Interview with Steven Pody

Author of The Panoptikon

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

Born in Delaware, and currently reside in Fredericksburg, VA

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

Long story, starting with joining the military after college. Four years in the USAF, which became part of 10 total years in Alaska. After a decade I needed to see other corners of the world, and spent 18 months in the Middle East. From there it was 4 1/2 years in Africa with the U.S. Peace Corps (2.25 in the equatorial rain forest of the Congo – 3 degrees south of the equator, and 2 years in the Sahara Desert – Mauritania). 53 countries visited, and definitely time to establish a home and raise 3 children with the German/Greek wife I met at an archaeological dig in the Golan Heights (Israel).

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

I’d both accumulated enough poems (64) to publish a book of what I thought was quality work, and wanted to leave a testament of my work to my children.

How would you describe your books to first time readers?

I like to think that my poetic works are attainable, and even, for the greater part, dang fun and interesting. I try not to dwell on subjects of such exquisite sensitivity and tasteful literary obtuseness that nobody has any idea what they are reading. I like to think that I have something to say to my readers, and hope that they enjoy the journey as they experience each piece.

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

People who live and feel and love and aspire. I like to think that I am something of a ‘People’s Poet’ who can express commonality in sympathetic ways of interpretation and understanding. As Cervantes expressed, one needs to live, and live largely to be a well-rounded writer. I hope that my work appeals and speaks to all who share our lively and beautiful world, expanding ideas and potentialities and starting all manner of intriguing thought and discussion.

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

I learned what all published authors seek, and not everyone finds – satisfaction and validation from readers impacted by my crafted word. I’ve had lovely, heartfelt feedback on Amazon about my book, which pleases me. It’s nice to be appreciated, including internationally.

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

Push oneself more in spreading the word about one’s written brainchild. I am a poor seller of my own work, and have never held a single book signing.

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

I’d like to see my book in every high school and library in the nation. Call it half a million copies. I do not adhere to a single style in my poetry, and my book “The Panoptikon” gives many a varied example of style that would be useful to a student of the subject.

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

Getting to know the publishing game. When I first published, everything was in transition – from traditional to internet publishing, and networking publicity. I’ll never be good at it, and so my work is not as well known as I believe that it deserves.

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

I am an author, and I do author things well – I create credible, enjoyable pieces for literary consumption. Publishing and marketing are a matter of willingness to put oneself out and learn and do. …An iffy proposition for me, though I’m not quite in the Emily Dickinson class on that one. More like A.E. Housman, perhaps.

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

My weakness for publishing and marketing is timing. I was born well before all of the e-age, and in some ways have adapted poorly. Time stands still for no one. Alas.

When do you think you will you write your next book?

The next book should be out within a couple of years. I don’t write thin poetry books, and it takes awhile to compile fresh and compelling thought and verse.

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

I am self-published. I used a vanity press as the quickest response so that my children could have product in-hand, understand their father and have something to remember him by.