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It’s A Book Thing Presents: An Interview with Michael Irving Phillips, author of Leave the Rat Race to the Rats

Author’s  Bio: Michael Irving Phillips was born in Jamaica. He left home for Howard University, Washington DC where he received a Master of Arts in Education and a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry. Leave the Rat Race to the Rats is a sequel to his previous book, Boycott Money And Save Your Soul – Launching the Goodwill Revolution. The first book launched the Goodwill Revolution, while this one applies it. Previous work includes Poems for Husbands and Other Underdogs, compilation and publishing poetry books, Bitten by Bonzo and Living in Constant Spring. However, most recent years have been spent in a one-man production of Hot Calaloo, a newsletter about Caribbean news and views. From April 1992 to December 1999 it was published monthly and was transferred to the web at hotcalaloo.com since then.

DL: What inspired you to write your book?
MIP: This book is actually a sequel to my book, Boycott Money and Save Your Soul – Launching the Goodwill Revolution. The Goodwill Revolution is the key. It is a cultural revolution which I think our dog-eat-dog culture. The first book introduced the revolution and Leave the Rat Race to the Rats book applies it in a blueprint to transform the desperate ghettos into model communities.

DL: Describe your writing process? Do you use an outline or let it flow organically?
MIP: I do not follow a formal outline generally. Some items reach out to me and I write it down. Others require me to include them so I tackle those subjects and then put it all together according to an outline.

DL: What do you think makes a good story?
MIP: I write non-fiction.

DL: Is there any particular author or book that influenced you in any way either growing up or as an adult?
MIP: I was considerably influenced by Dr. Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela and reggae singer Bob Marley.

DL: If you were hosting a diner party which three authors would be your dream guests?
MIP: Jonathon Swift, Cornel West, and Greg Palast.

DL: What are the keys to success in marketing your book(s)?
MIP: I wish I knew. I have failed in this area.

DL: What tips would you give to aspiring writers?
MIP: Follow your heart, be confident and persevere.

DL: How about sharing an excerpt from Leave the Rat Race to the Rats?
MIP: Here you go:

The goodwill revolution taps into that goodness of man. It is a source of power. It is that source of power which waged the greatest revolution in American history and won against tremendous odds. And I do not mean the revolution against the British. No it was a revolution that pitted ordinary people armed and united by goodwill against unjust laws, against police terror, violent mobs, even vicious dogs, a most formidable enemy indeed. It was the civil rights revolution of the sixties.  White people of goodwill fought against a system that bestowed upon them a wide assortment of special privileges. White people of goodwill endured violence and insults of others of their own privileged white kith and kin to join with blacks in the fight. Black and white people of goodwill fought together against segregation. Black and white people united by goodwill died together against segregation. Black and white people of goodwill fought against a system that denied black people basic civil rights. And, they did not do it for money. On the contrary, many lost money as they lost work time, even jobs. They did not do it for prestige as many faced ostracism, ridicule and worse. No, they did not do it for these typical prizes of the rat race. They did it for their sense of justice, fairness, because of their inherent goodness, a most powerful and natural force. This is the force that will propel the goodwill revolution.

DL: What’s on the horizon for you?
MIP: I am currently writing a book about leading Jamaica, the country of my birth, out of poverty.

DL: Where can readers learn more about you and your book(s)? 
MIP: They can get more information here:
·       Website:  http://hotcalaloo.com/
·       Blog: http://hotcalaloo.com/

It’s been a pleasure having you here with us today. I know my readers will enjoy getting to know you and your work. 




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