Born and raised in Brooklyn, he was surrounded by poverty and violence, but I refused to let those circumstances define who I was. 

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

A True Story of Survival, Faith & Resilience in 1980s Brooklyn

Buckle up.
Eric Watts, acclaimed poet and author of Cellar Door, roars onto the nonfiction scene with his gripping debut novel, Little Ghetto Boy—inspired by true events.

Brooklyn, 1980s–90s. Crack smoke lingers in stairwells, sirens echo through the night—and at the center is a young mother whose brilliance is buried beneath mental illness and addiction. Through the eyes of young Eric, a boy armed only with faith and an iron will, we witness a son’s love that defies all odds.

Told with unflinching honesty, this powerful story explores the fire-forged dreams of a child surrounded by gangs, poverty, and violence. A story of pain, grit, and ultimate triumph.

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