Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Alexis Rhone Fancher. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alexis, appreciate you joining us today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

As an artist, I take risks every day. It is a no-brainer. I often quote Dorothy Allison, who wrote the brilliant memoir, Bastard Out of Carolina. “Until I started pushing on my own fears… writing about the things I was most afraid of… I wasn’t writing worth a damn.” Like Allison, I believe it’s all about “what’s at risk.” As a poet, I practice what I preach to my students/clients. “Somebody’s out there, bleeding all over the page,” I tell them. “She’s the one who’s getting published.” What’s at risk is the down and dirty core of the poet/writer. Her deepest secrets, her fear of the dark, whatever she perceives it to be. A good poet is akin to a comedian, writing a killer joke or monologue. How the comedian weaves a story, adding clues, touchstones, and flourishes that will be picked up by the monologue’s end is a master class in “bringing it all back home.”

Writing my truth has gotten me barred from certain literary magazines. “I will NOT be publishing your poems in the next issue (or any issue) of my literary journal,” stands out as a particularly cruel rejection by an editor. On the other hand, my courage has also gained me entrance to some rather lofty lit mags, including Rattle, Diode, Plume, The American Journal of Poetry, and Best American Poetry, 2016, to name a few. And my 10th collection, BRAZEN, just published with NYQ (New York Quarterly Books.) Available at Amazon, and at Bookstore. It is bold and in-your-face, just as the title suggests. Risky.

As primarily a portrait photographer, my goal on a shoot is to find the client’s inner light and make it shine even more brightly. This, too, involves risk. What’s at risk for the sitter is giving me a glimpse at the person inside. What’s at risk for me? Taking a look.

Alexis, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Written Word: I work with poets, novelists, and memoir writers to hone their craft. I work one on one with my writing clients; they get the personal attention and focus that results in rapid, phenomenal growth. Called “The Book Doula” – I’ve helped birth client books from conception to delivery. I would love to share the secrets and techniques I’ve learned to help authors create a finished, salable, publishable book.

Photography: I offer studio portraits as well as on location shoots. My goal is to create professional, high quality photos that will work both as head shots and as a deep dive into the sitter’s (dare I say it?) soul.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

As an editor, my mission is to finesse the client’s words, chisel away the excess, creating a perfectly cut, sparkling manuscript. I believe that good writing lies in the editing. I teach my writing clients how to create their best work. Many have shared after working with me for a while, that when they read their work their hear my voice in their heads, editing, honing, making the work better. I consider that a win. As a photographer, I want to create a portrait of the subject that they think looks like them on a very good day. I also shoot “street” photography. I’m a big fan of the “grab shot” and that serendipitous moment known as a “happy accident.” I consider my camera as an extension of myself, my eye.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

Word of mouth! I’m in the enviable position of having clients come to me. A happy client shares his/her success with others. I’m always delighted when a new client hires me via referral.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.alexisrhonefancher.com
• Instagram: [email protected]
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alexis.fancher

Image Credits
“Self-Portrait,” Alexis Rhone Fancher 2022 All photos by Alexis Rhone Fancher