Born and raised in Brooklyn, I was surrounded by poverty and violence, but I refused to let those circumstances define who I was. When I was just six years old, my father was incarcerated and sentenced to 29 years—his absence left a lasting void in my life. As I grew older, I became a source of support for my mother, who battled mental illness and addiction. I spent years visiting her in hospitals, standing by her side until she passed away from COVID-19 in 2020.

Through it all, I clung to faith and never let go of my dreams. Drawing inspiration from the minds of Malcolm X and Albert Einstein, I pursued education and earned two college degrees. Writing became my sanctuary—a place to process pain and express hope. I published my first poetry collection, Cellar Door, and later wrote my debut novel, Little Ghetto Boy, a powerful story of resilience, faith, and the strength to overcome.

My journey is a testament to the power of perseverance. No matter what battles you face, you have the strength to rise. Believe in yourself—your dreams are limitless. I have a story to tell. 

“Anything worth having and worth holding is never easily obtained but it is always worth pursuing,”

-Eric Watts

While Eric’s books can be found on Barnes & Noble as well as Amazon, you can also purchase them directly from the author. Get your personalized, signed copy!

“Eric Watts speaks softly with kind eyes, but his poetry tells the true story of a little boy whose life in Bedford-Stuyvesant was anything but kind.”

Read the full article at patch.com

New poet Eric Watts opens ‘Cellar Door’ of his past

NEW BOOK, “Inner City Blues” Coming Soon

“Eric Watts speaks softly with kind eyes, but his poetry tells the true story of a little boy whose life in Bedford-Stuyvesant was anything but kind. He drinks red wine, listens to jazz and calls that happiness.”          

—Monica Rozenfeld, Patch