Preface I must address the pachyderm in the pantry. This time my choice of subject matter comes with even more baggage than it did in my last book, Liber Prohibitorum. It’s difficult to write about great historical tragedies in the context of fiction for the simple fact that one always runs the risk of losing […]
I saw a child on the nightly news Playing with a toy inside a room being used As a shelter from The Bomb’s long burning fuse The mother was there being interviewed ‘Cause war had broken out all over the place And when the microphone tilted toward her face She spoke about the future of […]
About The Author Dear Reader. When I was about six or seven years old, the angry guy who lived across the street, rushed out of his house, and scolded me for walking on his lawn. He grabbed me by the shoulders and for reasons unknown said, I can read you like a book! The idiom […]
The thought of leaving me unprotected while a price remained on my head like a glass waiting for William S. Burroughs, prevented John from being at peace in the days before his death. Promising him I’d seek refuge in solitary confinement was the only way to allay his worried mind. Keeping my promise meant total […]
To Andy Campbell, ex-friend, liar, backstabber, and deceiver, Congratulations, leaving my night vision binoculars at the scene of YOUR crime was a pretty clever thing to do. I’m guessing you figured my fingerprints would seal the deal, but how did you know about my arrest back when I was a stupid kid? I never said […]
This would be another good spot to leverage the revision process by incorporating an additional paragraph’s worth of running commentary on my authorial development into the wider context of my fast-failing health. If the reader remembers, near the end of chapter five there was mention of a slight cough and generalized fatigue. At that time, […]
Crazy Dream!! I find myself in a mall with an elderly woman who looks like Mom but, she’s my aunt, although I don’t have any aunts in real life. We’re on a weekend getaway, perhaps engaged in a tryst as there’s a strong sexual undertone, including some touching and even kissing at opportune moments. While […]
Perhaps I’m at risk of turning this memoir into Mom’s hagiography, but previous to her cognitive decline, I can’t recall any instances of her words or actions burning, or even slightly smouldering with the molten malevolence of a single sun let alone a thousand. With that in mind, I’ll now explain the eavestrough metaphor mentioned […]
Back at home a heavy drink was poured and near its bottom I found the nerve to call the number connected to the address. It went unanswered and there was no personal voicemail greeting which would’ve revealed important details about the number’s owner, like whether they were male or female. Subsequent calls went unanswered as […]
During a monitored phone call with my literary agent, it was suggested to me that I look for inspiration in the lives of other authors who seized upon the opportunity to write while serving custodial sentences. I would’ve taken my usual notes throughout the conversation but was unlucky enough to have misplaced my stubby, prison-issued […]
tin hats 