History Lyrics – Mitch James

History Lyrics by Mitch James is the latest English song lyrics written by Mitch James, Simon Gooding and produced by Mitch James, James Fraser, Simon Gooding.This song published by Sony Music Entertainment Australia. History Song Details Song: History Singer: Mitch James Written: Mitch James, Simon Gooding Producer: Mitch James, James Fraser, Simon Gooding Label: Sony Music Entertainment…

Mitch James is a Professor of Composition and Literature at Lakeland Community College in Kirtland, OH and is the Managing Editor at Great Lakes Review. You can find Mitch’s latest fiction at Flash Fiction Magazine and Scissors and Spackle, poetry at Peauxdunque Review and Southern Florida Poetry Journal, and scholarship at Journal of Creative Writing Studies.

Author Name: Mitch James

How long have you been writing? I wrote my first story in fourth grade, when my teacher, Mr. Hendrix, caught me writing a story in class during math time. He pulled me into the hall and told me that if I wrote a new story once a week and read it to the class, I wouldn’t be in trouble, so I did. He was a grizzly brute of a man, and I was terrified of him. I started writing “seriously,” as in with intention and an eye towards publication, when I was twenty.

Did you ever imagine that you would be published one day? I imagined it, sure, but didn’t know if it would happen, and it still hasn’t happened to as great an affect as I would like.

What made you want to become an author? My exposure to Edgar Allan Poe in fourth grade. I read his work, and though I couldn’t really understand it, there was this gauzy remnant of his writing I did connect to, and it generated raw feelings and new thoughts in ways other stories hadn’t. I wanted to create that experience for other people, even then, so I started trying.

How long have you been published? Well, I’m thirty-eight and my first publication was twenty, so, eighteen years, I guess

How does it feel to be published? I appreciate when places publish my work and when people read it. But if I’m being honest, writing for me has never really been about publishing. Again, I send my stuff out because I do want to be published, and I do want people to engage with my work, but I would write (and have written) without publication. With that said, it is always gratifying to see your name and work in print.

Are you self-published or did you go through a publishing company? *Why? I have not self-published. Nearly all my work has been published via literary journals, though I have had some pieces released in edited collections. Those collections were published by various publishers.

How many books have you written? I have written three novels, a short story collection, and a book of poetry. However, I haven’t published any of them. I’ve attempted to publish two of the three novels to no avail (the story of most writers’ lives). So, if you’re a publisher or agent, check out the work on my website. If you like what you see, reach out to me. I’d love to chat.

What genre is it/are they in? My writing is almost exclusively literary fiction, though I try and take a little literary pepper off the novels so that they might find an audience with more commercial readers too.

What do you feel will inspire others to never forget when they read your story(ies)? I think this question is best suited for those who have read my work. But if I take a stab at it, I will say the unique struggles my characters often must shoulder. On the one hand, they experience the kinds of troubles we all do: death, broken relationships, deceit, addiction, etc. However, there is often a weird little twist or a unique angel at which to witness these situations that makes many of my characters’ evolution unlike most others, and I hope those moments stick with readers so that they not only remember my work but, more importantly, also study the damage in their lives from new angles.

What's the hardest part about writing a book? Personally, I haven’t had much trouble writing the books I’ve written, but I’ve had a hell of a time revising them. So, for me, the hardest part about writing a book is revising it. I can make small and medium changes alright, but I hear stories of writers re-writing entire manuscripts multiple times. It makes me believe I may not have a mind for revision, which could be (perhaps already is?) a problem for me.

What's the easiest part about writing a book? The consistency and control of the process. If you can write one thousand words a day five days a week, you can have an 80,000-word manuscript in four months. Cinch by the inch, hard by the yard—an old farm motto I live my life by.

Where can interested readers purchase their copy of your book(s)? Perhaps one of these days, people will be able to buy my books anywhere books are sold. For now, people can read most of what I’ve published for free via links on my website.

Do you have any future projects in the works? *Is there a tentative release date? I have stories, poems, and academic articles forthcoming in various journals this winter and spring. Folks can access them via links on my website.