1.
What
is your relationship to poetry as a writer? As a reader?
As
a writer, poetry has influenced me greatly. I'm always applying lessons I
learned from poetry inside fiction. Especially in attempting to say a lot with
the least amount ... the 'right' words. As a reader? I've always loved poetry.
2.
Who
is the first poet that you remember reading, and what was your reaction to
him/her?
Edgar
Allen Poe, of course. Elementary school. Those stories scared me, and I
couldn't believe stuff so dark was being taught in our shiny little school. Of
course, I was hooked. Although I remember when I told my dad, he said,
"You mean Bill Murray?" and laughed. I was quite confused until many
years later when I saw the resemblance.
3.
Who
are some of the poets that you’ve been reading lately and what do you
specifically like about their work?
KA
Opperman and Ashley Dioses are a pair of poets I discovered through the Los
Angeles chapter. They're both very unique, yet, classic. I love how they are
using traditional rhyming poetry at times. Opperman's collection is wonderful
in that the rhymes are not obvious, and you can tell a lot of thought and work
went into the pieces. The overall effect is cumulative and wonderful. Dioses is
similar, but more free verse at times. Equally excellent. Another recent
favorite is Robert Payne Cabeen. I thought Fearworms was an instant classic. Me
and my son read it often, honestly. Equally exquisite is the art he's created,
which is unbelievable.
4.
How
do you define speculative poetry?
Work
that is made that isn't commissioned, and that comes from its maker true and
clear.
5.
When
did you find yourself starting to connect with the form? Do you have a
preference for style when you write? A particular style you like to read?
I
was a young man when I began to enjoy poetry. I loved finding Ezra Pound and
Burroughs and Kerouac, as most do in their early teens. Now, most weren't
strictly poets, but the entire beat generation was and is fascinating. I've
also been working through Bukowski, who one can read over and over again. I was
lucky and found a book of poetry from musician Leonard Cohen recently, which is
a treasure. Same with Henry Rollins, although his written work is so much
darker than most of his spoken word.
6.
Where
do you think poetry stands in the marketplace today? Do you think speculative
poetry is on the rise, or is it a dead art?
I
actually believe poetry is gaining a lot of momentum again. I've seen several
young new faces who are very talented and very respectful of the past. I don't
like thinking any art is dead. It may not sell billions of copies, but whenever
someone reads it, or listens to it, the work is alive and instantly vital to
the reader.
7.
What
are some of your favorite magazines/presses for poetry, either to publish with
or to purchase work?
There
isn't one place, in general. Most are from presses I've never heard of, but the
poets I have.
8.
What
is the one stereotype you think poetry has that you’d like to see it shed?
That
it is just the musings of someone with a broken heart, pleading to the moon,
written in the back of a wired notebook during high school history class. Some
may be, but the best stuff is generated by a much more diverse group of people.
9.
What
advice do you have for fiction writers who want to start experimenting with the
art form?
I'd
pick up a good poetry collection, and also, search out a good book on poetic
form. There are techniques that, even if applied sparingly in places, can
really make fiction read and flow better. Also? Listen to the beat during
music. Listen to the drums. Listen to the cadence of speech and try and find
patterns. Use some of that in your work.
10. With the HWA Poetry Showcase coming
up this April, what are you particularly looking for as a judge?
Works
that are true. By that, not something someone thinks is profound and what
people want to see, but something that came from their heart. If it's
irreverent and fun, that does not make it unworthy. I love classic style. I
love free verse. I love short. I love long. Just bring your own favorites. If
you love them, hopefully we should, too.
Bio: John
Palisano is a writer whose non-fiction has appeared in FANGORIA and DARK
DISCOVERIES magazines. He's been nominated for the Bram Stoker Award© four
times. He’s got a
pair of books with Samhain Publishing, DUST OF THE DEAD, and GHOST HEART.
NERVES is available through Bad Moon. NIGHT OF 1,000 BEASTS is coming
soon. John
Palisano’s short stories have appeared in anthologies from PS Publishing,
Terror Tales, Lovecraft eZine, Horror Library, Bizarro Pulp, Written Backwards,
Dark Continents, Darkscribe, DarkFuse, Dark House, and many more. Say ‘hi’
at: http://www.amazon.com/author/johnpalisano and www.johnpalisano.com and
www.facebook.com/johnpalisano and www.twitter.com/johnpalisano
The next interview will be with myself, and it will be conducted by David E. Cowen. Stay tuned!
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