites and the project, called “The Change Interviews,” is now listed on the Library of Congress Web Guides, and is housed on-site as CDs in the Axe Houghton Multimedia Archives at Poets House in NYC. This is an ongoing project and all Pushcart poetry nominees and winners are welcome to participate.
A: Well, I would very much like to be an important emerging voice in poetry, and recognized for it! I think it is lovely to receive awards, a boost for self-
Cracked
Q: Tell me about your first published collection. What’s your theme and inspiration for this collection of poetry?
A: My first book is comprised of poems written between 2007 and 2008. They are random musings on my past and present experiences as my mind imagined them, and were written during a peaceful, cathartic and healing time for me. In order to think of myself as a legitimate poet, I sought out unique and unusual words to add to the poems’ character.
Life
Q: What’s your theme and inspiration for Life?
A: The poems in Life were also written in a random fashion, but were arranged into themed sections for a better flow. I wanted to create somewhat of a story line that one could follow from beginning to end, like a novel with a shocking beginning and a happy ending. In this second collection I was less concerned with finding interesting words, and more concerned with imparting interesting observations and giving readers something to think about. My musicality seems to have increased as well. While I believe my first two books were inspired by a simple and undirected need to create, my third book coming out in 2011 is structured around a theme and is more of a deliberate act to consider form.
Pushcart audio project
Q: Tell me about your involvement in the Pushcart audio project.
A: After receiving the nomination for the Pushcart I spontaneously and proudly announced it to others. The CEO of the audio company I use for my recordings came back and suggested I interview other nominees with their audio tools. I thought it was a brilliant idea. Out of time constraints I decided to ask only one question and have each poet read their nominated or winning poem. After displaying each recording on my website, I approached other poetry sites and the project, called “The Change Interviews,” is now listed on the Library of Congress Web Guides, and is housed on-
aliceshapiro.com
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