An Interview with Sierra Hood

Sierra Hood is an award-winning teenager who has written over two hundred works of English literature. Sierra has won first place in the Los Gatos Poetry Contest of 2023, third place in the San Jose Slam Poetry Contest, and two honorable mentions in the 2024 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. Sierra has been published in the anthology Dreams for the Future. She is also one of the leading members of her local poetry club. Sierra writes for the people who have also been subjected to sexism, misogyny, depression, anxiety, and even physical violence over the years. As Sierra continues to write and fight for change, she hopes to inspire the new generation (and generations to come) to advocate for themselves and to help them make a home for themselves in poetry as she has.

What inspired you to start writing this book?

I started writing poetry as a way to cope. I started running out of ideas and one day I heard a slam poet based where I live. I decided to write a poem to share with my seventh-grade English class and I have been writing ever since. I wanted to publish my poetry in a book because I wanted to get my poetry out to people in need. I wanted to get published so those who are going through things they cannot explain or talk about yet and read my poetry and feel just a little less alone and willing to heal.

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

I keep a notes app for ideas of poem names for when I don’t know what to name a poem. I came up with the idea of “Open Waters” when I was talking with my close group of friends about different bodies of water. I liked the way it sounded and intended to write a poem that would house the title. The more I read the name, the more I fell in love with it and eventually decided it was worthy enough to be the title of my first book.

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

Some songs that would be on the soundtrack of my book are: “rises the moon” by Liana Flores, “Summertime Sadness” by Lana Del Ray, “Angel Down – Work Tape” by Lady Gaga, “Not Allowed” by TV Girl, “Born2Run” by Penelope Scott, and “ocean eyes” by Billie Eilish.

What books did you read (for research or comfort) throughout your writing process?

I love Blythe Baird’s poetry so dearly. I read her books Sweet, Young, and Worried and If My Body Could Speak over and over again. I also read Milk and Honey by Rupi Kaur and Lord of the Butterflies by Andrea Gibson while writing my book.

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

I hope those who read my book can reflect on my poetry and see themselves in what I write. I hope everyone can have their own interpretation of what each poem means and that I can get more people to write poetry and express themselves in any form of writing.

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