While stage managing a performance by Amiri Baraka and Allen Ginsberg at an NYU amphitheatre, I asked Amiri what his opinion was about a poem I had given him to read.
He said: Why are you asking me?
I thought of 300 reasons at one time.
Then he turned toward the window and motioned me over.
“See that guy digging a ditch down there?” he asked, pointing.
“Go and read it to him.”
There was a brief silence. Then he added:
“If he chases you with the shovel, you may want to do a few rewrites.”
That moment stuck.
That’s the acid test.
Not critics. Not algorithms. You, the reader.
My story
SJ Stanawich-Nell is a novelist, poet, and painter whose work spans four novels, two major poetry collections, and more than 150 original paintings. Developed over the course of a 45-year career, SJ’s work reflects a life of persistence—balancing a thriving business, raising a family, and building an enduring body of art and literature.
He was personally mentored by Amiri Baraka and Allen Ginsberg-Arranging and Producing engagements for Baraka during his tenure as Poet Laureate of New Jersey. Baraka became a close advisor and friend, and introduced. him to Ginsberg, who recognised the quality of his work and also 1provided mentorship.
His poem “Rain” was read by Sir John Mills at a benefit aboard the Hispaniola in 2005, Sir John was a fan of his work and also rendered advice and council.
As an Actor, SJ starred in “Incident at Vichy” by Arthur Miller, at the Walnut Street theatre, Philadelphia. Director Stephan Stahl was studying Directing with Lee Strasberg, giving him the life changing opportunity to work directly with Strasberg on several occasions. The class also included: Robert De Niro and Ellen Burstyn.
At University, he studied constitutional law, participating in an in-depth study of the Senate Judiciary Committee, instructed by then- Senator Joe Biden. SJ has written multiple novels, several volumes of Poetry, and has studied acting and poetry in the US and the UK.
The real story behind American Waste
SJ Stanawich-Nell played a pivotal role in dismantling industry-wide fraudsters by sponsoring and co-developing a RICO class action lawsuit, along with a Baltimore attorney. It ended a powerful company’s stranglehold on small businesses, as many of the most afflicted companies joined the lawsuit.
- Hundreds of other businesses were thereby freed to recover after the company's termination.
- SJ endured repeated retaliatory lawsuits totalling more than $50 million, and also endured personal threats, and industrial skulduggery on a surprising scale. He walked away penniless as a result of legal costs—but victorious.
This lived experience gives American Waste its striking authenticity and moral force.
