Pump Up Your Book Chats with H.O. Tanager, author of Autograph Penis

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H. O. Tanager is an adventurer, performance poet, and psychologist… but not all at the same time. Slammaster of Boise, she has reached National Poetry Slam, Individual World Poetry Slam, Group Piece, and Women of the World Poetry Slam Finals stages as a competitor, backup dancer, emcee, and opening act. She has also made top four at the NUPIC underground indies, been featured as part of the Slam Legends Showcase, and has been Haiku Deathmatch Champion. Her first full-length work, Autograph Penis, was published in 2014 and tells the tale of the National Poetry Slam with prose Kirkus Reviews describes as “funny, vehement, self-deprecating and gorgeous.”

For More Information

Visit H.O.’s website.
Connect with H.O. on Facebook and Twitter.

Could you please tell us a little about your book?

My Kirkus Review called it “a hilarious account of the 2011 National Poetry Slam competition that illuminates a raucous subculture of competitive versifying from the inside.” I was so glad to read that, because I wasn’t exactly sure how to describe it so succinctly!

The book covers a weeklong journey with my team of beautiful women poets, from the alarm going off the morning we leave home, to packing up the hotel at the end of the event. In between, there is food, art, drama, and some mayhem.

Did something specific happen to prompt you to write this book?

I finally read Eat, Pray, Love and I was so mad when I realized you can write 180 chronological segments and call it a book! Later that year, I was in the middle of attending my 11th National Poetry Slam as part of my slam team, and I thought, I’m going to put that treatment to this week. So many different things were happening at the time, it was a perfect slice of life and I wanted to capture it.

Who has influenced you throughout your career as a writer?

Chronologically: Dr. Seuss was my first favorite author. Fox in Socks rocks.

Weird Al Yankovic. “Smells Like Nirvana” is still a touchstone for me, that video was spot-on. Instead of making nonsense lyrics to go with “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” the lyrics were a commentary about what it was like to listen to the original. Perfection.

Jamie DeWolf is the reason I became a performance poet – his work is fearless, loud, and beyond savagely funny.

In terms of longer works, I read almost exclusively textbooks and biography, partly because I’m interested, and partly because it’s hard to find fiction that has enough humor to keep me engaged with simultaneously enough craft to make me thrill. My favorite fiction series of all time is Harry Potter – I’ve read it quite a few times to myself and twice all the way through to my two boys. I’ve also really, really enjoyed the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon. You’ll notice it’s my only mention that isn’t strongly humor-based – and that’s how engaging I’ve found her unique premise and heroine to be.

What is the most important thing in your life right now?

Truly, being kind to my children and connecting with my husband. I do a lot of things for myself – writing, performing, even my work as a psychologist is essentially because I like being one and working on problems as a team with people! But being kind and loving with my family is where it is at.

What do you feel is your biggest strength?

Satire. Satire is the lens through which painful truths can be accepted as true, and you will laugh in the bargain. And all you need is a little juxtaposition, maybe a voice, and something that makes your head kind of explode to inspire you.

Biggest weakness?

CARING TOO MUCH.

What do you feel sets this book apart from others in the same genre?

When you look at the nonfiction works about poetry slam, you can find how-tos, histories, news articles written by outsiders, and even an analysis of how competitors of different cultures are valued by judges… but nothing about what it is really like to try to be the best that ever was, at what you do. Nobody tries the way slam poets try – it’s all on the line, every time. And at the same time, it’s a tiny world. I wanted to share that aspect with a wider audience.

You know the scenario – you’re stuck on an island. What book would you bring with you and why?

“How to survive and escape from an island.”

Is there anything else you would like to share with us?

I just want to say thanks for having me on the blog!

Title: Autograph Penis
Author: H.O. Tanager
Publisher: H.O. Tanager
Pages: 282
Genre: Nonfiction
Format: Paperback/Kindle

Performance artist H. O. Tanager holds high hopes for her cross-country trip to Boston: to see great art, to eat delicious food… and to incite mayhem. But once the journey actually begins, it’s all she can do to hold on for the ride.

Surrounded by brilliant, intimidating, and sometimes delicious-smelling colleagues, Tanager’s precarious hold on her ambition and desire threatens to unravel in the face of laryngitis, an angry God, and the unexpected death of a friend. Will her team’s independent spirit and wit buoy Tanager though the pitfalls, heartache – and yes, mayhem – as hundreds of artists strive to be the best that ever was, the best that’s ever been?

For More Information:

Autograph Penis is available at Amazon.
Pick up your copy at Barnes & Noble.
Discuss this book at PUYB Virtual Book Club at Goodreads.

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