THE ROCK: Who is Jimmi Ware, tell us something about you?
JIMMI: Who am I? Well, I am a divorced/good mom, concerned global citizen, poet, producer, performer, host, freelance writer, a good person and a poetic soul. I love to laugh and make others smile. I believe in P.E.A.C.E, positive education always corrects error. I am a community volunteer and mentor to the youth. I am very romantic at heart and my alter ego is "Jade." She does the sensual poetry.

THE ROCK: Where are you from, and currently residing?
JIMMI: I was born in Alabama, raised in Chicago and I now reside in Anchorage, Alaska.

THE ROCK: Are there any other writers in the family?
JIMMI: Yes, many people in my family write and there are quite a few musicians. My father is a gospel musician and he plays piano. I am his namesake. His name is Jimmy, with a Y!

THE ROCK: What prepared you to become an author?
JIMMI: Preparing to become an author took research, good communication skills and a good relationship with the publisher.

THE ROCK: What inspired you to become a writer?
JIMMI: I have wanted to be a writer my whole life. I know that every life-lesson I have learned was a step towards this goal.

THE ROCK: What inspired you to write your book?
JIMMI: I was inspired to write my book for a long time. It just became a burning desire and I gave myself a time limit and I did not want to let myself down. Also, one of my aunts was ill and I wanted to get it done because I dedicated a poem to her. She was very special to me. I flew to Georgia for her funeral and tearfully delivered a piece in her Honor

THE ROCK: Tell us about your newest creation. What is the premise?

JIMMI: Well, I am working on a new book about growing up in a high-rise in Chicago and all the characters that I crossed paths with as a youth.

THE ROCK: Any publishing contracts in the working?

JIMMI: No contracts in the works right now, you offering? Just kidding

THE ROCK: Have you ever self-published? Why or why not?

JIMMI: Yes, I have a book called, Midnight Verses in Twilight Cursive. It is a book of poems about life, being a strong woman and being inspired to make positive changes.

THE ROCK: What are "traditional publisher" looking for?

JIMMI: It seems to me that traditional publishers are looking for the same old thing. I think it’s time for them to open doors to new ideas and more innovative concepts. Times are constantly changing and people want to identify with characters that are more realistic.

THE ROCK: If you were a publisher, what would be your niche? Why?
JIMMI: If I were a publisher, I would focus on poetry with positive messages. I think there should be a natural connection between the arts and social concerns. For instance, I use poetry to mentor to the youth and victims of abuse. My poetry group has addressed many issues through spoken word. Used properly it can uplift and help heal. I firmly believe there is power in words.

THE ROCK: For an author, is having a publishing contract with a "traditional publisher" important professionally? Why?
JIMMI: Yes, it can be very important to have a contract with a well-known publisher as it adds to your credibility, which in turn is a great career move for obvious reasons.

THE ROCK: What are some of your professional and personal achievements?
JIMMI: Let’s see…making history in Alaska was cool. I was the first to bring urban poetry to television here in Anchorage and our Mayor, Mark Begich proclaimed February 27th Black Feather P.O.E.T.S. day, due to the community volunteerism of our group. I was a board member of the Alaska Poetry League. In Chicago, my producer Neal Harper and I received an award from the Alliance for Community Media in Washington, DC for best "Home Town Video" for an episode of Poetic Soul, our public access program. I am also thankful and proud of all the certificates and awards presented to us from the Anchorage community.

THE ROCK: Who are some of your favorite authors?
JIMMI: A few of my favorite authors are; Langston Hughes, Terri McMillan, Zora Neale Hurston, Maya, Sonia Sanchez and especially Nikki Giovanni.

THE ROCK: Where do you want to be in 5 years?

JIMMI: In five years or less, I’d like to be toasting to my first million seller!

THE ROCK: Where can readers find you?
JIMMI: Readers can email me; slamdiva@email.com and I will link them up!

THE ROCK: Thank you, Jimmi.

JIMMI: Thank you for this opportunity and I think what you do for emerging artists is much needed and I appreciate the effort you put forth for us!

http://www.rockpublications.com
http://www.the-rock-newsmagazine.com
Virtual Shopping is here! ~The Crystal Palace Mall
Image is everything...why trust it to anybody?

Biography
Her words are to inspire, uplift and heal wounded spirits. Her delivery is heartfelt and sincere. She is a voice for the voiceless, a relentless community volunteer, a divorced mother and dedicated to the cause, poetry.

Jimmi began writing as a youth and started performing at open mics in the mid-nineties in Chicago. The first venue was Rituals with peers such as Pam Osbey, Triple Blak and J. Ivy whom have gone on to national acclaim. It was the love of poetry and the desire to take it to the next level when Jimmi and Charles Evans brought "VIP" Very intimate poetry, a public access program on air in 1998, it was hosted by Jimmi & Reggie Allen. She named her production company, Black Feather Productions.

In 2000, a series of family misfortune caused Jimmi to use poetry as a vessel to address not only her own family issues, but social issues that were plaguing the inner city. This was the birth of "Poetic Soul." It showcased the cream of the poetic crop with the likes of the Poetree, Triple Blak and Robin Cole. We addressed uncomfortable subjects tactfully and we reached the audience in a profound way. The show won an award from the Alliance for Community Media in Washington DC. The producer was Neal Harper and Jimmi hosted.

Two weeks before September 11th 2001, Jimmi arrived in Anchorage, Alaska where her brother was stationed at Elmendorf Air Force Base. It was a long way from Chicago! She immediately contacted the Alaska Poetry League, where she later served as a board member, after winning slams. She also met Sandy Harper, owner of Cyrano°Øs Offcenter Playhouse downtown and began to do shows featuring the Black Feather Poets monthly. Word quickly spread around Anchorage and there were events galore. Sandy has helped far too many artists to mention. She is a Godsend in the artistic community. She embraced Jimmi and gave her group a space to perform.

One of the most magical moments was when she hosted the Jazz Festival at the historic 4th Avenue Theater and Norman Conner°Øs was the featured artist. Jimmi recalls being near the end of her poem, when "You are my Starship began to play in the background." It was definitely a highlight in her career. Since then, she also performed at the BET comedy event starring, Tommy Chunn, who was delightful and hilarious!

Mayor Mark Begich has proclaimed Feb 27th "Black Feather Poets Day, due to all of the hard work and dedication the group has put forth to help make Anchorage a better place and for promoting unity in the community.

She volunteers with the youth at Covenant House and with STAR, which is Standing together against rape. Alaska has the highest cases of rape in the United States! It cannot be ignored and we must try to make a change.

Yolanda King and Elodia Tate have published a book that celebrates human commonality and it is entitled, Open my eyes, Open my soul. It can be purchased at Barnes & Noble and Amazon.com. Jimmi has two poems in this book, Agape & Coming Home. She is very proud of this accomplishment and grateful for the opportunity.

Most recently, she received Honorable Mention for a poem she wrote to help celebrate Dr. Kings's birthday from the University of Alaska.

Jimmi is currently working on a new book and a CD. She will begin hosting a new Open Mic venue, Europa Studio 68 in Anchorage to give poets a different vibe. It will be called the Soul Sanctuary and she plans to tape her show there as well. Jimmi has written freelance articles/reviews for the Anchorage Daily News and has been a guest on local radio stations often.
Although, she has made a few impressive strides in her career, she believes, "this is merely the tip of the iceberg." Watch out!For Bookings:

Jimmi Ware @ slamdiva@email.com