Meet Kushal Poddar (issue 04 Contributor)

SR: Could you give us a quick introduction to yourself?

I live in India and by my writings. I have been a professional writer for one decade, and before that I led a lazy and reluctant lawyer's life for one and a half decade. My writings span from poetry, short fiction to articles on art, politics and psychology. My works have been translated into twelve languages.

I have authored

1. ‘The Circus Came To My Island’ (Spare Change Press, Ohio),

2. A Place For Your Ghost Animals (Ripple Effect Publishing, Colorado Springs),

3. Understanding The Neighborhood (BRP, Australia),

4. Scratches Within (Barbara Maat, Florida),

5. Kleptomaniac's Book of Unoriginal Poems (BRP, Australia),

6. Eternity Restoration Project- Selected and New Poems (Hawakal Publishers, India)

7. Herding My Thoughts To The Slaughterhouse-A Prequel (Alien Buddha Press)

8. Postmarked 'Quarantine' ( Ice Floe Press, Canada)

And the ninth book is on its way.

SR: What does poetry mean to you?

The desperate measures taken by humanity to reach for the meaning of the sphere outside the common logic.

SR: What is a word you often use in your poems? And why?

Albeit is one word I repeat. Perhaps it is my sanity's code in the maze of thoughts, emotions and words. Albeit reminds me of another dimension of reality exists outside whatever I am writing.

SR: Are there any authors or poets who inspired you to write?

Charles Simic, Ted Kooser, Franz Wright, Rae Armantrout, Hecht, Hemingway, Neil Gaiman, and many more.

SR: What advice do you have for young poets who’ve just started their publication journey?

Read a lot, and write without hesitation or intimidated by what you have read.

SR: What are your future plans as a writer?

I cannot plan. Future is a combination of readers' interest, my choices, opportunity and state of mind amongst other variables. I merely wish that my writings will be read by future generations.