Two Years & One Danez Smith Story
I want to start this post with an event that actually happened in January. At the tail end of last month, local poet Danez Smith had a book launch for their latest collection of poetry, Homie.
©Emily Kallas
But our story technically doesn't begin there. It begins a couple of years ago (2018), back when I was working at the bookstores at the airport. I had been working hard to create and maintain connections with authors and customers for the store via twitter. One of those connections was with Danez - who at the time was on an award winning tour for their collection of poetry, Don't Call Us Dead.
My coworkers and I thought that it would be pretty freaking incredible if while on one of the many connections through the airport, Danez were to stop in at our store to sign copies of their book and to say "hey." I even reached out to them on social media with an informal invitation and encouragement. They responded with excitement, but with one challenge- they kept flying out of the other local airport terminal.
That's actually the only thing that I miss about working at the airport - never knowing which author or Hollywood celebrity was going to stroll into the bookstore.
©Emily Kallas
By June 8th, one of the coworkers had long since quit the airport. When Danez came finally walked into the store, my other coworker was on her break. But Danez was excited to finally make it to the store, and to sign the few copies we had in stock. When my coworker came back from her break about 10-15 minutes later, she was livid about missing Danez. For two years, I couldn't mention Danez Smith without her grumbling or harumphing about missing Danez in the airport. It became a story. And although I am no longer at the airport, my (now former) coworker and I are still good friends.
As soon as it was officially announced that Danez was having the launch party for Homie at the bookstore where I currently work, I immediately sent my her an email. She was not going to miss them again!
The event at Moon Palace was packed to the point of overflowing. Danez and the two other local poets who read were incredible. There were tears, there was laughing, there was an audience in complete awe. Danez Smith has won several awards for their work for a very clear reason, they are damn talented.
And so, two and half years later, my friend finally got to meet Danez Smith. and she's very happy.😀
©Emily Kallas
©Emily Kallas
©Emily Kallas
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