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Nice to see Taji Mag on the boards here on AALBC. Nay and Troy are both in NYC and should build. In regard to the poem, it's really a statement written in poetic form. I like the sentiment, and power, but as poetry it lacks imagery and a use of the senses. We should always be able to see, feel, smell and touch the poem. A line like "Different sizes, shapes, colors" is telling. A rewritten line like Her shoulders wide enough to carry him Her hair captures combs no matter how careful (see the alliteration) We are different sizes, shapes, colors Actually makes the poem alive and active. (That's the old professor in me coming out.)

Take the time and pick up the Writer's Market http://amzn.to/1f4KUo1 You can use this book to look up books like Darwin's Athletes http://amzn.to/1DJbP4s and find out who the agent is and then submit a query to that agent. That is the traditional path to releasing a book. You can also ask people on this board about self publishing and then advertise with AALBC.com and attempt to get your work directly to readers. Whatever you do, don't just drive by and post this and then disappear. Ask questions and clarify your goal.

http://tajimag.com/sistahood-by-evelyn-d-hall/ Sorry that my poem, "Isn't Slavery Dead? didn't get posted.

Interview to N.K. Jemisin from GoodReads Excerpt, link to full interview below Goodreads: In The Fifth Season the world is at the whim of apocalyptic earthquakes, volcanoes, landslides—and the select few who can control them. What inspired such a natural disaster-focused fantasy? N.K. Jemisin: I had a dream of a woman doing the "badass power walk" with a mountain falling behind her. And at that point I had to come up with an explanation: Why does this woman have a pet mountain? Why does she look like she's about to throw it at someone? And why do I get the sense that she can throw it at someone? And I've always been fascinated by seismic stuff in general, probably because I have grown up in parts of the country that had no mountains and no earthquakes. And volcanoes are cool as hell. Geysers are cool as hell. The idea that Yellowstone is this ticking time bomb is fascinating. Horrifying but fascinating! And I'm usually fascinated by horrifying things. It's a wonder I'm not a horror writer. Full Interview to N.K. Jemisin from GoodReads is below https://www.goodreads.com/interviews/show/1052.N_K_Jemisin?utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&utm_campaign=2015-08&utm_content=jemisin