Wombwell Rainbow Interviews

I am honoured and privileged that the following poets, local, national and international have agreed to be interviewed by me. I gave the writers two options: an emailed list of questions or a more fluid interview via messenger.
The usual ground is covered about motivation, daily routines and work ethic, but some surprises too. Some of these poets you may know, others may be new to you. I hope you enjoy the experience as much as I do.

Kevin W. Perry

Americana songwriter and Kansas-City-based storyteller K.W. Peery is the author of seven poetry collections: Tales of a Receding Hairline; Purgatory; Wicked Rhythm; Ozark Howler; Gallatin Gallows; Howler Holler; Bootlegger’s Bluff.

Tales of a Receding Hairline was a semifinalist in the Goodreads Choice Awards – Best in Poetry 2016.

Peery is a regular contributor in Veterans Voices Magazine. His work is included in the Vincent Van Gogh Anthology Resurrection of a Sunflower and the Walsall Poetry Society Anthology, Diverse Verse II & III.

In 2018, Peery is scheduled to have poems published in The Main Street Rag, Chiron Review, Big Hammer, San Pedro River Review, The Gasconade Review, Blink Ink, Rusty Truck, Mad Swirl, Outlaw Poetry, Mojave River Review, The Asylum Floor, Horror Sleaze Trash, Ramingo’s Porch, From Whispers to Roars, The Rye Whiskey Review, Under The Bleachers and Apache Poetry.

Credited as a lyricist and producer, Peery’s work appears on more than a dozen studio albums over the past decade.

 

 

 

 

The Interview
1.       What inspired you to write poetry?

The Blues.

2.       Who introduced you to poetry?

My Uncle. He introduced me to cats like Langston Hughes, Dylan Thomas, Richard West and John Trudell.

3.       How aware were you of the dominating presence of older poets?

I was always more attuned to American songwriters. Chuck Berry, Jimmie Rodgers, Jimmy Reed, Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, Loretta Lynn, Guy Clark, Willie Nelson, Billy Joe Shaver, Mickey Newbury, Tom Waits, Tom T. Hall, Tom Petty and Townes Van Zandt.

4.       What is your daily writing routine?

I try to write something every day.

5.       What motivates you to write?

Since I turned 40 there’s an indescribable urgency inside. A thirst for sharing words like never before.

6.       What is your work ethic?

I just do the work and let others determine if it’s worthy of their readership.

7.       How do the writers you read when you were young influence you today?

They continue to inspire me. The best writers bleed eternal. I remain grateful.

8.       Who of today’s writers do you admire the most and why?

Too many to list here. Lately, I’ve been revisiting the work of Dave Alvin and Michael Madsen. I also really dig cats like Donald Ray Pollock, Willy Vlautin, Bob Mehr and Jonathan Ames.

9.       Why do you write?

I have no other choice.

10.   What would you say to someone who asked you “How do you become a writer?”

Write what you know and never allow your foot to slip from the accelerator.

11.   Tell me about the writing projects you have on at the moment.
My sixth collection of Eccentric American Poetry, “Howler Holler” is being released on 09/14/2018 – via Gen Z Publishing (New Jersey)
The seventh collection, “Bootlegger’s Bluff” is scheduled for release later this Fall, via Spartan Press (Kansas City, Missouri)
There will be three releases in 2019 – “Cockpit Chronicles” Hellraisers Hieroglyphics” and “Hillbilly Hand Grenades”.
I’m also working on a double vinyl album of spoken word poetry…”Lawbreaker Blues” that will most likely be released with an accompanying poetry collection in the Spring of 2020.

 

Thank you,

K.W. Peery
https://www.facebook.com/KWPeery/