Meet Alise Versella | Poet and Author

We had the good fortune of connecting with Alise Versella and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Alise, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
I’m not one for dangerous risks, but taking the opportunity that scares you or you feel doesn’t fit you, often expands your horizons and opens you up to even better opportunities. The things you get to do and achieve and the people you meet along the way prove worthwhile.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My poetry has always been a way to make sense of the chaos in the world, to grieve things properly, to give myself courage again. It has surpassed me in terms of now giving other people outlets for that.

I took creative writing courses in high school and fell in love with writing and poetry because of my teacher at the time. I can’t express enough how integral my teachers were to my spirit and confidence as a writer and person as well.

At this time I have 3 new collections that just came out, A Psalm for the Weary with Alien Buddha Press, Maenads of the 21st Century with Dancing Girl Press and Tender is the Body with Querencia Press.

It has been a long rode getting to the point of having a total of 4 books professionally published (3 self published) I learned a lot and I had a lot of people helping to point me in the right direction. Lots of rejections were received and a pretty penny spent on submission fees. The best money spent was absolutely on writers conferences and courses, it helped better my craft and introduce me to other artists at the levels I strive for.

I just want my books to give people hope and courage and sort of the guide on how to live more unapologetically, really take up space and enjoy this one short life. Art and poetry make it all so full.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’m at the Jersey Shore so the beaches and boardwalks are endless. There’s always an open mic happening now and Asbury Park has a big art scene. My favorite gallery, Over The Moon, is usually hosting a majorly fun event. As far as food, Reyla is one of my favs. Lebanese, and downstairs they have a little speakeasy called Laylow.

LBI is beautiful too. Ship bottom seafood is the best and the shoppes near Fantasy Island are cute. There’s even a little used bookstore!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Maryanne Jessop, Jack Germain, The Barnegat Poets, Francesca Lia Block and TJ McGowan.

Website: Www.aliseversella.com

Instagram: Alise0x

Image Credits
Damian Rucci TJ McGowan Don Krypton