Frequently Asked Questions
Are you represented by an agent?
Not yet, but I'd like to be!
Do you have a publisher?
I've worked with multiple publishers such as Words Dance Publishing and Central Avenue Publishing and I continue to work with them, but I'm not currently locked into anything.
How did you get published?
I yelled about my feelings for a really long time on the internet until people started paying attention. (I also self-published first and won the Goodreads Choice in 2015 for poetry, catching the attention of multiple publishers.)
What do you think of self publishing?
It's a totally valid way to get your work out in the world. It's a lot of work though. More than people think. All the design and marketing, the whole business side of publishing is on you as well as the creative side. I spend more time answering emails than writing poems most of the time. A lot of writers have found immense success with it, but it doesn't work for everyone and it definitely doesn't work if you're not willing to put the effort in.
How did you self-publish?
I use Createspace. It's pretty self explanatory. Any questions you might have, have already been asked and answered on the Createspace forums. I just suggest always paying an artist for cover art and paying for editing, as well as having multiple people beta-read your book. Don't just throw it out into the world.
Do you accept unsolicited manuscripts?
Absolutely not. People send them every other day and I don't even open them. I don't give my opinion, I don't give content suggestions, I don't edit, unless you've hired me to do so. I don't say anything that could be turned around and used as marketing or promotion either. If you want an official blurb, ask for one and I'll let you know.
Why are there two versions of Honeybee?
I self published it in 2014 (the black and yellow cover) and it was discontinued in March of 2018 shortly before it was re-released as a traditionally published collection in May of 2018 (the tan and blue cover). You will occasionally still find the old edition floating around for second-hand sale but it's significantly shorter and less polished.
Favorite poets/writers?
Richard Siken, Andrea Gibson, Lyd Havens, Lora Mathis, Natalie Wee, Warsan Shire, Buddy Wakefield, Kristina Haynes, Yena Sharma Purmasir, Mary Oliver, Caitlyn Siehl, Brenna Twohy, Salma Deera, Azra Tabassum, Clementine von Radics, Holly Black, Tamora Pierce, Brian Jacques, etc.
Do you write anything aside from poetry?
Yes. I have short fiction published in the anthology [Dis]Connected: Poems & Stories of Connection and Otherwise. I'm also working currently on multiple non-poetry projects. I have future ideas for children's books, YA novels, adult fiction, short stories, and personal essays.
What age did you start writing?
Fiction, 12. With poetry I dabbled around 16 but committed around 22.
Are you available for interviews?
Yes! Please use my contact form or email me!
Not yet, but I'd like to be!
Do you have a publisher?
I've worked with multiple publishers such as Words Dance Publishing and Central Avenue Publishing and I continue to work with them, but I'm not currently locked into anything.
How did you get published?
I yelled about my feelings for a really long time on the internet until people started paying attention. (I also self-published first and won the Goodreads Choice in 2015 for poetry, catching the attention of multiple publishers.)
What do you think of self publishing?
It's a totally valid way to get your work out in the world. It's a lot of work though. More than people think. All the design and marketing, the whole business side of publishing is on you as well as the creative side. I spend more time answering emails than writing poems most of the time. A lot of writers have found immense success with it, but it doesn't work for everyone and it definitely doesn't work if you're not willing to put the effort in.
How did you self-publish?
I use Createspace. It's pretty self explanatory. Any questions you might have, have already been asked and answered on the Createspace forums. I just suggest always paying an artist for cover art and paying for editing, as well as having multiple people beta-read your book. Don't just throw it out into the world.
Do you accept unsolicited manuscripts?
Absolutely not. People send them every other day and I don't even open them. I don't give my opinion, I don't give content suggestions, I don't edit, unless you've hired me to do so. I don't say anything that could be turned around and used as marketing or promotion either. If you want an official blurb, ask for one and I'll let you know.
Why are there two versions of Honeybee?
I self published it in 2014 (the black and yellow cover) and it was discontinued in March of 2018 shortly before it was re-released as a traditionally published collection in May of 2018 (the tan and blue cover). You will occasionally still find the old edition floating around for second-hand sale but it's significantly shorter and less polished.
Favorite poets/writers?
Richard Siken, Andrea Gibson, Lyd Havens, Lora Mathis, Natalie Wee, Warsan Shire, Buddy Wakefield, Kristina Haynes, Yena Sharma Purmasir, Mary Oliver, Caitlyn Siehl, Brenna Twohy, Salma Deera, Azra Tabassum, Clementine von Radics, Holly Black, Tamora Pierce, Brian Jacques, etc.
Do you write anything aside from poetry?
Yes. I have short fiction published in the anthology [Dis]Connected: Poems & Stories of Connection and Otherwise. I'm also working currently on multiple non-poetry projects. I have future ideas for children's books, YA novels, adult fiction, short stories, and personal essays.
What age did you start writing?
Fiction, 12. With poetry I dabbled around 16 but committed around 22.
Are you available for interviews?
Yes! Please use my contact form or email me!