[This issue we sit down with poet and author, Gerri Leen. Here, she discusses her new Goddess-oriented chapbook; the research that went into the collection; and her upcoming projects.]

Eternal Haunted Summer: You recently published the poetry chapbook Over It: Goddesses Who’ve Reached Their Limit. First, congratulations! Second, how did you go about assembling the collection? Did you go into it with a theme in mind? Or did the collection come together piece by piece?

Gerri Leen: I’ve written so many mythology-related poems and stories and I was considering self-publishing a collection, but I was having trouble getting it to gel in my mind. Then I saw Island of Wak-Wak’s “Coffee Table Chapbooks” call and knew I had enough material for that, so I started browsing my mythology catalog. Several themes emerged I could have used, but this one — Goddesses who were just over it — sank its talons into me. I had quite a few core pieces, both reprints and unpublished, that hit that theme, and then it was a matter of finding others that would work. It came together really quickly, like it had been waiting for me to figure this out.

EHS: What sort of research went into Over It? Tall stacks of books? Deep dives into the depths of the internet? Meditative minutes enjoying the view outside your window?

GL: All the poems were already written, so that saved time. It was more a fevered rush to get it together since the deadline was approaching.  And then putting poems in and taking things out to find the best combination — or moving poems if the goddesses were like “no, I’m not sitting next to her.”  The initial writing of the poems many times involved lots of tabs open on Safari as I figured out how I wanted to approach the deity. Unless it was one I knew well.

EHS: Over It features Goddesses from a variety of pantheons, ranging from the Greek to the Egyptian to the Maori. Was there one Goddess in particular you were excited to write about or for? If so, why?

GL: This ended up being quite a dark collection, which goes very well with how I normally write, so I think Kali and Hecate and Eris were all fun to pull into the collection. Especially Eris since her poem is one of the least dark, which is sort of funny to me considering her portfolio.

EHS: Many of the poems deal with ecological issues, and many of the Goddesses named in the collection are intimately connected with the natural world and concepts of justice and balance. First, what draws you to this subject?

GL: It’s hard to watch the weather/news and not feel what’s happening to the Earth. This did end up having more of an ecological bent than I first envisioned, but that worked well for me since I do tend to include climate change in my work quite a bit.

EHS: And second, do you believe the ancient mythologies can teach us something about living in and with the world? Can they teach us to be better stewards of the Earth?

GL: So much of what the poems tended toward was failure to respect and live in harmony and the cost of that. It does seem like deities who represent various aspects of the world rather than claim dominion over everything might teach one to live better as stewards.

EHS: Which poem in the collection was the most difficult to write, but also the most satisfying?

GL: Writing the Morrigan is difficult for me, but compelling. I’m just getting to know her and her darkness is familiar, but her pantheon isn’t.

EHS: Are there any Goddesses you have not yet addressed in poetry, but would like to do so? Or Goddesses you feel you could write about much more, given the time and inspiration?

GL: I’ve considered doing a chapbook or collection dedicated to Persephone, since she won’t let go. Kuan Yin is also interested in being featured and I have a number of things with her. Kali and Hecate are always game. I have several stories of goddesses or other creatures of myth in bars. Some day that may be enough stories to be its own collection. Right now I just have Medusa, Eurydice & Persephone, and Medea & Hera.

EHS: In addition to Over It you have also published several other poetry and short story collections. Where can readers find your books? 

GL: You can find my books at Amazon and other online retailers. They should also be available to request from your local bookstore or check out from libraries. My website (gerrileen.com) is perpetually out of date, but lists all my various works, including many available to read or listen to for free. For the most up-to-date info, announcements for all my work are posted on Instagram (@leengerri).

EHS: What advice can you offer other authors who are hoping to publish their work, either through an established press or independently? Things they must do? Mistakes to avoid?

GL: If you’re working with a publisher, my first advice is always “read your contract and understand what it means” especially with regard to what rights you are selling and that a rights-reversion clause is included. After that, get things in on time, try to be the kind of author publishers remember in the “great to work with” category instead of the other. If you’re new and don’t understand publishing contracts, do your research. I’ve had a story held up for fourteen years because I didn’t know to insist on a rights reversion clause — fortunately in this case it was non-exclusive, so a market that didn’t insist on first rights took it, but that’s not always the case. Don’t be like me.

For self-publishing, be ready to be your own best marketer. I’m honestly not that good at it, but I’ve seen others who are and they work constantly at getting their books seen. Don’t be afraid to promote, but do it appropriately (i.e. follow the rules on Facebook groups or other forums about when to publicize and how much). And use your networks — word of mouth from a free ebook is a very good thing.

EHS: What other projects are you working on?

GL: In May, I had Bluegrass Dreams Aren’t for Free, my first novel (a series of interconnected short stories about genetically modified racehorses that manage their own careers and talk), published by WolfSinger Publications, and I’m going to be working on the sequel soon.  In February, I plan to self-publish Archivist of a Lost World: Poems from the Stars and a Dying Earth, my next full-length poetry collection focusing on science fiction and eco themes. I have a romantic science-fiction collection Two People, Infinite Universes: Poetry of the Multiverse of a Relationship to be self-published and it just cleared the first readers.

Also in the works are: a collection combining romance stories published under my pen name Kim Strattford with romantic stories and poems under my own name (not always happy), a collection about immortals and the undead, a fantasy poetry collection, and a fairy tale story and poetry collection.