Every few months TimBookTu will interview a writer, poet, essayist or other person to get their thoughts, ideas, advice, comments, or whatever they have to say about writing, poetry, publishing, or other topics that may relate to the written word and the African-American experience.

Our interview for Fall 1998 is with John Riddick, the founder, publisher and editor of Rhapsody in Black, an outstanding black literary magazine that is going into it's second year of publishing. John Riddick has been an avid supporter of poetry and writing and is an accomplished poet and writer himself. He has been featured on TimBookTu and his poetry and writings provides a witty and insightful look on several different topics. If you are a lover of poetry and the written word and you haven't heard of John Riddick or Rhapsody in Black, just read the interview below because you will be hearing more from this talented young man in the near future.

TimBookTu: How did you start Rhapsody in Black?

John: This project started in 1995. I had been writing for a few years, and I wanted to publish my poetry. In the Summer of 1995, I did some research on publishing and spoke with a couple of smaller publishers about some specifics about "the business." What I found was....

1) Unknown writers usually get very little voice in contract negotiations when going through a publisher for the first time, and usually that includes the publisher retaining the rights to your work, which was something I did not want to compromise. (it works alot like a record deal, if you’ve heard those stories)

2) Poetry is not considered “mainstream”, and therefore does not receive the same level of promotions or enthusiasm ($$$) for marketing from publishers as say, Fiction works or any other genre that is deemed as having universal appeal (as defined by the publisher)

I had obtained alot of publishing experience in college, having been editor of the student literary magazine for 2 years. I was involved in every aspect of production, and the printer, Robert Klatt of Greensboro Printing was very helpful in teaching me about pre-press and the printing process, in addition to cutting production costs, etc. When I decided to make my choice, I felt I had enough experience to enter the publishing arena from the “publishing” side, rather than the “artist” side, and play by my own rules. It is alot more work, but then again, the rewards are also that much greater as well!

TimBookTu: What is the significance of the title, Rhapsody in Black?

John: Rhapsody literally means...any ecstatic or extravagantly enthusiastic utterance in writing or speech. The title of my literary magazine is actually a play on the song by George Gershwin, Rhapsody in Blue, but I say “in Black” for two reasons: My magazine is primarily for and about African American and our culture. The second reason, Black is symbolic for mystery, exotica and the unknown.

The subtext, "Creative Condensation for Literary and Visual Artists" refers to this magazine as a compilation of different artists' work. And last, but not least, the "higher meaning" of the title "Rhapsody in Black" implies "harmony among blacks" or our community...and like the bio says... OUR PURPOSE IS TO STIMULATE CONSCIOUSNESS!

TimBookTu: Was the magazine something that you had always wanted to do?

John: I debated for a couple of months in the developing stages of publishing my poetry whether to publish a “chapbook” of my poetry, or to publish a magazine. I thought about the pros and cons of both, and I felt a magazine would be the best move for me.

With a chapbook, it would be less work, because a chapbook is a “one time” deal, and I can sell it basically as long as I wanted to. It would be a nice hobby to do on the side. The setbacks were that I couldn’t advertise in it, and I couldn’t make another one until I created 30-40 more high quality works, and start the whole process again. At the time, I did not want to be a full- time writer, my poetry was something I was good at, and I like doing, and I wanted to share with others.

With a magazine, there was a career...not as a writer, but as a publisher, editor, or whatever position I desired in the structure I could create. I could have advertising, I could publish more up and coming writers just like me, AND I could serve the black community on a much larger scale, and have greater impact because a magazine has a collective voice...our voice!

So to capture the best of both worlds, The first issue of Rhapsody was mostly my poetry. I chose this because I did not want the burden of telling someone their poetry didn’t sell. Mainly because in the event that the project was unsuccessful, it never really be factor in the lack of success was (their work, or my marketing/promotions). I believed my poetry was good (and people had been telling me also), and I could be more open to criticism in the beginning with my own work, having been a graphic artist receiving criticism for years. I wasn’t sure if I was ready for the trials and tribulations of a quarterly magazine, but then when you think about it, how many things do you get to do when you think you’re ready I followed my heart, and the first issue was a great success… and the rest is history.

TimBookTu: Tell me more about your background...education....work experience.

