URBAN REVIEWS: Tell us about Songs In Search Of A Voice.
MARCUS HARRIS: Putting this collection together has been an incredible experience, lots of toil and sacrifice – but it’s definitely been a labor of love. Much of my growth as an artist is reflected in the different pieces; some were written as early as seven years ago, some just last year. Overall, I’m really proud of the finished product. Each poem has its own energy, its own identity, and no two poems are alike. They speak well for themselves, and they’re true representations of life in all its many faces. And, the best part is that – no matter your age, background, or experience – there truly is something in this collection for everybody.


URBAN REVIEWS: What inspired you to write this collection of poetry and to become a poet?
MARCUS HARRIS: I’ve always been a poet. Even as far back as elementary school, I can remember composing verse in class while I was supposed to be working on other things. I’ve always had a life–long love of the written and spoken word. I was born with it.

My chief inspiration for putting this collection together, though, comes from all the influences that helped shape me as a writer. I’ve been inspired by the likes of Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston, Nikki Giovanni, A.R. Ammons, Octavio Paz, Dolores Kendrick , Arnold Adoff – the list is endless. So, this book, as reflected in the title, is really an homage to all those towering literary giants and the indelible marks they’ve left on my journey to find my own poetic voice.


URBAN REVIEWS: Are there any poems in this collection that have a special meaning for you?
MARCUS HARRIS: Just like if they were my kids, each poem has its own special place in my heart – but the “Little Colored Boys” series really has special significance for me. I wrote those four poems at a time when I was striving to step outside the realm of esoteric, deeply personal poetry and instead address issues of importance that affect us all as a greater whole. The issue of children raised in fatherless homes has always been paramount in the lives of my family and close friends, so I felt compelled to explore that issue deeper and fit it within the context of the impact that it has on society. It took awhile to finish the whole poetic suite (I worked on them for two–and–a–half weeks straight), but the outcome is truly worth it.


URBAN REVIEWS: Songs In Search Of A Voice is published under your own company Urban Echoes Entertainment. What made you decide to start your own publishing company?
MARCUS HARRIS: I don’t handle rejection well, and I’ve heard all the stories about the reams and reams of rejection letters that most debut authors have to keep pushing through until they – if they’re lucky – land a deal with a major publishing house. I’m also a creative control freak, and I like to have final say over the editing & arrangement of my work. So, for me it was a no–brainer. Starting my own publishing company gave me the opportunity to put my writings out sooner, as well as the freedom to style my work the way I wanted. It’s definitely a lot more work involved, but for me that just makes the reward that much greater.

I’ve always been a champion of the underdog, too, though, so I wanted Urban Echoes to help out others who found themselves in the same position that I was in – artists who were just looking to get good, quality work out there who were also tired of being rejected by the mainstream powerhouses. No matter what your chosen craft or genre, we all deserve a fighting chance to share our talents with the world, and Urban Echoes will be just the sounding board that these unheard masses need.


URBAN REVIEWS: Have you considered branching out into other areas of literature such as fiction?
MARCUS HARRIS: I actually have started working on what will be my debut novel, and I’ve always written short stories. In fact, later this year, I’ll be putting out a limited–edition collection of short stories that I’ve written over the years.

Believe it or not, though, as much as I love poetry, my heart has always been with the stage. I’m a huge fan of theatre, and I plan to concentrate more of my efforts on plays and skits in the near future. I actually wrote, directed, and presented “The Substance Of Faith,” my first full–length play, through The Lady Oya Foundation, a nonprofit organization that I founded in order to support domestic violence (DV) survivors and their families. “The Substance Of Faith” tells the story of a young newlywed mother struggling to understand DV as it pertains to Biblical scripture, and it was received very well when we performed it.

Overall, I’m looking forward to branching out into as many different genres as I can … Songs In Search Of A Voice is just the beginning.


URBAN REVIEWS: What are you working on now?
MARCUS HARRIS: I’m finishing up my second collection of poetry, which will be released next Spring. It’s a bit of a departure from Songs in that it’s more conceptual and tackles a host of wholly different topics, but readers shouldn’t be alarmed – I don’t stray far from my original style.


URBAN REVIEWS: What is the most important thing you've learned as a debut author?
MARCUS HARRIS: You’ve got to be ready to sweat! Especially as a self–published author, there are times when you’re going to have be your own publicist, webmaster, printer, distributor, agent – you name it. Even if you’re fortunate enough to have the financial backing of a major publishing house, you’ve still gotta hit the trenches and promote your work. Marketing is the most important key to success. We’d all love to just sit back and write and watch the books fly off the shelves, but it doesn’t work that way. The good news, though, is that you get out what you put in, so, if you make the necessary sacrifices for your craft, you’ll reap the benefits in due time.


URBAN REVIEWS: Do you think poetry is getting the respect it deserves in an ever changing book industry?
MARCUS HARRIS: I think it is, just on a different level. Of course, realistically speaking, poetry doesn’t usually sell as much some of the other genres, but I think it’s a mistake to equate success with sales. Over the past decade, poetry – especially Black poetry – has gained incredible momentum; from the popularity of the movie “Love Jones,” to the success of shows like “Def Poetry Jam,” and the constant presence of poetry slams all across the globe, poetry is enjoying an incredible Renaissance and will definitely be in vogue for a good time to come.


URBAN REVIEWS: Is there anything else you would like to add about yourself or your book?
MARCUS HARRIS: This book will change what you think you know about poetry. I guarantee you’ll be pleasantly surprised … try it and see.