Today’s log in the promotional tour for Chained Birds: A True Crime Memoir brings two firsts — a sit-down with an international journalist and a live YouTube recording. I enjoyed a 30-minute chat this morning with journalist Khudania Ajay for his daily live show KAJ Masterclass LIVE! Ajay, who’s had media roles with CNBC (India), Reuters, and PTI, brings live interviews to his 22k YouTube subscribers each day. His guests include global leaders, entrepreneurs, health and wellness experts, and authors of every sort.
Ajay and I dove into the prison exposé portion of Chained Birds, as I related what I uncovered about the abuses and corruption at Pennsylvania’s Lewisburg Prison. I explained the nature of U.S. race-based prison gangs and how inmates can be forced to join them for protection but then also must obey gang leader orders. We talked about how I had become part of the Chained Birds story and why it took me ten years to finally write it … it’s no spoiler to say that prison gangs and fear for my safety — as well as for the safety of others — was the primary reason. It’s also why I write under a pen name.
Ajay was very accommodating by conducting the interview via audio only, and I hope his audience wasn’t too bored by seeing a book cover instead of my face in the dual interview panel. I appreciate Ajay’s interest in Chained Birds and the ability to bring it to the attention of his global audience … many thanks, Ajay, for a terrific book chat 😊
Carla Conti is a true crime journalist, storyteller, and prison reform advocate. Her debut book, Chained Birds: A True Crime Memoir, will be published by WildBlue Press on November 12, 2024.
