Q&A with Anthony Botti – Author Interview

Anthony Botti’s Where It Will is a poignant and beautifully crafted book of poems that explores love, fate, and self-discovery. With a keen eye for emotional depth and character-driven storytelling, Botti takes readers on an unforgettable journey that lingers long after the final page. In this exclusive Q&A, we sit down with the author to talk about the inspiration behind the book, his writing process, and the themes that make Where It Will such a compelling read.

From character development to the emotional complexities woven throughout the story, Botti shares his insights into crafting narratives that resonate with readers. He also offers a glimpse into his creative journey, his influences, and what’s next on the horizon. Whether you’re already a fan or just discovering his work, this interview is a fascinating look at the mind behind Where It Will.

About The Author

Tell us more about you

I grew up on the campus of a boys’ boarding school in western PA where my father taught chemistry, physics, and calculus.  The school was not just a place of education.  It was the backdrop of my childhood—where the library felt like a second home, the campus buildings and facilities doubled as playgrounds, and the rhythms of academic life shaped my earliest sense of the world.  Surrounded by students and teachers, I absorbed the energy of learning and curiosity, the discipline of study, and the magic of a campus that modelled lives, ideas, and dreams.

What are the three items you’d take on a deserted island?

Binoculars for birding, a lot of yarn with 5.5 mm size wooden knitting needles, and the Bach Cantatas (and my pug Puck).

Who is your biggest role model?

Isak Dinesen (Karen Blixen)

What is your favourite book and who is your favourite author?

This is an especially hard answer: my favourite book as a young adult was A Separate Peace by John Knowles, my favourite book as an adult is May Sarton’s memoir Journal of a Solitude, and my favourite poet is Louise Gluck. 

Do you prefer e-books, physical books or audiobooks?

Definitely physical books!

Is writing your full-time profession or a hobby?

I just retired after 25 years working at Harvard University overseeing the Mental Health Services for the Students, Staff and Faculty.  While writing is not my full-time profession, it remains a vital part of my creative expression.

What social media platform do you like and use the most?

I use a couple of social channel, which you can follow me on, they are:

Your Writing Process

How do you go about starting a new book?

I go about starting with an image, a memory, a phrase, or a single line letting that spark build in the creation of a new poem.  I follow one of these threads not necessarily knowing where ideas might lead.  If I begin with an image, I focus on the details and what emotions or memories it evokes, expanding it into a metaphor.   If I start with a single line or phrase, it arrives with a certain tone or voice.  Does it suggest a speaker? A conflict?  These are the questions that need answering to develop the new poem.

Where do you like to write?

When in Boston, I prefer to write at the Boston Public Library and the Boston Atheneum, and when in the country, I prefer to write in a studio we built on our property in the Berkshires, a space designed for creativity nestled in the beauty of western Massachusetts.

What do you like most about writing?

Writing is a kind of meditation and an exploration of the unconscious.  It reveals and evokes deep emotions, uncovers memories, captures experiences, and delves into ideas I did not know existed before writing a poem.  Joan Didion said it best, “I didn’t know what I think until I write it down.”

What do you find stops you from writing more?

The biggest obstacles are both external and internal.  Distractions may come from everywhere—daily responsibilities in the house, unexpected interruptions, or just demands of life make it hard to carve out focused writing time.  Other times are internal distractions—overthinking, self-doubt pull attention away from writing on the page.  For me, getting into the right flow for writing often requires a balance of routine, mental clarity, and the right creative conditions. 

Sometimes flow is interrupted by self-editing too early or struggling to connect with the deeper emotional energy of a piece.  My best writing happens when distractions are minimised, and my mind is fully engaged.  The challenge is often about patience—showing up, writing through my resistance, and trusting that a poem will build momentum.

What genres do you like to write and why?

I write poetry exclusively because it is the form that best captures my way of seeing, interpreting, and expressing the world.  Poetry allows for precision and intensity that other forms of writing do not always offer.  It distils emotion, memory, and imagery, revealing the deeper layers of an experience.  

What’s one piece of advice you’d give to aspiring writers?

It is never too late in life to assemble a book of poems: read widely and intentionally studying the authors’ craft; embrace revision–good writing is rewriting, and stay persistent—writing is a long game. And lastly, silence the inner critic—don’t let self-doubt stop you.  

Showcase your books!

How many books have you written and if more than one, what’s your favourite?

Just one, Where It Will, and have also published a lot of poems in literary journals.

How long did Where It Will take to write?

Two years to assemble the book.

Lastly, what is your favourite thing about being an author?

I value the solitude of writing and the feeling of discovery, the way writing uncovers emotions, memories, and experiences that I did not fully understand until I put them in words.  Being an author is creating something meaningful that might resonate and connect with readers. 

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