An accessory and a weapon, glitter is also dazzling and indomitable. Perhaps that’s what makes it such an apt subject for Atlanta writer Laura Reylea—the same words can easily be used to describe her and her writing. Her new chapbook-turned-book, All Glitter, Everything, features stories about friendship, growth, pop star Kesha, glitter, and then some. On the surface, All Glitter, Everything appears to be about Relyea’s myriad escapades with the singer, yet reading it reveals Kesha is emblematic of meaningful women in Relyea’s life. Entertaining yet affecting, it’s nigh on impossible for readers to not see themselves and their own relationships reflected in the work. It’s no wonder, then, that its first printing sold out. It is being re-released with new material as a book March 14th through Deer Bear Wolf Press. Don’t miss the release party at the Big House on March 14th.
Here, CommonCreativ talks to Relyea about Atlanta’s lit scene, the new material in her upcoming book, the power of embracing fear and, of course, glitter.
CommonCreativ: How did you wind up in Atlanta?
Laura Relyea: There are a lot of reasons. I mean, a lady doesn’t pack up and move across the country without motivation, right? (Actually, I think I’ve done that before too.) The reason that still stands though is that I had always wanted to move back to the Southeast. I moved around a lot when I was growing up, but this region is where I always felt most at ease. My boyfriend at the time had family here, and we sojourned south.
CC: From being named one of Atlanta’s Top 30 under 30 to the Editor-in-Chief of Vouched Books and more, you’ve made quite an impact on the Atlanta literary scene. What accomplishments are particularly meaningful for you?
LR: Shucks, thanks. It’s definitely been a group effort—this literary renaissance we’re in the mist of here. I’m lucky to be in the thick of it. And though this may not be a singular experience, running the Vouched Atlanta table for the past four years has been a total joy. I mean, I pretty much gave myself a reason to read all of the time, and trumpet the books, stories and poems that thrilled me the most, and forged my own intrepid path of getting involved with the community as it happened. At the root of everything, I’m just a book nerd.
CC: How did you get the inspiration for your chapbook, All Glitter, Everything?
LR: Jayne O’Connor invited me to read at Hyde’s annual “Bad Bitches” reading at the Star Bar in 2012. I was a little uncomfortable with the word “bitch” at the time, so I started writing short letters to women who empowered me just as a warm-up/practice, it was really fun. Somewhere along the line I got the notion to replace those women’s names with Kesha. (She kind of was an emblem of everything that terrified me about being a woman at the time—I’ve since embraced it.)
By Jason Travis
CC: How did you decide on the chapbook?
LR: The stories just kept coming! I think Matt [DeBenedictis], my publisher, and I got the notion to make it a chap after I had about 20 of the first 30 [essays] written. What else would I do with them?
CC: Your first chapbook printing sold out, and now Deer Bear Wolf, a local multi-faceted platform focusing on local arts, music and literary scenes, is re-releasing it with new material and turning into a book. What has this experience has been like for you?
By Jason Travis
LR: I was nervous revisiting it—at the time with the chap release it seemed finished. But you know, creative works are never really done, they just stop in interesting places. When the conversation came up about republishing the collection and I read through it, I knew there was more to be said. Even though the stories are individual vignettes, there’s still a plot arc in the narrative—and it hadn’t been seen all the way through. If the work was going to be brought back to life I needed it to be an accurate reflection of where I am in life now. Otherwise it would have just been a series of outdated portraits.
CC: You also work with Deer Bear Wolf as a curator for their reading series, Transgression. How has this affected your work as a writer?
LR: Hosting events has always just been another (but really separate) creative outlet for me, both Transgression and the other readings I helped organize for Vouched. Working with Johnny [Carroll] on the Transgression series feeds my writing. Deer Bear Wolf gives us free reign on our reading formats, and we run with it. Creativity kind of begets creativity. I think the only challenge it presents is making sure I manage my time well to make room for it all. That’s an ongoing battle.
CC: What can you tell us about the new material included in DBW’s publication?
LR: There are 19 new stories total, each an homage to a different lady–some who had stories about them in the original collection. There’s definitely a change in tone between the old stories and the new ones. They’re a little grittier and focused, determined. When I took on the project Kesha was exemplary of the things that intimidated me about womanhood–her stage persona is really aggressive and outspoken, sometimes defiant and definitely carnivorous. The first portion is overcoming that fear. The second is embracing it.
CC: When you reflect on writing All Glitter, Everything, are there any local spots that are especially memorable for you or that were indispensable in your creative process?
LR: That’s a little tough–not all of the stories take place in a specific place per-se. A lot of them just exist in the glittery ether; it’s a study in shine theory. There are some moments that pop up clearly though–The Southern Comfort Lounge, Highland Avenue, The Wren’s Nest, a friend’s old house in Reynoldstown… but yeah, the bulk of it is in the unoccupied spaces in between.
Vouched Books Table
CC: Now that a bit of time has passed between the initial writing and publication, have your feelings changed for either glitter or Kesha?
LR: Yeah, I may have touched on that a bit ago in regards to Kesha. I didn’t know a lot about her or necessarily have a ton of respect for her when I started. That has certainly changed. We don’t know each other personally or anything, but from what I’ve gleaned she’s been through a lot the past few years, and has really pulled herself up by her bootstraps. I get that. She has my respect and affection. I’m not intimidated by what she stands for anymore. Glitter–it’s always been a fun, celebratory thing for me. I underestimated it before, probably a lot like that dude who started that “send glitter to your enemies” did. It wasn’t until I had four pounds of glitter dumped on my head that it really dawned on me: glitter is sharp. It’s fun and shiny, yeah, but it’s also incredibly invasive and aggressive. It’ll cut you and clog up your shower drain. I respect glitter a lot too.
CC: How do you balance your own work with your work with Vouched Books and as managing editor of Scoutmob?
LR: First off, writing is something I have to do–like eating or running or reading. Balancing them all is certainly a juggle, each pursuit is high in demands but also high in rewards. I’m as passionate about advocating for grassroots efforts (like small presses and small businesses) as I am about literature, and I like to stay busy. I love them all so much, most of the time it doesn’t even feel like work.
CC: What’s next on the horizon for you?
LR: Lots more glittery fun, as ever.
Don’t miss Laura Relyea’s book release party, Let Glitter Reign: A Very Shiny Book Release, on March 14. More details here.
