Today we’d like to introduce you to Charles L. Chatmon
Hi Charles L., it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My interest in writing began early in life, in junior high (now middle) school. I started to create short stories, poems, plays, anything I could think of. My hobby led me to bigger and better things as I turned older.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
My journey has been smooth, but it took a lot of hard work and dedication to my craft. I was fortunate to write for my high school journalism class as a sports reporter, submitting entries to poetry contests with the help of teachers interested in my talent and wanting to develop it. I also had the opportunity to read my poems in assemblies and gatherings in front of a crowd.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
When I’m not busy writing, I work with young people as an educator. Most days when I’m not on call for an assignment, I sit behind my desk and work on one of my many creative (or non-fiction) projects. Although I am a fiction writer, I do have experience as a freelance journalist, producing work for community newspapers and small press magazines. In the past, I was the executive director of a book expo that catered to an African American reading audience (although I felt I could have done a better job at it, smile). In another book expo in the city of Compton, I received a Certificate of Recognition by the California Legislature Assembly. I’m proud and grateful for that achievement.
My patience and view of the world is what sets me apart, I feel. I write about the things that matter and try to make sense of the issues that we deal with daily. Folks have cited my wisdom, but I feel it’s just the way I look at life and everything surrounding us, how I express myself through my short stories, novels, poems and essays.
What makes you happy?
It’s the simple things that make me the happiest; good old-school music, pleasant conversation and folks who are interested in what I do. I love taking trips to quiet places when there’s no one around so I can get lost in my thoughts, which fuels my creativity. I also love to take time and relax after a hard day’s work or the end of a written project.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://charleslchatmon.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charleslchatmon
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/charleslchatmon
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charleslchatmon
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@chatwrites
- Other: https://substack.com/@charleslchatmon
Image Credits
Charles L. Chatmon (C) 2025
