Latest Publications

One of my poems, Monkey Don't, at Third Eye 

And a book review I wrote for Ambivalid, by J.R. McCarthy at The Guild of Outsider Writers

The Usual Suspects Audio Link

I can now post audio, sometimes called PodCasts, sometimes called an Mp3, on the internet.

If you'd like to listen to me recite The Usual Suspects, just click the link!

Shout Out

A virtual wave to Mary and Amber. Hope you'll each share some of your work with me here or at Outsider Writers. Links to my e-mail and guestbook are in the lefthand column of this page.

And the winner is....

The Guild of Outsider Writers is pleased to announce the results of the Jack Micheline Memorial contest.

There were one hundred six contestants, which made the decision difficult.

Todd Moore has selected Justin Hyde as the first place winner.

Justin will have his book published by The Guild and Tainted Coffee Press.

Details about the book will appear at this website as they become available.

Mr. Moore also selected three runners up. They were John Rocco, Bucky Sinister, and Emily Johnston.

The winner and runners up will receive copies of Jack Micheline's book of poetry.

The Guild members would like to congratulate all of these winners

The Jack Micheline Memorial

I am happy to announce a new contest for a book length collection of poetry.

The contest is now closed. Good luck to all entrants!

To honor Jack Micheline The Guild of Outsider Writers is sponsoring The Jack Micheline Memorial, a contest for a book length collection of poems.

The winner will receive publication of her book by Tainted Coffee Press, copies of the book, an introduction written by S.A. Griffin, and the use of Jack Micheline's artwork for a cover design.

This contest is free and open to anyone who wishes to submit 35 to 65 pages of poetry.

Previously published poems may be included if the author has retained rights and gives proper credit to the original publisher.

Manuscripts may be submitted as a single document attached to an e-mail. Please confine name and contact info (snail and e-mail please) to the uppermost portion of the manuscript. All entries will be judged blind.

Send submissions to

michelinememorial@gmail.com

no later than October 1'st. The winner will be announced by November 1'st.

The final judge of manuscripts will be Todd Moore.

The winning submission will be published by Tainted Coffee Press in
conjunction with The Guild of Outsider Writers.

A forward to the book will be written by S.A. Griffin

The Jack Micheline Foundation has given their permission for the contest to be conducted in Jack's name and, if the winner wishes, will work with them to use Jack's art for the cover.

Submissions are open now. Direct inquiries to
michelinememorial@gmail.com

To learn more about Jack Micheline please visit The Jack Micheline Foundation

Summer Publications

My first short story, Indy, has been published in the premier edition of Debris Magazine.

Three poems have been published in July. Ritual has been published at the website of Silenced Press, A Little Change in Your Life has been published in the summer issue of Blue Root, and King of the Off Season has been published in Stimulus-Respond.

A fourth new poem titled This Is Not A Poem appears in the maiden issue of Motherkisser, which rolled out early in August.

Open Mic at The Bean Seller

A coffee shop? In Sandusky, Michigan?

Are we ready for something that trendy?

Yup!

Last night, the sixth of July, The Bean Seller had their grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony. They hosted an open mic, attracting a nice handful of local musicians and poets to perform. And these talents played to a packed house. It was an all ages crowd from toddlers to great-grandparents.

Their coffee is great, the wi-fi is free, they have delicious food and the prices are reasonable. Decor is trendy, think "Friends" with overstuffed couches and a faux fireplace at the center. More than worth a try.

The Bean Seller
15 S. Elk St.
Sandusky, MI 48471

810-648-9000

Just Bite Me

Poetworks Press has published my poem, Dear John, in their anthology titled "Just Bite Me."

This collection features comedic and satirical verse.

More information on the book is available here.

Pairings: Paintings and Poems

Artist, writer and gentleman Lowell Fox has posted poems written in response to his paintings at LowellFox.Com

I have three pieces featured there, "Arrangement for Upright Bass"
"Reflection on a Work by Michelangelo" and "Third Time's the Charm"

I hope you will visit and enjoy both the images and words together.

Artists I Love

The website Artists I Love has featured three of my poems in their poet's section.

