It’s A Book Thing Presents: An Interview with Khadijah Z. Ali-Coleman, author of The Summoning of Black Joy

Author’s Bio: Khadijah Z. Ali-Coleman, Ed.D. is a cultural curator with over 20 years of applied experience transforming places into arts and educational spaces. She is award-winning performance artist Khadijah Moon, and a multi-genre writer who is a producing playwright and filmmaker. She is currently the 2023 Poet Laureate of Prince George's County, MD. She is founder of Liberated Muse Arts Group.

 

She would love to have the superpower of invisibility. So, she could protect and navigate spaces to save people without capture.

 

Deliah Lawrence: What inspired you to write your book?

Khadijah Z. Ali-Coleman: The poems in The Summoning of Black Joy were written over the past 10 years with many written during Covid-19. I perform regularly as a solo artist and part of Liberated Muse Arts Group and have performed many of the poems over the years. When I was appointed as Poet Laureate of Prince George’s County, Md, I thought it was high time to have a published book that contained my poems.

Note: I will release my next poetry book, For the Girls Who Do Too Much in December or 2024. Working on a stage presentation, “Voices of Freedom,” that my arts group, Liberated Muse, will present at the Kennedy Center in February 2024. It will highlight the work of Fannie Lou Hamer, Ella Baker, Ida B. Wells and more.

DL: How do you handle writer’s block?

KZAC: I don’t have writer’s block. One of the ways that I keep ideas flowing is to write regularly using my phone’s Notes app, having journals all over the house and to use my phone’s voice app to record ideas. I don’t think every idea needs to be expanded on in that moment. I have returned to ideas to expand on them and work on completing days later or sometimes weeks or years later. I believe that spirit will move me to let me know when it is time to complete something. 

 

DL: What is your writing process? 

KZAC: For fiction writing, songwriting, screenwriting and playwriting, I am a very good extemporaneous writer and can be given an idea and shoot something out immediately. I love projects like the 48-hour film project that helps build that muscle. I have good formula that I’ve developed to tell a compelling story within a given timeframe and include elements that are engaging. 

I love writing stories with twists, or those that feature people who aren’t typically centered in certain genres. But, with poetry, I take way more time. Poetry is much more personal. I often return again and again to a poem that wants me to release it.

 

DL: What elements do you think make a good story?

KZAC: Elements that make a good story when writing fiction or nonfiction are consistency, realistic language, dimensional characters, pacing that doesn’t lag and a hero’s journey that is interesting. When writing poetry, I make certain considerations based on if the piece will be performed or exist as written word. There are certain elements of alliteration and metaphor that translate better when spoken by the performer versus when read by the reader and vice versa. The ability to evoke feeling and convey meaning through poetry is also dependent on the story. But, stories coveted through poetry aren’t necessarily as linear as they typically are in other genres.

 

DL: What were some of the challenges when writing this book?

KZAC: I was challenged with including poems in the book that showed me at my most vulnerable. I don’t like people in my business. It is much easier for me to write a historical poem or a political poem or a poem as prayer. I can easily write tribute poems. But, to write a poem about my mother’s death, or my challenges navigating spaces as a light-skinned Black woman literally involve pushing through grief and pain.

 

DL: Is there any particular author or book that influenced you in any way either growing up or as an adult?

KZAC: I think I am like most women who grew up in the 80’s and read Judy Blume as a child. I loved her books and all of the themes she addressed. As a playwright, George C. Wolfe and his play The Colored Museum touched me and let me know that I would write plays, in addition to films. The Wiz was an early film that inspired me to want to write films. I was five when it came out in the theater. I love the film more than the play and will cry and cheer today when watching it, just like I did as a child. 

 

Today, I find Charlie Brooker, creator of Black Mirror, Jordan Peele and Donald Glover to be three of my favorite screenwriters out today. I am inspired by the fiction and nonfiction of the late great Randall Robinson, and the genius of Toni Morrison. I had to truly grow up to recognize the masterpieces that Beloved and Song of Solomon are. Poets Lucille Clifton, Gwendolyn Brooks and Langston Hughes are consistent influences and inspirations. Maurice White, the founder and creative genius behind Earth, Wind and Fire is a songwriting and artistic inspiration. Reading his memoir now and it is deeply touching.

Note: The saying, “Everything happens for a reason, season or a lifetime” has always resonated with me. I read that first while in college and reading Iyanla Vanzant’s book, Acts of Faith. 

 

DL: What are the keys to success in marketing your book(s)?

KZAC: I think success is relative, but we want people to buy and read our books. I am still unsuccessful with convincing people to understand the importance of writing positive book reviews on sites that sell books. Folks may post on social media or send an email about how important one of my books is, but I wish that they would also post their reviews in ways that other book buyers will see. It’s hard to have yet to ask for a review from someone who has already bought your book. But, these are the things that really make a difference for independent writers. I don’t think I have a handle on the keys to success on marketing. I’m still trying to determine best routes as technology continues to expand.

 

DL: What tips would you give to aspiring writers?

KZAC: I encourage all aspiring writers to find a community. There are online writing communities, in-person writing communities and writing associations.  Don’t reach out to other writers to “pick their brain.” Pay for coaching and workshops. Build and develop your craft. Be your best champion. Don’t blame others for not helping you in your writing career. That is your passion. You aren’t entitled to anyone being more invested in your journey than you are. 

 

DL: Would you like to share an excerpt from Poem from The Summoning of Black Joy?

KZAC: Sure, here you go:

Like Water

Rushing

Fluid

Clear yet muddied

Quenching

Never enough

Like water

Freedom stands at arms length

Laughing out loud

At our goggles and swim caps

Our multi-colored bathing suits

Ready to swim

Ready to dive in

Ready to be dipped and saved

To be saved to be saved

Oh, Freedom

Stop laughing

Put out this fire

This unwavering burning 

Be salve and cooling 

Extinguisher of all that burns

Let us seep beneath your surface

and lay deep

Cover us in your depths

Ocean us within your waves

Stop laughing at our tears

be a balm be a balm

Of courage and conviction

Jewel us sacred stone

and carry us as treasure

to be protected

to be lightened from this heavy 

Rescued from this continuous drowning

Oh, Freedom

In your murky vagueness,

 

We seek your light

 

DL: Where can readers learn more about you and purchase your book(s)? 

KZAC: Readers can find out more information here:

• Website: KhadijahAli-Coleman.com
• Facebook: Facebook.com/KhadijahOnline
• Instagram: Instagram.com/KhadijahOnline

 

DL: Thanks so much for being here with us today. I know my readers will enjoy getting to know you and your work.

KZAC: Thank you so much!