Artist of the week: Sejal Akerkar

Sejal Akerkar is a poet and writer who graduated from Sammamish High School in Bellevue in 2023. Akerkar self-published a collection of poetry titled “Walking Down The Sensory Strip,” in which she describes her triumphs and struggles as a young woman of color in 2020, when she was a sophomore in high school.

In her senior year of high school, she published her second book, Optic Opening, which depicted her tremendous growth and journey into young adulthood.

Seattle Refined: How long have you been writing?
Sejal Akerkar: I have been writing poetry since the summer of 2019. As a 14-year-old transitioning into high school, I found poetry to be one of the few ways I could express my thoughts about myself, experiences, and the world. This creative journey led to the publication of my first book of poetry, Walking Down The Sensory Strip, in 2020, followed by my second book, Optic Opening, in 2022. Since then, I have continued to use poetry to navigate different areas of my life, and through my books, I hope to inspire others to use poetry as an outlet as well.

Can you tell us a little about your process and the different phases in it?
I first start with the process of writing my book, which has taken me about two years for each book. I write whenever inspiration strikes. Writer’s block is a normal phenomenon during my writing process, so I’ve learned to just let the words flow when they feel like it and not to force anything. When I feel like I’ve written enough, which is usually when I have about 200-250 poems, I come up with 5-6 themes that they all fit into. During this process, I also work with an editor to finalize the poems, chapters, and the overall context of the book. Then I come up with a book title and illustrate my book cover, which I’m proud of. When it all comes together, I start the self-publishing process, which is getting everything into e-book and paperback formats for Amazon to print. Even after enjoying the satisfaction of hitting the publish button, I plan a book release and use various marketing tactics to get my book out there. I have always been independent and so I enjoy doing the entire book process on my own, but I couldn’t have done it without the support and help of my parents, editors, family and friends.

Tell us where your inspiration comes from.
I draw inspiration from my everyday experiences, whether it’s walking my dog, reading poetry, watching movies, listening to music in the car, or talking to my friends late at night. However, I also give a lot of credit to other poets and the inspiration I get from their diverse artwork. Some of my favorite authors are Rupi Kaur, Kendrick Lamar, Amanda Lovelace, Tupac Shakur, and Amanda Gorman. Whether I’m reading their books or listening to their music, I feel like their words always have universal meaning and can tell stories, which is something I try to convey in my work.

Is there a particular “genre” that you like best – fiction, poetry, nonfiction, etc.?
I have to say that poetry is my favorite genre for obvious reasons, but I’ve also been getting into practical nonfiction lately. While I love diving into complex perceptions and ideologies in poetry, I’ve developed a certain appreciation for books that focus on self-help and practical aspects.

Is there a work that means more to you or that is something very special to you?
My first published book, Walking Down The Sensory Strip, will always hold a special place in my heart. As my first major career and life achievement, it marks the beginning of an amazing journey that I am still on. The writing part of this book was real and authentic, as the process did not even begin with the goal of publishing it. I will always remember the challenges I faced during the first book, because without them, I would not be the author and person I am today.

What experiences in your life have most influenced your work?
I think any experience in my life that revolves around change has influenced my work the most because of how it inherently affects me as a person. This can range from the death of loved ones, to gaining and losing friends, to giving up my competitive sport or moving away from home to go to college. An overwhelming number of feelings that result from changes in my life can lead me to find solace in pen and paper.

If we want to see more of your work, where should we look?
You can find more of my work on Amazon, where my first book, Walking Down the Sensory Strip, and my second book, Optic Opening, are available in e-book and paperback. You can also check out Bellevue Lifestyle Magazine, Global Indian, 425 Magazine, The Start Literary Journal, Adonis Designs Press, Navigating the Maze with The WEIGHT Journal, and Indiaspora, where a selection of my work has been published. And if you’re browsing bookstores in Seattle, you can also stop by Island Books in Mercer Island.

What’s next for you? Are you currently working on something that really excites you?
I am currently in the middle of writing my third book. I am so excited to share this new chapter of my life as I grow up and get tons of inspiration from the new people and experiences I am having during my college life.

And finally: How do you drink your coffee? (We ask everyone!)
Right now my favorite would probably be an iced vanilla latte with cinnamon and a splash of semi-skimmed milk.

About Artist of the Week: This city is full of artists we love to feature each week on Seattle Refined! If you know of a local artist you’d like to see featured, let us know at [email protected]. And if you’re wondering what makes art, that’s the beauty of it; it’s up to you! See all of our previous Artist of the Week in our special section.