John: Well, I was born the son of a sharecropper in the Mississippi delta in nineteen fiddy fo’....oh, I’m sorry, MY background. I was born in Washington, DC, but I grew up in a teeny rural town, Murfreesboro, North Carolina. . I am an only child. I had cancer in 1984 when I was 12 years old. (I am in full remission now) Prior to having had cancer, I was an “A-B” student, but afterwards....my “perception” of education changed. My grades began to reflect the amount of practical knowledge that was being taught. Basically, in classes where I felt “I’m never going to use this information outside of this class” (like Geometry and Chemistry), my interest faded, and my grades reflected that. I was always very active in school, but no longer had really high grades (2.6 GPA) I went to college at North Carolina Central University in Durham. I decided to pursue the graphic arts as my major, since I had been drawing since I was a child.

While I was in college, I was exposed to alot of things that I had no idea existed (having come from the small town I did). I held several offices as an undergraduate, and had my own business. I often visited other schools, HBCU’s and others, as a representative of NCCU. At the larger Universities I found that more often than not, the blacks (and other minorities) had closer bonds as fellow students. At a “black school” I found that it was very easy to be “comfortable” and be lax in putting my best effort into projects. I found that the social atmosphere was “clique-ish” and differences are often received with ridicule rather than enthusiasm and openness. All in all, the cultural experience I received at an HBCU was much more enlightening for me. One of my chancellors said that “college is a microcosm of society”, meaning that everything that exists in society, is in the college environment, only on a smaller scale.

Knowing that, I knew then I had to attend an HBCU. I chose to be with my people and my culture (good, bad and ugly) because I thought...nothing is healed from the outside in. There are alot of issues that we must deal with in our community, because we are always the direct recipients of our actions. Drugs, broken families, elitism, promiscuity, the “worker” mentality...all these things are present, and WE possess the power...spiritually, financially and intellectually to change our surroundings. It is imperative that we as a people realize that each and every one of us has that power, and it is up to US, you, me, our families and our friends, to “deliver us” from destitute into prosperity. You can tell I have alot of energy on this, but back to your question...

I also went to graduate school for almost one semester to pursue a Masters in Publication Design, but decided not to go back because of the experience I had, and because of the experience one of my professors had told me about his “first book deal”. I chose to create my magazine, and if it is a success, then that will be my degree....If not, then I’ll reconsider when I come to the point where my efforts become pointless. I have never believed that a school is the only place one can learn. Life is a continuum of learning and growth.

As far as my work experience...I taught myself how to use a Macintosh computer, and a few months later, I started my own desktop publishing business in college, designing resumes, business cards and flyers for friends. As I got better, and started marketing my services, my clientele grew, and I was designing programs and T-shirts for the University and Student Government, etc. I was also elected to the position of Editor of the student literary magazine, Ex Umbra. It was a paying position (even though it paid much more in experience than salary)

As graduation got closer and closer, I began to feel like I wasn’t ready for the whole world (I envisioned college as training to be successful and when you graduate it’s you against the world, competing for jobs, etc.). At school, people would always tell me I was smart and stuff, I never let that go to my head. Just because I was smart and successful at MY school doesn’t mean that I’m smart and successful compared to a Duke University, Howard or a Yale grad. I knew when I graduated, I would be competing against them, so I had to gain all I could while I was in school. Up until finishing college, my life had been pretty much “planned” by my parents....I mean I knew I had to finish high school, and I had to go to college. But after college, there was no set route to pursue. I knew what my major was, and I knew alot about it, but at the time, I didn’t want a career as a graphic artist. After graduating college, my first job was at a 24 hour copy center as a desktop publisher. After about 9 months I took a position as a graphic designer at a local children’s museum....and I got bored with graphic design and began to pursue technical support for computers. It was there that I realized that a college degree is helpful, but it doesn’t guarantee you a job after you’re done, neither does a 4.0 GPA. I did more resumes (and counseling) for friends that had really high GPAs, but had no extra-curricular activities under their belt. There is alot more to learn about living in college than what you get you degree in. Ask someone who graduated.

I got a job as a computer technician (a totally different field than what I studied) that paid me 20% more starting, than a job in my major after almost a year! I have been “floating” from technical support and freelance graphic design ever since.

TimBookTu: You state that one of RIB’s purposes is to stimulate consciousness. Do you feel that RIB has achieved to goal thus far?

