Where the Hummingbird Goes to Die
Category: Writing and Poetry

(poetry by Justin Hyde)

So right after I finish this book, I’m sitting around trying to figure what I should say about it, and my roommate comes down and picks it up off my bed and starts reading it and laughing out loud.

"This guy doesn’t show his poetry to his wife, does he?"

"As a matter of fact, there’s a poem in there called ’don’t show your poems to your wife’."

But the moral of the story is, my roommate isn’t a poetry guy, and he still asked for my one extra copy of the book. Which means this is good poetry for the common man. It will lead to  inevitable Bukowski comparisons. To that I say, if Justin carries on the way he’s carried on for the past few years, and does so for another 30-40 years, he’ll be well on the way.

Whichcever way you slice it, this is an excellent print debut from one of the more audacious new names in poetry. Plenty of empty bottles, strange women, unpleasant familial experiences, and the sting of being a father. Throw in an awesome cover and a top notch publisher, and you might want to get an extra copy to wrap in plastic and hold on to.

http://www.zygoteinmycoffee.com/taintedcoffeepress/outsiderwritersbookstore.html

7:23 PM - 2 Comments - 4 Kudos - Add Comment

The Garbage Bush years
Category: Writing and Poetry

Finally finished my copy of Spencer Dew’s "Songs of Insurgency."

Okay, so I think the reason this book works for me is because I moved to Boston (age 23) the week of September 11th. More or less, most of my adult life has been defined by the Garbage Bush years, which have equaled war, paranoia, disconnect and ignorance.

This book is for anybody who was against the war from the beginning. It’s starting to grow out of its tragically hip phase. It’s sex after the three basic positions are used. It’s city people with country origins. It’s in cheap hotel rooms in unfamiliar cities. It tastes strange but it costs less. It’s drugs you haven’t heard of before. It’s in the leather pouch carried by that guy who does voodoo. They’re talking about it on the lower end of the AM spectrum early each morning.

Here are a few stories that we ran in TJ that are in "Songs of Insurgency" in case you’re new to these parts:

A Jar in Tennessee:
http://www.thievesjargon.com/workview.php?work=603

Pay for Soup, Build a Fort, Burn that Down:
http://www.thievesjargon.com/workview.php?work=907

The Sea Beneath:
http://www.thievesjargon.com/workview.php?work=864

5:07 PM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Raymond Carver in a punk house
Category: Writing and Poetry

Mike Boyle posted some good new poems on his blog here:

(I really like the first one)

http://bohobait.blogspot.com/

And a new review for Dollhouse here:

http://www.ghotimag.com/ReviewBoyle.htm

("Mike Boyle's debut novel reads like Raymond Carver in a punk house")

10:43 AM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Vote for the best Thieves Jargon story
Category: Writing and Poetry

This is my favorite of the online writing awards. Thieves Jargon always gets a few notable stories listed, but we haven't cracked the top ten yet. Which would make me really happy.

Surely you had one favorite story sometime in 2007. Maybe it's a good time to take a spin through the archives. If you'd rather not, here's a good starter list for you:
http://thejargon.proboards67.com/index.cgi?board=jargon&action=display&thread=1199047167

Readers are encouraged and allowed to nominate one story apiece. Get behind the Jargon's writers.

Here's more info, with relevant links:

Any story published during 2007 in an online magazine journal is eligible. The caveats are that said online mag or journal must have an editorial process--meaning no self-published stories--and the story must be at least a 1,000 words in length. Readers may nominate one story for the award. Editors of online publications may nominate up to three stories from their publication. All nominations are due by March 31.

A group of volunteer preliminary editors will go through the nominated stories--along with other stories that catch their interest--and select their favorites. These will become the Million Writers Award notable stories of the year. I will then go through all the notable stories and pick the top ten stories of the year. The general public will then vote on those ten stories, with the overall winner receiving the award and cash prize.

http://www.storysouth.com/millionwriters.html

8:35 AM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Delphine in Print Anthology
Category: Writing and Poetry

"Expletive Deleted" is a print anthology released by Bleak House Books, edited by Jen Jordan. It has some big names and some smaller names. Worth getting for Delphine Lecompte's story "Three Tepid Shots, Two Decapitated Gulls, and a Crippled Taxidermist." Official copy and link to follow:

Crime writing is a dirty business--dealing in death, isolation, ruin and decay--and sometimes it calls for dirty words. In this gritty, gorgeous collection of short stories, new and veteran crime writers alike celebrate that granddaddy of all cusswords; that most adaptable and descriptive grouping of letters; that searing, offensive, musical, perfect sound: fuck.

Contributors include Laura Lippman, Ken Bruen, Charlie Huston, Nathan Singer, Anthony Neil Smith, Delphine Lecompte, Jason Starr, Sarah Weinman, John Rickards, Libby Fischer Hellmann, and Reed Farrel Coleman. With an introduction by Mark Billingham. (Soap not included.)


http://www.amazon.com/Expletive-Deleted-Jen-Jordan/dp/1932557563/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1203264920&sr=1-

8:28 AM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

The Parlor -- North Shore writers
Category: Writing and Poetry

Want to take writing classes in Salem? Help The Parlor get off the ground by taking a short survey. This is a real good cause being masterminded by Adam and Jen, the team behind that slick print journal QuickFiction. This is their official pitch:

"The Parlor, North Shore's Independent Wring Studio, will offer affordable creative writing instruction to writers of all backgrounds on the North Shore. To start things off, The Parlor is conducting a survey to assess the needs and interest of the community and encourages all to take part in this important first step. The survey is available online at http://www.the-parlor.org/survey. Thank you for your help!"

7:04 PM - 1 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

On rejection
Category: Writing and Poetry

"disregard the submission i sent around october 21st. a poet friend of mine who has been published in your magazine a few times before showed me a rejection you guys sent him that i found disrespectful, something about enchiladas. i did see the humor in it, but i also think you guys are some jackasses for sending that to someone who has supported your mag in the past. i can see sending it to somebody who really can't write and who you have rejected numerous times, but i mean come on, not someone you've published before. so on that account i would like you to disregard my short story "Daddy's Mold". Maybe it is the new editors on board. no hard feelings. best of fuck."

5:20 PM - 11 Comments - 12 Kudos - Add Comment

Expository, plotless writing
Category: Writing and Poetry

Aha! Check out the newest Dollhouse review here, courtesy of Sue Miller at GUDMagazine. They're offering a free copy of the book, so there's that to think about.

4:27 PM - 1 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

$5.33?
Category: Writing and Poetry

Some bozo is selling a used copy of Dollhouse over at Amazon for $5.33. This type of slashdown is probably not the greatest for author and publisher, but we're not in this for the money, so maybe think about picking yourself up a cheap read here.

Also, there's a new review of the book up here, courtesy of Jason Jordan at decomp.

SeeMike Boyle's response to the review, and his most recent interview here.

8:24 AM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Fuck you for only reading the short pieces
Category: Writing and Poetry

One person told me they read Greco's story in a way that led me to believe they actually read it.

Same for Kepnes.

Same for Van Noord.

That's why I tell these writers they need to focus their efforts on print.

I know tons of you are reading this stuff and just keeping the feelings all to yourself.

When you fall asleep, I'm going to piss in your face and hair.

6:36 AM - 1 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment