The Next Big Thing Self-Interview

11.      What is the working title of the book?

The working title of the current book is bar time. I know that needs to change, but I’ve yet to come up with any better names, so that is filler. Perhaps I should just use the filler from my first book in hopes that it’s a lucky title, The Melting Aquarium.

22.      Where did the idea come from for the book?

This book came from that moment of manic desperation when the lights flicker on at the bar and there’s only so much time between getting kicked out alone or kicked out with someone else. This isn’t to say it’s all a hookup book, but a book about getting in and out of connections with others. Also, I felt as though I lost my voice for a while, so this is a rediscovery.

33.      What genre does the book fall under?

Oh this is totally poetry.

44.      What actors would you choose to play a movie version of your book?

In the movie version I would have it be a real life documentary. Because of this, I will have a poem where James Franco gives me money and apologizes for his crimes.

55.      How long did it take you to write the first draft of the manuscript?

The first draft is still taking place. It took me one of those 30 day challenges to hammer out a draft of a chapbook that is the basis for the book though.

66.      What is the one-sentence synopsis of the book?

Man exists in both poem and inebriation.

77.      Who or what inspired you to write this book?

This book was inspired by my need to rediscover my voice. I spent too much time falling into other’s edits and other’s opinions that I forgot how to have fun while writing. Most of these poems make me laugh.

88.      What else about your book might pique your readers’ interests?

I’ve done more research on armadillos than I thought was possible.

99.      Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?

I want this and all of my books published by small, independent presses. This is the reason I started my own press, to publish others who are incredibly talented. This is also why I encourage others to begin their own press. Yes, there are already too many small presses out there to read everything produced, but that’s no excuse to not contribute to the market you wish to engage in.

110.  My tagged writers for next Wednesday (3/20) are:

Noel Pabillo Mariano, S’Marie Clay, Crystal Hoffman, Jeremy Paden

Tupelo Press 30/30 Project

Hello All,
So in addition to going to AWP and having a contest for Imaginary Friend Press, I've decided to take part in the Tupelo Press 30/30 Project. What happens is everybody taking place writes a poem a day, and then they put those poems up to see how everybody starts suffering later in the month. Well, not suffering, but running out of things to say. It's a fund raiser, too. If you've any interest in following my progress (or slow decline into insanity) here's the link: http://tupelopress.wordpress.com/3030-project/
If you're so inclined, please, donate to Tupelo Press.

My Imaginary Friend

So, Imaginary Friend Press, the tiny, super press that I run is holding its first full length book contest. If you're interested, you should check them out. It's www.imaginaryfriendpress.com

The deadline for that is March 15th.

I've also just put out the first book of 2013. It's Jeff Alessandrelli's People are Places are Places are People. There's also been an influx of chapbook submissions since switching to submittable and actually advertising (who knew?). That's been keeping me busy. I'm incredibly impressed with the quality coming through my electronic door. I'm hoping to secure one or two new titles soon.

And since it is right around the corner, I will be going to AWP. I'll be jockeying the table with New Sins Press and Winged City Press. So stop buy and give me money, I mean, say hello and browse our wares.

Oh, hello there

So I was reminded last night (perhaps after several beers and someone googling me on not my almost Zach Morris flip phone) that I'm more than an editor or teacher. While, yes, those are very important facets to me, I also write. In fact I have several poems forthcoming as well.

My poem 'a slight retelling of Greek mythology with bourbon' will be a part of Two Cups Press's bourbon anthology. Two Cups Press is a little firecracker of a press out of Lexington. Plus, when I was down there for Holler Poetry Series they totally saw me double fisting bourbon and PBR because I had to represent my two homes. (Ok, Toledo is also a home, but I've no idea what they're bringing to the table.)

I also have a poem coming out from the burntdistrict. This one is extra sweet to me because I read it up in Minneapolis/St. Paul and it was supposed to be a part of anthology. Well the editor didn't necessarily like it and he didn't tell me that it wasn't going to be a part of the anthology because there wasn't enough time at the brunch we had the following day. Or something. Anyways, it feels damn good to be validated over a piece you know to be good.

Imaginary Friend Press is still doing wonderfully. I put out four killer chapbooks last year. I'm starting this year off with another doozy in Jeff Alessandrelli's "People are Places are Places are People." Look for that around Valentine's Day because we always need more heart. Imaginary Friend Press is also throwing a book contest. The very first one. Ever. I'm hopeful that the turn out is spectacular and I can publish more than one book. That would be a great start to our contest life.

Oh hey website, you're still here!

I've been woefully neglectful of this website for far too long. Perhaps even more than this website, but I'm here to change all that.
I've been focusing on Imaginary Friend Press. For those who might be unfamiliar IFP is a small chapbook press I started way back in the yesteryear. It has been a big 2012 though. The catalog has more than doubled, I've started learning how to network better, and in general it seems to be picking up steam. Also, you can like IFP on facebook here. Please do. It creates a sense of validation that I've done a good thing by sacrificing a good portion of my kitchen table.
As far as my own writing: I have been writing, but I have not been sending out. Watch out editors. There's going to be a massive influx of my poems hitting you soon. I've also got a few readings on the schedule. If you happen to be in Milwaukee on August 2nd I'll be at Boswell; if you're in Lexington, KY August 29th I'll be reading at Holler Poetry Series. Perhaps I'll have even more news soon. Check back! I'll be better about this, I swear.

Post AWP Coma

This year's AWP has concluded in typical glorious fashion. I managed to push Imaginary Friend Press titles into many new hands, got some new exposure, and realized I need business cards. I brought home twenty two new books to read - highlights include: Martha Collins's White Papers, Patty Paine's The Sounding Machine, Laura Yes Yes's How To Sleep With a White Boy in Ten Easy Steps, and Gary Jackson's Missing You, Metropolis.

Before AWP, I heard the great news that Emerge Literary Journal chose two poems for their second issue. I will be gracing the same space as my dear friend, Anthony Frame. As always, I will hope for more good news soon, but until winning the lottery I will go to work.

So, I'm still a writer

The title of this post is deceiving. I've never not been a writer. I've just be incredibly busy with that whole "making a living" thing. Who would think teaching, being an editor, applying for jobs, and a little life rearrangement would be so time consuming?

In spite of all of that I have been trying to write and publish. I've recently had poems be accepted or published in The Licking River Review and The Turnstile Review. I've also received my first Pushcart nomination from my amazing editor at Accents Publishing.

Hopefully I will have even more good news in the near future.