Marcus Harris, author of Songs In Search Of A Voice will visit Charm City this month. Mr. Harris is a resident of Durham, North Carolina and will promote his recently published book at two Baltimore bookstores—Karibu Books and Barnes & Noble.

Marcus Harris is Founder and CEO of Urban Echoes Entertainment, LLC, a production/publishing company. He has published poetry, essays and articles online and in print.

This is Mr. Harris' first book, and marks the emergence of another new voice in American literature. It was a pleasure interviewing him online.

Baltimore Knows: How long did it take you to write Songs In Search Of A Voice?
Marcus Allen: I wrote the majority of the poems last year, but some of them are from as far back as seven years ago. I like the overall range of the collection, though, as well as the personal growth that it reflects. I've devoted myself to the craft of writing over the years, so alot of what I've learned comes across in the different formats, styles, rhyme schemes, etc., of the poems themselves.

BK: What age group do you think would most benefit from this book?
MA: Songs has a cross-generational appeal that makes it applicable to folks from all walks of life, but the people most likely to benefit from it are those from age 16-25 who are just starting to find their own true individual identities. Many of the topics that I address in the book (racism, domestic violence, politics, etc.) force people to take hard, honest looks at the roots of many of our societal problems, and that makes it very appealing to the 16-25 year-olds who are on the front lines of those issues everyday. This book can help them shed the old conformist skin that society tends to ensconce them in and open their hearts and minds to the refreshing power of individuality.

BK: Have you written other books?
MA: No, Songs is my first literary baby, and the experience so far has been great. The overwhelming attention that it's gotten in the short time since its release (March) continues to amaze me. I can't wait to share more works in the months and years to come.

BK: I read on your website that you are the Founder and President of The Lady Oya Foundation, Inc. Inform me more about the foundation.
MA: I started The Lady Oya Foundation (LOF) as a direct result of an abusive relationship that I experienced a few years ago. I got involved with a very charming, very beautiful young woman, and we instantly hit it off. I fell in love with her, we got along perfectly, and things went so fast - too fast, in fact. Before long, I began to see the effects of a lifetime of abuse that she'd endured, which I knew nothing about. Pretty soon, she began to transfer the pain of all her open emotional wounds onto me, things got violent (physically, verbally, and emotionally), and I realized that my only two options were to leave the relationship or lose my life.

Despite how things turned out, though, I genuinely loved her, and one reason why I stayed in the relationship for so long was that I was trying to help her heal from all her past abuse. Even though nothing that I tried worked, I was determined not to let that whole experience be wasted. Realizing just how serious the problem of DV is, I resolved to do something to help curb its swelling tide; even if I couldn't help her, I could still help many others like her. So, the LOF was borne of that desire to foster positive change.

I didn't want the LOF to be a carbon copy of other organizations that also support DV survivors, so I made sure that we developed programs and services that attack the problem of DV in unique, unprecedented ways. The Lady Oya Scholars Program, our hallmark service, is a scholarship program that provides financial assistance to DV survivors attending post-secondary programs (college, beauty school, trade school, etc.) Nothing like that was being done at the time. Knowing how severe an impact DV has on its victims' financial status, I couldn't think of a better way to tackle the problem and foster the lasting empowerment of survivors. We also have other programs that bring the true nature of the problem to the forefront so that it can be dealt with openly and effectively.

BK: I also read about The Read Seed, Inc., Mission on your website. (You're doing some fantastic things.) Can you tell me more about this mission?
MA: I got involved with Read Seed completely by chance. They had been operating in my hometown of Durham, NC, for years, and I'd never heard of them until I saw a story about them in the paper one morning - I knew it wasn't a coincidence. I've always been a staunch advocate of child literacy, and their prime objective is to get books in the hands of kids living in public housing who don't otherwise have access to reading materials. I've been a Board member ever since then (2003), and it's been great helping them to become such a powerful force in the community. It's also great to see the impact that we're having in kids' lives. They love it, and that makes it all worthwhile.

BK: Why did you select Baltimore to promote your book?
MA: Many folks outside the area don't realize it, but Baltimore is a rich bastion of culture: the National Aquarium, the Harbor, the Book Festival, and the Blacks In Wax Museum are all there - not to mention that it's the birthplace of Countee Cullen. It's an honor for me to come contribute to a place already overflowing with creativity and innovation.

BK: Where will your book be promoted in Baltimore?
MA: I'll actually be doing readings/signings in two different places in July:

Friday, July 14th
Karibu Books
Security Square Mall
6901 Security Boulevard

Saturday, July 15th
Barnes & Noble
The Power Plant
601 East Pratt Street

Also, I'll be coming back in late September to the Karibu Books in the Bowie Town Center and a couple other Borders stores, so folks will have plenty of chances to come hear some great poetry.

BK: What other cities will you visit after leaving Baltimore?
MA: I'm really loving this tour. I've already been to places like New York, Atlanta, and Richmond so far, and I'll be in Virginia Beach, DC, and Philadelphia in the next couple months. My full tour schedule can be seen on my website, www.MarcusHarris.net.

BK: Are there more books on the horizon?
MA: Most definitely. I'm currently finishing up two different titles - one novel and a second poetry collection - that'll both be out next year, and I'm also working on a short story collection and a third poetry collection that will both be released in 2008. Ideas come to me all the time, so the ink barely has a chance to dry before I'm off to more projects.

BK: How may visitors to Baltimore Knows.com purchase your book?
MA: Songs In Search Of A Voice can be ordered at Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com, BlackBookPlus.com, BlackWritersNetwork.com, Powells.com, and, of course, through MarcusHarris.net. Also, if you don't want to order it online, you can pick it up at the nearest Barnes & Noble, Borders, or independent bookstore near you.

You may visit Marcus Harris on the web.

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