By Abigirl Phiri
Worth Noting:
- Hello my name is Jerry Langdon. I started writing in 1984 as an extension to my painting and drawing. I had loved poetry since my 6th grade English teacher introduced us to Robert Frost and Edgar Allan Poe.
- I started my magazine Raven Cage poetry and prose zine in 1999 while and after submitting my own poetry to various other journals. I found that many were far too picky as to what they accepted or wanted.
- They say old dogs don’t learn new tricks so I pretty much see myself a day older and a dollar shorter, but none the less the same. I am currently putting together a collection of poems but am unsure when I will finish it.
Raven cage zine has become a buzz word in the poetry circles. This is because it is elevating the status of its contributors who come in different forms be it poets or writers. This is all thanks to Jerry Langdon the man behind the vision. He is giving a chance to many poets to share their work and have it read far and wide. For that reason, l personally saw it fit to interview such an inspirational being. We need more people like Jerry Langdon to keep literature alive. Suffice to say, the cover pages of the raven cage zine are captivating at the level of artistry showcased. I am testament to all this because l have contributed in this literary dish and have come to know Jerry Langdon as a down to earth individual who is on a mission to ensure poetry continues to breathe life wherever you are in the world. Here is what he had to say in greater detail.
Please tell us your name and how your journey started in poetry/writing?
Hello my name is Jerry Langdon. I started writing in 1984 as an extension to my painting and drawing. I had loved poetry since my 6th grade English teacher introduced us to Robert Frost and Edgar Allan Poe. Later I would add Henry Wadsworth Longfellow to my favorites and to my inspirations. I officially started writing when I was 17 and on my own and needed a vent to release and ease the stress of standing on my own feet. I was still going to school and doing my best to keep getting good grades and trying to find a job. I finally did get one a year later and so I worked, went to school, dated and everything a normal teenager did, plus my art and writing. I went to the Army in 1986 and that is when my writing started to grow.
How did the Raven cage zine publication come to be?
I started my magazine Raven Cage poetry and prose zine in 1999 while and after submitting my own poetry to various other journals. I found that many were far too picky as to what they accepted or wanted. Many I found too one-sided. To me poetry was always multidimensional and that everyone deserves their chance. So I created Raven Cage with Sections to separate the genre and still give submitters the feeling of a good place to publish. I ran it for 5 years in just pdf format until I was requested to begin offering in print.
Have you won any major accolades for yourself as a published poet/writer?
No. I have won only my personal accolades. After starting Raven Cage I have slacked on submitting to other journals. I have self-published 5 books and been in at least as many anthologies, but I have not won any awards.
Who is your inspiration?
My major inspiration is Edgar Allan Poe, followed by Henry Wadsworth Longfello and Robert Frost. I am constantly inspired by various Rock Bands, and last but definitely not least I am continuously inspired by the many poets I have met online and those that submit to my zine. Inspiration is everywhere.
Where do you see yourself in the near future as well as that of your publication?
They say old dogs don’t learn new tricks so I pretty much see myself a day older and a dollar shorter, but none the less the same. I am currently putting together a collection of poems but am unsure when I will finish it. As far as my zines, I will continue publishing. Next too and basically born through Raven Cage I also publish a monthly poetry and prose zine for Dark Poetry Society group, for members only, and I have started a zine for articles I called Articlass.
What problems have you been facing with regards to publishing the magazine?
The submissions have been growing in number. I have started to get submissions of articles that don’t fit the sense of poetry and prose, hence I started a zine extra for articles. I work alone on the zines so lately I have run into publishing late. I have also received a few submissions that I had to decline for various reasons.
Share with us one of your best raven cage zine publication and what made the edition special?
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wlKcbhpJtvZ1IRrNRaEQS-jdJ6H4uGAP/view?usp=drive_link
Issue 64 was the first issue to be in print. To me every issue is special but issue 64 was the first print.
Kindly share all your social media handles
https://www.facebook.com/jerry.langdon.7
https://www.facebook.com/RavenCageZine
https://www.facebook.com/ravencageezine
https://www.deviantart.com/jerrylangdon
Any word of advice to other individuals who would want to venture into poetry and contribute in your publication
My word of advice is to keep writing, or as I often call it bleeding ink. Never think your writing isn’t worthy. If it reaches and touches one person it has done what it was meant to do. Don’t let yourself be your worst critic. One that I often have to remind myself of.
If you want to submit to Raven Cage I personally prefer writes with titles. I know not every writer gives their poems titles, but it makes it easier to include in the table of contents. If writing under a pseudonym be sure to specify. Send either in the body of the email or as document preferably not as pdf. Please do not place submissions in the subject that causes extra work and any format is lost. If possible include a copyright. © copyrighted by, written by, author. I do not own the copyright the authors do so it is important. I add a copyright regardless.
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Mt Kenya Times 
Tajalla Qureshi