No Time Like the Present
Spring Fever
Right now I am writing full time. Living the dream. I am enjoying my mid-life crisis as much as possible. The only thing that can stop me is myself. All winter I’ve been editing novels and writing short stories and poems. There are a lot of irons in the fire.
First I’m very proud to be a part of Roadside Press. Since 2022 Poet Michele McDannold has attracted some of the best outlaw poets and writers making Roadside a big name in the Independent Press. It’s very cool, and very underground, which means it takes a lot to stay afloat. To help, my dear friend and great writer Dan Denton has teamed up with Michele to put together Roadside Assistance: A Roadside Reader. Inside are excerpts from 48 different writers, and I am happy to be one of them. If you are thinking of submitting writing to Roadside, and want to get a feel for the sensibility, or just like a wild read it can be gotten here:
Roadside Assistance: A Roadside Reader
Spring is blooming. It’s the season of going out and doing readings, and sell a book when I can. After the open mic I hosted at The Gallery Cabaret evaporated (long story, basically a change in management) I am more eager to get out and read and rage.
So far this year I featured at The Edgewater Salon alongside poets Lynn Fitzgerald and Gary Glazner, philosopher Justin Carmien, and playwright Jeffrey Helgeson.
Next I’ve made acquaintance with a group of poets associated with The Prairie Review. Four of my poems were accepted in the February issue, which is free to view or download here:
These poets recorded a haunting spoken word record with excellent backing music. They asked me to co-host a record release party, Saturday June 13th at The Hideout here in Chicago. In the meantime they are having a reading and open mic Saturday May 2nd in Printer’s Row in Chicago. Here’s the flier:
Be there sharp if you want to see me, because I am reading first and then buzzing off to my other feature at Tangible Books within the next hour:
Legendary Chicago poet Gregorio Gomez and I checked out a new open mic at Lone Owl in Wicker Park. The next one is at 8 pm Thursday May 7th. I went to Working Class Poets at The Levee in Logan Square, which is every 3rd Tuesday of the month at 7 pm hosted by Robert Edwards. Also, I checked out Last Friday’s Poetry at Esquina Space 4602 N. Western Chicago. It’s intimate and cool. It is always the last Friday, starts at 8 pm, and is BYOB.
I’m proud that Maudlin House has accepted my short story “Fool’s Gold and Gas Prices.” Editor Mallory Smart runs one of the best alt-presses, and was at the top of the list for “where the cool kids are submitting their writing” by Chill Subs.
Check it out here for FREE:
Also, had a piece in Expat Press: for FREE:
And a poem in The Literary Underground for FREE:
July is going to be wild. This year Gonzo Fest is going to be in Manhattan July 16th to the 19th. I am on the bill to read along with many wonderful writers who I know from the interwebs, and/or have read with before at other festivals around the country. Imagine a bunch of maniacs prowling the most chaotic city in America during the hottest time of the year in the spirit of Hunter S. Thompson. They are going to be selling our sweat on the streets that week.
It’s best that I have no plans after that. I’m couch surfing and trying to bum a ride to get to New York. Maybe I can snag a plane or train there or back. This is as good a time as any to pass the hat. No time like the present.
