Today we’d like to introduce you to Eddie Pierce
Eddie, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
At the core, I’m a lover of stories and storytelling in general. I was born and raised on the Westside of Chicago (now a DFW resident for 10+ years) to a somewhat conservative and conventional family of storytellers who value the art in various forms including but not limited to music, photography, and the invaluable familial gut busters and joy bringers told every time we link up.
As a result, it occurs to me now that my family and community subtly led me to seek out stories in cartoons, mythology, the Bible, music (videos)… EVERYWHERE! I often found myself dissatisfied with the conclusion or the fact that those stories ended. I wrote my versions and, ultimately, my own stories. The end product was handwritten stories, sometimes accompanied by (crude) illustrations on college-rule paper. They were then bound together with twist ties and even included illustrated covers and imprints.
Long story less “long,” it wasn’t until after being force-fed American and British literature primarily, African American literature occasionally (often through choice) throughout high school, and college (undergrad and grad) that I was honest with myself about my dreams and finally considered writing professionally. Writing professionally alongside an ongoing 25+ year career in higher education as an adviser, advocate and most recently an online (writing) instructor was what now seems a natural progression. Engaging in “story” and “storytelling” at that point had served so many vital purposes in my life combating chronic depression, reconciling my sexuality as a Black S.ame G.ender L.oving male to my spirituality and personal relationship with the “Judean-Christian” God, earning a living, entrance into and graduation from my Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing Degree to name a few.
It was during the completion of grad school which required a creative thesis assignment that the seeds of my first novel, LOVE: Something Infinite (autographical fiction), and the concept of starting my own company Rainbow Room Publishing, LLC began to germinate. Dreams that first manifested on Saturday, November 12th, 2011, and continue to grow, generating opportunities for (Creative) Professionals across the artistic and entrepreneurial spectrum through collaborations with organizations such as your outlet.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road has been anything but smooth. Imagine running errands during rush hour in Chicago, Dallas, or any U.S. urban center. There are wrong turns, potholes, necessary, inconvenient, and unplanned detours, false starts, stall outs, and numerous other struggles in the forms of “insufficient funds,” self-doubt, delays, and the daily, hourly, momentary temptations to quit to name a few. All of which can contribute to a tired Spotify playlist overflowing with small sad violins.
At that same time, “I pick up” and develop creativity (and creative problem-solving skills), fortitude, perseverance, discipline, and discernment. I grow in faith in myself, my ability, and my craft. I get to work alongside numerous amazing people and produce art that fulfills me in countless ways along this “tedious journey.” I’d rather try to focus on the latter and how that equips me to make the path smoother for those who may follow in my wake.
To say that the alternative viewpoint would be counterproductive to my (psychological) well-being which includes the production and quality of my art as well as my ability to communicate with the rest of humanity is the perfect illustration of a gross understatement.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Well, my business cards and such read “Author, Publisher & Founder” (of or with respectively) Rainbow Room Publishing, LLC (RRP LLC) but I circle back to my first response. I’m best defined as a storyteller in my opinion. RRP LLC has grown to be an excellent vehicle for my literary work and the publishing and promotion of educational, inspirational, and entertaining written works of others.
At the same time, it has vastly expanded my value of and metaphorical thirst for storytelling in all its forms to the point that RRP LLC has spawned two new “arms.” “RRP LIVE” (a podcast on YouTube) and Kaleidoscope (the upcoming digital art magazine) respectively which broaden the various professionals and associations with whom I (through RRP LLC) can collaborate and serve in terms of production and promotion.
In the end, this collaborative business and artistic model is what instills the most personal pride and fulfillment. I’ve been afforded the opportunity to work with family, friends, associates, strangers, and even one of my literary idols, James Earl Hardy, New York Times and Amazon Bestselling Author of the pivotal “B-Boy Blues Series.” In each case, to some degree, I was able to participate in and replicate the same magical experience as holding the first physical copy of my debut novel. I’m proudest of assisting others with making their intangible dreams manifest into physical reality. That (for me) is magic!
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
I’m quite an introverted individual, believe it or not. I don’t require and can’t always handle the same amount of personal interaction as the next person. This is perhaps the most surprising personal detail for anyone who encounters me. I base this belief on “quantitative and qualitative data” accumulated from decades of people watching me do and try “everything,” most especially to produce and promote my work and by extension my associates and clients. When I say E.V.E.R.Y.T.H.I.N.G. I’m only slightly… well very slightly exaggerating.
These people have always seen me “perform,” while enduring my circular, verbose storytelling in smaller groups or setting the stage for them to tell their stories professionally. In most cases, it is to bring attention to my art more so than to myself who’d honestly rather be Russell Simmons who wraps the show.
Whether writing, reading, live streaming myself singing karaoke, bustin’ a move on the dance floor, parasailing, or horseback riding on the beach full cowboy I’m engaging in and creating art. Art that largely feeds RRP LLC in terms of content. In terms of creating art which has served so many aforementioned purposes including enabling this (socially) introverted individual to communicate to, commune with, and contribute to humanity as a whole.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.rainbowroompublishing.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seron1914
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EddiePierce1914
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eddiespierce/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@rrp_live
- Other: https://linktr.ee/rainbowroompublishingllc
