Matthew Simmons's book, A Jello Horse will be shipping at the middle/end of May. It will be 76 pages long, including the cover. Of the book, which is a novella, the great Michael Kimball said:
“Matthew Simmons has found a beautiful and extraordinary way to tell a story about the sweetness of sadness and the aloneness of loneliness.”
and the revered Leni Zumas said, nicely, that:
"A Jello Horse does not tell us what we already know; it shows us, instead, some things we don't. Such as the House of 2000 Telephones -- and how a boy can be swallowed by a giant desert tortoise -- and how a boy can cause cancer in a girl. Matthew Simmons writes deft, bracing sentences that stay in the ear. We are lucky to listen."
You can preorder the book here -- it costs $8, shipping included if you buy it from the website now.
If you buy it in stores later or something it will cost $600. You can have the book tattooed onto your body for probably $15,000.
Additionally, Matthew Simmons is having a contest to win a limited edition hardcover edition of the book (A Jello Horse LE). Here are the details -- basically you have to create some sort of image of yourself playing pinball, I'm thinking about doing it with Google Earth. I am currently in the design phase. You can also win a copy by singing a song. Read Matthew's awesome blog to get all the required info, whaddaya say, huh.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Sean Lovelace's review of Matt Bell's chapbook "How the Broken Lead the Blind"
I always think about writing a review of a book I like a lot, a lot a lot, and then I read Sean Lovelace's review and think why bother?
The pictures in this review are, like, totally worth it in-and-of-themselves (sp?).
The pictures in this review are, like, totally worth it in-and-of-themselves (sp?).
A Smart Audience
Scott McLemee's reflection on Internet commenting is worth a read. I especially like this sentence:
"My intended reader is smarter than I am, and I really don't want to waste her time."
It kind of boggles my mind, trying to figure out all the things that means.
"My intended reader is smarter than I am, and I really don't want to waste her time."
It kind of boggles my mind, trying to figure out all the things that means.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
The story about how I got mugged
and had a bottle smashed over my head and said "you're an ambulance" to myself.
Yesterday I bought a new phone, one that is highly desirable, and I was playing with it at the bus stop after work -- broad daylight, downtown Baltimore. A youth standing nearby grabbed it so I said, "No!" and clutched it tighter. He maintained his grasp so I swung to my left, our hands locked on the device, and he moved with me. Presently, two of his aides came over to abet him. One of them tackled me and we all fell to the ground, me on my knees, the alleged thief and I still locked on the phone. A series of quick, ineffective blows were applied to my midsection. Finding no purchase there, one of the offenders manifested a glass bottle and, with a quick wrist movement, broke it over the back of my skull. Perhaps seeing more blood than they expected, the three ne'er-do-wells gave up their attack and sped off. With agility I found my feet and fled in the opposite direction.
Now I was speeding through the streets of a busy downtown, face red with my own blood. The right lens of my glasses was coated with the stuff. At this time I didn't realize I was bleeding. But I looked at my hand and saw I still held my new gadget and I was relieved -- until a dime-sized spot of blood fell onto the slick white bezel of the device. I was two blocks away from the scene of the crime. I stopped running. I stopped walking. I touched a wetness on my skull. My hand came away full and sticky. I thought I was going to fall to my knees. The phone, being new to me, confused my attempts at an emergency call. Breathing deeply, I gave it another shot.
A lost soul sitting on the sidewalk next to me asked me for a quarter, then looked away in horror when I turned to him. I realized I ought to apply some pressure to my wound. The man on the other end of the line asked me how old I was. I told him 32 and thought, well actually my birthday isn't until Monday so I said, "No, 31." A firetruck was dispatched. I hung up the phone. Dozens of faces streamed past me as workers went home for the weekend. One nice person named Kim, with a Sudoku book under her arm, stopped and asked was I okay. I asked her to stand next to me for a while. She asked if I wanted to sit on a park bench. I was confused by the question. She asked me my name for the second time then laughed. Up the street I saw a fire truck blazing toward us.
