Editor's note: Books presents the fourth in a series of profiles of local authors.Today's writer: Harrisburg native Le Hinton grew up with six siblings and a mother who read the Bible and the poetry of Langston Hughes aloud.
He started writing poetry at age 16, "only for myself," and went on to major in English at St. Joseph's University. Over the years, the Lancaster resident has had about 50 poems published in various places before deciding to become a publisher himself. He established Iris G. Press in 2004.
"I did not want to publish a book simply because I could afford to," he explained. "I wanted to have publication credits in other places that validated the work and indicated that what I was writing was worthy of publication in book form."
Hinton says people often ask him how he can afford to publish poetry. He tells them they could too, if they paid off their car loan and didn't buy a new car. (His 2001 Toyota Camry has 175,000 miles on it.)
It's clear that sharing the work of talented poets and presenting his mother with a volume of her own poetry for Christmas move him farther and faster than a new Lexus could.
Nom de plume: I usually write as Le Hinton. However, I have used the name Marissa Allen or 2HEL (my initials backwards).
Initially, that allowed me to explore writing in a different style or on different subjects. (I've written about abuse from the perspective of a female.)
I say, "Don't look at me; read the poem." Because of stereotypes, looking at me people may expect African-American-themed poetry. Anything I write is African-American-themed, though it may not have anything to do with race. We all want the same things in life, to fall in love ... to keep our children safe ... Those are African-American themes too.
Latest title: As a poet: "Status Post Hope," from 2006. As a publisher and editor: Jeff Rath's "The Waiting Room at the End of the World," from this year. Also, the fifth issue of Iris G. Press' poetry journal, Fledgling Rag, came out in September. It's published three times a year.
Backlist: As a poet: "Waiting for Brion" and "Cultivating Darkness," a chapbook by Marissa Allen. As a publisher: "26 Javanese Proverbs," by Marty Esworthy, a post-modern poet who lives in Harrisburg; and "In the Secret Place of the Most High," by Margaret Hinton, my mother.
Now working on: As poet: "Black on Most Days," scheduled for publication in the fall of 2008. As a publisher: Rebecca Gonzalez's "Sonata for Rain." This is the first book by a very talented York poet and will be published in the spring of 2008.
Personal best-seller: "Waiting for Brion." It is the book that has been available the longest.
Highest literary accolade: I haven't ever received an accolade for writing. I avoid entering contests and generally want to tell other people about other talented poets. Our Web site carries our philosophy, which is centered on the work and less on the person.
Iris G. Press has nominated six poets for a Pushcart Prize, an award for work published by small presses.
Favorite poets: Dean Young, originally from Columbia and the 2006 Pulitzer Prize finalist; Mary Oliver; Rita Dove; Mary Ruefle; Langston Hughes; and Robert Browning.
My goal: I want to publish work by wonderfully talented and humble poets whose work I love. Humility is important to me.
Initially, I decided to use my own money, knowing that as poetry, nothing would be a big seller. Short of Oprah telling the world that it should by your latest book of poetry, no new poet is going to become a household name.
I also believe that one has a moral obligation to do good if one can. So for the first year after the publication of "Waiting for Brion," I donated $5 from the sale of each book to a charity.
With Jeff Rath's book and his generous spirit, we decided that all proceeds from his book would be put towards publishing the next book, in this case Rebecca Gonzalez's book. She thinks and feels the same way, so proceeds of her book will go into the next book
A source of inspiration: Other arts. "Waiting for Brion" found its inspiration in Gustave Brion's art and "Status Post Hope" in Joan Miro's art. Music, particularly jazz, and the small moments in life also serve as inspiration.
Advice for aspiring writers: Being emotionally sensitive or being moved by an event is not enough. There is a craft to writing well. It is difficult and sometimes tedious work, and the most important part of writing is rewriting and editing.
Day job: Program manager for the Bureau of Disability Determination for Social Security under the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry.
Writing time: When I am on the road for work, I write a great deal in my room at night. At home, I tend to write in the morning, particularly on the weekends.
Family: I've been married to my wife, Laraine, for 34 years.
Web site: www.irisgpress.org.
Jo-Ann Greene is editor of the Books section. Her email address is jgreene@lnpnews.com.
