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The Cherry will die too

March 17, 2009

My story, “The Word Will Die Too” is now live at Cherry Bleeds. I have long been a fan of Cherry Bleeds, as they consistently deliver the most visceral, oft-grotesque fiction around. It’s an honor to be a part of that legacy, though fodder for my own self-criticism as well (“Am I really that disturbed?”). Author’s Note: This is by far the most depressing thing I have written to date. It is said that silver lining can be found in even the filthiest Goodwill coat, but when shit like this story comes out of me, I wonder. Also included: perhaps the most disturbing image I’ve ever written (challenged only by an abortion scene in Stranger Will – which you haven’t read, because it hasn’t been published yet).

Ego stroked at the Cat O’Nine Tails: an interview

March 14, 2009

When a person takes interest in my work, I squeal. If you heard a hi-pitched shriek last night, I might be to blame. Craig Wallwork contacted me with a request to ask a few questions about my work and its ethic. Great conversation ensued, supported, I'm certain, not only by Craig's excellent provocative queries, but by the fictional Cat O'Nine Tails ambiance. You can learn: My thoughts on academia and creative writing The importance of online publishing TV/VCR Repair Computer Programming Bookkeeping The origin of my The Velvet username, ThirstyGerbil The best piece of writing advice I've ever received Or you can major in Business Management or Accounting Stick around after the interview and take in a few pieces of Craig's writing. You won't be disappointed. I recommend starting with The Crocodile, if only because any image of a kid pressing his ass against a floor to prevent shitting himself,…

New issue of 1000th Monkey, out now

March 12, 2009

Grab the kids, alert the authorities, and tune the banjos: the new issue of 1000th Monkey has arrived! Featuring: An interview with OWC’s Naked Opinion generating machine, Tim Hall, with mentions of his forthcoming delicacy, F-Hole Poetry from Jason Michel and Cheryl Townsend An interview with Crystal Folz and from the honorable Caleb J Ross, fake reviews of fake books Author's notes: My pieces, Reviews: Caroline Meyer’s Hidden Cigarette Butt, Joel Reynolds’s Dried Bar of Soap, are an experiment, really. I've often wondered how much can be told of an author by reivews of his books. These peices are character sketches, disguised as reviews. The fun part: the zine itself doesn't address this point. It would be interesting to see how many people try to search out the fake books. Print it, staple it, tuck it away in public places. Email it to heads of state. Breathe its fire! Go…

Surviving Tremors: A Time of Too Many Isms?

February 22, 2009

Everybody seems to want something to shake dust and mold from assumed stagnant foundations. Ask any independent literary webzine editor what she wants and the words “original” and “new” will inevitably nestle into the response. This original and new work may come by way of various splintered isms, for better or worse. Literary isms sprout often, and lately it seems that so many of them tout the same anti-mainstream agenda. From Brutalism to The Offbeat Generation to self-depreciative referents like Joseph Ridgwell’s fictional The Shambleists, angst against the establishment propagates widely. I get it, I truly do. I’m for it. But if everything is new, will there be anything left for academia to latch onto in order to generate necessary conversation regarding trends? This is a genuine question, in want of discussion. The role of academia is to legitimize underground isms and propagate discourse about their work in order to…

Hard-boiled fruit!

February 19, 2009

Pear Noir! Issue #1 is now out (and proud) (unless it is being persecuted for its sexual orientation) (Sorry for outing you, Mr. Noir). With a editor named Daniel Casebeer, does it really matter that the content surpasses much of what I've read in lit magazines lately? Does it really matter that every single story (yes, every single story; even my comparatively lame attempt) touches on brilliance? Does it matter that this new mag has the word 'Noir' in its title, but is colored unabashedly pastel shades of green and pink? It doesn't. I've rarely picked up first issues of lit mags with great expectations (the last being Colored Chalk #1, but only because Master Caleb J. Ross edited the thing - but will, from now on, be called Caleb J. Barrelwhiskey when assuming the editor's role). Author's note to my story, "The Camel of Morocco": Vein Letting is a…

Colored Chalk: Issue Six – Waking Up Strange

February 1, 2009

Shit! As a word-smith I would normally attempt to describe my elation with greater pungency. But...shit! Co-editor, Richard Thomas, has taken this new issue of Colored Chalk, theme: Waking Up Strange, and exceeded all expectations. So...shit! Not only has he designed a stunning issue, but he has also managed to corral stories by some of the best writers around. I won't ask his secret, for fear of being an accomplice to something. Look at this list: Joe Meno (whose collection "Demons in the Spring" is a finalist for the fifth annual Story Prize for outstanding short fiction), Joey Goebel (author of the fantastic "Torture the Artist" as well as last year's "Commonwealth"), Rayo Casablanca, author of the forthcoming "Very Mercenary," follow-up to last year's "6 Sick Hipsters"), Alex Cassun, William T. Allen, Axel Taiari, Christopher Dwyer, Craig Wallwork, Nik Korpon, Joe Dornich, Jeff Macfee, Richard Martin, Edward J. Rathke, Chris…

The Book-hating Penis

December 29, 2008

Chris Goldberg’s recent article at the Huffington Post states that men, in general, simply do not read. “But is it our fault?” he asks. “Or have publishers just given up trying to publish and market books that we want to read?” A sadly self-fulfilling prophecy? It’s true that we need writers, and publishers with the balls to market them, but in this case I think change must start with the audience. It wasn’t until college that I finished reading my first full book. As a child, I would watch my mother devour entire Danielle Steele novels weekly, appalled by the twisted logic that would bring a person to waste their time like that (with reading, not necessarily with the chosen author). I had video games to play. Then, in college, I found Octavio Paz’s “The Blue Bouquet.” Later Chuck Palahniuk. Then Craig Clevenger. Then Brian Evenson. And on. In a…