Then an ambulance came. The paramedic was pretty and professional. I sat on the bumper of the firetruck. The police asked me some questions like, "Was he light-skinned or dark-skinned." I said, "Oh dark-skinned definitely." "Like my complexion?" I said, "Certainly no lighter than you." Then the police officer drove me home. I called Stephanie and she almost cried when she saw me. I showed her my new phone and I thought it was a little broken from the scuffle, but she fixed it in two seconds. Now my phone works fine. It really is a cool phone.
Yesterday I bought a new phone, one that is highly desirable, and I was playing with it at the bus stop after work -- broad daylight, downtown Baltimore. A youth standing nearby grabbed it so I said, "No!" and clutched it tighter. He maintained his grasp so I swung to my left, our hands locked on the device, and he moved with me. Presently, two of his aides came over to abet him. One of them tackled me and we all fell to the ground, me on my knees, the alleged thief and I still locked on the phone. A series of quick, ineffective blows were applied to my midsection. Finding no purchase there, one of the offenders manifested a glass bottle and, with a quick wrist movement, broke it over the back of my skull. Perhaps seeing more blood than they expected, the three ne'er-do-wells gave up their attack and sped off. With agility I found my feet and fled in the opposite direction.
Now I was speeding through the streets of a busy downtown, face red with my own blood. The right lens of my glasses was coated with the stuff. At this time I didn't realize I was bleeding. But I looked at my hand and saw I still held my new gadget and I was relieved -- until a dime-sized spot of blood fell onto the slick white bezel of the device. I was two blocks away from the scene of the crime. I stopped running. I stopped walking. I touched a wetness on my skull. My hand came away full and sticky. I thought I was going to fall to my knees. The phone, being new to me, confused my attempts at an emergency call. Breathing deeply, I gave it another shot.
A lost soul sitting on the sidewalk next to me asked me for a quarter, then looked away in horror when I turned to him. I realized I ought to apply some pressure to my wound. The man on the other end of the line asked me how old I was. I told him 32 and thought, well actually my birthday isn't until Monday so I said, "No, 31." A firetruck was dispatched. I hung up the phone. Dozens of faces streamed past me as workers went home for the weekend. One nice person named Kim, with a Sudoku book under her arm, stopped and asked was I okay. I asked her to stand next to me for a while. She asked if I wanted to sit on a park bench. I was confused by the question. She asked me my name for the second time then laughed. Up the street I saw a fire truck blazing toward us.
Then an ambulance came. The paramedic was pretty and professional. I sat on the bumper of the firetruck. The police asked me some questions like, "Was he light-skinned or dark-skinned." I said, "Oh dark-skinned definitely." "Like my complexion?" I said, "Certainly no lighter than you." Then the police officer drove me home. I called Stephanie and she almost cried when she saw me. I showed her my new phone and I thought it was a little broken from the scuffle, but she fixed it in two seconds. Now my phone works fine. It really is a cool phone.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
National Publishing Genius Month
If you're looking for a way to celebrate National Publishing Genius Month, I suggest coming out to the premier of the play I wrote called "It's Okay, Mother." It opens tonight and stars Joseph Young as Roger, Stephanie Barber as Gretchen, and Joe Cashiola as Roger (the server). Showtime is at 7pm, at the Load of Fun Theatre. Tickets are available at the door for $3.
If you aren't in Baltimore but you're within four hours drive/flight, you can still make it before the curtain opens.
If you are more than four hours away by car or plane, I suggest you read Victoria Sroka's three poems that were published Tuesday in Everyday Genius. They are brilliant and deserve your attention.
I love the sonic repetition in David Peak's poem published today in Everyday Genius. The repetition, it is my favorite thing about this poem.
If you aren't in Baltimore but you're within four hours drive/flight, you can still make it before the curtain opens.
If you are more than four hours away by car or plane, I suggest you read Victoria Sroka's three poems that were published Tuesday in Everyday Genius. They are brilliant and deserve your attention.
