Microdosing Monday - Tuesday 5/20something/24
Somedays you write the blog, and somedays the blog writes you.
Happy Tuesday. I could tell you this newsletter is a day late due to the holiday, but I could also tell you that a metaphorical dog ate my homework. We all know the why’s rarely matter, just the what now’s. And the what now is a songwriter Guy Clark kick. If you want to be an American writer and you haven’t taken a deep dive in Guy Clark Land, then you’ve got a whole master class awaiting you. No matter how the writing is delivered, Guy Clark was one of the best to do it.
He has an album titled after his song “Somedays You Write the Song’” and I stole this week’s newsletter’s subtitle from it. Somedays you write the blog, the poem, the story, and somedays they write you. When I worked on writing this weekly update a few days ago, every attempt at it launched into a manifesto, and that’s not what this is supposed to be. It’s supposed to be a way for me to give y’all a weekly catch all here’s -what’s-up-baptism of words.
Last week, upon a last minute invitation, I was honored to be a judge in a local Toledo rap competition. Friends, talk about the time of my life. To sit from the observation platform above the stage at the legendary Ottawa Tavern, where I’ve had the pleasure of attending dozens of live shows, and the honor of reading poetry from their stage on a dozen occasions, and to watch eight local rappers go three rounds, performing two songs each round. To watch the young talent ratchet up the energy of their sets, through each round. What a night.
Would you believe it, that it ended in a tie for first place? That after being tied for first in the third round, a round of rock, paper, scissors determined who would perform last? That it was still tied after that? That it still ended tied after yet another round of rapping head-to-head, verse-for-verse? That entire last round was like a showcase of rap talent. So glad that MVNIFVST LLC and local rapper The Knightheart asked me to be a part of it.
I’m pleased as hell to tell you that last week I also got invited to read poems at Insomniacathon 2024 in Louisville, KY July 26-28. Ron Whitehead, International Beat Poet Laureate, lifetime emeritus, and beat-gonzo-legendary writer has been organizing 24, 50 to 100+ hours long insomniacathons for years, and in multiple countries, and he says this year’s 57 hour festival featuring over 50 poets, 20 musicians, art films, and performance art, he says this year’s is the last he’ll produce. He’s working with longtime teacher and writer Kent Fielding and I’m honored to be invited. I’m reading Sunday the 28th at 2:45pm but I urge you to join me in hanging out for as much of the three days as you can.
Don’t forget that the next virtual, Zoom room open mic I’m hosting (Fuck It Friday Free-For-All) is Friday night June 7th at 9pm eastern time. Details on the Facebook page and event. If I knew how to share that here, I would. But you can also email dandenton1978@gmail.com to get the zoom link.
This Saturday, June 1st, Black Noise Zine publishes their June edition. You can buy a physical copy, or view a free version online when it releases. I have a feature in the poetry corner, and I’m pretty thrilled about that. I found Black Noise a few months ago, and their magazine is full of incredible art, photography, writing, poetry and in a kink friendly space. They’re one of the best zines in the underground.
The hardback editions of my latest novel The Dead and the Desperate (Roadside Press) are out now. Signed preorders are going back to the publisher and you order your very own copy and get it shipped in a matter of days. It’s a beautiful copy of a book that continues to get wowed reviews.
Thats all for now. Lots of hustling, lots of trying to finish remodeling my camper home, and figuring out a spot to settle it down for the summer. Lots of writing to get done.
Books I loved over the last week:
knuckledragger (Shotgun Honey Press) novel by Rusty Barnes. It’s a crime novel, as in organized wise guy crime, but the main character is so far down the organized scale he’s barely above a street level thug. And damn, I thought I have been in dangerous situations involving women. Fun read but be forewarned, there’s lots of violence.
Kraken Nuts is a handmade, limited to 20 copies, split chapbook of sea monster inspired poetry from poets Michael Duckwall and Chad M. Horn. Fun little book o’ poems from two fine poets.
Picasso, I got this fun, 500 page book for 50 cents at a thrift store. It has hundreds of photos of his paintings, and each one has a description of it,notes about the style and influences, and his age and biographical bits from the time of the painting. Pretty fascinating little daily devotional type book. I’ve been reading about, and looking at two paintings or so each morning.
Without Getting Killed or Caught. Ok, not a book, but a Guy Clark documentary that I loved. It specifically focuses on his relationship with wife, artist Susana, and their lifetime best friend Townes Van Zandt. Great documentary. Shows you the work ethic that Guy, Townes, Susana, and many others put into working on songwriting most every day of their lives.
And finally, no deep woosahs this week, but last week on May 23rd, I celebrated 18 years of being California sober, and most everyone that knows me, knows I’m California sober. I’m pretty open in my writing about my history of homelessness, addiction, poverty, and mental health, but I don’t talk about it much more than that. One thing for sure, if I hadn’t of put down drugs and alcohol on May 23, 2006, I wouldn’t be here to keep telling you my stories. If you struggle with addiction and mental health, I want you to know that a different way is possible, and if you need a friend to talk to, I’d love to share my experiences one on one. I’m rooting for you all to find some of the happiness that I never dreamt I’d find in life, either.
Love y’all. Hope summer is looking like a good one for you and yours.
-Dan
Two of the books mentioned in books I love
Took some beautiful sunset walks last week
Rock, paper, scissors at a rap contest
Traded some stickers with Gnashing Teeth Publishing last week