Conversations with Jennifer Gordon

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Gordon. 

Hi Jennifer, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers.
Several years ago, I began writing as a form of personal therapy. I had been through some difficult experiences, and writing became a natural outlet for healing. As a teenager, I had developed a love for poetry, so as I began this writing journey as an adult, my writing began to gravitate in that direction. After taking some college-level creative writing courses, I started to see my notes and journals as more than a private hobby and entertained the idea of going public with a few of my poems. At the suggestion of some important people in my life, I started an Instagram page of poetry. I was quickly blown away by the support and encouragement of the Instagram poetry community. The love and kindness I have discovered there, through connections with people all over the world, has become an incredible source of inspiration to my craft. After two years of growing a following through social media, I made the leap in 2021 to becoming an author by publishing my first book, ‘Poems To Read In The Rain,’ through Curious Corvid Publishing. I had no idea what to expect from the publishing experience but was overjoyed at the response I had not only from my home community in Michigan but from people all over the country and even from other parts of the world. Less than a year later, I published my second collection, ‘The Nature Of Night,’ and here I am in 2023, awaiting the release of my third book, ‘Blue Colored Muse.’ This new collection has a much different feel to it than the first two, and I’m looking forward to seeing how people respond to it. I have no idea what the future holds for me as an author, but I am open to a winding road of possibilities. 

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Creating something you are proud of is rarely a smooth road. Putting your art on display for public consumption is an emotionally difficult process, at least for me. Allowing people to read and potentially ridicule my work has required me to grow as a person, and I am forever grateful for the experience. The writing process certainly has its ups and downs, but I think the publishing process itself has been my biggest struggle. My first two books were published through Curious Corvid Publishing out of Ohio, who did a wonderful job, but we ran into issues with printing errors through Amazon, and it was heartbreaking to find that a sub-par version of my book had been distributed to people before the errors were caught. My third and upcoming book was a much bigger challenge than I anticipated as I attempted to branch out and publish the collection on my own. I definitely have a new appreciation for all the hard work that publishing companies do! 

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
As an author, I hope to find a niche in my reader’s hearts by connecting with them on an emotional level. When I receive reviews or personal responses to my work, I am most touched by those who tell me I have taken things they have been feeling for years and put them into words that helped them to feel seen and understood. I believe the greatest gift to someone is to help them understand that they are not alone. My latest collection (to be released on June 1st) is unique in several ways, and I am so proud of how it turned out. ‘Blue Colored Muse’ incorporates artwork from visual artists all over the state of Michigan, using those images as inspiration for wisdom and nature-themed poetry. It has been an absolute honor to interact with so many brilliant, artistic minds, and I am humbled by their willingness to work with me. I have no doubt that readers, especially those familiar with the landscape of Michigan, will discover pieces of themselves throughout the book. 

In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
I honestly have no idea where being an author will take me, and I like it that way. I have enjoyed delving into one project at a time and anticipate that I will continue to create this way and enjoy the journey. I am in the beginning phases of opening up my own business sometime in the near future, but I am keeping those details quiet for now. As a hint…I have been in awe of art since I was a child, a lover of books for a lifetime, a yoga instructor for over a decade, and an author for the past few years. My dream is to find a beautiful way to bring each of these elements together in a way that serves my community. 

Contact Info:

• Website: jennifergordonpoetry.com
• Instagram: @jennifergordonpoetry

Image Credits
Kailey Hein Photography
MAD Five O Photography