I love the sonic repetition in David Peak's poem published today in Everyday Genius. The repetition, it is my favorite thing about this poem.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Jamie Iredell on "The Radio"
Ben Tanzer interviewed Jamie Iredell on a "meta-podcast." You can, and should, listen to it here (not just to hear Jamie describe the PGP publication model better than I ever can, but because it's cool to hear about the Atlanta scene and Jamie's various literary jobs). It's a remarkably casual conversation, and interesting -- especially when Ben says he'd rather fight JA Tyler than Jamie Iredell, and when Jamie says "Are you the fuckin' Larry King of podcasting?"
Light Boxes review in Baltimore City Paper
(I just lifted this method of posting about a review from Justin Sirois.)
Bret McCabe wrote a nice review of Light Boxes in this week's Baltimore City Paper. Among other things, he says, "Light Boxes becomes less a literary puzzle and more a disarmingly moving story. Key to that effect is Jones' audacious sincerity: His story is intimate and his style almost narrative sotto voce."
Monday, April 20, 2009
I Am In the Air Right Now
Kathryn Regina's new chapbook from Greying Ghost, I Am In the Air Right Now, is for sale. I haven't read this book yet but I still recommend it highly based on the strength of the other Greying Ghost books, their beautiful construction, not to mention the solid, crushing interiority of Kathryn's writing.
Million Writers Award
Blake Butler's story Pretend I Am There But Very Little was nominated for the StorySouth Million Writers Award. It is a notable story of 2008.
This PDF Chapbook: P. J. Druecke & Claire Readig
The Last Days of John Budgen Jr (Chapter One), by P. J. Druecke and Claire Readig, is the first installment in a serialized story that is distributed free (in hardcopy) in stores and news shelves etc. around the Midwest. It's an interesting project from a brilliant public space innovator, so it's exciting for PGP to be able to participate on the occasion of the release of the third chapter. As that is being distributed physically, I'm pleased to introduce the first chapter in digital form as part of This PDF Chapbook.
The story chronicles the life of John Budgen. Swooping through time, from the point we meet him in his middle age and back through the detailing of his odd history, we are introduced to Budgen as a blogger, a serious, melancholy man who is trying to deal with the passing of his mother by confronting his strange -- and strangely not-so-strange -- family history. The writing moves through excerpts of Budgen's blog and meticulous biographical details. Druecke's prose incorporates powerful and subtle storytelling elements which, in this chapter, build slowly to foreshadow Budgen's death. This is no spoiler: the effect of this chapter's resolution can only be known by giving it a read.
More on Paul Druecke:
A Social Event Archive
The Cool White Cube
Wikipedia ("His work is best understood within the context of conceptual art.")
Like everything in This PDF Chapbook, The Last Days of John Budgen, Jr can be read online or in hardcopy. However, this edition is not formatted for home printing. To have a copy mailed to you, use the ordering system at Publishing Genius. Chapters one and two are available ($4 for one, $7 for both, as always).
The story chronicles the life of John Budgen. Swooping through time, from the point we meet him in his middle age and back through the detailing of his odd history, we are introduced to Budgen as a blogger, a serious, melancholy man who is trying to deal with the passing of his mother by confronting his strange -- and strangely not-so-strange -- family history. The writing moves through excerpts of Budgen's blog and meticulous biographical details. Druecke's prose incorporates powerful and subtle storytelling elements which, in this chapter, build slowly to foreshadow Budgen's death. This is no spoiler: the effect of this chapter's resolution can only be known by giving it a read.
More on Paul Druecke:
A Social Event Archive
The Cool White Cube
Wikipedia ("His work is best understood within the context of conceptual art.")
Like everything in This PDF Chapbook, The Last Days of John Budgen, Jr can be read online or in hardcopy. However, this edition is not formatted for home printing. To have a copy mailed to you, use the ordering system at Publishing Genius. Chapters one and two are available ($4 for one, $7 for both, as always).
Everyday Genius: Chris Toll
Two very short poems published at Everyday Genius. These are by Chris Toll. I heard him read them last week at one of the 5 poetry readings I went to (!). They are great.
Keep submitting things for Everyday Genius, please.
Keep submitting things for Everyday Genius, please.
