We have previously made attempts (albeit somewhat feeble ones) to include other artists here on RLR. It is obvious the main focus here is music and things within the realm but taking a step back to enjoy and curate other arts is just as important. Be it photography, painting, sculpting, leatherwork or in this case poetry, I think it is extremely crucial to look at other forms of creativity and celebrate them just as much as we do music.

Kerriann Curtis has been a friend for a while now. An avid supporter of independent music and writer for the Wordkrapht online music mag, she has been generous and kind in spreading the word about not only our Locals Covering Locals project but also me personally as an artist. Over the summer she unveiled that she, herself, is also an artist in the medium of poem. It made so much sense that someone who enjoyed music and seemed to appreciate the penning and crafting of a song would also have this talent themselves, but it wasn’t until June when her debut work “Ten” was published that we got to see that brilliance firsthand.

We caught up with Kerriann for a quick talk about the project, how she is expressing herself through written word and what is next for the poet. Check it…

RLR: So the collection is called “Ten”…What is that all about? can you give us some insight into what the collection as a whole is and what it means to you?

KC: I called my book Ten because it’s loosely based on the idea that the contents are from the past ten years of my life. I’ve always wanted to be an author but wasn’t sure of what. Poetry was always this closet passion of mine, but over the past three years I realized I can’t keep it to myself anymore you know? I fully immersed myself in the craft and these poems are the result.

RLR: This is your first time publishing a body of your own work, correct? What is it that drove you make the leap and do so? Did you self-publish? What were some of the challenges you ran into if so, and have you found it rewarding?

KC: This is my first time publishing, self-publish all the way! One of my younger cousin’s is also self-published and he helped me to see that not only is it possible, you can do it without breaking the bank. The challenges are typically the things that publishers and editors have to worry about. You have to make sure there are no silly mistakes, and if there are, you have to start the submission process over. One thing I have learned (too late but I’ll remember it for the next one) you’re supposed to start promoting your book 3 years before it comes out!  Being your own editor, publisher, and PR person is daunting but totally possible. This whole experience has been one giant learning process, and I’m very grateful for it.

RLR: As someone who reviews music on the regular, and being a poet, I would imagine you have a keen ear and eye for lyrical content, stories and the craft of song. Do you find yourself reading into lyrics and thinking of them in book form when you are reviewing?

KC: It’s funny you say that because when I’m reviewing an album or even a song, the first thing I do is check to see if the lyrics are available to read. It really helps me to determine the story behind the music (As well as making sure I don’t make any errors when I quote the lyrics in the review itself!) . Some of the best lyrics I’ve come across have come from the amazing independent artists I’ve covered over the past five years.

RLR: Is there anything in particular that you have heard/read lately that you are really digging from a writing/lyrical perspective?

KC: Myrlin Hepworth. He is a poet, MC and teacher from Arizona. He is a phenomenal story teller through his music, and he brings awareness to social issues going on right now not only in our state but society as a whole

RLR: So, what is next? Now that you have one collection out are there plans for more???

KC: There are certainly plans for more! I want to write a follow up to TEN (I think it would be kind of funny to call it Nine, and the one after that eight and so on..so people wonder what I’m counting down to) I’ve also had this idea to combine poetry and photography to create a whole new experience.

Kerriann’s collection of poetry “Ten” is available on Amazon, pick it up today!