Interview with Kenny Mitchell

Author of The Perfection of Poetry Volume One

Where are you from originally and where do you reside now?

Glennville Georgia. I currently reside there.

If you currently reside somewhere besides where you were born, what’s the story that lead from there to here?

I was born and live here. Although I am strongly considering leaving soon.

What made you decide to write and publish your first book?

I came up with the concept years ago. After an fairly traumatic breakup, I kept wondering why some people stay in an abusive relationship but leave a healthy one. What would cause a woman who is so intelligent, beautiful, but complicated stay with a person that physically abuses them? This led me to my first novel. Later the novel was considered too large for one book. So it became a trilogy (Loves Me Not Volume I: Beautiful Broken Me; Volume II: The Purge; & Volume III: Miracles And Blessings). I have now published 11 volumes. The Perfection of Poetry is the 10th. It is also my first collection of collected poetry.

How would you describe your books to first time readers?

Illuminating. Though my poetic and literary fiction, I have (hopefully) brought a fresh perspective to the ever evolving landscape of emotional relationships. Every relationship we experience not only helps with our own growth, but by sharing those experiences we can also help those who may desperately need it.

Who do you feel is most likely to connect with the topics you write about?

Hopefully everyone! My books are about the human condition and experience. Sometimes it’s painful, sometimes it’s beautiful. Most of the time it’s both. Sometimes it can be completely uncomfortable hearing and seeing the things that are portrayed in my novels. However, there is always a ring of the truth. As long as you can find the truth in my books and within yourself? You will always walk away a better person.

What unexpected or surprising thing did you learn during the process of writing and publishing?

That anyone would be interested in anything I had to write or say! It’s true. I never considered myself to be a writer of books, poetry or any type of literature. For decades, I would write and hide the things away. It was a cathartic process that just helped me to survive so many devastating events in my life. One day I decided to show them to a friend and she was astounded with how beautiful the poems and short stories were. After some not so gentle nudging, I showed the first three chapters of my first novel to a publisher. The rest is history.

If you could, what advice would you give to your past self before embarking on this journey?

Close your ears to the naysayers. Even when you don’t have the emotional support, your writing is a gift from God. As long as you utilize it in a beautiful way? It is always a miracle and a blessing.

How many people would you ideally like to reach with your books?

The entire planet, or at least a healthy portion of it!

What has been the biggest challenge and frustration during the process to date?

PUBLISHERS! I think that due to the continuing onslaught of new unpublished writers they automatically think you are untalented. I’m sure it is an unfair bias, but it is what I have unfortunately run across. Self-publishing is always the best option, at least for me.

What’s your biggest strengths when it comes to book a) writing, b) publishing and c) marketing?

I adore writing! Writing is a beautiful and inspirational gift. However, I have found a new and energized spirit in marketing my books. The best aspect of self publishing is being creative. Being brought up fairly poor, I have always been able to come up with creative ways of getting the attention of the publics eye. From the church, Flea Market, standing in front of a public building, barbershops and hair salons, or simply word-of-mouth, there are certain avenues a artist can utilize to promote their products.

What’s your biggest weakness when it comes to book a) writing, b) publishing and c) marketing?

Unfortunately, since I am self publishing, you have to do all the legwork yourself. The upside is you get to keep most of the profit for yourself. You gain strength through any struggle.

When do you think you will write your next book?

Ironically, I just finished a book a week ago. It is called Dementia, Dad & Me. After my mother died in 2005, I took on the responsibility of taking care of my elderly father. Shortly after he was diagnosed with dementia. The story is about having to deal with a elderly parent and a son who has walked into a situation completely unprepared for it. Think of the show Sanford and son and add in a mix of Alzheimer’s disease and there you have It. It’s funny, frightening, charming and all too real.

Are you self published or did you use a hybrid publisher, or a traditional publisher?

Self published 100%!