We were lucky to catch up with KAMP WOODS recently and have shared our conversation below.
KAMP, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear the story of how you went from this being just an idea to making it into something real.
Throughout my early education and high school,I dabbled with creative writing and explored different publishing options but it was after graduating that I first decided to create an outline for my debut poetry collection. It all started seven years ago, on a blank sheet of paper that turned into a canvas to collect my thoughts.
After choosing the themes I wanted to explore, I decided on a page count and gave myself a deadline (that I pushed back multiple times) to complete my publication.
Beyond constructing my idea and poetry, I spent the four years before publication choosing a self publishing platform, finding illustrator, sourcing my IsBN, hiring an editor, and deciding on a price point and final launch date. I ultimately decided to utilize Lulu.com and purchase my own ISBN to retain full ownership and rights over my work. I did everything DIY and self-made. So I went through many rounds of checking and proof reading before finally realizing the first edition of Dismantled Damsel is 2022. My second edition was released earlier this year in April, as an extension of the first edition with new illustration and new poetry as well. Dismantled Damsel is an exploration of femininity, adolescence,
And overcoming mental health issues that deserved a continuation beyond the initial release. I learned more about the marketing process and development of branding that I also wanted to apply to my secondary release.
KAMP, 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?
For those that don’t know me, my name is KAMPWOODS, I’m a self published poet and creative writer. My both of my publications of Dismantled Damsel are currently available online where most books are sold. I also have a YouTube channel titled Kamps Creative Digest where I document my self publishing and creative journey. I’ve maintained my interest in creative writing since early childhood. I was inspired my Judy Blume, Shel Silverstein, and even my own mother, grandmother and grandfather. (Who all wrote poetry as well)
I’m proud of a lot of things, most importantly my consistency and increased confidence throughout my journey. I made a list this morning titled:
25 accomplishments in 2025
1. I published the second edition of my poetry collection
2. I had my first meet/greet and book signing (at locals)
3. Dismantled Damsel was accepted into the jeffersonville township public library
4. I went on an independent book store tour (for my birthday)
5. I gave a talk about self publishing for nerd nite Louisville
6. I got into the Louisville book festival
7. Sold out of my second edition at two different vending opportunities
8. I secured and completed four different vending opportunities (locals, books festival, foxing box, and dream girls)
9. I was awarded a $550 scholarship for my essay on civic engagement
10. I was invited to be on a poetry panel with Herstory
11. I met crystal Wilkson + gave her a copy of my book
12. Dismantled damsel is on BOTH shelves at CARMICHEALS bookstores in Louisville Kentucky
13. I crafted and executed my own marketing plan for the book festival
14. I went to the majority of the libraries in Louisville to canvas flyers and self promote
15. I was on the very first live t for talking podcast panel for creatives
16. I donated books to the Presley post for their take a book, leave a book campaign
17. I started my YouTube channel and documenting my self publishing journey
18. I applied to the artist residency programs with the library (but didn’t get to do my interview due to scheduling issues)
19. I maintained my website + blog throughout the year www.kampwoods.com
20. My book has been shelved 6 times on goodreads
21. I created the Dismantled Damsel Mannequin
22. I got hundreds of stickers made for Dismantled Damsel
23. I bought the dismantled damsel collage by Emily Warren
24. I was invited to two interview platforms
25. I took promo photos at Angles Studio in Louisville Kentucky
The biggest thing I want people to know from me is that everyone is self made, we all have the opportunity to bring our own visions to life to the fullest and there is truly room for everyone to express themselves creatively. In fact the world needs those who can articulate themselves through the arts.
Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?
Yes, I actually have a list available on the most impactful books I’ve read on my goodreads list Check out the books on this shelf! I recently read In Search of Our Mothers Gardens By Alice Walker
Listening to Alice speak about the process of writing the color purple is so inspiring and insightful.
I like how she spoke about finding a place to live where the characters could come to life, and how the foundation of the story was built based on a conversation shared between herself and her sisters years prior.
I like how she speaks about how the characters speak/spoke to her, sometimes in short lines and other times in longer conversations, but it was critically she capture what they said.
She said she wanted to write a story about two women sharing a husband and that’s how Shug and Ceily came about lol.
I like that she mentioned she had to take a year for “silence” to actually write the novel. A year of saying no and saying goodbye to hear voices that only spoke to her.
She talked about how she used public speaking to make money but how that was just a means to an end for her. Not the essence of her being of took over her responsibilities to write.
How it only took a year to write the book when she originally gave herself five to do it.
She spoke about how these characters were real to her, so real so vivid and so hard to say goodbye to with the completion of a novel.
I like how she spoke about having fear of raising her child and completing the novel. Attempting to get the bulk of her work done during school hours and after bedtime. I appericate her for sharing the reality of crafting what went on to change her life, and change the world for generations to come.
She talks alot about working/writing for Ms.Magazine and how their partnership gave her the opportunity to write her novel the color purple and other publications that went on to be impactful.
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I Like how she wasn’t sure if she could be or wanted to be a mother and talked about attempting to balance the responsibilities of motherhood and her calling to write, and the guilt she felt by not giving more attention to her daughter while accepting that she can/will exist without her attention glued on her.
I love how she said HERSTORY instead of history, and made me think about what it means to really be a BLACK WOMAN, and how people see us as everything except woman. We’ve been seen a workers, maids, slaves, nanny’s, strippers, wives, but not just as women and Alice’s raw POV is very powerful.
I’m in bookstores now and that was a goal/dream of mine. And how I really do want dismantled damsel to go even further. I want to see my work recreated and reimagined and related to. I want my book on reading lists and recommendations and one that people reread over and over again. And it’s going to happen, as long as I continue pushing forward.
The book inspires me to write letters to editors and capture my writing in its entire capacity. And to continue to write to people, in letters and in love
Alice was really awesome, I like how all these pieces are dated so we really get to appreciate her journey into a woman. She speaks about how where she was during the time and even who she was with. Detailing how she was in college when she first published her short story and just how she continue to evolve beyond the identification of a poet and mainly just a writer. I love that she lied and said that she was Zora Neil Hurston‘s niece only to pay respects to her and the way that Family 💕🤸♀️ should have. And she also mentioned how she took a sack of oranges to Langston Hughes two weeks before he died. That’s a powerful connection. And I can tell this was a woman who genuinely just loved writing. Especially about African-American people.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
The most rewarding aspect of being an artist/creative is being seen and understood by those that connect with my work. To make eye contact with those that have been touched
my words is affirming in a way that can only be expressed through that experience. I want everyone who aspires to creative to know that feeling is nothing to fear, but a feeling that keeps me alive, a feeling that’s worth chasing and savoring.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.kampwoods.com
- Instagram: Kampwoods___
- Youtube: KAMps creative digest
