Today we’d like to introduce you to Rachel Ann Preston.
Hi Rachel Ann, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Hello! We started Odessa Collective as a small open mic for poetry and creative writing in 2021. This was when everything was barely opening back up and we were desperate for a place to share our reading and connect with other people again. As safely as we could, we started “The Disconnection Hotline”, which has become the name for our monthly open mic and reading series for the last 4 and a half years. Throughout the years, we have grown. Slowly we have added members, some have left. But the promise remains that we are always a community FOR the community – a place where those who aren’t necessarily involved with the UH writing community, which dominates most of the writing organizations in town, can be welcomed in with open arms. Regardless of class or degree, we want to be there to provide help, instruction, publishing opportunities and anything writing-related to anyone with an interest. No degree required.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has not been a smooth road at all. When you run an organization that makes little to no money, and you insist upon not charging anyone to read or attend your events, you can run into setbacks. We have a great place right now at Axelrad, where they are generous in giving us a space every month. They never ask us for money, never change our dates and let us host our events to give the community a space to share. In the past we have had venues cancel our mics last minute because someone paid them for the space, we’ve been moved outside for paid events. A lot of Houston casts aside the arts for profit, and it hinders the writing community. Especially a community as small as ours that relies on word of mouth, reliability in event timing, things like that.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
My name is Rachel Ann Preston. I’m a poet, first and foremost. I also work for the railroad, but that’s another story. I specialize in what I call guerrilla poetry – Houston isn’t ready for people who are against the grain. Meaning that I mesh with y’all academics, but I’m not one of you. Guerrilla poetry is showing up, at random, infiltrating academia with random ideas and thoughts and writing that didn’t take 3 months to edit. I didn’t go to college to write and I don’t need to. No disrespect to anyone that did, a lot of them are my friends. I’m known for showing up and showin’ out, always humorous and wearing cowboy boots. I’ve been raised here my whole life and at 30, some of my greatest accomplishments are writing related. Through running Odessa Collective I’ve been privileged to meet some of the most amazing writers and poets in the city and from out of town. I’ve been on panels at conferences where I got to talk to UH undergrads and tell them to believe in themselves. If you don’t believe in yourself then nobody else will, and that’s the truth.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
What I like best about our city is the diversity in every block. I don’t find that in many other places. Pretty much – if you go anywhere about an hour away you won’t find anything like Houston. It is unique in that way. In other ways, we live in a concrete jungle now. Everyone has to fight to be someone here, and that takes away from the magic of what our city could be. Houston doesn’t give enough recognition to the people that deserve it, and I’m not even talking about myself. I think we need to focus more on showcasing a variety of local talent!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.odessacollective.com
- Instagram: @odessacollectivehtx
