Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Veshannah Lovelace | Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Adam J. Anderson, a Joint Task Force Guantanamo...... read more read more
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GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba - Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Adam J. Anderson, a Joint Task Force Guantanamo intelligence analyst stationed at U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, shares "An Open Book," his collection of 44 poems composed while deployed to Guantanamo and published in late September 2009.
Many people write as a release for emotions and frustrations. Some write as an escape from reality into another world, or at least a world that's not their own. For those outlets, some people choose short stories, some choose literature or nonfiction and others choose poetry. Regardless of the form of prose they choose, only a few can hope to ever have their work published.
Anderson is one of those chosen few. Anderson, who started writing poetry five years ago and credits Edgar Allen Poe as his favorite poet, said he initially started writing poetry as a project for a high school English class. It was through this project that he first discovered his love for the art form.
Anderson's book was published by his future mother-in-law and consists solely of poems he has written since his deployment to U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay in February 2009.
"I was writing for a long time and my fiancé's mother liked my book so she had it published and started selling it in her stores," Anderson said.
Published in September of this year, the book is selling off the shelves of his fiancé's mother's miscellaneous store chains throughout Europe. The book is 86 pages long and consists of a collection of 44 poems. Initially, 50 copies of the book were printed in September, with 25 given to Anderson and the remainder placed on the shelves. Within the first month, "An Open Book" sold out and 100 more copies were ordered, and have since sold out as well.
This endeavor was truly a family affair, published by his future mother-in-law, with cover and art work designed by his fiancé. Anderson attributes at least six of the poems as being inspired by, and dedicated to, his fiancé.
Unlike many who would probably start plotting their exit from the military with this show of success, Anderson has not let it go to his head. He is extremely humble about his accomplishment.
"I just wanted to get it published so I'd have a hard copy of my work," Anderson said.
Fortunately, his friends and fans are very excited for him and not afraid to show it.
"I was really excited for him. I think he really has a knack for writing great poetry, so it was no surprise. I just really wanted a copy," said Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Danielle R. Mugford, an intelligence specialist for the joint task force. "The book is awesome. I have read a lot of his poetry already and I know how great it is," she added.
When Anderson is not writing poetry, he is actively trying to perform his poems for an audience. As the vice president of the Junior Sailors Association, Anderson started Words of Poetry, an open mic night sponsored by the JSA and aimed at allowing poets an opportunity to perform for a crowd.
"We were trying to get as many poets as possible so they could get their stuff out there," he said.
Lack of participation has slowed him down, but he has not given up.
"I'm trying to start a writing group so we'll have a basis to get it [Words of Poetry] started again," said Anderson.
Anderson's success as a published author has not caused him to rest on his laurels, he is still writing every day.
"I do short stories and I'm writing a novel right now about reincarnation," said Anderson.
Anderson advises anyone who would like to see their own writing published to purchase "The Writer's Guide to Getting Published."
"Inside, it has lists of agents and publishers you can send your work to," said Anderson. "I just got lucky."
For more information about Joint Task Force Guantanamo, visit the Web site at www.jtfgtmo.southcom.mil.
| Date Taken: | 10.13.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 10.23.2009 11:49 |
| Story ID: | 40575 |
| Location: | GUANTANAMO BAY, CU |
| Web Views: | 187 |
| Downloads: | 151 |
This work, JTF Guantanamo Sailor Publishes Poetry Book, by SFC Veshannah Lovelace, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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