An Interview with Alec Hood
Not far from here, there have been sightings of a strange silhouette roaming the night using a jar of lightning bugs as a lantern. These sightings suggest that he paces back and forth and only stops when he finds a fallen animal at his feet. On this occasion, this man can be seen kneeling down and reciting a eulogy for the roadkill before beginning to pace again. There are rumors that this odd fellow is none other than Alec B. Hood, the author of this collection. However, the only firsthand account of this man’s face offers a chilling revelation; that this man has no face at all. The eyewitness describes a skull with scattered freckles instead of some skin and a smile. If this account is to be believed, this could not be Mr. Hood, and as a result, this small story is completely irrelevant.
Tell us the story of your book’s title. Was it easy to find, or did it take forever?
We had a string of pediatric deaths on our ambulance, and I really just couldn’t make any sense of it. How does the worst thing in the world happen to the most innocent of all of us? I remember in the aftermath seeing how beautiful and carefree butterflies appeared to be in nature. I thought butterflies and children are alike in how just seeing one could make your day better. But I couldn’t shake the thought that I had seen the worst thing that could happen to a kid, and so that eventually led me to think about the worst thing that could happen to a butterfly. I immediately thought of a bloodletting – the leeches and the infection. The ugliness of it all. A butterfly being devoured by these slimy-toothed slugs.
How did it feel when you first saw your book cover? Or when you first held your book in your hands?
Feather drew the cover, and his attention to detail is very impressive. A human hand has to be one of the hardest things to draw, but he dialed in and brought it to life. The fact that the cover came from my friend’s mind felt special to me because of how vulnerable and personal I am in between the covers. Feather added his own flair and perspective to the project, and it is infinitely better because of it. Listen, I can’t say enough good things about my friend Feather.
Who/what made you want to write? Was there a particular person, or particular writers/works/art forms that influenced you?
This project started out as a grief log. It sort of chronicled my worst moments. I had to write my way out of the dark, and unfortunately that meant producing a lot of grim and messy poetry. But the things I felt were true in that moment even if now that feeling has passed. Those sentiments still have merit and I still learn from them. I never know if tragedy is an acceptable muse. Is it exploitation or authenticity? The book tries to answer this, but never really comes to a clear conclusion.
What other professions have you worked in? What’s something about you that your readers wouldn’t know?
I was an Infantry Officer in the Army and am now a firefighter/paramedic for my home city. I also graduated from Indiana University with a degree in creative writing.
What is one thing you hope readers take away from reading your book? How do you envision your perfect reader?
I would like it to start a conversation on mental health. Despair and profound sadness aren’t exclusive to veterans or first-responders. Those emotions are part of the human experience and we all arrive at them eventually. Just because we take different avenues to get there, it doesn’t change that sooner or later everybody needs help. But are we comfortable asking for help? Do we feel the shame and stigma? These poems of mine are soaked in blood and highlight very unflattering parts of myself. However, in them I found community, and didn’t have to suffer alone.
How was working with Atmosphere Press? What would you tell other writers who want to publish?
I really appreciated the creatine freedom. Atmosphere allowed me to be unapologetically me. I never had to compromise. The editor pushed me and because of her, the manuscript improved. Every new person I encountered was optimistic and motivated. I never felt out of the loop or alone. So, it was a great team to have in my corner.
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