Meet G.P.A. Poetic Unsub (Chicago, Illinois)
G.P.A .(Greatest Poet Alive)is the poetic phenomenon from Chicago's South Side. Since he began writing poetry in 2007 and became a performing artist in since 2009, GPA has accumulated several nominations, awards, and reviews of merit. He currently is the Moth Storytelling and MyraLoves.com Floss It or Toss it Champion. With three books under his writing belt, G.P.A. prepares for his cataclysmic release, Revenge of the Orgasm.
His titles include: The Mind of a Poetic Unsub, The Book of 24 Orgasms, and The Confessional Heart of a Man.
About “The Mind of a Poetic Unsub”
The Mind of a Poetic Unsub is a complete book of poetry. It does not read like a "normal" book of poetry because it touches on several subjects and uses various styles of poetry. The Mind of a Poetic Unsub takes the reader on an incredible journey that is the author's life.
DP: When did you first decide you wanted to become an author?
GPA: As I sat in federal prison in 2007, writing poems for fellow inmates, I decided it was time to apply my gift professionally.
DP: How did you decide on the idea for your first book?
GPA: I had seen, heard, and been through a lot while I was incarcerated. The Confessional Heart of a Man was my therapy to rid myself of baggage I carried. It covers love, rejection, incarceration, and other subjects.
DP: How long did it take you to write your first book?
GPA: I wrote The Confessional Heart of a Man in thirty days.
DP: Did you self-publish or are you signed to a publishing company?
GPA: I self-published all of my books. I’m learning the in's and out's better as I have move from one book to the next.
DP: How did you decide on the cover for your most recent book?
GPA: The Mind of a Poetic Unsub's cover stems from the subject matter in the book. The designer kept putting light skinned men on the cover of my book, so i said just put me and add the pictures.
DP: Tell us about your writing style. Do you write on a schedule?
GPA: I write all of the time. Sometimes, it is just for myself, sharing, or for a book or anthology. But I write constantly.
UBAWA: What makes your writing unique?
GPA: As a Poet, I do not use expletives, offensive, or vulgar language. I rhyme which is frowned upon in modern day poetry. And I like to tell stories because that takes the readers from one point to another.
DP: As a writer, what motivates you?
GPA: I am motivated to be the greatest poet ever.
DP: How do you balance your writing and various responsibilities that come along with being an independent author?
GPA: Everything is just management. Being an author is my livelihood, so that takes a lot of focus, along with being a performer. Time and physical placement management are very important, so i plan carefully.
DP: When you’re not writing what are you doing?
GPA: When I am not writing, I am performing with my family or playing video games. Oh, I read a lot too.
DP: What’s a typical day like for you?
GPA: G.P.A's day isn't typical. He goes to bed late and wakes only a few hours after. There are the house responsibilities that need tending to. Of course, I have to check respective social networks, workout, and walk with Scooter the Beagle. If I am fortunate, I may steal a nap in there somewhere.
DP: Tell us about your last book signing.
GPA: I do not hold book signings. I did have a book release party. Even though I have some acclaim, I am still unknown to a lot of people; therefore, I believe a book signing would be counterproductive and just doing something to say I did it. But I do appear at book fairs and conferences because people are there that read and buy books.
DP: Do you have contests or giveaways?
GPA: I am always using my facebook and twitter pages to have contests, usually some trivia.
DP: Many independent authors find it hard to get readers to buy their books. How did you handle the challenges that come along with being a first-time author in a competitive and ever-changing market?
GPA: When I was a first time author, I concentrated on a tangible book. This was the case with books two and three. But for Revenge of the Orgasm, I will have it on Kindle and other e-reader devices. You have to change with the times somewhat. Fortunately, poetry is forgotten by mainstream, so it really isn't that competitive. I perform and give readers a personality similar to a wrestler’s .
DP: What did you do on your 2nd book that you did not do in your first one?
GPA: On the second book, I switched subject matter to sensual. I also made the book smaller. It only had twenty four poems in it. My promotion was better as well, and when I performed, I did it like a singer might do their album by performing poems from that book.
DP: If you could give one piece of advice to an up and coming author, what would it be?
GPA: I would tell an upcoming author, do as much as you can yourself. But what you cannot do, find reputable individuals to assist you.
DP: Where can readers purchase a copy of your book?