John: Based on the feedback I get from readers that purchase the magazine, and visit the website, I would say yes....the works featured in Rhapsody are thought provoking and inspirational to people of all ages and backgrounds.

TimBookTu: What do you feel has been some of the successes with RIB?

John: Good question. To me, my first success is...I’m still producing it. In any business, one of the major setbacks is longevity. A lot of people create products that don’t last after the “first wind” is gone, or the newness wears off. I can proudly say that after one year, the prospectus for Rhapsody in looking much brighter than I anticipated when I began this project.

Our second success...the people I have met along the way. Words cannot express the love and positive energy that I have received from around the world for uniting people of color through poetry and art. It’s like we’re all one big family, (with members we just haven’t met yet.) That is amazing to me. The writers that I have met in person say, and I agree, “we’ve talked so much, its like we’ve already met before.”

The third and most powerful success of Rhapsody is that it is a place for us to be heard, created by us...our way.. Rhapsody in Black is a compilation of writers and artists that submit their work...that’s it. If we want another (Harlem) Renaissance, if we want a revolution, if we want nothing...I can only print/publish what my audience submits....they can submit anything they want. I have provided a vehicle for us....but it is your voices that drive it....in every aspect....content-wise, marketing and financially.

TimBookTu: What about setbacks or difficulties you have encountered?

John: The only difficulties we have encountered is lack of financial support from readers. Ideally, I would like for everyone that submits an entry to Rhapsody to purchase a copy. It’s only $10, and if you get published, you get published for FREE...you get to keep your copyright, and you don’t have any obligations. Where else can an unheard of writer get national distribution for $10? If you’re a student looking for some exposure, this is an excellent opportunity. Being published in a nationally distributed magazine is noteworthy on a resume, or job interview. I also have 3-5 volunteers assist in the editing of each issue, which is also noteworthy.

Currently, I am paying for Rhapsody out of my own pocket. I would like to provide the magazine at little or no cost to readers, but I am not rich. As the magazine grows in popularity, so do expenses, and because of the lag in sales, I have started to charge a $5 processing fee with each author/artist. As the number of entries increases, so does the amount of man-hours to maintain our level of excellence for each issue. I am also seeking to generate capital through advertising national brands.

TimBookTu: During the Timbooktu Seminar and Retreat in Washington, DC, you presented a very well thought out business plan as part of the RIB empire. How long was the plan in the making?

John: Thank you for the complement, Memphis. The planning for Dreamakers, Incorporated began in 1992 with the purchase of a 10 year lease on a 4,800 sq. ft. studio space in Durham, NC with a man named Charles Phillps and his wife Linda. We purchased this space and built an art gallery from the ground up. We agreed that Chuck and Linda would start it, and I would end it, and possibly renew. So that was the space to do whatever we wanted. After I began Rhapsody, alot of parents began asking if their children could submit works. I had no problem with submissions from children, but due to the subject matter in the current Rhapsody, it would be inappropriate for younger children. As a result, I decided to produce Poetivity, a literary magazine for children. This project will be starting next year, after Rhapsody is established.

TimBookTu: What are some of the other components of Dreamakers, Incorporated.

John: The other projects/components include: The Dreamaker Lecture Series Group, a group of orators, comedians, actors and actresses that will tour the country performing at colleges, high schools and community groups; Desktop Publishing Express, a Desktop Publishing service that designs resumes, business cards, flyers, etc.; Dreamaker Press, which will publish other books about empowering, inspiring, and enlightening our community.....and the last part in the complicated scheme is the Dreamaker Investment Group, which will provide venture capital for young entrepreneurs to start new projects that benefit the African American community.

TimBookTu: What are your long range plans for the company?

John: I want Rhapsody in Black to be the “Def Jam” of black literature. I want new and fledgling writers to be afforded an opportunity for major national exposure in writing. I am also planning to collaborate with Howard University and comedian Chris Rock to discuss publishing a journal of writings at The Howard Lampoon....a black comedy writers program aimed at developing new talent in comedy. This is in the very nuclear stages right now.

I want Rhapsody to be on the campus of every HBCU available to students, and a part of curriculum reading in some modern literature and creative writing classes at these and other schools. When I retire, I want to travel the world and meet the writers that submitted to the magazine, and share their experiences.

