Frequently Asked Questions

I am no longer active on Goodreads because a user hiding under a pseudonym decided it was appropriate to contact and admonish me about a petition I signed. I was one of hundreds of signatures from the publishing community. This made me feel unsafe as they had to take extra steps and google my name. I would never go so far as to contact a total stranger about their signature on a petition even if I disagreed with them. You can still add my books as they are listed in the database, but I am not actively participating on the website.

I have deactivated all of my social media with the exception of YouTube and Soundcloud. Please follow me on those websites to watch videos and listen to recordings of my spoken word performances. In recent years engagement has gone down, and I find I am more creative when I reduce distractions.

Please note that I do not answer DMs. To contact me, please send me an email.

• https://www.youtube.com/@poetryebook
• https://soundcloud.com/poetryebook
• https://groups.google.com/g/vallejopoetrysociety

I prefer to be contacted via email for the purposes of arranging featured performances, interviews, or poetry submissions. This allows me to stay organized.

I do not check my voicemails and my phone service will not allow me to disable it.

I clear out texts on a regular basis to save space.

I dislike talking on the phone, so please do not demand that I call you. My only exception is for press interviews which must be arranged in advance by appointment only.

I do not check DMs on social media.

Please do not try to sell me something.

The following reasons may apply:

1. You're trying to sell me something. I have no budget to hire people. Please remove me from your mailing list.
2. You contacted me via some other method than email. I do not check DMs on social media or voicemails.
3. Not everything deserves a response.
4. I am taking a break and will get back to you eventually.