Interview with Poet Ryan Meyer

 

With National Poetry Month right around the corner this April, it is appropriate to feature an interview with a poet. Ryan Meyer is a Connecticut native whose work has been featured in Freshwater Poetry Magazine, Beechwood Review, Folio Literary Magazine, and Moon Tide Press. Ryan graduated from Southern Connecticut State University with degrees in English and Media Studies. He currently works as the assistant marketing manager for Falcon Guides, an imprint of Globe Pequot. His first book, titled Haunt, was released in February 2018. Follow Ryan at NothingPeak.com.

1. What motivated you to write your book, to force you from taking an idea or experience and turning it into a book? My love for poetry and writing, to start. I've always wanted to be an author, and between the fictional stories that came to mind and my personal experiences, Tempest came together over several years of honing my work and discovering myself. 

2. What is it about and who is it for? Tempest is a collection of poems, so it's about a lot of things, but some of the themes I carry throughout are self-identity, hope, nature and human nature, as well as our own innate fears of the future and what it brings. This book is for everyone still figuring out who they are, coming to terms with themselves, as well as those who have overcome hurdles and reflect back on what they've experienced. Being a member of the LGBTQ+ community myself, this book is also for readers struggling with their own identities. I hope it gives them a sense of security, and lets them know they are not alone. 

3. What do you hope the reader will be left with after reading it? I hope readers are left with new perspectives, not just regarding themselves, but the world around them, and the different stories everyone can tell. All of our experiences are significant and valid, and we shouldn't be ashamed to be who we are.

4. What advice or words of wisdom do you have for fellow writers? Don't delete or scrap anything! Having dozens of unfinished projects on your computer or in your notebook is okay. You never know if you'll come back to a specific work later down the line with a new perspective, and think differently about it than you did at first. Also, read. This goes further than honing your craft -- you'll learn a lot about publishing techniques and choices by reading different kinds of books. That even goes as far as the size of the book, what month it was published, etc. 

5. What trends in the book world do you see -- and where do you think the book publishing industry is heading? I think brick-and-mortar bookstores are tougher than ever, and especially over the last year or so, they've proved they're here to stay. For the most part, they're adaptable. It's not so easy for every store, of course, but given the reports of book sales in 2020, I think physical bookstores shouldn't be overlooked. And self-publishing has more avenues and opportunities than ever. That is great to see, and has been such a learning experience.

6. What challenges did you overcome to write this book? Realizing it's valuable to really lean in and write about yourself. I have found that the pieces I poured the most of myself into are the better pieces I have written, and the ones that readers have responded the most to. I do love writing fiction as well, but there is a balance to it that I have found is so rewarding in many ways. Personal challenges as well have resulted in the works I collected in Tempest. It's in the name: we are all weathering our own storms, as cheesy as it sounds. I have embraced being a little bit cheesy as well, and vulnerability is something that I hope comes through for readers from this book.  

7. If people can buy or read one book this week or month, why should it be yours? Readers should read more poetry. It's accessible, proud, funny at times, and again, it's vulnerable. I think readers will be able to relate, no matter what they're going through, themselves. 

Learn, Grow, Succeed!!

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Brian Feinblum, the founder of BookMarketingBuzzBlog, can be reached at  brianfeinblum@gmail.com.  You can – and should -- follow him on Twitter @theprexpert. This is copyrighted by BookMarketingBuzzBlog ©2021. Born and raised in Brooklyn, he now resides in Westchester with his wife, two kids, and Ferris, a black lab rescue dog. His writings are often featured in The Writer and IBPA’s The Independent.  This was named one of the best book marketing blogs by BookBaby  http://blog.bookbaby.com/2013/09/the-best-book-marketing-blogs and recognized by Feedspot in 2018 as one of the top book marketing blogs. Also named by WinningWriters.com as a "best resource.” He recently hosted a panel on book publicity for Book Expo America. For more information, please consult: linkedin.com/in/brianfeinblum.