You can read "Less Than One", "Passing" (previously published in Stimulus Respond) and "History's Child" at my page there.

Covert Poetics

I have been selected as the Featured Poet for June and July
at Covert Poetics.

I hope you'll have time to visit. Three of my poems are displayed there.

The Quirk

The premier issue of The Quirk is now available. All proceeds from this literary journal will benefit charity. The proceeds from issue one are supporting Unicef.

Contributors to issue one include justin.barrett, Miles J. Bell, Luis Cuauhtemoc Berriozabal, David Blaine, J.J. Campbell, Alan Catlin, Glenn W. Cooper, christopher cunningham, Jim Daniels, Diane Di Prima, John Dorsey, Michael Estabrook, Lisa Glatt, Nathan Graziano, S.A. Griffin, Raymond Hammond, Steve Henn, Lori Jakiela, Michael Lee Johnson, Debbie Kirk, Karl Koweski, Michael Kriesel, Lyn Lifshin, Ellaraine Lockie, Hosho McCreesh, Brian McGettrick, Louis McKee, Suchoon Mo, Todd Moore, Brian Morrisey, J.D. Nelson, David Newman, Amanda Oaks, Kathleen Paul-Flanagan, Robert Plath, Misti Rainwater-Lites, C. Allen Rearick, Charles P. Ries, Alberto Rìos, T. Kilgore Splake, John Sweet, William Taylor Jr., David J. Thompson, Joseph Veronneau, Oren Wagner, Kelley Jean White, A.D. Winans, Don Winter, and Mark Wisniewski.

You can order online at The Quirk

A mailing address for postal orders is listed on the same web page.

I hope you'll consider supporting this new publication.

Calliope Nerve

A independent print publication, Calliope Nerve, has used my poems in their two latest issues. Copies are available at no cost, while supplies last. For details visit the publication's website at White Rabbit-*BLACK HOLE* Request issue 9 to read "Violated Expectations" and issue 10 for "The Curveball"

Passing

You ask your wife,
"Why must it always be
about perceptions?”
“Well," she replies, "they say
perception is nine tenths
of the law.”

“No,” you correct her,
“That’s possession.
Possession is nine tenths of the law.”
“You must be right,” she sighs.
“You always have to be right.”

Touche’

This week you wrote villanelles
so that at tonight's party
you could pass yourself off
as a lyricist.
“A song writer? That explains
the black turtleneck.”
chortled your host.
“Thank God, I thought
you might be a poet.”

That’s how others think.

But you are lying
on your bed now,
comparing your life
to an obscure French movie,
one where the English comes
only in subtitles.

You resolve to write
an epic narrative
about the whole sordid thing.

Next weekend you will wear
a crew neck, and pass
yourself off as a film critic.

You are always passing;
it’s forever about perceptions

Published by Stimulus Respond

Tapestry

Sunbeam bullion greets
ivy covered brick.
New day’s dew freshens
night weary life.
This was a promise yesterday broken
but believed anew each dawn.
A finch sings melodious chirps
to her mate, notes that are noticed

by the cat on the corner.
The butcher’s wife hoses off
her sidewalk, speaks Italian
to the grocer next door while
Dominicans stop to buy jerk chicken
from the Jamaican vendor in the park.
Their children play on swings with
a Korean couple’s son, singing

songs from Sesame Street.
Two blocks down
a crew is raising steel to build
a new tower, a testament
to great people
making a great country

and a better world.
A teamster drives his garbage truck
down a snarled avenue.
Horns blare and fumes spew
while a policeman’s whistle screams.
Tired yellow taxis with worn shocks

bob like ducks as they swim downstream.
A tugboat is guiding a ship out to sea,
the horn moans like a disagreeable ghost.
Gulls squawk and cry,
chastising escorts,
never satisfied,

never making their desires known.
Now the sun has warmed the air beyond comfort
and the morning dew has become humidity.
The garbage truck grows ripe, flies buzz
around filthy bundles. Freshness
has been replaced by eye searing smog.
This is a promise again today broken.
But a promise to hope for tomorrow.

(published by Stimulus Respond)