An Interview with Charnjit Gill

Charnjit Gill has an MA in Creative Writing and a BA in English Literature & Creative Writing and has been writing and performing poetry for over nine years. She was a member of Apples and Snakes: The Writing Room. Her work has been published in the London Spoken Word Anthology 2015-2016 by Gug Press, Typishly, Minerva Rising Press, From Whispers to Roars, KYSO Flash, Ghost City Press, San Fedele Press, Starfeather Publishing, Poets Choice, the Road to Nowhere, DominAsian Magazine, and Brownies Verse. She has three poetry collections: Impression, For the Moment, and Pray Tell. She was one of the winners of the Art Fund Prize 2023, where her poem ‘Triggered’ was displayed on billboards throughout the UK. She coauthored Transform From An Individual to an Entity with Christoph Jenkins, head of The Poet Life. Her debut play, Good Mourning, was showcased at the Hounslow Arts Centre.

Tell us the story of your book’s title. Was it easy to find, or did it take forever?

The title was the last thing I did. I had so many options to consider.

How did it feel when you first saw your book cover? Or when you first held your book in your hands?

It was such an amazing feeling to see the book cover because it was exactly the way I had imagined it in my head. It was even better to hold the book in my hands and reality of it the fact that I have a third poetry collection.

Who/what made you want to write? Was there a particular person, or particular writers/works/art forms that influenced you?

I have been writing for many years but found my voice in poetry. I am a huge reading fan and have been inspired by so many writers over the years. Music has definitely had a huge influence on my writing and performance.

What other professions have you worked in? What’s something about you that your readers wouldn’t know?

I work as an admin assistant in a high school. I am also a private tutor. I have recently started freelance editing and helping other poets craft their work. I am an admin assistant for The Poet Life.

What was the most rewarding/meaningful part of publishing your book?

The most rewarding part is when the readers receive their book. I love having that personal connection with readers when I sign their books or send a copy out to them. It’s wonderful when readers order the book and are really impacted by the book. It gives an opportunity for them to share their story and I’m privileged to be a part of it.

If your book had a soundtrack, what are some songs that would be on it?

I actually created a playlist as a soundscape to complement the poems, which varies across languages and music genres. Stormzy’s “Blinded By Your Grace” was a song I always returned to as it felt like it was created from a similar place.

What is one thing you hope readers take away from reading your book? How do you envision your perfect reader?

From the feedback I have had from readers, some use the poems as affirmations and found it to be really useful. It is the type of book you can come back to any time and interpret differently based on how you’re feeling and what you’re going through.

How was working with Atmosphere Press? What would you tell other writers who want to publish?

I really enjoyed working with Atmosphere Press so much so that I have published three poetry collections with them. They have such a brilliant team that really walks you through each step and I wanted to work with them again. They understood my desire to create a book that was different from the other two and found a way of honouring its uniqueness.

Are you a writer, too? Submit your manuscript to Atmosphere Press.