A CONVERSATION WITH COLD AUGUST (Interviewed By The RBM)
The RBM: Give those who haven't read your book "The Blood Of My Pen" a brief idea of what it's
about.
Cold August: The Blood Of My Pen is sort of an introduction of myself into the arena of poetry. It truly
signifies the beginning of me as a poet. Some of the poems in there where my first crack at poetry being that
I came from more of a rapper, singer/songwriter background. I officially became serious about poetry in
2004 and all of my feelings in that difficult year were captured in this book. When I started, one of my first
serious poems was written in April 2004. I didn’t stop until a week before I self published the book in
September 2005. The Blood Of My Pen is six chapters that deal with many different topics from, love,
heartbreak, family, God, black power, imagery, and my personal life. Every chapter is a future book.
The RBM: How difficult was self publishing your book, meaning getting publicity, the sacrifice
financially, and keeping it on people's mind?
Cold August: Well, I found my self publishing site by networking heavily with other writers that were doing
the same thing. You have to stay plugged in with other artists who enjoy writing and reading. Poetry forums
are very good for networking because you can promote and get a good fan base . Then I would suggest
poetry open-mics, local bookstores, and festivals. Be aggressive and tenacious, also presentation is
everything. Market yourself like you are a bestseller. For me it’s definitely not easy because I’m doing my
own promotion but people who buy it love it so much they promote it for me. That’s a blessing.
The RBM: Would you recommend a new artist to self publish or suggest that they try to hit the big
name publishers?
Cold August: Well I would say self publish first because it’s going to look more impressive to publishers
than just a manuscript. Always self publish first. Don’t wait on anyone. Once you do that and create a buzz
for yourself, then go to the bigger publishers. Research heavily.
The RBM: When it comes to writing, have you met any resistance or any hindrances in getting to
where you are?
Cold August: Never. Writing comes so naturally like the blood in my veins. The reason why is because I
write for a purpose and that’s to make music and books, not for poems to collect dust in a binder. I have a
clear and present goal.
The RBM: How long have you been writing? Was there any specific reason why you began writing?
Cold August: Well I first started writing when I used to draw and put together pocket comic books when I
was about 10. I would use my favorite cartoon heroes from TV, but the stories I would write would be
original. It’s weird because my main talent was drawing even though I wasn’t the greatest artist. I realize
now it wasn’t how good I could draw, but my imagination was vast. I would do excellent on the writing
state proficiency and never thought of it until now. I didn’t find poetry, it seemed to have found me.
The RBM: Who has influenced you growing up, not really writing-wise, just everyday Cold August?
Cold August: My biggest influence coming up was probably my mother. I took on so many of her traits. I
definitely think I received my love for the serenity of nature from her. Her struggle is my struggle because
we had a naive and kind hearts, we made many of the same mistakes dealing with people. Her strength is so
amazing and her spirit is beautiful. No one but God has a bigger influence on me.
The RBM: Who is your favorite author? What about him/her do you respect so much?
Cold August: Honestly I don’t have a favorite author. I don’t read books much but I love the work of my
fellow poets. I love poetry books. I would love to get a Maya Angelou and Langston Hughes book. Start at
the beginning.
The RBM: What is your favorite book? Why?
Cold August: My favorite book I ever read was H.G Wells’ “The Time Machine“. I just like science fiction
and the world that it puts me in. I read that book in middle school.
The RBM: Tell the readers what else you have going on outside of writing.
Cold August: I’m actually finishing up a spoken word / Rap CD. I’ve been enjoying putting the poems I
write to music, producing and mixing. I hope to have my own recording studio one day. I also am a
webmaster and design covers for books.
The RBM: What other writing related projects do you have planned?
Cold August: I’ll probably release two books in 2007. The first one will be called “A Young Visionary With
Heaven At My Grasp“. The other will probably be a poetry book on love and heartbreak.
The RBM: You are Mecca's first "In House" Spotlighted Author. What does that mean to you
knowing where Mecca started from?
Cold August: It means a lot, because you know yourself that we were a band of hungry writers who stuck
together and built a great a forum for writers to shine. I definitely have to commend you for taking the vision
to a whole other level.
The RBM: Finally, what's the book writing process like for you, how does it affect you?
Cold August: I love the whole process because with “The Blood Of My Pen”, I did it not knowing what I
was doing but learned so much with trial and error. I really love the process. I want to write knowing that it’
s not going to just sit around and get lost into oblivion. I write for it to get out into the world and touch
people. I hope God continues to use me as vessel, for he has started a good work in me and is faithful to
complete it. Thanks to you and Mecca, I appreciate this spotlight.
You can read more about Cold August by visiting his official website: PoetOfPain.com
The RBM: Give those who haven't read your book "The Blood Of My Pen" a brief idea of what it's
about.
