Interview With Author Jeremy Jusek
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am currently serving as the poet laureate for Parma, Ohio. Recently, I have been serving in more administrative and advocacy-type capacities, so the bulk of my free time is spent running workshops, attending readings, hosting local events, and completing city-specific projects. I have written two books: a full-length poetry collection and a chapbook, and I’ve written several plays and short stories.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My most recent collection is called “The Less-Traveled Street”, a poetry chapbook which follows a family of four on a road on the outskirts of their town. It was partially inspired by my time growing up. We lived in a rural township, outside of the village I attended school, and there was a dividing wall between the core town families and the hillbillies struggling with various issues outside the supportive tissue of the wider community. This collection is for those struggling in rural America without that social safety net.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t know if they are unusual, but I write constantly. I have hundreds of poems and stories I’ve written sitting in a massive digital graveyard spread across dozens of folders. It is a lifelong exercise trying to instill order on the mess. Writing is reflexive — I do it daily regardless of quality, because I’ve hit the point where writing alleviates stress.
It is the corralling and publishing that I struggle with — unwanted tasks ancillary to the creation process.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Sharon Olds, Lynn Emanuel, Ocean Vuong, Seamus Heaney, John Burroughs, Rikki Santer, Tracy K Smith, William Carlos Williams, John Berryman, Philip Levine… and that’s just an incomplete list of the poets. I’ve always loved fantasy fiction, including Robin Hobb, Joe Abercrombie, Tolkein, Martin, etc.
What are you working on now?
In the works is an ekphrastic collaboration with the artist Noelle Haas, and another full-length poetry collection that is turning out to be a detail-heavy slog that I hope isn’t too dense to read. I also wrote a 12-minute comedy script that I’m working on getting developed with an animation team.
Also, I run the podcast “Poetry Spotlight” for the Ohio Poetry Association. If you like poetry and the podcast format, I urge you to give it a listen.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
The best method is networking and getting yourself out there. People want to support who they know — so get people to know you! Set up readings, scope out your library for writing events, connect with authors or local/state-level writing organizations. Some writers assume that what they’ve written is so good that their books will sell themselves. There are too many good writers out there for that to be a realistic expectation, and the competition can be stiff.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Read daily. Reading is to a writer as exercise is to an athlete. Yes you must also write as frequently as your habits will allow, but you cannot write well without reading regularly.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“I only write when I am inspired. Fortunately I am inspired at 9 o’clock every morning.” – Faulkner
What are you reading now?
I just returned from this year’s NFSPS convention, hosted by the OPA, and I returned with about two dozen poetry collections. So right now, I’m reading mostly local poets including Chuck Salmons, Jessica Temple, Jennifer Hambrick, and Karen Schubert. I’m also wrapping up Joe Abercrombie’s newest “Age of Madness” trilogy.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m preparing myself to embark on tackling a fiction novel, and wrapping up a nonfiction book on education that I’ve been writing for some time. I would like to branch out to other genres. I have longer narratives that I’d like to tell, and after years of practice I think it’s time to commit to something new.
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?
– “Catch-22” by Joseph Heller
– “Good Omens” by Gaiman and Pratchett
– “Last Argument of Kings” by Joe Abercrombie
The fourth book would be a poetry anthology, stuffed with as many different voices as possible.
Author Websites and Profiles
Jeremy Jusek’s Social Media Links