The Old Year & the New

So, 2014 was a year. A good one in that The Lower Forty-Eight by Jason Baldinger, Yield to the Willow by Don Wentworth, Imagination Motel by Chuck Kinder, &, most recently, the blue 2nd edition of A Film About Billy by Daniel McCloskey saw the light of print; & a devastating one in that we lost a luminary, Victor Navarro, on June 30.

On the slate for 2015 is a follow-up to Victor’s collection Short Works, which he asked demanded be released immediately the day before his death, but which will actually be released on June 30 of next year. Juggling as fast as I can here, Vic!

Gloom Hearts & Opioids, a new collection of poems by John Thomas Menesini, who will also be in town at the end of January to perform at at least two readings.

Hungry by Daniel Parme, a self-published novel which has recently been worked over by two editors & given a polish by the author.

The Apartment Building by Joe Musso, a bizarre novel about the inhabitants of, yes, an apartment building.

An untitled collection of poems by Stephanie Brea, whenever she’s done fiddling with it.

Aaand, in all likelihood, several other books from the back burner. Stay tuned & happy New Year!

Bloomsday Anniversary

It’s Bloomsday again, which means this blog has existed for one year! 98 posts (not including 4 I deleted) & counting – a busy year indeed for Six Gallery scribblers.

Hard Times Blues by Elwin Cotman

To Die Next to You by Rodger Kamenetz & Michael Hafftka

Sea of Dust by Kevin Finn

The Librarian by John Grochalski

&

The Lower Forty-Eight by Jason Baldinger

all came out during that time. Here are some quick updates regarding forthcoming books:

Yield to the Willow, the second collection by haiku master Don Wentworth, will have a soft release in July, so it’ll be available at Pittsburgh book stores & on Scamazon, if supporting corporate oppression is your bag. For Real release in the fall sometime.

We Are The… by “Sneaky” Mike Lubbert will be out in time for the 3rd anniversary of Occupy. Good Christ, that’s September 17th.

Imagination Motel, a collection of poetry by legendary novelist & edumacator Chuck Kinder, will exist & have some kind of legendary release party October 8.

Light on Yoga & Psychedelics by yoga master & psychonaut Alan Lowenschuss will manifest also this year, ASAP, as will

Hungry by Daniel Parme,

Gloom Hearts & Opioids by John Thomas Menesini

&

a currently untitled collection by local poet Stephanie Brea.

…

 

8/13 Hard Times Blues Tour @ EEBX

Here’s what Dan Parme (author of Hungry, a funny, dark & whimsical tale of murder, foolishness & gastronomy in the 412) had to say about Hard Times Blues:

Tales that manage to be funny, dark, whimsical, and more than a little trippy are always trips worth taking. Hard Times Blues is like a journey through the woods in a world that vaguely resembles this one–strange new wildlife peeks at you through the trees, and you can’t even imagine what you’ll find at the heart of this forest, but isn’t that part of the fun? Cotman has laid an enticing path before your feet. Following it would be a wise, and thoroughly entertaining, decision.

As would coming to the East End Book Exchange on the appropriate day, at the appropriate time, with the appropriate beverage of your choosing. Dan & Jess Simms (currently polishing off the first volume of a trilogy about bisexual immortals & the conspiracies who love them) will blow your mind, then Elwin will completely destroy it. For free. If you have to work, quit your job. If your house is on fire, it’ll probably still be on fire when you get back. Whatever your excuse, it won’t fly harder than the Spruce Goose.