Interview With Author Thomas Davison
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am 65 years old. I have been a teacher all of my adult life. I spent my time learning the craft of teaching until I retired. Three months into retirement, I was going crazy. I accepted a job teaching college coursework inside two State Prisons in Ohio. I am starting my sixth year of teaching incarcerated students, felons.
I was so profoundly moved by my observations and interactions with these students that in 2019 this motivated me to create poems and short stories about their day-to-day lives and experiences. I found myself starting new and learning a different craft—the craft of writing. I have been very fortunate and have been published over sixty times.
Dozens of literary magazines and journals, including Twisted Vine Literary Arts Journal, Author’s Publish, Shanti Arts Literary Magazine, Innsaei International Journal of Creative Literature, Third Estate Arts Quarterly, and True Chili Western Magazine (Underwood Press).
My short stories have been published in many anthologies, including 42 Stories Anthology, Indiana Horror Review 2020 Anthology, Marketplace Journal, Forbidden Verses Anthology, Poetica #2, The Inner Circle Writers’ Group Poetry Anthology 2020, and Sincerely Magazine 2019 Art Anthology.
Some additional publications include Active Muse Literary Journal, American Diversity Report, Badlands Literary Journal, Barzakh Magazine, Black Petals Literary Journal, Bluntly Magazine, Dime Show Review Literary Journal, Flowers & Vortexes, Creative Magazine, Huunu, Inc., Ponder Savant, The Preservation Foundation, Inc., The Storyhouse Writer’s Showcase, Potato Soup Journal, Teach. Write., The Dribble Drabble Review, Too Well Away Literary Journal, Wilderness House Literary Review, and Scriblerus Magazine.
Podcasts where you can view some of my writings,
Creative Drive Podcast (YouTube) Prison Philosophy 101 Creative Non-Fiction, by Dr. Thomas Davison https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbe9_Z7bFio
Creative Drive Podcast (YouTube) Three Poems by Dr. Thomas Davison https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXDlEuRhqbY
A chapbook of my poetry called Different Prisons—a fiction novella entitled, The Boy With Strange Eyes. Later this year, in 2022, I will have two books and a serial published. Just now (June 2022), I have a five-part serial entitled Eternal Prisoners.
I have managed to win a few awards. I am most proud of my winning Petrarchan (Italian) sonnet, which was selected by the American Jewish Historical Society to be posted in the Emma Lazarus Museum. I have recently started a not-for-profit Entrepreneur Services for Felons (ESF). I have dedicated 100% of my writing profits to providing free one-on-one support services for felons and ex-felons. Also, I have created two Writing Clubs within the prisons. These incarcerated students are my beta readers to ensure that I speak in their voice and keep it honest.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The name of the book is Eternal Prisoners-A Story in the Cthulhu Mythos. It is available on Amazon, Kindle Vella. It is being released in five parts or serials. You can read the first three serials utterly free if you are an Amazon Prime member.
My inspiration for writing this book is fascinating. I discuss it in the forward of the book.
I am a lifetime fan of horror. As a young boy, the first horror book I read was by H. P. Lovecraft many years ago. I was hooked. My published work is predominantly about my prison experiences. I wanted to try my hand at my favorite genre of horror. The serial story Eternal Prisoners is that attempt. I intended it to salute the master—the first book’s author. My close circle of fellow writers, and my beta readers, state it is a scary story. We shall see if what little I have learned about the craft of writing is enough. I must share with you that while submitting this story, I felt much like that nervous 12-year-old boy reaching for that Lovecraft book.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I have tons of unusual writing habits. First, I keep daily journals about events inside and outside the prisons. I use these journals as my source documents when I want to write a prison-themed story or poem.
Next, I am totally into ekphrastic writing and poetry. Writing is a craft and an art form. Paintings, sculptures, and even landscapes (nature’s art) often motivate me to write. All forms of art are interconnected. Some of my best work (in my opinion) comes from viewing other art. I see a piece that interests me and create an entire story around that piece. It happens in art all the time, ekphrastic creation. Also, vice-versa, for example, an artist reads a book or poem. They are moved by it and create a painting or sculpture depicting what the writing made them feel and see.
Another example is the art form of music. I like to listen to music when I write. It helps me to set a mood. I select what music I listen to and match it to the perspective of the poem or story I want to write. I believe writing is different for everyone. What one person might view as unusual might make perfect sense to someone else.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I read every genre: westerns, mysteries, non-fiction, fiction, and science fiction. If forced to choose, my favorite genre to read is fantasy. My favorite books and their authors include a wide variety of genres. Lord of the Rings, To Kill a Mockingbird, Grapes of Wrath, Slaughterhouse-Five, The Time Machine, Dracula, The Art of War, I Have no Mouth, and I Must Scream, Peter Pan, I could go on all day. I like anything that speaks to me or moves me in some way.
What are you working on now?
I am working on my memoirs, my life story. I worked on it for a while, then set it back down and went to another project. I believe it would make a good read. I was raised as a military brat, served in the Army, and traveled the world. I have experienced and seen so many exciting things over my lifetime.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I have no idea. Word of mouth? E-marketing is the big craze for now. To be completely honest, I love writing. On the other hand, I’m not too fond of all the day-to-day administrative tasks required to make a book successful. I am too lazy or too busy to ever self-publish.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
If you believe you have something important to say in your heart, don’t give up on that dream. Stay with it! Teach yourself, takes classes, and seminars, find a mentor or learn from those who have already mastered the craft. For every piece I have had accepted for publication, I would guess I have had ten pieces rejected. But, you will get better if you learn from each rejection. I know that I am a mediocre writer at best and will never be a master of the craft. But, I can enjoy writing and become a well-polished writer. That is enough for me.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
It is a quote by Jodi Picoult. “You might not write well daily, but you can always edit a bad page. You can’t edit a blank page.” It sounds so simple, but it is profound. So many authors want to write only perfect stuff. If they can’t get it perfect, they get stuck. The key is to get it all down on paper. Then you can go back through revisions until you polish up all the rough stuff. Great quote and great advice.
What are you reading now?
Nothing. When I am writing, I don’t read. The only time I read is when I step back and take a hiatus from writing. I am currently in writing mode, so I am not reading anything now.
What’s next for you as a writer?
There are two things. First, I would like to finish those memoirs. Second I would like to create an entire poetry chapbook of ekphrastic work in its entirety.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
The Bible and the first three books that popped into my head when you asked me what books had influenced me the most. So, my list would be 1) The Bible, 2) Lord of the Rings, 3) To Kill a Mockingbird, and 4) Grapes of Wrath.
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