An Interview with Tony Keith Jr, | The Book Faire Podcast: February 27, 2025

For anyone at risk of self-harm, call or text 988 for the suicide and crisis hotline.

In this episode of the Book Fair podcast, host Anthony interviews Tony Keith Jr., a poet and educator, about his latest poetry collection 'Knucklehead.' They discuss the themes of joy, identity, and the power of language in affirming the experiences of young black men and boys. Tony shares insights on the therapeutic nature of poetry, the importance of performance, and how he critiques his own work. The conversation highlights the significance of poetry as a medium for self-expression and social commentary, especially in today's challenging times.

New Releases:

• The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest by Aubrey Hartman
• A Line Can Go Anywhere: The Brilliant, Resilient Life of Artist Ruth Asawa by Caroline McAlister, illus. by Jamie Green
• On Thin Ice by Jessica Kim
• Tear This Down by Barbara Dee

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Book Fair Podcast

01:00 Meet Tony Keith Jr. and His Work

02:38 Exploring Themes in 'Knucklehead'

05:04 The Importance of Joy in Poetry

07:27 The Power of Poetry vs. Prose

11:29 Performance Poetry vs. Written Poetry

13:32 The Role of Self-Critique in Writing

16:41 The Therapeutic Nature of Poetry

19:26 Tony's Philosophical Approach to Writing

20:38 Because When I Write I'm Dangerous

24:15 Recent Releases

31:13 Iowa Bill Targets Library

34:21 Indiana Governor Cuts Dolly Parton Charity Funding

36:45 11-year-old bullied over immigration status