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Articles /Interviews
A Dialogue with
Victoria Valentine
by
Dr. Amitabh Mitra
1.
You were publishing the Skyline Literary Journal from New York, which was
unique in its contents and quality. What made you start such a print
publication?
 Skyline
Online was born in August of 2001, just a few weeks before the horror of
9/11. I say ‘born’, because Skyline was my ‘baby’. It was the heart and
soul of someone who had been a struggling writer for most of her life;
that someone being myself, Victoria Valentine of NY, USA. Being a
writer, I knew the difficulties of becoming a published author. I
remember well the hardships new writers face, eager to receive that
first, most necessary publishing credit. I was bound and determined to
help as many promising beginners as possible, to receive their
much-deserved first credit. Some of our authors have gone on to larger,
professional publication.
Our second
Skyline issue was a dedication to 9/11 victims & families, with focus on
the heroic efforts of rescue teams of firefighters, police, volunteers
and private citizens. Because of the quality of work we received and the
devotion of our faithful writers, I felt it only fitting to reward their
efforts with a print magazine. So following 9/11, I produced the first
issue of “A Tribute To America” print magazine, which went through 3
reprints, as we received more and more work that had to be added.
One of
Skyline’s major goals was to publish as many writers as possible, both
on the Internet and in print. It was our pleasure to offer new talents a
platform in which to display their work. In the early days of Skyline
Magazine, I produced about 100 magazines per month, by hand, by myself,
at home. They were beautiful 8 x 11 inch tabloid size, full color
magazines printed on gloss paper. Authors (and by that time many
fabulous artists had also found a place in Skyline) each received a copy
of the issue their work appeared in. Never in my wildest imagination,
did I ever dream Skyline would take off as it did, with professional
distribution across the USA and internationally. But more and more
people wanted copies of Skyline, so I eventually had to have each issue
printed professionally, to keep up with the demand. Right before
closing, we were distributing over 10,000 copies per issue, using 3
national distributors. Skyline magazines were also distributed by
subscription to major libraries such as the New York Public Library,
major Gulf Coast libraries, high schools, colleges, book stores, reader
homes, etc. Skyline was also found in fine hotels, restaurants and
resorts, as the magazines were known for their fine quality and
elegance.
2.
You grew up in New York which is one town that gets under your skin. Tell us
about growing up in New York, your favorite joints, Greenwich Village and
all those things that influenced your poetry.
I don’t get
into the city as often as I like these days, as I now live almost 2
hours away, in upstate NY. The Village is a busy and colorful place,
with narrow, crowded streets, tall buildings, beautifully inspirational
and unique!! The Village, packed with shops, vendors, bookstores, people
rushing and idling. I love it! But…when I do visit the city, I make
certain to grab a small table in a corner of bustling Grand Central, to
sit and watch the goings on, especially during holiday season. To me,
Grand Central and surrounding streets and avenues host some of the most
intriguing sights; tourists and travelers, excitement everywhere! The
city is enthusiastic, charming, adventurous, a wonderland of
multicultural diversity. After a day in any part of NYC, one can find
much to write about!
I was born in
the Bronx, attending elementary and junior high school there. From those
days, and the ‘neighborhood’ at that time, I could write an entire
collection of fantasy and frightening stories, drawing from memories of
legends, events and childhood imagination. While in elementary school I
won many art contests, for painting and drawing. I was quiet and shy.
Upon entering high school, I soon found writing to be a necessity and
outlet for my emotions. Much of my writing reflects beauty, love and the
sadness I feel inside; about life and death, those I have loved, those I
still have with me, those whom I have lost. Most times I don’t write
‘about, but rather ‘for’. Although I didn’t major in literature in
college, I took writing courses as well as some courses in music theory.
After taking time out to start a family, I realized my interest in
poetry, as well as short story writing. My first full novel was a horror
story, The Last Resort. That manuscript went through numerous revisions,
with excerpts blending into the conclusion of At the Stroke of Midnight.
3.
‘At the Stroke of Midnight’ is a collection of horror stories and poems.
America has its own league of Horror writers but not many horror poets.
Although I
enjoy writing thrillers, as well as romance, I find horror to be a
favorite venue in which to share my imagination, as well as my emotions,
my fears and my dreams. As a spiritual individual, be it in my
imagination or reality, I feel in touch with ‘the other side’ of life,
and that which lies beyond…and of course, I've had personal encounters
with ghosts and possibly a demon or two. Some may find this statement
humorous or even dubious, but until you’ve been there, or rather once
you’ve been ‘touched’, you become a true believer and respect that which
cannot always be seen or understood, yet does exist, right here beside
each one of us! There is much truth in my horror poetry, and other
writings, including feelings and experiences, colored with imagery
4.
Do you think Horror Poetry could be an attraction to readers and young
poets? The Indian subcontinent which is grappling with social and religious
norms, Horror based poetry from its poets would be iconoclastic.
I would not
venture to mix horror with religion. My idea of horror is found within
the supernatural; ghosts, frightening ‘nighttime’ curl up and squeeze
your partner playtime. It’s pure entertainment utilizing scare tactics.
I find horror to be a realm of its own, to be explored, exploited and
devoured. Horror, as well as religion, has individual voice and
expression. Why not believe in, and enjoy the individual characteristics
of both? I think young poets could enjoy and express horror creatively,
without tarnishing or destroying religious beliefs. I don’t believe
horror is sacrilegious. Horror is also an enticing stimulant, an
emotional roller coaster that bumps, grinds and climaxes, quite similar
to romance. I draw a parallel between the two. Horror is fun! It’s a
fabulous release.
Dead
You say
you feel dead
So how can you tell?
Is it a lonely
Or a dark empty shell
How can you feel?
If you're dead inside
Is it all lost forever
Or do you just hide
You say you feel empty
But empty can't feel
Cause if empty had feelings
Then you would feel real
So how do you know if
You're dead or alive
Have you ever felt pain
Or the will to survive
Full of emptiness
Full of pain
Are they both simply feelings?
Just one in the same
And what does full mean
Life's breath of fresh air
Then dead would be empty
Existing nowhere
So how can you tell
Death cold or life warm
I mean if you're dead
There's no place you belong!
© Victoria
Valentine
A favorite by Edgar Allen
Poe, The Haunted Palace
But evil
things, in robes of sorrow,
Assailed the monarch's high estate.
(Ah, let us mourn!- for never morrow
Shall dawn upon him desolate!)
And round about his home the glory
That blushed and bloomed,
Is but a dim-remembered story
Of the old time entombed.
And travellers, now, within that valley,
Through the red-litten windows see
Vast forms, that moves fantastically
To a discordant melody,
While, like a ghastly rapid river,
Through the pale door
A hideous throng rushes out forever
And laugh-but smile no more.
–
Continued
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