Today we’d like to introduce you to Alison Miller.
Hi Alison, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I’ve always considered myself a writer but at some point life got in the way. In college I switched from an English major to Fashion Merchandising and before graduation opened my first of what would become a small chain of adult stores. I dove headfirst into my career. I tried to tie in writing as much as could, with sex positive columns in local publications and contributions to industry magazines, but ultimately didn’t keep up with creative writing.
In 2019 I moved from Richmond, Virginia (where my stores are located) to San Diego, California. I hoped that the move would encourage me to devote more time to writing, and it did. Immediately upon arriving in San Diego I began a poetry certification course. After I completed it, I joined a weekly workshop led by my teacher, which I still attend.
I started an online literary magazine to share the work of other sex positive poets (Throats to the Sky Magazine) and I’m proud to say that this year I had two books of poetry published–flowering, (adj.) and Blink.
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?
As an adult boutique owner I’ve faced many challenges, mostly stemming from county ordinances and the general disapproval of a small part of the community.
As a writer, most of the challenges I’ve faced are ones I created. I’m a perfectionist and sometimes hyper critical of myself. Of course, getting people interested in poetry in 2024 and finding success as any type of artist are challenges also!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
This is probably the first time I’ve chosen to describe myself as an artist before a business person. My stores are very dear to me, as is my commitment to spreading sex positivity and anti-slut/kink shaming. Writing, however, is in my blood.
These days I write mostly poetry. A lot of it has erotic elements–the theme of my book, Flowering, (adj.)–but a lot of it doesn’t. I think a thing that sets me apart, for better or for worse, is that my work is usually an interpretation or description of reality. My mentor says that every poem should contain a lie. Mine often don’t. I think of life as the artist and myself as the translator.
We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
As an introvert living in a place that’s sunny all year, I think Covid took less of a toll on me than it did on a lot of people. I did learn lessons, but the same ones that probably everyone did. It didn’t hit too hard personally.
Contact Info:
- Website: throatstothesky.com
- Instagram: @throats.to.the.sky and @ttts_magazine
- Other: taboorva.com