Friday, April 17, 2009
Microfiction, Fake, Plot-driven, Fragmentary, Not Empty, The Wire Season 6, Sarcastic/Cynical, The Kind of Stuff People Want to Read Not That Frigg BS
Guy with raccoon eyes walks into my shop with a gun. I get all tee'd when he demands money, but I give him some anyway. In the meantime, a pregnant woman enters. The bells jingle on the door. The guy knocks her on the head. A cop passes. I'm thinking robber just leave. I'm thinking Rico Suave. Cop looks in the window, sees the gun. The phone rings. It's mom.
"Hey what's up" I say.
"It's Darryl" she says, "his car broke down and he's going to be late for work."
"Did you call Denise at the temp agency?"
The pregnant lady's head is bleeding. The cop has one hand on his holster and the other hand on the door. The guy fingers pearl. I didn't notice earlier but the sack he's carrying is burlap and has a dollar sign stitched on it. I'm acting cool, leaning against the register, remembering my senior prom. I push back my cowlick with an open palm.
"Hey what's up" I say.
"It's Darryl" she says, "his car broke down and he's going to be late for work."
"Did you call Denise at the temp agency?"
The pregnant lady's head is bleeding. The cop has one hand on his holster and the other hand on the door. The guy fingers pearl. I didn't notice earlier but the sack he's carrying is burlap and has a dollar sign stitched on it. I'm acting cool, leaning against the register, remembering my senior prom. I push back my cowlick with an open palm.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Mega-Announcement These Should All Get Their Separate Posts
Lots of exciting news for PGP lately. Like Light Boxes got added 300 times on Goodreads, and Goodreads was like, cool!
And Poets & Writers published a nice article about Is Reads, the PGP journal that posts poems on street corners and stuff. The piece is online now and it will be in the May/June issue, once that hits the stands. I've been a longtime reader of P&W, and a subscriber, so this feels really good and important to me. I am very pleased. It is written by Kiki Anderson, who runs The Here to Hear, which is the coolest music blog I've ever seen.
Also there's a new PGP website. It's better. It's getting there. I hope you like it? I hope it looks really good on your computer.
And there's a new series at the new website. It's called EVERYDAY GENIUS. It's a Monday-Friday (-ish) updated literary ezine with a poem/short thing everyday. Everyday Genius is taking submissions.
But what I think I'm most excited about, at least right now, is the Shane Jones reading at Apostrophe Cast. Because I can't read Light Boxes (updated link!) with a fresh eye anymore, I rely on reviews and readings to remember how much I love the story. Shane does a great job reading it and it brings up so many thoughts in me about the violence and beauty of the story. I can see why so many people like it.
And Poets & Writers published a nice article about Is Reads, the PGP journal that posts poems on street corners and stuff. The piece is online now and it will be in the May/June issue, once that hits the stands. I've been a longtime reader of P&W, and a subscriber, so this feels really good and important to me. I am very pleased. It is written by Kiki Anderson, who runs The Here to Hear, which is the coolest music blog I've ever seen.
Also there's a new PGP website. It's better. It's getting there. I hope you like it? I hope it looks really good on your computer.
And there's a new series at the new website. It's called EVERYDAY GENIUS. It's a Monday-Friday (-ish) updated literary ezine with a poem/short thing everyday. Everyday Genius is taking submissions.
But what I think I'm most excited about, at least right now, is the Shane Jones reading at Apostrophe Cast. Because I can't read Light Boxes (updated link!) with a fresh eye anymore, I rely on reviews and readings to remember how much I love the story. Shane does a great job reading it and it brings up so many thoughts in me about the violence and beauty of the story. I can see why so many people like it.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Another Wicked Insane Contest
Someone is going to win Jamie Iredell's PGP chapbook, "Before I Moved to Nevada." Someone is going to win Christopher Higgs's PGP chapbook, "Colorless Green Ideas Sleep Furiously." Someone is going to win Jimmy Chen's chapbook, "Typewriter" from Magic Helicopter. Someone is going to win Blake Butler's book, EVER. There's so much to win and so little time.
In order to win you have to add EVER on Goodreads. And then you have to leave a nasty comment on Blake Butler's blog. For complete and coherent rules, go there and check it out.
This is cool. There are so many contests right now. Like the one PH Madore came up with for Light Boxes. That's the king.
