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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Eric Watts was born and raised in Brooklyn NY, where poverty and violence were everyday realities. He often took the long way home from school to avoid gangs—determined to stay on a path of his own choosing.

Inspired by his NYC Public School teachers and the wisdom of Malcolm X and Albert Einstein, Eric pushed through academic struggles, earning two college degrees, becoming a mentor to many, a family man, and a voice for his community.

Writing became his refuge. After releasing his first book of poetry collections, Cellar Door, Watts now celebrates his debut novel, Little Ghetto Boy—a gripping story rooted in truth, resilience, hope and the oftern overlloked history of New York City.

“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.”