AWP Reading

I'm pleased as punch to be reading during AWP -- all threats of paralytic blizzarding aside -- this Friday, February 4th, at 8 PM, celebrating Salmon Poetry's 30th Anniversary and the publication of Dogs Singing.

Hope to see you at this gala event! Wear galoshes.

New Poem in dispatch litareview

I have a new poem -- actually an excerpt from a longer poem, "Heart's Desire" -- in the latest issue of dispatch litareview (3.1), which is available as a free download.

Check it out, and hope you enjoy!

"Inside Out"

Last week my elementary students read Diane Wakoski's "Inside Out" and wrote their own 'inside' poems.

Peruse work from Pilgrim and Solomon students at each school's blog.

Hope you enjoy!

About the Author

2011 is shaping up to be a banner year for LOD book releases. In March, Mindmade Books will publish my chapbook, About the Author; and at a date TBD, Beard of Bees will publish my e-chap, abbrev. I am also hoping to have my full-length collection, Brief Nudity out this year as well.

I will let everyone know when these titles are officially available.

I am also working on setting up a series of readings supporting all these publications. Later this month, I'll be returning to Woodland Pattern Book Center in Milwaukee to read at their 17th Annual Poetry Marathon & Benefit, and in April I will be featuring at the long-running series at The Cafe. As more dates are confirmed, I will pass on that information.

This is a very busy yet exciting time for me. I hope you can make it out to some of these events, and of course I hope you pick up all these forthcoming titles as they are published.

Thanks for your support!

"Linda Fiorentino"

The second of two recent Zenith Beast single releases is now available on iTunes: an early version of my ode to kick-ass actress, "Linda Fiorentino." Credits for this take match those for the "If You're Gonna Break My Heart" single, below.

Hope you enjoy!

And This Just In...

Last week my public school students read a poem by journalist David Tucker and were asked to write about silence. Please peruse these terrific responses by Pilgrim and Solomon elementary-schoolers, and hope you enjoy!

"If You're Gonna Break My Heart"

Before The Injured Parties became a full-time concern, I recorded an early interpretation of this song, which appeared in a slightly different version on the IPs' debut, Fun with a Purpose.

The original take is now available on iTunes. It features backing vocals by the late, and extremely talented Stephanie Morris, Fussbudgets and Malcontent bassist Ned Doherty, and Me Decade and sometime Folk You! cohort, Derek Walvoord on viola.

Check it out -- hope you enjoy!

Vulgar Boatmen Show and Documentary

My band, The Injured Parties is excited to be opening for The Vulgar Boatmen this weekend at Schubas. (Here's a nice preview from the Reader, and our poster, left.)

This special show includes a screening of Drive Somewhere: The Ballad of The Vulgar Boatmen, a movie about the band's successes and travails, which shouldn't be missed.

It's recommended that tickets be purchased in advance, which you can do here.

Hope to see you there!

Folk You! Facebook Page

I have finally created a Facebook page for my long-running (10 years come December!) songwriter showcase. Please like it, if indeed you do.

"Coda" to Coda

My first class back after the break was today at Pilgrim. Here are 5th and 6th grade students' music poems, inspired by Basil Bunting's "Coda" (with a nod to Paul Auster).