There is also this Keyhole one.
There are more, but my burritos dinged.
In order to win you have to add EVER on Goodreads. And then you have to leave a nasty comment on Blake Butler's blog. For complete and coherent rules, go there and check it out.
This is cool. There are so many contests right now. Like the one PH Madore came up with for Light Boxes. That's the king.
There is also this Keyhole one.
There are more, but my burritos dinged.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
PHMadore-sponsored contest
PH Madore, who is MADOREABLE (especially in his new jacket), bought another copy of Light Boxes last night but told me not to ship it until he gives the say-so. He's going to pick someone to receive it -- maybe you -- based on a contest he's holding at his blog. It's really nice of him. It's inGenius. Contestants have to be like Jesus' disciples and spread the good news of Light Boxes all over the Internet:
Shane Jones is going to sweeten the deal and include a signed copy of the book "and "bonus material" which might include: notes taken during the writing of light boxes, torn out pages from personal notebook, stickers, edits from the publisher, etc." Me too. I'm going to sweeten the deal too. In addition to sending LB when PHM gives the green light, I will also send at least three other PGP books.
I won't be affronted if people don't take up the charge, even though I've always wanted to be part of something viral. Shane wonders, however, if he's annoying and will he be washed up one day. With Goodreads on his side, how could he be?
PH Madore also wrote a really nice review of Justin Sirois's book, Secondary Sound yesterday.
Yes, exposure is the goal here. So the winner of the contest will be the person who posts about this contest in the most places — forums, personal blogs (limit one per entrant–if you have five blogs, only one counts), shared blogs, friends’ blogs, comments sections, New York Times advertisements, wherever. To make an entry, first copy at least 50% of this text, including a link to these contest rules . . .Wicked. I'm really looking forward to seeing LB mentioned in the comments at YouTube. PH Madore is in the act of marketing genius.
Shane Jones is going to sweeten the deal and include a signed copy of the book "and "bonus material" which might include: notes taken during the writing of light boxes, torn out pages from personal notebook, stickers, edits from the publisher, etc." Me too. I'm going to sweeten the deal too. In addition to sending LB when PHM gives the green light, I will also send at least three other PGP books.
I won't be affronted if people don't take up the charge, even though I've always wanted to be part of something viral. Shane wonders, however, if he's annoying and will he be washed up one day. With Goodreads on his side, how could he be?
PH Madore also wrote a really nice review of Justin Sirois's book, Secondary Sound yesterday.
Daniel Bailey's DRUNK SONNETS
A full length book by Daniel Bailey is coming in the fall from Magic Helicopter Press. At this point, this is just to say that I think the cover looks really cool. Also that I liked Daniel Bailey's poem in Abraham Lincoln (available now).
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Apropos of Nothing, or an Easter reflection
The day my grandfather died I was in China with some friends. It was Chinese New Year. Some of my friends went out to see a parade and some stayed back with me and said nice things. Then we went for a walk and brought along the football. We stopped to toss it around in a park and within a few minutes 500 people gathered around to watch the Americans at sport. It was overwhelming to be the center of attention with a tear-streaked face.
What Makes HTML Giant Great
John Madera put together an amazing group of people to send in their top ten favorite novellas (I'm here). Naturally there are some great comments about it at HTML Giant -- not fighty or anything, just really well read people naming things I have never heard of.
Goodreads
Light Boxes was picked up by Goodreads as a "mover and shaker" and, as such, recommended to millions of people.
Everyone who already has it can claim bragging rights. Everyone else can get a copy here.
Thursday, April 09, 2009
Matt Bell and Tina May Hall for $12
I bought a book by Tina May Hall called All the Day's Sad Stories from Caketrain. And also I bought Matt Bell's novella called The Collectors. Altogether I spent $12. You should spend it too. Brian Evenson picked Hall's book for Caketrain's chapbook contest and I think the Caketrain people were like, well, let's do Matt's book too.
Deb Olin Unferth was like, "Bell has written a beauty." Peter Markus was like, “A masterwork in miniature," referring to Hall's book. (Hey, both them dudes blurbed Light Boxes.)
Bell and Hall.
