Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My name is Fanicia Howard. I am Chicago native who has been residing in Atlanta for the past decade. My gift is writing poetry. I have been poems since I was ten years old and it was a fourth grade language arts teacher who encouraged me to tap into my gift and explore the possibilities of where it could take me. I have now published two chapbooks of poetry both available on the Amazon platform.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is named Heartstrings. It was inspired by my first book of poetry, Letters to an Anonymous Heart. Heartstrings is a sequel to my first book. Both books have the word heart in them because the theme of love is central to the subjects of the poems.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t have one particular method for writing my poems. I am sporadic and write when a thought crosses my mind opposed to creating a schedule to brainstorm poems. I find it works best for me, personally, to write in the moment when the emotion is raw opposed to controlling to flow. Sometimes the poem comes before the title too and that may be considered a bit unorthodox to others.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Rudy Francisco, Nayyirah Waheed and Warsan Shire are three poets influenced me to write and publish my work. These three taught me how to embrace the style of personification when poetry and they also made me understand the purpose of the message is greater than the rules of grammar. Waheed and Shire are especially notorious for not conforming to the rules of grammar in their bodies of work.
What are you working on now?
I am currently drafting poems for a third chapbook installment of poetry.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I use the Amazon platform primarily to promote my books. My goal this year is to create a website for supporters to directly purchase from me.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
My advice to new authors is to do more executing than overthinking. Be confident, yet reasonable with the pricing of your product.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The best advice I’ve received is to never underestimate your abilities or your gift. Everyone brings something special to this world and it would be a disservice of self to hide or neglect your attributes out of fear.
What are you reading now?
Works by the poet Rumi.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Next on my agenda is to begin hosting and participating in events for poets and writers such as spoken word events and book readings.
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?
Three books I would take with me if stranded on a desert island would be the Bible, The Alchemist, and The Four Agreements.
Author Websites and Profiles
Fanicia Howard Amazon Profile