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Howard Camner is the author of an autobiography Turbulence at 67 Inches and 16 books of poetry. Camner was the headliner with New York's West End Poetry Troupe and performed throughout the tri-state area. He was also a founding member of the West Side Literary Outlaws. His books are included in prominent literary collections worldwide, including 10 historical archives and six royal libraries. During his time in Los Angeles he created and hosted the comedy cable talk show "Life is a Four Letter Word" which was placed in the UCLA Film and Television Archives as well as the Barco Television Archives. Camner lives with his wife and children in Miami, Florida.

Thank you Howard for taking the time to answer some questions for us!  To start, please tell us about the latest project you've worked on.

My autobiography Turbulence at 67 Inches was released in June of 2009. It's been billed as a life story and a rant in one. It's a roller coaster of a read. When you're done with it you feel either exhilerated, queasy, or most likely both. If anyone wants to take the ride they can order it by calling 888-795-4274 ext. 7876 or from most bookstores. How's that for a shameless plug?

Have you received any awards for your work?

I have. Nothing congressional, but I have received several awards over the years primarily for my poetry including the Fine Arts Press Poetry Award, a state nomination to be Poet Laureate of Florida, and I was named Best Poet of 2007 in the New Times "Best of Miami" readers poll edition. All that recognition and five bucks buys me a cup of coffee. 

Do you also do speaking engagements, or seminars?

I do. Poetry readings (but only features, my ego won't allow me to accept anything less), and I've been invited to lecture in schools about my writing career. The kids don't understand my lectures and either do I, so they're usually very successful.

How has your education, profession or background helped you in your writing career? Or conversely, how has you writing success helped you in your  profession?

Although I've sat in classrooms to be educated and somehow got that sheepskin, I can honestly say that I learned nothing in college. My real education as a writer came from the streets and encountering some amazing characters that have filled up many many pages for me.

What kind of other works (books, scripts, poems etc.) have you had published?

Other than my autobiography (which people should be reading instead of reading this) I've had 1,547 poems published to date and have had two screenplays for feature films in development before the deals fell through. Hurray for Hollywood.

Is there any aspect to your profession that gets you in touch with your readers directly?

Doing readings, especially when audience members come up to me afterwards wiping away tears and telling me how affected they are by my work. And I'm thinking...I wrote that piece about some French Toast.

What will your next project be?

Well, I wrote the pilot and the second episode of a wonderful detective comedy TV series that I'm looking for a producer for. Anyone interested, look me up.

Who inspires you on a personal or business level?

I don't know that anyone in particular inspires me. My inspiration tends to come from bizarre characters I come in contact with and the lesser-known nutjobs on this planet.

What type of work is the most rewarding or satisfying for you?

It's all satisfying, yet trying while I'm working. I usually can't wait to finish a project but soon after I'm done I start itching to start something new. The problem there is that I tend not to push the completed project because I'm on to the next thing. I tend to get in my own way.

What can you recommend for writers who are just getting started and are trying to make a name for themselves?

First of all, you want to definitely quit your day job. In fact don't even go to work tomorrow. You have my permission to just call and tell them you won't be coming in anymore. Honestly, anyone taking up writing needs to understand that it's 99.9% rejection. If you think trying to get a date in high school was tough, wait'll you get a load of this. But if you have the calling, that rejection thing won't stop you. Just keep plugging away. Something will eventually hit.

How did you get started as a writer?

I started a journal after my maternal grandfather passed away. I was 17 years old aand desperately needed an outlet for all the emotions I was going through. So rather than go to the penitentiary I picked up a pen instead. It was a wise choice.

Which is your favorite book/work published? Is there a favorite?

I guess Turbulence at 67 Inches is my favorite to date because I know what went into it. It all comes from the soul though.

What does a typical work day look like for you?

My work day is at night. I teach (if you can call saying "I don't know" in response to every question a student asks, "teaching")  starting in the afternoon and throughout the night. Then I come home and work on whatever I'm writing. Then I sleep for a short time, my alarm clock goes off, I mumble a few colorful words that I won't repeat here, and it starts up again.

Have you ever had a mentor, or someone who sparked your passion for writing?

I have a mentor, but he's someone I created in one of my poems which is (ironically) titled "My Mentor". I visit him once a week for inspiration. He never looks at me. He just stares at a blank painting of a face on his wall and imparts his wisdom. He tells me that the nail which holds the painting he is staring at up on the wall never gets a moment's rest, and I should never be a nail. I based him loosely on Hungarian translator Peter Hargitai who was never my mentor.

Who is your favorite writer/author?

I have three favorites: Shel Silverstein who wrote the greatest book ever written The Giving Tree, Antoine de Saint Exupery author of The Little Prince, and the forever brilliant Theodor Seuss Geisel.

Finally, a most important question: what was the last song you sang out loud when you were by yourself?  :)

The last song I sang out loud when I was alone was actually a rock instrumental from the 1960s called "Apricot Brandy" by a group called The Rhinoceros. I always felt bad for them because they were scheduled to perform at Woodstock and their brilliant manager pulled them out of the line-up, dooming them to relative obscurity. We may have had the same manager. Singing an instrumental is a very difficult thing. But that's life.

Thank you Howard! We wish you great success with your autobiography Turbulence at 67 Inches!