Hall and Bell.
Buy them books.
Deb Olin Unferth was like, "Bell has written a beauty." Peter Markus was like, “A masterwork in miniature," referring to Hall's book. (Hey, both them dudes blurbed Light Boxes.)
Bell and Hall.
Hall and Bell.
Buy them books.
Wednesday, April 08, 2009
PIATBVL 1 Year Anniversary
We're coming up on the one year anniversary of Blake Butler's PRETEND I AM THERE BUT VERY LITTLE, so I thought I would share the stats. I'm not exactly sure what they mean, but I think they mean that this PDF chapbook was viewed almost 7,500 times (click image for larger view).
That seems like a lot, but take a look at this one day snapshot of Kathryn Regina's chapbook of poems, "As I Said" -- one day makes all the other days look flat -- 1,296 views on December 10:
An anomaly to be sure, but of the happiest sort.
Blurb my picture
I am looking for blurbs for this photo of me. Blurbs will appear in the comment box of this blog. This blog is all messed up. I like it better this way somehow. Plus this will feed into the new PGP website, once that gets launched.
In June I'm going to have a party in Baltimore, it is called the Genius Party. (You will probably want to book your flight now. Anyone from out of town who is coming will be provided with shelter and one meal.) The party will probably be pretty legendary, like the one that what's-his-face threw. Chism (John Wayne), before he died. Except I'm not inviting only my enemies. I'm going to ask the band Art Dept to play. And I'm going to ask Stephanie Barber to deejay. And Shane Jones already said he'd read. There will be one painting to discuss for a while with your friends. It will be so compelling you will have to talk about it. There will definitely be a magician, make no mistakes about that. I'm going to ask David NeSmith to play a drum solo? You will have to answer one question to get in, and if you get it right admission is free, but if you get it wrong you will have to pay the $5 cover. If you get it wrong the first time, you may double down once. If you try and fail to double down a second time, you will be asked to leave. I might get someone to lecture about structuralism or the electric car. Maybe I will have my brother answer questions about Congress. I asked Shana Moulton to do a video performance, but she will be in California, so I need to find someone else to do that. The point of the party won't be the performances or lectures, though. I'm not sure what the point will be. I am going to ask a culinary genius to provide some intelligent food. The Genius Party will be at the LOFT. Probably you will want to reserve a ticket. June the 13th. This is a future awareness fundraiser.
Tuesday, April 07, 2009
Hobart's baseball issue
My very short story, "His Point of Sadness Now Becoming Light," was just published in Hobart's annual Baseball issue. Check it out. My favorite thing is the story by Simon A. Smith called "Man's Man." In it, an overzealous baserunner meets a gruesome end.
Monday, April 06, 2009
Saturday at Transmodern Festival
I wrote "MOSTLY HAPPY" maybe 1,000 times, and I think people thought there was something wrong and would say, like, "I hope you feel better."
Kathryn Regina's trailer
Kathryn Regina's I Am In the Air Right Now is coming soon from Greying Ghost Press. I am entirely jealous of the beauty of Greying Ghost books.
This trailer that Greg Lytle made for the book is beautiful, too.
I Am In the Air Right Now from Greg Lytle on Vimeo.
This trailer that Greg Lytle made for the book is beautiful, too.
I Am In the Air Right Now from Greg Lytle on Vimeo.
Friday, April 03, 2009
Animal Charm
At HTML Giant I wrote a long post about the Animal Charm/Shana Moulton show I saw last night at the Transmodern Festival.
It was a great show. Here are some Animal Charm videos:
This last one seems like more traditional experimental film ground, as opposed to the sort of stuff I saw at Transmodern last night.
It was a great show. Here are some Animal Charm videos:
This last one seems like more traditional experimental film ground, as opposed to the sort of stuff I saw at Transmodern last night.
Wednesday, April 01, 2009
Interview with Shane Jones *UPDATED*
Here's another great interview with Shane Jones about Light Boxes, this one at The Scrambler.
New Pages has posted a lovely review of Light Boxes by Brian Allen Carr.
New Pages has posted a lovely review of Light Boxes by Brian Allen Carr.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