TimBookTu: How do you see RIB's place in the African-American literary community?

John: I see Rhapsody as a premier source for amateur and up & coming writers to gain national exposure regardless of what larger publishers deem as “marketable” or “sellable”. Rhapsody closes the gaps between older and younger generations in a way that I have never seen. It is a great opportunity for writers and enthusiasts to come together and appreciate our culture, rhythm and style. It is what we make it.

TimBookTu: Do you see it being an instrument of social change? Cultural change?

John: Excellent question. Rhapsody in Black is a collective voice of black culture and positivity. How you act upon that knowledge is your choice. Rhapsody in Black is indeed an instrument....an instrument of what? That is for you to decide. What do you want? Do you want social change? economic empowerment? racial equality? sexuality awareness? history lessons? I can only print what my readers submit. The interpretation is totally subjective.

Culturally, I would say again, my emphasis is on awareness...the readers interpretation is their choice. For example, one person may be inclined to act different after being exposed to just how spiritually, financially and/or morally bad some of us live, and for another, loving our heritage and positive living may be more appealing after reading about the positive benefits that others have experienced.

When I started Rhapsody, I sent out general solicitations, and I found that alot of the works submitted were “polarized”....the vast majority of the works were “Love you down” or “kill all the white people”. That was not what I wanted (a love hate magazine), so I decided to change my approach. We are a diverse people, and that is what I want Rhapsody to be about…diversity, creativity and positivity. Less about the stereotypes and what is talked about on the television and in mainstream media. Rhapsody is our space to imagine “what if...” and the rest is up to you, the reader.

TimBookTu: What is the composition of your staff and how do you recruit your volunteers?

John: Ideally, I will have a staff of eight or nine people to run Rhapsody at full speed. Of course by that time, distribution will be in the range of 10,000-15,000 and we will have writers groups across the nation and the Lecture Series Group touring the country. But in the meantime...I am doing most of the work myself. I have two wonderful young ladies that have consistently helped me in making Rhapsody a success. They are Indira Wilburn of Lansing, Michigan and Tylonda Sanders of Omaha, Nebraska. These young ladies write the music reviews and the book reviews, in addition to helping me with the editing process. I could not produce a magazine of such high quality without the help of these dedicated young ladies. There are a handful of others that have helped with individual issues, but Indira and Tylonda have always come through for me.

The volunteers that help in the editing process are chosen based on their level of commitment and experience. As I stated earlier, a contributing editor “namedrop” is a nice complement to your resume. I have even offered to be listed as a reference for some contributors. Primarily volunteers help in recruiting writers, distribution and proofreading the actual magazine in it’s draft stages. To this point, I get enough inquiries from readers about helping, I haven’t actually solicited help.

TimBookTu: What are the methods you use in getting the submissions to your magazine?

John: I solicit entries mainly via e-mail and on the internet. I also attend poetry readings and hand out flyers, and if I read, I also speak about the magazine. Submissions are accepted via e-mail or snail mail, but they are not actually eligible to be printed until the $5 processing fee is received.

TimBookTu: You recently posted your website. How does that fit in with the overall plans for your magazine and company?

John: Well, as I’m sure you are well aware, the internet is an excellent marketing tool. However, at this point, I am at a crossroads in terms of how exactly I should use it. Currently, the entire Summer issue of the magazine is on the website - - www.rhapsodyinblack.com. Someone posed the question to me “why should I buy the magazine, if it’s free on the web?” I responded ideally, “Because you can’t take the web on the metro, or to the park, or give a friend a web address as a gift.” Which is all true, but, that interpretation too, is up to the reader. So just in case everybody doesn’t think like me, advertising revenue is key to support the website and the magazine. I would love to publish writers in print and on the web for free, but this project is “bigger” than me. I do not have the resources to give it all away, so I must create a means to this end of publishing.

