God is an Atheist is a provocative collection of poems that delves into the complexities and contradictions of faith, humanity, and the institutions that govern them. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?

Although I didn’t wake up one day and say, “God is an Atheist,” this collection came about by observing a lot of hypocrisy among the righteous – and those pretending to be righteous…and that probably goes back to 1966 when the congregation of the Steubenville (Kentucky) Baptist Church displayed attitudes that didn’t align with their values when they interacted with my divorced mother – and did not welcome me or my sisters into the flock’s fold. But it is not an esoteric micro-aggression collection – it is not a personal vendetta collection against the church; it is more of a social commentary about conditioned behaviors that don’t champion the church. In a way, God is an Atheist is very much a work that is pro-church.

What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this collection?

Hypocrisy is the first step to becoming an infidel.

It was difficult to escape the current social conditions when flags are flapping in your face off the backs of pick-up trucks and bibles are being used as props to gain political support from people who know better – again, hypocrisy was a driving theme behind GiaA. Conservative Republicans drive Buicks (it used to be Cadillacs!), and think they are on the highway to Heaven – but an American flag decal won’t get you into Heaven anymore (John Prine said that), and Jesus fed, comforted, and cleaned the feet of too many people to be a Conservative Republican – he had to be a liberal! So he would have driven a 1959 Plymouth Fury (maybe a Chrysler Imperial after resurrection, but still)…with the big fins! – and given people rides to where they needed to go.

What do you hope is one thing readers take away from your collection of poetry?

When I sign these books for readers, I simply say “Don’t think like me…Just think!” It’s a book that challenges people (I hope) to think and pay attention to the world they want to have controlled by other people (and governments…and churches) when they have the capacity to control it for themselves if only they would claim the volition and personal will to power – instead of praying against God’s Will…prayers keep asking for things (God bless America, for instance) instead of people seeing the results of God’s Will…is it possible to praise and worship God’s Will when you keep praying to have it changed?

What is the next book that you are working on, and when can your fans expect it to be out?

The galley-proof for I Felonites: First Letter to the Felonites is being reviewed today! As you might imagine by the title, it is a politically minded chapbook…so it should be out by the late summer (August/September). I also have 20 other collections (or so) that I finally typed up that are ready to shop around!

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