Grace Cavalieri

Grace Cavalieri is the author of several books, and produced plays. She's produced "The Poet and the Poem" from the Library of Congress on public radio,( now in its 31st year.) Among honors, Grace holds playwriting awards, the Allen Ginsberg Award for Poetry, A Paterson Prize for Poetry, the Pen- Syndicated Fiction Award, the Bordighera Poetry Award, the Folger's inaugural "Columbia Award." and CPB's Silver Medal. Her book What I Would do For Love (Poems in the Voice of Mary Wollstonecraft, 1759-1797) is the basis for her new play, "Hyena in Petticoats." Among production awards, the play "Quilting the Sun" was awarded the key to the city of Greenville (2007.) She is the Book Review Editor for The Montserrat Review, and a poetry columnist for MiPOradio. Her forthcoming book of poems is ANNA NICOLE. (2008, A Menendez Publication) www.gracecavalieri.com

Interview with Grace Cavalieri

Q: How and when did you find out that your book was being published?

Well I was a founder, so it was self-indulgent but we founders did our books among the first batches

Q: What was it like seeing your book in print for the first time?

Beautiful. The cover was by the graphics artist who founded the press with John McNally and me and the visual was part of our initial concept.

Q: What kind of poet/ fiction writer do you see yourself as? Is there a particular genre or subject matter you find yourself revisiting often?

I think I am a relationship poet/playwright and fiction writer. Human relationships.

Q: When did you first realize that you were a writer? Can you pinpoint a specific time in your life, or did you always know that you wanted to write?

BORN that way. Most writers were. Wrote as a child. Most writers did.

Q: Can you discuss your writing practice? Are there particular places or times of day that you find most conducive to writing?

Early morning is best, but I collect imagery all day.

Q: What is it about your writing style that makes you unique?

Surrealistic and narrative at once.

Q: What do you think the WWPH has done for the Washington literary scene?

EMBLAZONED IT.

Q: How involved are you in the DC literary scene now?

I have had the pleasure of presenting 2000 poets on radio in 30 years, 20 from WPFW weekly, I have published 50 with THE BUNNNY AND THE CROCDILE PRESS, and I host a cable show featuring writers.

Q: What people have most inspired your work? Why?

Women poets, all.

Q: What is your favorite book? Why?

BELOVED ...mystical

Q: Who are your favorite authors and why?

I still like EDNA ST VINCENT MILLAY. Courage.

Q: What is the best writing advice you ever received and from who?

William Stafford: If you have writers block, lower the bar.

Q: What is the strangest job you ever had?

Taking seconds labels off sheets to sell in store and pasting firsts (at age 15).

Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world to write, where would you go? Why?

Italy. It is my heritage.

Q: What is your favorite DC: restaurant, coffee shop, bookstore?

4912 (Wisconsin). The best fried tofu.