Fuck, man. I googled “Monday quotes” hoping to find something funny to start this week’s updates off with, and I’ll be damned if I only found a bunch of “you got this” type of motivational bullshit quotes, and now I hate Mondays again. I’m sorry it’s the one day of the week that we all need a little extra help to get through, but I’ve also always believed in making the best of whatever situation I’m in. Why would Mondays be any different? Let’s microdose her my friends.
Things I want you to know:
-The hardcover copy of my novel The Dead and the Desperate (Roadside Press, 2023) is out now. Currently, the best place to order this special print of the book is via Amazon, until we can get some copies of it out to other places.
-I published the first chapter of a memoir I’m writing about my time at the Toledo Jeep plant and in the UAW. And I’ve been posting a new chapter every Friday from a new travelogue book I’m writing about the six day poetry tour I was a part of in April. These are only on Patreon for paid subscribers, these early sneaks of ongoing works. These two manuscripts are months or a year or longer away from publication, but I want to give the paid subscribers something exclusive, and let them see some of the behind the scenes work of the long, arduous process of writing books. Still, much I post there, gets posted here for free a day later. Except this Monday cross post update blog that gets posted simultaneously.
-Black Noise Zine, a print and e-journal that is amongst my favorites, shared their teaser for next month’s (June ‘24) issue. I’m honored to let you know that I’m a featured poet in the upcoming journal and will have three poems published in it. Many thanks to the editors and staff there. Will post links and shares in June when it’s out.
-The Dead and the Desperate, is currently being translated into Albanian, and is set to be published late this year in Kosovo. In addition to that, the publisher has offered an extension to translate and publish some of my poetry this summer in Albanian as well. This is an unbelievable honor for me. I just keep imagining blue collar workers in Kosovo stumbling across my work, and hopefully finding some comfort from a blue collar writer from a half a world away.
-Both the feature in Black Noise next month, and getting my work translated into Albanian, came as referrals from other artists that recommended my work to editors, translators, and publishers. This can not be stated strongly enough, but most every good thing that has happened to me as a writer is a result of other people looking out for me. I know it’s because they believe in my work, but I’m continually overwhelmed with gratitude and driven to keep working, keep writing, and keep trying to promote others just as much as my own work, in order to pay back to the universe that which it has so freely awarded me.
-The next Zoom open mic for my once a month Fuck It Friday Free-For-All will be held on Friday June 7th at 9pm eastern standard time. Zoom links, facebook invites, and reminders forthcoming, but I hope you’ll consider joining us in our fun, casual round robin open mic.
This week I’m working everyday on my first poetry anthology, my Jeep memoir and my travelogue about that poetry tour. I still haven’t finished my column for A Thin Slice of Anxiety. Hopefully will get that done this week, too. I’ve got a couple of good ones that I need to finish.
Alright. My favorite part of this Monday ordeal, let me tell you about the books I’ve loved over the last week.
-The Last Picture Show, a novel by Larry McMurtry. It’s my first time re-reading any McMurtry in over a decade or longer. I found a copy of this at a library book sale for a quarter, and was reminded how hilarious and great Larry McMurtry is as a storyteller. One of the best to ever do it.
-[Picture] Book by writer Westley Heine. It’s a novel-esque vision quest. It’s different, but in the same vein as his other work. Like his previous books, it’s good, and at times it touches on brilliant.
The intentional inner work of focus this week for me is to continue staying in the now, and being grateful for all I have, instead of spending energy worrying about things I don’t have, and instead of letting what might happen tomorrow, or next month take any joy away from my today.
Love,
Dan
Writing desk while on the road.
Fan mail is one of my favorite things in life. Like this photo from a fellow 420 enthusiast and obviously a lover of good literature.
Small town U.S.A. in a nutshell
Black Noise’s official teaser release for the June issue
In southern Indiana there’s a spot where you can write your sins and cares on a slip of paper, and nail them to a cross. Hammer and other necessary supplies to do so on the nearby posts.
No funny meme, but someone in my current campground drives a truck for this company. I post this with no additional comment.
Great stuff Brother Dan!!!