-Hi,
Almney! We’re so excited that you decided to join us today. We want to hear all
about your book, The Valley of Anchor. To start with, you are easily the youngest
author that we have ever had the pleasure of interviewing on this blog. You
were 16 when you finished The Valley of
Anchor. How did you become a published author at such a young age?
ALMNEY: For years I had this collection of poetry written from when I was thirteen. When I went to high school I set aside poetry and storytelling to focus on school. My junior year, however, I began writing again and told my father about my poetry. He was inspired to have them published, so he contacted the publisher of a family friend who had published her own book of poetry. Out of hundreds of applicants, my publisher found my poetry intriguing and decided to publish them as The Valley of Anchor.
ALMNEY: For years I had this collection of poetry written from when I was thirteen. When I went to high school I set aside poetry and storytelling to focus on school. My junior year, however, I began writing again and told my father about my poetry. He was inspired to have them published, so he contacted the publisher of a family friend who had published her own book of poetry. Out of hundreds of applicants, my publisher found my poetry intriguing and decided to publish them as The Valley of Anchor.
-When
did you know that you wanted to write?
ALMNEY: I’m not sure when I knew I wanted to write. However, I knew I wanted to become a professional writer my junior year of high school. At this time in my life, I really fell in love with the idea of words; words having the power to provoke thought, induce curiosity, tell stories. It was fascinating. It was art to me, and I wanted to make art with words. Since then, I have never doubted becoming a professional writer even though many of my teachers and peers found it uncouth for me to pursue a writing career in film.
-Was there a teacher or another adult who influenced you to follow your passion?
ALMNEY: The one who inspired me to follow my passion most was my father. He was relentless about having my work published and is even more relentless in keeping me writing. Without his persistence and confidence in my abilities I most likely would not be a published author. Therefore, I am very grateful to him.
ALMNEY: I’m not sure when I knew I wanted to write. However, I knew I wanted to become a professional writer my junior year of high school. At this time in my life, I really fell in love with the idea of words; words having the power to provoke thought, induce curiosity, tell stories. It was fascinating. It was art to me, and I wanted to make art with words. Since then, I have never doubted becoming a professional writer even though many of my teachers and peers found it uncouth for me to pursue a writing career in film.
-Was there a teacher or another adult who influenced you to follow your passion?
ALMNEY: The one who inspired me to follow my passion most was my father. He was relentless about having my work published and is even more relentless in keeping me writing. Without his persistence and confidence in my abilities I most likely would not be a published author. Therefore, I am very grateful to him.
-What can you tell us about The Valley of Anchor? Where did the idea
for this collection come from?
ALMNEY: I began writing poems at the age of thirteen which was a very eye opening age for me. What inspired me to write most, I believe was the human experience. It was until the death of a very close relative when I started to questioning my existence, questioning society, questioning questions, questioning life. And I soon realized what life was to me, it was this brilliant, painful, blissful, collage of emotion, and trial, and triumph. Then I found that I enjoyed expressing the struggles and joys of the human spirit through the formation of words.
-The majority of readers of this blog are brand spankin’ new authors, looking for advice in entering the publishing world and in getting their own works out there. What advice can you give us all, remembering that some who read this might be a young author like yourself?
ALMNEY: I began writing poems at the age of thirteen which was a very eye opening age for me. What inspired me to write most, I believe was the human experience. It was until the death of a very close relative when I started to questioning my existence, questioning society, questioning questions, questioning life. And I soon realized what life was to me, it was this brilliant, painful, blissful, collage of emotion, and trial, and triumph. Then I found that I enjoyed expressing the struggles and joys of the human spirit through the formation of words.
-The majority of readers of this blog are brand spankin’ new authors, looking for advice in entering the publishing world and in getting their own works out there. What advice can you give us all, remembering that some who read this might be a young author like yourself?
ALMNEY: For all you first timers, I would advise
looking around before jumping straight into the publishing world. You can start
by getting in contact with authors of possible publishing candidates you might
have. You want to be sure the the company cherises you not only as a writer,
but as an individual. In other words, be sure of the integrity of who ever your
publisher might be. Second, keep pushing no matter how many times you are
rejected. Good writing is subjective. Go with your gut but be open to critique.
There will be changes to your writing and you will have to adjust, but never
settle until you are fully satisfied with your work.
