INTERVIEW WITH ALBANY POET CARSON PYTELL

conducted via email

What is the most valuable tool of the poet?

Awareness, same as with anyone else.

How many books of poetry have you published, or will be published? When do you know that you have enough for a collection, that you’re ready to try submitting a chapbook or collection?

Four chapbooks are out now with a fifth and sixth forthcoming this year. When I write enough poems I simply round them up, put a title on it and send the manuscript out. Some publishers probably hate me, those who ask for chapbooks to have some sort of linearity to them whether thematically, in setting or what ever the hell else, but - yeah - I just write the poems and when I notice I've got enough for a chapbook, then I package it and send it on its way. Haven't done much except compile the first full-length too. But, again, once I feel there's enough I'll start sending it out. Simple as that.

Name a poetry book that you’ve read recently that really impressed you and tell us why.

The Family of Man Poems by Simon Perchik. Over 600 pages of 10 years of work and finally published after 30 years seeking a press. Simon Perchik is underrated as can be. He just turned 98 and is writing and publishing every day, but that's the least impressive thing about him. His method is unique, his life as a poet too, and his writing - most importantly - is its own thing and no one else's. Do yourself a favor and look him up, read about him, then watch the interview he did in '94 with Virginia Walker down in NYC where he explains the process, talks a bit about his life and reads a couple great pieces.

Name a poetry book that you’ve read either recently or not so recently that *didn’t* impress you, and tell us why.

I've never read a book of poetry I didn't like. I'm no masochist so if I find myself not enjoying something I just stop doing it. I've tried to read a lot of contemporary, academic poetry that did not impress me on its own and especially not after learning what it was about it that I was meant to be appreciating - ya know, all those technical niceties that some artists think separates 'real' from 'imposter' art. It's all pedantry and I fucking hate it. Here let me break that line for ya, break it right off in your ass. You telling me there are really people out there who'd honestly prefer Ocean Vuong over Tom o' Bedlam? 

Don’t tell us who your favorite poet is. Tell us, if you know, who your favorite poet probably learned their craft from, who was their teacher. What’s the chain of influence that you feel most connected to?

He was autodidactic, but spiritually instructed by Whitman. I like the modernists. So, who was it? 

What’s your daily routine? When do you write, in he morning, at night, with coffee, alcohol? 

Pass.

Should poets be obscure or clear? Some people decry poetry because it is too difficult and not “user friendly.” There are people writing very clear, easy to read poetry. What would you say to them? What would you say to their readers?

Now this is a good one. A friend and myself seem to have opposite opinions on this one and I'll break it down quickly. He says to be clear so that the reader knows when things are getting difficult. He says something like: "make even the confusion clear." I say something like: "No, it's poetry." That's about it. Some of my favorite poems I've got barely a clue as to what the hell they're even about and that might just be why they are some of my favorites. Life doesn't leave you insight neatly packaged, rarely gives you any real clear takeaways anyway. Art isn't here to explain the world to you, just to show it in as many different ways as artists can imagine.

How important is it in your estimation to participate in a community of fellow writers? Are you a part of such a community? What’s Albany poetry like? Do you feel part of an online literary community?

Ehh, I'm a hermit. Really, I'll get up and go if I feel too many people around. Community? No. Group of friends, compañeros? Absolutely.

How much seeking fame and readership is okay? Some writers don’t really mind having no readers. Some want to conquer the world and be read by millions of people. What do you think?

Fame is way too funny a word in the context of the literary world, so I'll just cover the readership part. Readership is good, encouraging to learn you have, probably means you're doing something right if people are actually spending money on ink pressed onto paper instead of food or something. You can seek anything you want and as long as you work for it, who the hell am I to say it's wrong to have? I'd like some readership, that'd be cool.