Gates received a 4+ star review, making it an IndieReader Approved title.
Following find an interview with author Jay Green.
What is the name of the book and when was it published?
What’s the name of the book and when was it published?
Gates was published in April 2020.
What’s the book’s first line?
“Know me by my namesake” (From the first poem in the book Namesake)
What’s the book about? Give us the “pitch”.
I broke the book up into two parts: poems that have a “lighter tone” and poems that have a more “somber” tone. I did this to represent the idea that life is finding balance between two extremes. While there are poems birthed from personal experiences, the book isn’t autobiographical. I would say the book is a mixture of imagination and observation.
What inspired you to write the book? A particular person? An event?
What inspired me to write this book was my goal of wanting to become a published author. Writing is my absolute passion. As a kid, I felt like it was the only thing I did well. Writing poems, in particular, allowed me to be introspective and navigate my emotions in a healthy way as I was awkwardly building an identity throughout my adolescence. I’ll forever be thankful that I found the art form as early as I did. Gates is the culmination of that passion and drive, of fulfilling the promise I made to myself as a twelve-year-old kid.
What’s the main reason someone should really read this book?
There are certain books in the world that I feel people should read, but this isn’t one of them. I am absolutely proud of what I’ve created, but I can’t think of many reasons why anyone should read it. I will say that if you’re a poet, one of the best ways to write better poetry is to read poetry. If you happen to read a poem of mine and find yourself drawn to the words, whether it be for learning purposes or just sheer enjoyment, then I would say give the book a read. Otherwise, read poetry that speaks to you.
How much time do you generally spend on your writing?
When I’m in what I call “poetry mode” (meaning I’m only focused on writing and reading poetry) I aim to write everyday. I don’t put undue pressure on myself though, which I think is important. Sometimes I’ll write something as small as a tanka, other times its three or four full poems. It just depends, really. The important thing is that I’m writing consistently.
What’s the best and the hardest part of being an indie?
The best part is definitely the freedom. I don’t answer to anyone, I don’t have deadlines to meet, and I have full control of the creative process. The hardest part is constantly reminding myself to not stay in my own head. I don’t know everything. It’s a huge benefit to have a team around you that has your best interest at heart, can give you a diverse set of thoughts and opinions, and is skilled in different areas that you aren’t so skilled in. That’s something I hope to build in the coming future.
What’s a great piece of advice that you can share with fellow indie authors?
“If you don’t do it, who will?” At the end of the day, no one is going to care as much as you care. Most times you’ll have to clap for yourself. Most times you’ll have to be your own biggest fan. There’s a lot of hard work and persistence — most of which is done in solitude — and you have to be ready to receive little to no praise for it at all. That’s why it helps to love what you do. Have passion for the process, not just the end result. If you can do those things consistently, you can find success.
Would you go traditional if a publisher came calling? If so, why?
I think so. I’m interested in seeing what the process is like from the other side and curious to know if I’ll enjoy it or not. After all, it never hurts to try, right?
Is this the first book you’ve written?
Yes.