BOOK: ‘this is it’ poetry book shares

Calista Ogburn publishes book of poems about anti-Asian racism on the rise due to COVID-19

By Mary Jeneverre Schultz

The pandemic is prompting self-published authors to find different ways to market and publicize their books.

College student and self-starter Calista Ogburn, 20 years old, reached out to Asian Avenue magazine via Instagram to share a collection of poems about anti-Asian racism and how it has “infected” society along with the spread of COVID-19.

“I wanted to write about the rise of Asian hatred,” Ogburn said. “There’s so much sadness, confusion and fear and I want to comfort others and let them know they aren’t the only ones going through the pandemic.”

According to the Asian Pacific Policy and Planning Council, more than 2,100 anti-Asian hate incidents have been reported nationally on the STOP AAPI Hate online tool since COVID-19 began. This is a troubling figure that Asian American advocates say is being fueled in part by political rhetoric against China during the coronavirus pandemic.

A young poet

Ogburn, a college student at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County began writing poems as a sophomore in high school. At the time, she had left Vietnam to move to Seoul, S. Korea. During this international move, she found poetry as a sense of comfort.

She confessed to her initial fear of having others read her writing.

“It was helpful to express how I was feeling,” Ogburn said. “It was a process of truly believing in the beauty of confidence. I wish someone had told me ‘you wrote these amazing poems, be confident’.”

However, as a talented Korean-Vietnamese poet, Ogburn is pursuing a career in public health with a minor in Asian studies. Now, even moreso during these pandemic times, she feels a strong connection. With her degree in public health, she would love to combine and connect public health with the arts.

Grass-roots marketing

Through outreach, she is collaborating with others on Instagram, specializing in Asian literature and arts. “I didn’t want to market my book just to get it on bookshelves,” she said. “I wanted to share the book with a community focus.”

The book, entitled this is It, brings a collection of poems that share feelings of loss, loneliness, or the combined grief and rage of experiencing racism.

This book stands as her second published work, and she has already received favorable reactions, including from the president of her university, administration and staff.

“It really is humbling and the love from the community has been amazing,” she said.

Book Title: this is it

Author: Calista Ogburn Pages: 42 Available on Amazon More info: calista-ogburn.com

“this is it” is a poetry book that brings to light the rising anti-Asian racism as the spread of COVID-19 has increased. It captures Calista’s experience of loneliness, heightened anxiety, and feeling lost during a global pandemic. “this is it” takes the reader by the hand through the most difficult times and finds hope for the future.