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Our
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Michelle
Diane Wright
Editor,
Publisher, Writer, Illustrator
www.threesistahspress.com
www.amazon.com
Interview
on iRockTalkRadio.com (click!)
Interview
THE
ROCK:
Who is Michelle Wright; tell us something
about you?
Wright: I would identify
myself ultimately as an
artist. More than anything, I believe that my purpose
in life is to create — whether it be
in the form of writing, drawing, cooking, or
institution building. It is a passion that surpasses
any need for money or notoriety, and it is
firmly rooted in a responsibility to express myself
from a political and social paradigm outside of the
norm.
THE
ROCK:
Where are you from and currently residing?
Wright: I was born and
raised in Frederick, Maryland,
have lived all over the country and currently reside
in Baltimore, Maryland.
THE
ROCK:
Could you give us your job title and a short
description of your responsibilities?
Wright: Within the realm
of Three Sistahs Press, all
three partners are publishers. There is also a
division of labor that results in our individual responsibilities.
I am responsible for editorial and production concerns.
THE
ROCK:
How long have you been doing this type of
work?
Wright: This is acually
the third publishing company
that I have been at least part owner of, but by far
the most successful. I have performed a great deal of
freelance work with institutions such as Black
Classic Press and the Afro-American Newspaper as well.
I guess I have been active in the publishing world
since finishing graduate school in 1993.
THE
ROCK:
Are you experiencing job fulfillment, and
what type of gratification do you get at the end of
the day?
Wright: I don't like the
word job. I don't want a
job. It implies a labor rooted in obligation. I do,
however, enjoy a great deal of gratification from
pursuing my purpose and passion of creating.
THE
ROCK:
What college(s) did you attend, and what was
your major?
Wright: I attended Dartmouth
College in Hanover, New
Hampshire and received a dual BA in English and Art
History. I received an MA in Black Studies from The
Ohio State University. I pursued a PhD in Political
Science at The Ohio State University, and I am
finished all of my coursework. I must now finish my
dissertation in order to receive that degree.
THE
ROCK:
What are some of your personal achievements?
Wright: My daughter, and
the fact that I homeschooled
her for five years. She is wonderful.
THE
ROCK:
What are some of your professional
achievements?
Wright: All three of my
books. My most recent "Broken
Utterances" is the book that I am most proud of
because it incorporates both my writing and my
drawings.
THE
ROCK:
What books do you recommend for
self-enhancement?
Wright: Any authentic book
dealing with developing
critical thinking as well as those books addressing
issues pertinent to people of Afrikan descent. I
would say that every Afrikan person should read "The
Destruction of Black Civilization" by Chancellor
Williams, anything by CLR James or WEB DuBois, and for
Afrikan American women "When and Where I Enter"
by
Paula Giddings.
THE
ROCK:
Who are some of your personal heroes and/or
heroines?
Wright: All of my ancestors
who built the foundation
upon which I stand. Today, Acklyn Lynch, Eddie Conway,
Assata Shakur, Angela Davis, Paul Coates, and my mother.
THE
ROCK:
What career goals did you set for yourself?
Wright: To pursue my purpose
with focus.
THE
ROCK:
What were your parents like when it came to
education and choosing a career?
Wright: I am from a middle-class
household, so formal
education was a must. Both of my parents have always
encouraged me to do what I love.
THE
ROCK:
For an author, is having a publishing
contract with a "traditional publisher" important
professionally? Why?
Wright: I can't answer
that within the confines of
this interview. Every situation is special, and would
require an entirely different answer.
THE
ROCK:
Who are some of your favorite authors?
Wright: Alice Walker, Toni
Morrison, Percival Everett,
Edwidge Danticat, Zora Neal Hurston, Ishmael Reed,
Sonia Sanchez, and so many more.
THE
ROCK:
Where do you want to be in five years?
Wright: Continuing to pursue
my purpose.
THE
ROCK:
Where can readers find you?
Wright: www.threesistahspress.com
or www.amazon.com
THE
ROCK:
Thank you Ms. Wright, and best wishes in all
of your future endeavors.
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