Cold August: The Blood Of My Pen is sort of an introduction of myself into the arena of poetry. It truly
signifies the beginning of me as a poet. Some of the poems in there where my first crack at poetry being that
I came from more of a rapper, singer/songwriter background. I officially became serious about poetry in
2004 and all of my feelings in that difficult year were captured in this book. When I started, one of my first
serious poems was written in April 2004. I didn’t stop until a week before I self published the book in
September 2005. The Blood Of My Pen is six chapters that deal with many different topics from, love,
heartbreak, family, God, black power, imagery, and my personal life. Every chapter is a future book.
The RBM: How difficult was self publishing your book, meaning getting publicity, the sacrifice
financially, and keeping it on people's mind?
Cold August: Well, I found my self publishing site by networking heavily with other writers that were doing
the same thing. You have to stay plugged in with other artists who enjoy writing and reading. Poetry forums
are very good for networking because you can promote and get a good fan base . Then I would suggest
poetry open-mics, local bookstores, and festivals. Be aggressive and tenacious, also presentation is
everything. Market yourself like you are a bestseller. For me it’s definitely not easy because I’m doing my
own promotion but people who buy it love it so much they promote it for me. That’s a blessing.
The RBM: Would you recommend a new artist to self publish or suggest that they try to hit the big
name publishers?
Cold August: Well I would say self publish first because it’s going to look more impressive to publishers
than just a manuscript. Always self publish first. Don’t wait on anyone. Once you do that and create a buzz
for yourself, then go to the bigger publishers. Research heavily.
The RBM: When it comes to writing, have you met any resistance or any hindrances in getting to
where you are?
Cold August: Never. Writing comes so naturally like the blood in my veins. The reason why is because I
write for a purpose and that’s to make music and books, not for poems to collect dust in a binder. I have a
clear and present goal.
The RBM: How long have you been writing? Was there any specific reason why you began writing?
Cold August: Well I first started writing when I used to draw and put together pocket comic books when I
was about 10. I would use my favorite cartoon heroes from TV, but the stories I would write would be
original. It’s weird because my main talent was drawing even though I wasn’t the greatest artist. I realize
now it wasn’t how good I could draw, but my imagination was vast. I would do excellent on the writing
state proficiency and never thought of it until now. I didn’t find poetry, it seemed to have found me.
The RBM: Who has influenced you growing up, not really writing-wise, just everyday Cold August?
Cold August: My biggest influence coming up was probably my mother. I took on so many of her traits. I
definitely think I received my love for the serenity of nature from her. Her struggle is my struggle because
we had a naive and kind hearts, we made many of the same mistakes dealing with people. Her strength is so
amazing and her spirit is beautiful. No one but God has a bigger influence on me.
The RBM: Who is your favorite author? What about him/her do you respect so much?
Cold August: Honestly I don’t have a favorite author. I don’t read books much but I love the work of my
fellow poets. I love poetry books. I would love to get a Maya Angelou and Langston Hughes book. Start at
the beginning.
The RBM: What is your favorite book? Why?
Cold August: My favorite book I ever read was H.G Wells’ “The Time Machine“. I just like science fiction
and the world that it puts me in. I read that book in middle school.
The RBM: Tell the readers what else you have going on outside of writing.
Cold August: I’m actually finishing up a spoken word / Rap CD. I’ve been enjoying putting the poems I
write to music, producing and mixing. I hope to have my own recording studio one day. I also am a
webmaster and design covers for books.
The RBM: What other writing related projects do you have planned?
Cold August: I’ll probably release two books in 2007. The first one will be called “A Young Visionary With
Heaven At My Grasp“. The other will probably be a poetry book on love and heartbreak.
The RBM: You are Mecca's first "In House" Spotlighted Author. What does that mean to you
knowing where Mecca started from?
Cold August: It means a lot, because you know yourself that we were a band of hungry writers who stuck
together and built a great a forum for writers to shine. I definitely have to commend you for taking the vision
to a whole other level.
The RBM: Finally, what's the book writing process like for you, how does it affect you?
Cold August: I love the whole process because with “The Blood Of My Pen”, I did it not knowing what I
was doing but learned so much with trial and error. I really love the process. I want to write knowing that it’
s not going to just sit around and get lost into oblivion. I write for it to get out into the world and touch
people. I hope God continues to use me as vessel, for he has started a good work in me and is faithful to
complete it. Thanks to you and Mecca, I appreciate this spotlight.
You can read more about Cold August by visiting his official website: PoetOfPain.com
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November '06
Melanie C. Jordan
December '06
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January '07
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February '07
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April '07
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exclusive Spotlighted
Author interviews!!
June '06
Vincent Alexandria
July '06
Mary Monroe
August '06
Cold August
September '06
L.R. Hatcher
October '06
Various
November '06
Melanie C. Jordan
December '06
Mark Goggins
January '07
San Culberson
February '07
Rhyme Cypha
March '07
Lesley S Munyuki
April '07
Joseph Phillips
May '07
Hannah Drake
June '07
Kateb Nuri Shunnar
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