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
Hi I am SJ Stanawich-Nell. I am a novelist, poet, and painter. My work spans four decades and includes four novels, three major poetry collections, and more than 100 original paintings. Until 2024 my work was done while working full time, managing a software company in the UK. Balancing a thriving business, raising a family, and building an enduring body of art and literature has kept me more than busy. However, in the last couple of years I have been able to pursue my writing career as a priority, and my focus has paid off. I have completed three novels that I believe in. American Waste, The Songs of Stars and Echoes of Dreams are all products of long term development and artistic vision. I am also close to completing the fourth novel, Slam Dog, which is mostly a good bit of fun.
During my early career, I had the great fortune to have known and been mentored by Amiri Baraka and Allen Ginsberg-
I arranged engagements for Baraka during his tenure as Poet Laureate of New Jersey. Baraka became a close advisor and friend. He introduced. me to Ginsberg, who recognised the quality of my work and was very kind to have imparted his wisdom in my direction.
My poem “Rain” was read by Sir John Mills at a benefit aboard the Hispaniola in London in 2005, Sir John was fond of several of my poems.
As an Actor, I was given the opportunity to study and practice the craft in London, Philadelphia and New York. I starred in “Incident at Vichy” by Arthur Miller, at the Walnut Street theatre, Philadelphia. Director Stephan Stahl was the Director, and a student, of Lee Strasberg, This gave me the life changing opportunity to work directly with Stahl and Strasberg in developing the role, which was played by Hal Holbrook on Broadway. The class also included: Robert De Niro and Ellen Burstyn.
At University, I studied constitutional law, participating in an in-depth study of the U.S.Senate Judiciary Committee, instructed by Senator Joe Biden. This was an cornerstone in my education.
My greatest fortune is to be able to focus on my writing career after long years of slow progress and patient waiting. With my children grown, the reward for my success has been freedom; and I have used my freedom wisely. I have committed the remainder of my life to writing and publishing my work through traditional means. I am hoping to find the right agent to help me accomplish my goals.
The real story behind American Waste
My experiences in the waste-management technology industry during the late 1980s and early 1990s inspired much of American Waste. During that period I became involved in complex litigation that exposed illegal business practices affecting hundreds of independent companies