An Interview with P.S. Glyckherr
I guess I started writing down simple thoughts as soon as I learned to write as a child, but I really fell in love with writing when my English teachers began encouraging me—from book reports to creative writing assignments. From one year to the next, I seemed to gain skill and loved writing even more. Encouragement does wonders to promote even a little bit of ambition. Though I never thought of writing as a career, my career seemed to always include the “art of writing” in one form or another. I published one small book of poetry in the ’80s called Poems Without Names, not realizing at the time that I would write books years later.
In the interim, my poems were published in a host of poetry anthologies, while I also did ghostwriting, entered various writing contests, wrote for a greeting card company, created and edited newsletters, crafted lyrics to music, and found great joy in collaboration!
After retirement, friends and family urged me to publish some things I’d written that were just sitting idle in my file cabinets, and that led to two books published with Atmosphere Press. Many of the poems included were new, but some had been written years before. Now two more books are available just for children on Blurb Books—a poetry book called What’s in YOUR MIND? and a short story—“Honey Boy and His Fisher Dog!”—based on my late grandson’s “perfect home” on the lake.
I don’t think I’ll ever stop writing and hoping others will relate to some of my thoughts and find encouragement. I was told a few seniors wrote their first poems after reading one of my books.
Tell us the story of your book’s title. Was it easy to find, or did it take forever?
The first and last poem in my book, “Porchlight” and “Home,” were recently written with my grandmother’s influence in mind, as well as a couple more poems about her on pages in between. Her “porchlight” had always been ON for me, and she was a big part of how my faith in God evolved. She was there for every challenge I experienced and each accomplishment. Not only did she listen and help provide whatever I needed, the circumstances never mattered. So, this book is dedicated to a woman of great faith who loved others as Jesus loves us, and who impacted my youth AND my future. I could never thank her enough.
How did it feel when you first saw your book cover? Or when you first held your book in your hands?
Ronaldo Alves with Atmosphere Press made me very happy the day he shared my cover design for Porchlight. He is a pro! His team also created the cover for my first book with Atmosphere—I Believe, and Jesus Knows. Felipe Betim designed a superb cover that visually portrayed the theme of my book. I don’t think I could have been happier with each of these covers. They just make you want to open the books to see what’s inside.
Who/what made you want to write? Was there a particular person, or particular writers/works/art forms that influenced you?
Do we ever know for sure what made us want to write? I am grateful for my English teachers who encouraged me, my grandmother who was always willing to listen to my thoughts, and to my God who must have had something to do with it all. Right?!
What other professions have you worked in? What’s something about you that your readers wouldn’t know?
For most of my career I worked as a development professional in the nonprofit sector. My love of education and especially for music were fulfilled on a daily basis, and writing was always a part of my responsibilities. I was very blessed with those opportunities.
What was the most rewarding/meaningful part of publishing your book?
When both a cousin of mine and a special friend told me that they laughed AND cried while reading my book, I knew I had done the right thing.
If your book had a soundtrack, what are some songs that would be on it?
“Silver Blue” by JD Souther; “Broken” by Cherryholmes; “Don’t Let Me Be Lonely Tonight” by James Taylor; “Tell it Like it Is” by Don Johnson; “Pieces of April” by Dave Loggins; “Don’t Dream it’s Over” by Diana Krall; “Bridge Over Troubled Water” by Eva Cassidy; “Dedicated to the One I Love” by Linda Ronstadt; “Always and Forever” by Heatwave; “Bring Him Home” by Gary Morris, and probably others as well. Music, after all, is an agent of the heart.
What is one thing you hope readers take away from reading your book? How do you envision your perfect reader?
There is always hope and comfort if you can find a porchlight, and God’s porchlight is always ON!
What creative projects are you currently working on?
I’m listening and recording responses to my existing books to find subjects that really move people. They have been varied, so that gives me a large canvas.
How was working with Atmosphere Press? What would you tell other writers who want to publish?
Like the first time, I thoroughly enjoyed working with the Atmosphere Press staff again. I appreciated their attentive professionalism and kindness while helping me through the publishing process.
Are you a writer, too? Submit your manuscript to Atmosphere Press.
Atmosphere Press is a selective hybrid publisher founded in 2015 on the principles of Honesty, Transparency, Professionalism, Kindness, and Making Your Book Awesome. Our books have won dozens of awards and sold tens of thousands of copies. If you’re interested in learning more, or seeking publication for your own work, please explore the links below.
