New Book Spotlight

Offerings for Ordinary Gods

A mini-interview with Ali Trotta

Tell us about your new book?

Offerings for Ordinary Gods is for anyone who likes witchy things, tarot, mythology, feminism/feminine rage, and fairytales. Pulling heavily from the symbolism of tarot cards and folklore, this spec fic/fantasy poetry collection re-centers the power from the altars of ordinary gods—the things we worship but probably shouldn’t—back to our highest self.

Grounded in archetypes, magick, and myths, this poetry collection tackles real-world issues and feminist ideology. There are direct comparisons from the Salem Witch trials to modern-day rape culture, echoing the issues/realities that women face today. You’ll find a fresh take on the Persephone myth, because her lack of agency has always driven me mad. And there’s also a recasting of Medusa’s awful/boring depiction as a villain. The collection offers an unflinching look at love, grief, loss, risk, and reclaiming your own power, not giving it away.

Offerings for Ordinary Gods, out now from CLASH Books, summons hope and heartbreak in equal measure, because life is never meant to be lived neatly and without scars. It acknowledges the power of voice—who gets to tell a story influences the tale in myriad ways. The collection is a spell for self-reclamation and speaking the truth, despite how the wolves may be howling.

What aspect of the book was the most fun to write?

I loved writing the new poems that took on a familiar myth and turned it on its head, like “Medusa Writes Her Own Story” and “Dido Addresses Aeneas.” Giving a voice to two female figures that, in the known narratives, didn’t really have one. And even my own take on a Sylvia Plath’s “Burning the Letters.” But interestingly, too, I was given the opportunity to add my own photographs to the collection, and that was a joy. Whether it’s my phone or my Canon, I’m always taking photos of things, so it’s nice to see those in print too!

If there is one emotion or theme that you would hope that the reader connects with, what would that be?

The idea that everyone has a voice and can use it—and that is a powerful thing. In this day and age, which is often rife with uncertainty and cruelty, speaking up and speaking out is paramount. And we can easily forget that using our voice is a powerful spell all its own. Lastly, too, that anger is not a bad emotion, as it is sometimes portrayed. It can be extremely useful, for instance, when injustice happens. When something is wrong with the world or society, outrage is perfectly normal. And that feeling, all big feelings really, make effective/good poems.