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An Interview with Judith Partelow

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Born in Orange, NJ, Judith Parttelow lived in Union and Westfield until they moved when she was twelve to Philadelphia and Bucks Country, PA. In her senior year at William Tennent in Warminster, she was given the encouragement to pursue acting and writing and has followed those paths throughout her career. Inspired by her chapbook of the same name, in 2017, Judith Partelow wrote her first play, A Woman’s Heart, created entirely from her poetry. It was then produced six times to standing ovations on Cape Cod, MA. Her play was taught as a course at Cape Cod Community College by Professor Rod Owens as part of the Academy of Lifelong Learning. Her next chapbook of poems, Carry Me Back, A Woman’s Life in Poetry contains some of the poems that appear in her play, among many new ones. Her latest book of poems is a comprehensive compilation that spans over forty years of writing, Passion & Provocation, Selected Poems by Judith Partelow. She has been a featured poet on numerous occasions and has won several awards over the years. She is a founding member of the Scargo Hill Poets, and a board member of the Cape Cod Writers Center.

Partelow is an actress and director who has appeared in multiple theatrical productions, readings and films over the years. She has developed a play entitled NEIGHBORS! on the impact of racism in our community and society. It was written in collaboration with other writers of diverse backgrounds. It is available to be used by schools, churches and any other organizations wanting to stimulate discussion on this very difficult topic.

She has three adult children and six grandchildren (and one great-grandchild!). She is married to Thom Slayter, also a writer.

Partelow’s new book, Passion & Provocation, is an invitation to explore the many colors of Judith Partelow’s poetry; a tapestry of threads woven through tender longings and joyful celebrations of love, friendships, marriages, family bonds, the soul, and other themes of a life well lived. She is available for readings. Go to www.judithpartelow.com or write judithpartelow@gmail.com for information.

Passion & Provocation may be ordered through Amazon.com, Atmosphere Press, or any other bookseller. An eBook and audible recording are also available.



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

This was one of those “flashes” that comes when you ask the universe for assistance! At a writers’ conference on Cape Cod in the summer of 2023, the instructor talked about the importance of the title. I wasn’t satisfied with my original title and began to ask myself what would convey the feeling of my poetry. “Passion” was my answer. But I needed something more to make it intriguing—and to explain the complexities of my poetry, as well. The word “Provocation” leapt into my mind like a flash. When I mentioned the possible title, Passion & Provocation, in the class, everyone including the instructor exclaimed “YES!” So that’s how it came about.

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

Seeing the book cover after discussing with Ronaldo Alves regarding the central image, font, and color was absolutely thrilling. It’s fantastic, gorgeous, more than I could have dreamed of. Every librarian, bookseller, and individual who sees it and holds it has the same response. It gives me a great sense of pride that this book stands out among others for its visual appeal.

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

I have a little story I tell about that when asked. I was in third grade. I woke up one early morning before school with a poem in my head. I had to write it down. I don’t think I even knew what a poem was. Since it was close to Mother’s Day, I took it to my teacher to see if she thought it was good enough to give to my mother. After reading it, she looked up with tears in her eyes, and said, “May I give it to my mother, too?” The power of that encouragement stayed with me all my life. From that day on, I considered myself a writer. In college and thereafter I became very serious about writing poetry, in particular, and though I didn’t study poetry formally, I loved expressing my feelings in ways that others could understand and relate to. That seems to be the effect of my poetry. Time and time again people thank me for my accessibility and vulnerability.

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

I received my BA in English and Secondary Education with a Drama minor from Parsons College in Iowa. I taught high school and adult education for a few years but due to circumstances of moving around a lot, I ended up working as an administrative assistant in colleges and medical facilities while raising my three children. However, from the time I was in my late teens through my seventh decade (!) I have worked additionally as an actress, attaining professional status in both theater and film. My interests, now that I’m retired from a regular work schedule, are in directing and playwriting besides writing poetry, and acting only occasionally.

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

The positive response to my poetry from all the team members at Atmosphere Press gave me the assurance that it was worthy of being published. As a relatively “unknown” poet, I only wanted a publisher that would be as excited about my work as I was and would listen to me when I had suggestions. The other benefits are listed on their website! The length of time from my submission to actually holding the book in my hand, after all the steps of formatting, editing, etc. was one year. It could have taken a shorter amount of time, but there was a stretch when I was out of the country.

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

“A Man and a Woman” from the French film of that name! Slow, smooth jazz and blues. Songs of Billy Holiday, Nina Simone, Richard Thompson, Bruce Springsteen, David Byrne.

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

I want readers to feel they have been understood. The perfect reader works slowly through the sections of my book, thinking about and relishing the various themes of life. That they have read words that touch their soul in ways they could never express themselves.

What new writing projects are you currently working on? Or, other projects that are not writing?

I’m presently at the beginning of researching and writing a play about the Baha’i women prisoners in Iran. They are imprisoned and sometimes executed for not recanting their (and my) Baha’i Faith. This has been going on for years and continues in the present day. Many in the West are not aware of this situation. It needs to be told.

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

Every bit of working with Atmosphere Press was enjoyable. There was no frustration of being misunderstood or waiting and waiting for a response to questions. I trust them wholeheartedly. I reasoned that to self-publish without their help would have caused me a lot of anxiety, and more money in attempting to find and employ the assistance of individuals who charge for their expertise in certain aspects of publishing. Atmosphere Press is one package with everything included—and extras you are able to add on if so desired. But the basics of getting a book published and out there to be purchased are straightforward and worth the lack of frustration, in my estimation!


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