GPA: www.iblowyourmind.net
GPA’s literary awards include:
2011 Black Essence Award Winner
2012 Moth Storytelling Champion
2013 Floss it or Toss winner
2010 Poetry Pentathlon Champion
G.P.A .(Greatest Poet Alive)is the poetic phenomenon from Chicago's South Side. Since he began writing poetry in 2007 and became a performing artist in since 2009, GPA has accumulated several nominations, awards, and reviews of merit. He currently is the Moth Storytelling and MyraLoves.com Floss It or Toss it Champion. With three books under his writing belt, G.P.A. prepares for his cataclysmic release, Revenge of the Orgasm.
His titles include: The Mind of a Poetic Unsub, The Book of 24 Orgasms, and The Confessional Heart of a Man.
About “The Mind of a Poetic Unsub”
The Mind of a Poetic Unsub is a complete book of poetry. It does not read like a "normal" book of poetry because it touches on several subjects and uses various styles of poetry. The Mind of a Poetic Unsub takes the reader on an incredible journey that is the author's life.
DP: When did you first decide you wanted to become an author?
GPA: As I sat in federal prison in 2007, writing poems for fellow inmates, I decided it was time to apply my gift professionally.
DP: How did you decide on the idea for your first book?
GPA: I had seen, heard, and been through a lot while I was incarcerated. The Confessional Heart of a Man was my therapy to rid myself of baggage I carried. It covers love, rejection, incarceration, and other subjects.
DP: How long did it take you to write your first book?
GPA: I wrote The Confessional Heart of a Man in thirty days.
DP: Did you self-publish or are you signed to a publishing company?
GPA: I self-published all of my books. I’m learning the in's and out's better as I have move from one book to the next.
DP: How did you decide on the cover for your most recent book?
GPA: The Mind of a Poetic Unsub's cover stems from the subject matter in the book. The designer kept putting light skinned men on the cover of my book, so i said just put me and add the pictures.
DP: Tell us about your writing style. Do you write on a schedule?
GPA: I write all of the time. Sometimes, it is just for myself, sharing, or for a book or anthology. But I write constantly.
UBAWA: What makes your writing unique?
GPA: As a Poet, I do not use expletives, offensive, or vulgar language. I rhyme which is frowned upon in modern day poetry. And I like to tell stories because that takes the readers from one point to another.
DP: As a writer, what motivates you?
GPA: I am motivated to be the greatest poet ever.
DP: How do you balance your writing and various responsibilities that come along with being an independent author?
GPA: Everything is just management. Being an author is my livelihood, so that takes a lot of focus, along with being a performer. Time and physical placement management are very important, so i plan carefully.
DP: When you’re not writing what are you doing?
GPA: When I am not writing, I am performing with my family or playing video games. Oh, I read a lot too.
DP: What’s a typical day like for you?
GPA: G.P.A's day isn't typical. He goes to bed late and wakes only a few hours after. There are the house responsibilities that need tending to. Of course, I have to check respective social networks, workout, and walk with Scooter the Beagle. If I am fortunate, I may steal a nap in there somewhere.
DP: Tell us about your last book signing.
GPA: I do not hold book signings. I did have a book release party. Even though I have some acclaim, I am still unknown to a lot of people; therefore, I believe a book signing would be counterproductive and just doing something to say I did it. But I do appear at book fairs and conferences because people are there that read and buy books.
DP: Do you have contests or giveaways?
GPA: I am always using my facebook and twitter pages to have contests, usually some trivia.
DP: Many independent authors find it hard to get readers to buy their books. How did you handle the challenges that come along with being a first-time author in a competitive and ever-changing market?
GPA: When I was a first time author, I concentrated on a tangible book. This was the case with books two and three. But for Revenge of the Orgasm, I will have it on Kindle and other e-reader devices. You have to change with the times somewhat. Fortunately, poetry is forgotten by mainstream, so it really isn't that competitive. I perform and give readers a personality similar to a wrestler’s .
DP: What did you do on your 2nd book that you did not do in your first one?
GPA: On the second book, I switched subject matter to sensual. I also made the book smaller. It only had twenty four poems in it. My promotion was better as well, and when I performed, I did it like a singer might do their album by performing poems from that book.
DP: If you could give one piece of advice to an up and coming author, what would it be?
GPA: I would tell an upcoming author, do as much as you can yourself. But what you cannot do, find reputable individuals to assist you.
DP: Where can readers purchase a copy of your book?
GPA: www.iblowyourmind.net
GPA’s literary awards include:
2011 Black Essence Award Winner
2012 Moth Storytelling Champion
2013 Floss it or Toss winner
2010 Poetry Pentathlon Champion
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