How I obtain these means is the classic debate. Ideally (and practically) it would be great if the writers were self-supporting and we did not have to have any advertising at all, or only businesses owned by African Americans. However, in my past experiences in soliciting only from within our community is not self-sustaining. I cannot count the times I hear “Aw man....cain’t I get the hook up?” or “You supposed to look out for me, black man.” and a bunch of other sayings that mean “Give me something for nothing.” And to those I say, “How can we begin to think of supporting ourselves, if we are constantly looking for handouts?” I hear alot of people saying “you need to stay black!” and support the black community. I hear that, and I very much want to see my brothers and sisters thrive, but that does not happen by the effort of a select few...it takes our entire community to be the source of our wealth. Everyone must take a stand and begin the evolution to self-empowerment. If we don’t support ourselves, who will? We have the power to choose our own destiny…you are doing it right now.

TimBookTu: As to the concept of networking, you seemed to have made it into an art form. How much has that contributed to the success of RIB?

John: Networking is what poetry is all about. Being a publisher, I meet alot of writers from all over the country and the world. We talk about alot of different things, and I remember alot of the people I meet and create something like a “resource file”, so if someone should need or request something I am already aware of, I just put the two together. The internet is a great place for this....there is soooo much information available, all you need to do it find it. One of the first things I saw when I started “surfing” the web was “Everything that someone has written about, somebody else put it on the web. Believe me.” That becomes more true every second of every day. Not having the resources is no longer an excuse for me. My only excuse is my own lack of effort, or laziness (and hours in the day of course!) Networking was, is and always will be essential to the success of RIB. One of my goals is to bring us together, culturally.

TimBookTu: As a young man in your 20’s, have you set any goals for yourself to be reached by a certain age?

John: Good question. Hmmm......well, I want to retire in my early 40’s (or sooner). By that time I would also like to be married and have a family. I would also like to travel the country and the world to meet the writers that have I published through the years with my family. I’ve always said my favorite place is the home of a friend. I would also like to have trained a member of the younger generation to run the magazine (and other divisions of he company)....Rhapsody in Black is the beginning of a legacy of black culture.

Right now, my goals are for Rhapsody to be available on all Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and possibly selected text for creative writing classes. I have other projects in the works as we speak, but my main goal right now is to strengthen the foundation upon which this magazine, and my corporation is standing upon for a very prosperous future spiritually, culturally and financially.

TimBookTu: Rhapsody In Black has captured the attention of the African-American community, what has been the response by other cultures?

John: RIB is especially popular to college students and of course writers and artists. People of color are going through the same struggles in the UK, South Africa, and Germany. Love is universal. People like RIB because they can identify with what’s being said inside, of they are curious about what’s inside. I have had submissions from all groups, Asians, Spanish, Australian, English, etc...and it has all been positive. I recall a few instances where people had submitted work, and then when they found RIB is based on African- American submissions, they withdrew, but without explanation. To anyone that has asked “Do I have to be black to submit a poem?” The answer is always no. I have received thanks from Anglo-Americans for publishing their work as well.

Without a picture, how can you tell? With the exception of a few Shaquandas, Aliyahs, Donnells, and some distinctly Asian names....you really can’t tell the origin of the author. We’re not about that. What we are about is what you have to say. Is it positive? Is it creative? Is it original? Does it discuss issues in the black community? then yes, we want it.

TimBookTu: Any additional comments or information you would like to add?

John: First and foremost, I would like to thank the over 500 writers and artists that have submitted works in the past year, with them this magazine would not exist. I would like to send big fat grandparent hugs to Tylonda and Indira for all their support and committed effort. I would also like to thank all the volunteers that have helped me with the editing and distribution. And I would like to thank you Memphis for your support from the beginning of this project (Fall 97), and for the retreat this year. It is brothers like you that make the difference, and inspire me to keep doing what I’m doing.

We're not perfect, and we may not even be the best...but we are creating something that is benefiting our people...and that ain’t easy. To all the writers and artists that read this article. Rhapsody in Black is going to be the equivalent of a “Def Comedy Jam” for up and coming poets. It can be your first stop on the way to notoriety in literature, comedy writing, screenplays and art…if you want it.

Also, I get my inspiration from a few books that other may be interested in:

            You Can Work Your Own Miracles -Napoleon Hill
            The Keys To Success-Napoleon Hill
            You Can Heal Your Life-Louise Hay
            The Warrior Within:  The Philosophies of Bruce Lee - John Little
            Friends, Lovers, Soulmates-Derek Hopson and Darlene Hopson
            Black Women for Beginners-Saundra Sharp

-Peace and Blessings!

You can purchase a copy of Rhapsody in Black by sending a check for $9.95 to