Many college students write books during their years at a university, but not many accounting majors get entire books of poetry published.
One Sam Houston State University student is breaking that mold. Sophomore Chris Holmes will hold a book signing for his latest endeavor “Just Another Black Voice,” a collection of poetry centered around the black community, on Saturday in College Station.
He said the book is produced by Publish America and is meant to spread the message of the struggles the black community goes through.
“I’ve always had a thing for creative arts and poetry is one of them,” Holmes said. “What I think is society’s abuse of the black community. Everybody has their own perspective.”
He is inspired most by “The Rose that Grew From Concrete” by rapper Tupac Shakur. He is also inspired by multiple motivational black leaders like Malcolm X and Martin Luther King, Jr.
Holmes said he tries to make his books more interesting by bringing his love of music and casual conversation to those that have trouble sitting down to read an entire book.
“It’s the kind of topics that people have conversation [about] at barbershops with your homeboys (and) homegirls,” he said.
Much like Shakur’s book, “Just Another Black Voice” is a collection of strategically selected poems Holmes wrote in anguish of a corrupt society and inner-self. The topics amongst this collection of poetry range from politics to purely social ideologies.
For those who wanting their works to be published, the process for any book can be lengthy and expensive to accomplish.
Holmes said he was fortunate enough to come across the opportunity through a family member. The process was done mostly via email through the publishing company Publish America.
Holmes also displays his photography, music, and clothing designs on his website: yourvoiceissoulproductions.com
The book signing is scheduled to take place at a Barnes and Noble at 2004 Texas Avenue College Station on Saturday, Nov. 2 from 2 to 4 p.m. The book is also available on Amazon.com.