Poet Chris Abani. Photos: Orlando Luis Pardo.
The Writer’s Block is an ongoing video series of interviews with visiting writers at City of Asylum/Pittsburgh. In these Q&A’s, conducted on Sampsonia Way, writers discuss literature, their craft, and career. View all previous interviews here.
On June 20, City of Asylum/Pittsburgh, in partnership with Cave Canem, hosted a free reading on Pittsburgh’s Monterey Street. Cave Canem is a national organization dedicated “to cultivating the artistic and professional growth of African American poets.” Co-founders Toi Derricotte and Cornelius Eady read, along with Cave Canem faculty member Harryette Mullen, and guest poet Chris Abani.
Before the event, Sampsonia Way sat down with poet Chris Abani to discuss race and writing, his revision process, and book piracy.