After coming of age in a conservative Christian environment, Amie Campbell didn’t come fully into herself until she found herself turning thirty, getting divorced, and raising two small children. It was then that she accepted that her love was not limited to one gender and she allowed herself to fall head over heels for a beautiful woman, thinking it would last forever.

Have you ever been SMITTEN and if so, do you feel it’s possible to summarize those feelings in poetry?

I think “smitten” is my most common state of being. It’s probably my favorite emotional state. Life just feels good when you’re smitten. It’s such an optimistic and curious state of being. I don’t know that it is possible to summarize those feelings in poetry, but rather a poem can give you a little glimpse into that very special state of being.

What does it mean to you to be part of something like SMITTEN and have your work along side other women who love women?

As a bi woman who “came out” later on in life, I feel like I struggle a lot with that feeling of “am I queer enough?” There’s the bi stigma met with a heaping dose of impostor syndrome that sometimes can make it hard to feel like I fit in with the queer community. Being involved in this epic project, even just a little bit, feels like a huge leap of validation. I am enough. My love is enough.

SMITTEN is a collection from throughout the world we have writers from India, Africa, Australia, Canada, the UK, France and many other countries. What does a multicultural collection accomplish?

It sounds almost cliche to say that love is love, but a collection like this, with writers from all over the globe and all over the age spectrum, shows how universal love truly is. It doesn’t matter what continent you are from, what language you speak, we all want to love and be loved. We may experience love slightly differently or express it in different words and ways, but in the end, the emotion of love is the same.

Do you think there is enough representation of lesbian poetry and writing in general and if no, what do you think is the reason?

Is there enough? Oh goddess, no! The lesbian experience is so rarely seen in the general audience, and even when it does come to light, is often cloaked in euphemisms and hushed tones. I think this is because the lesbian experience holds a certain power that is terrifying to the patriarchy. Women who love women, women who are not dependent upon men for their needs to be met, those women have such dynamic power that is wild and earthly and that’s scary to some.

SMITTEN is coming out late October, 2019 via all good book stores. Published by Indie Blu(e) www.indieblu.net 

Please consider supporting this project of over 120+ talented poets and authors by purchasing a copy of SMITTEN for someone who appreciates beautiful poetry. https://www.facebook.com/SMITTENwomen/