Prison Bars to Cult Classic: An Author is Born

KENNETH WILLIAMS

I stood peering over the top tier of a Philadelphia Prison cell block; there were five of these institutions, all designed to house the city’s known undesirables. The section was called a pod, a division of a larger unit, and it encompassed sixty cells on the top and bottom tiers. There was a day room that included a TV, and tables used for meals, or playing cards or chess, (my favorite pastime). A single station, with a desk and phone was situated by a large metal sliding exit door, for a lone correctional officer. It amazed me how only one officer could control so many inmates. I would later learn the power of psychological reasoning.

The day room was crowded with killers, drug dealers, bank robbers and more who orbited the pod, gambling, arguing, yelling. The noise ricocheted off the large brick walls and was deafening. I looked at the chaos that I was now a part of and wondered how I would survive without having to hurt someone or being hurt myself. I saw my dreams and potential floating through the prison air. I was officially out of time, or was I? Right then I noticed a small contingent of inmates that had found a way to adjust to the rigmarole of prison life. It astonished me that something so simple could be so powerful. They were reading books, and oblivious to their surroundings. I had an epiphany. I had already myself become a voracious reader; first it was Sydney Sheldon and the Ayn Rand, then books on altruism, existentialism, physics, history, and religion. I had turned myself into a walking thesaurus and yearned for the time to express myself and formulate my own philosophies and opinions to inspire and uplift.

I decided then that I would write a book -- a novel about my personal experiences growing up in North Philadelphia. It would isolate me from the chaos of prison life and hopefully I would survive unscathed. Although the backdrop of the book was during the height of the crack epidemic, replete with the crime, violence and misery that permeated the Black community during that period, I believe that it exposed the absurdity and delusions of the time.

My self-publishing journey started upon my release from Federal Prison. First, I obtained a couple of jobs, (construction and with the Philadelphia water department), neither job lasted nor moved my spirit.

I was only capitulating to the social construct. I was an entrepreneur at heart, a BOSS! I vowed that no one, would ever get to decide my lively hood, or any part of my future again. I had this book that I written, and it was time to get it out.

I had no knowledge of what it took to publish a book, but I knew that I wouldn’t be asked to publish. By chance, I came across a guy who had published a book himself. He had set up a stand and was selling it on a large Philadelphia Avenue. I sparked a conversation, extolling and congratulating him on his achievement, and then added that I had written a book. I shared that I was looking to self-publish and didn’t know where to start. He told me that he couldn’t help me and that I would have to figure it out as he had, alone. This really upset me, but I am a quick thinker. I purchased two of the books and his willingness to divulge information changed. It so happened that he had listed in the front cover of his book as credits, an editor, graphic designer, and a printer! That was all I needed, and the rest is history.

The book went on to become a cult success, thanks to a partnership with a renowned Philadelphia bookstore. I self-published it, and its success allowed me to return to school to obtain a degree in Journalism. From there I spawned the company Inverse Media, a media company designed to uplift, inform, and inspire with thought provoking stories, interviews, and content.

The moral of my story is that there are no boundaries, systems or ideas that could hold me back, even in the most abject circumstances. I chose not to allow my environment to define me any longer, to not let stereotypes and conditions confine me. Instead, I decided to put pen in my hand and arm myself for my fight to live, to exist.

Kenneth Wiliams is an Author, Journalist, and freelance writer. He is also the Founder of Inverse Media. Kenneth is an advocate for prison reform and has worked with West Chester University (PA) on their “Clean Slate Initiative.” Kenneth’s experiences allow him to have a powerful voice, and he inspires to uplift and inspire youth to become future leaders in their communities. Kenneth resides in Philadelphia, and is currently working on his first documentary, to be released through Inverse Media.