-Many of our readers are struggling to
find a home with a publishing house. How did you know that Sakura Publishing
was a good fit for you?
ALMNEY: I
knew Sakura Publishing was a perfect fit for me because it wasn’t about money
making with Sakura. Sakura is about the art of writing and being able to
showcase that art in the most refined way as possible. Derek Vasconi works
exceptionally hard to make sure every work of art has its own definition of
perfection. He also spends an ample amount of time exposing Sakura’s diverse
collection of artist. Sakura may be my first publishing home, but I have a
feeling it will be my last. I don’t think I could have grown as much as a
writer anywhere else, so I consider myself proud and immensely blessed to be
apart of Sakura’s writing family.
-I’ve
asked this of other poets that we’ve had the pleasure to interview on the blog,
as well as my own high school English students. In your own words, can you define
what “poetry” means to you?
ALMNEY: To me, “poetry” means to feel and to express. Poetry is to feel pain, to express emotion, to know joy, to understand mercy. Poetry is a journey of self-evaluation and enlightenment that has the power to tell a story, to share wisdom, to teach lessons, to induce change. Poetry is whatever the soul needs it to be. It is more than words. It is more than action. It is a vessel in which the truth can be told and shared.
-Should we be keeping our eyes open for more to come from you, Almney? Are there any other projects that you are currently working on?
ALMNEY: I am currently going through the editing process with my first novel; a sci-fi adventure trilogy. I am also working on compiling poems for a second book of poetry.
ALMNEY: To me, “poetry” means to feel and to express. Poetry is to feel pain, to express emotion, to know joy, to understand mercy. Poetry is a journey of self-evaluation and enlightenment that has the power to tell a story, to share wisdom, to teach lessons, to induce change. Poetry is whatever the soul needs it to be. It is more than words. It is more than action. It is a vessel in which the truth can be told and shared.
-Should we be keeping our eyes open for more to come from you, Almney? Are there any other projects that you are currently working on?
ALMNEY: I am currently going through the editing process with my first novel; a sci-fi adventure trilogy. I am also working on compiling poems for a second book of poetry.
-What happens after high school for
Almney King, the author? Big plans?
ALMNEY: I now attend the University of Nevada Las Vegas majoring in screenwriting. As I have recently moved to southern California, I look forward to exploring and becoming acclimated in the film world.
-Anything else at all that you’d like us to know about The Valley of Anchor?
ALMNEY: I now attend the University of Nevada Las Vegas majoring in screenwriting. As I have recently moved to southern California, I look forward to exploring and becoming acclimated in the film world.
-Anything else at all that you’d like us to know about The Valley of Anchor?
ALMNEY: When
I wrote the second half of The Valley of
Anchor, I wanted it to be about empathy and how we as human beings can
blossom when we experience these moments of compassion and understanding. I
wanted the poems to flow almost like a river so it felt like you were going on
this internal journey. This is why the book as four parts; Passage, Revelation,
Metamorphosis and Destiny. It kind of has these four spiritual gates where you
dive deeper and deeper into yourself, the dive compelling you to reflect upon
yourself and challenge your inner demons. I feel that when you are forced to
evaluate yourself, you being to change and that change in you is what has the
power to change others.
The
following sample is from the poem “Awaken”: I wish
to rise out from the atmosphere where we claim the impossible. I wish of inhale
the newest of breaths, open my eyes -- unstoppable to see things veiled by
those immature. I wish to rise beyond temporal grief, erupt through the
sensitivities of hostility and desire…
Where
can we buy The Valley of Anchor?
ALMNEY: Either go to www.sakura-publishing.com or try on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/The-Valley-Anchor-Almney-King/dp/0984678557/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1399275892&sr=8-1&keywords=The+Valley+of+anchor
ALMNEY: Either go to www.sakura-publishing.com or try on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/The-Valley-Anchor-Almney-King/dp/0984678557/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1399275892&sr=8-1&keywords=The+Valley+of+anchor
Great stuff, Almney! Readers: please, get out there and support this kid by picking up a copy of her book. We need more young authors like Almney.
AND Keep poking around for more interviews and updates on my own foray into published author-dom here at Holy Cow... I'm Writing a Book?!. Much, much more to come.
Find us @BookTalkGuy and @RimerTom
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