We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Calvin Ockletree. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Calvin below.
Calvin, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you share a story about the kindest thing someone has done for you and why it mattered so much or was so meaningful to you?
My publisher Keaidy Bennett of Lexxikhan Presents Publishing Company set me up for success. I have always wanted to become an Author and she found this out from my significant other who is also her best friend. She found out that I write poetry and knew I had been compiling pieces for an actual poetry book. I sent her a copy of the book and let her read some of my work. Mind you, I was highly insecure and afraid of critical reviews of my pieces. It wasn’t that I was afraid to release them it was the mere fact that the world would be able to view my deepest darkest feelings and insecurities. My writings were the only place where I left everything raw in representation of my life experiences. After reading my poetry not only did she love it but she set me up with one of the best opportunities I could ever receive. She did not hesitate to place me in a position where I can earn a high percentage from my royalties. On a daily basis she worked with me through thick and thin to make sure my book was ready for publication. This process was not by any means easy for either of us. Still, Keaidy made sure we pushed through with the project and saw it completed in its entirety. Having someone I barely knew become a fan of my works and instead of just speaking on it. They used their actions to show me how much they supported and believed in me. I have not had a lot of people invest in me in my life and it was an awkward feeling to experience and the emotions behind it were overwhelming. I will forever be loyal to her for this mere fact. I adore her for helping me achieve a childhood dream!
Calvin, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
My name is Calvin Jamal Ockletree and I am from Indianapolis, IN by way of Nashville, TN. I graduated from Middle Tennessee State University with my B.S. & master’s in criminal justice. I am 31 years old and my passion to write poetry began at a young age. I started to journal because I felt that my voice was not heard within my household. I did not know how to properly express myself to communicate the pain and struggles I was experiencing as an adolescent. It transformed into poetry after I fell in love with a class called “American Literature” that had a section dedicated to the history of the art. From then on, I turned to poetry to express how I viewed everything within and around me in my life. It was my safe haven and what I turned to when I felt I had nowhere else to look for help. Today, over 17 years later I want to use my voice to touch others around the world that may have or are currently experiencing some of the same traumas and life trials that I have. This book is my introduction to author community but also the exposure of who I am, was and expiring to be. The level of depth within these pages scared me from releasing this project, but I pressed forward and followed my gut. I turned my transparency and vulnerability into a super-power so that I may grasp the attention of my readers. So many times, I hear that men are incapable of being vulnerable or emotional and I always disagreed. I stand as an example for all, proving that MEN can be all of the above. I want my book “Hear My Cry,” to be a reference people can return to time and time again and receive motivation to keep pushing forward to whatever their wildest dreams may be.
How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?
We have to support each other! I cannot say this enough. Seriously, if you only knew how many times I have encountered individuals who will say how proud they are of me and can’t wait to support and purchase my book but when I review sells with my publisher they are not what they should be based off the support seen on media and from face to face marketing. Now, that is my teams and I job to make sure we are reaching out to our target community. The difficulty is really grasping our audiences attention well enough to the point where its not a question about purchasing. But, there is also another side of it. We as a people have to understand how important it is to support your own within your community. If you do not enough reading or even like poetry it doesn’t matter. Still support by purchasing units from online because that alone can help that individual become steps closer to becoming a best seller. Gift the book or item to someone that you know will enjoy the book. The purpose of your purchase is not about the item it is about what it will do for the person who is building their portfolio, business or brand. Another way you can support is by sharing the information and artwork of the person who is trying to expand their reach in the community. Literally sharing a profile or an amazon link to something goes a long way. Keeping their name and creative abilities in rotation of your conversations when you are out and about. These examples of support can go a long way.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
Being a creative and artist is a release! I am able to breathe when I am creating or writing. It is like I am coming alive before my own eyes. I am able to lose myself within my art form. It is a high like no other. Literally an ecstasy that is so exhilarating you become addicted to it. I am able to literally surf my mental and leave it all on the paper, notes or word document. The words within are able to flow out without interruption as they paint a picture. No matter what I am working on when it comes to my passions there is nothing like being an artist or creative. The feeling is out of this world!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: saint.lyricz
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/calvin.ockletree.1
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpkP5dXXDczRam6J1hvrX2A
- Other: Tik Tok: Saint.Lyricz Link to purchase book: https://www.amazon.com/Hear-My-Cry-Calvin-Ockletree/dp/0960063579/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3410BWZWMR2AV&keywords=hear+my+cry+calvin&qid=1663968358&sprefix=hear+my+cry%2Caps%2C94&sr=8-1