Meet Jarod K. Anderson | Writer, poet, and podcaster

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jarod K. Anderson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jarod K., is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
I found success when I learned to be authentic. While I understand that sort of answer can seem trite, authenticity really is the key to my success as a writer. That said, I think it’s important to understand that being authentic does not mean a refusal to think about your market/audience. Connecting with people (and brining value to them) is the key in any business venture. When we consider the needs of our audience, we set ourselves up for success as communicators. Yet, authenticity reminds us that our audience is never “everyone.” Being authentic rejects the cynical impulse to cast the widest net possible and instead focus on a core concept in line with our actual passions. Folks can sniff out empty marketing ploys without any actual ethos or human perspective behind them. Authenticity is the antidote to this pitfall. In terms of my writing, this means that success arrived when I stopped trying to seem smart or “writerly” and started pursuing sincere connection with my readers, embracing honest vulnerability instead of empty facade.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’ve been writing and publishing poetry for decades, but I found a much larger audience when I created The CryptoNaturalist Podcast. The show is episodic fiction about strange nature (especially cryptids). To my surprise, my odd little podcast quickly found an expanding listenership. Beyond the show, I gained a reputation for publishing nature poetry to my social media accounts and my follower numbers grew. Now, I have over 250,000 followers across platforms, three best-selling poetry collections, and a forthcoming literary memoir from Timber Press/Hachette (Sept. 2024). I’m proud of the body of work I’ve created and I’m grateful for the connections I’ve made around the world. My work tends to focus on both my love of the natural world and the ways in which that love informs my own struggles with mental health. It’s amazing the outpouring of support and solidarity I have found through embracing an honest, open approach to these subjects. Both my publishing success and the personal/professional connections I have made along the way have enriched my life immeasurably.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I’m a huge fan of Preservation Parks in Ohio’s Delaware County. I’ve spent many medicinal afternoons walking at Shale Hollow or at Gallant Woods Park. After a beautiful hike, I would suggest a trip to a couple my favorite Columbus area bookstores. The Book Loft has provided me with hours of entertainment. Gramercy Books in Bexley is another excellent choice. With a new book in hand, I’d suggest a coffee at Cocinamos in Delaware, OH or perhaps a beer at Restoration Brew Worx. I love wandering Delaware’s downtown area, enjoying shops like Goat Local or The Greater Gouda cheese shop.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I wouldn’t have been able to launch my writing career without the constant support of my partner Leslie J. Anderson. Beyond being a celebrated and inspirational poet and novelist (check out her forthcoming novel The Unmothers from Quirk Books in August 2024), she was the one who gave me the confidence to bet on myself, to step away from traditional employment and work on developing an income via publishing and podcasting. Her faith in my abilities was a key reason I transitioned to working for myself (and I’m glad I did).

Website: https://www.jarodkanderson.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cryptonaturalist/

Twitter: https://x.com/CryptoNature

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Cryptonaturalist/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheCryptoNaturalist

Image Credits
Photo of Jarod K. Anderson by Rikki Austin