An Interview with Stacey Banton
I’m a writer who enjoys exploring emotions and how they shape our everyday lives. I’ve spent the last decade working in health and social care, alongside my writing. My long-term goal is to dedicate more time to it and eventually write full-time, continuing to develop my voice and connect with readers through honest, emotion-led projects. My work has also been featured on the radio.
When I’m not writing, I enjoy travelling and musical theatre, both of which inspire my creativity and storytelling. I also love films and TV, especially stories that explore emotion and human connection, which influences my writing.
Who/what made you want to write? Was there a particular person, or particular writers/works/art forms that influenced you?
The book is inspired by my own life experiences as well as the emotions and experiences of people around me. I was really intrigued by how the feelings we have on any given day can shape the decisions we make and how things might have turned out differently if we didn’t feel that way. I wanted the poems to be raw and emotion-led, because as humans, one thing we all share is our capacity to feel. At the same time, I wanted the collection to be hopeful and relatable, showing how even negative emotions can be turned into something positive.
What other professions have you worked in? What’s something about you that your readers wouldn’t know?
I’ve had a few different jobs, but I’ve been working in health and social care for the last ten years, alongside my writing. Something readers might not know about me is that I’m really interested in astrology and spirituality.
Tell us the story of your book’s title. Was it easy to find, or did it take forever?
Everything Starts With an Emotion came to me quite quickly. I realised that everything we do begins with a feeling. Emotions are at the base of how we think and act. Looking at the collection, I noticed what all the poems had in common, and it was emotion. That’s when the title Everything Starts With an Emotion came about.
What part of publishing your book made it feel real for the first time?
Seeing the book cover for the first time was when it all felt real. I worked closely with my publishers on the concept and had a clear vision from the start. I wanted the design to include a mirror and an open window, symbolising self-reflection and growth, which are central themes in the collection.
I also chose a midnight, starry sky with a full moon to represent emotional depth, new beginnings, and gratitude. Once the sketch was finalised, we refined the colour scheme to ensure it reflected the overall tone and feeling of the book.
If your book had a soundtrack, what are some songs that would be on it?
If I had to pick a soundtrack for Everything Starts With an Emotion, it would be full of songs that match the different feelings in the book. I would choose Rise Up by Andra Day because it captures the hopeful, inspiring side. The Climb by Miley Cyrus because it’s about personal growth and the journey we go through. Survive by Lewis Capaldi because it is about believing things will get better and overcoming struggles. Lastly, I would choose Give Me Love by Ed Sheeran as it represents the more vulnerable, quieter moments in the book.
What’s one thing you hope sticks with readers after they finish your book?
I would love for the readers to enjoy each poem in the book and feel the emotion behind them. I hope the poems feel relatable and encourage reflection on their own lives.
What was the most rewarding/meaningful part of publishing your book?
The reviews and feedback the book has received, and how it’s made readers feel, have been the most rewarding part. When you put your heart into something and it’s received the way you intended, it feels meaningful and really special.
What creative projects are you currently working on?
I’m currently working on future projects, including another selection of poems and exploring other forms of writing. As a writer, you never really stop thinking about or creating new ideas, so even when I’m not actively writing, I’m always imagining scenes, exploring emotions, and experimenting with different ways to express myself. I’m excited to keep developing my voice and connecting with readers through my work.
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.