“So much for comedy. So much for supposedly serious stuff.” – Kurt Vonnegut, ‘Galápagos’
Programming Note: there will be a Friday Links this Friday—gotta read Midwinter’s Day to end the year, after all—then I’m taking off until January 2nd! Thanks for reading this year.
Of course, we got December’s The Line Break. We stumbled into a poems in translation theme and had a lot of fun, Bob reading “December’s Ruler” by Afrizar Malza (translated from the Indonesian by Daniel Owen), and me reading “Logging Time” by Aase Berg (translated from the Swedish by Johannes Göransson). Apple | Spotty
That’s present exciting stuff, though. On to future exciting stuff!
BOOKS I’M READING
I’ve got N.K. Jemison and Percival Everett and Hoa Nguyen and upfromsumdirt and Stephen Graham Jones and David Byrne and of course Aimee Bender on the list this year. Also reading some exciting music books this year, like Spitboy drummer Michelle Cruz Gonzalez’s memoir from Haymarket Books. Reading rips. Also, a few people have reached out and said they’ve enjoyed books based on recommendations from this blog—means the world to me. Thanks for reading, and then reading, my dudes.
SONGWRITING AND PLAYING WITH FRIENDS
It’s a “music year” for L&E, for one. There’s a project Brendan and I have been working on for so long that I’m sort of superstitious about talking about it. Let’s just say I’m excited to keep at it this year. I know Brendan’s got some stuff he’s finishing up.
A friend texted me a while ago about playing bass (or is it guitar?) for a pop punk project he’s doing, I hope that happens.
Can’t promise a Shipwrecked Sailor solo album this year, but I can promise I have ideas for two and will be working on them. The way I’m feeling right now, writing and editing poems/fiction might take priority. I might be more of a supporter of other people’s music this year. REGARDLESS, I am reading a lot about music, and sketching some writing about music, so music will be big this year.
SUBMITTING MORE POEMS AND STORIES TO LIT MAGS
Ugh, I’m sort of speaking this one into existence. I have to confess I really love being published, but I hate everything about submitting to mags. That’s a lazy attitude though. *Kendrick voice* THAT’S JUST HOW I FEEL. Still. There are a lot of poems and stories sitting on my drive that I think other people might like to read. The game can’t start until you’ve dressed, stretched, done layup lines, shot around, etc.
Also, I am hyping myself up about revising some things. I’ve got two manuscripts—a collection of poems and a novel in verse—that are nearly ready to be sent off to presses. Yes, I sent that collection of poems out last year, and yes, I think it needs some revision. Sorta thought that when I sent it out. Whatever, it’s a good manuscript as it stands, but I know it can be better.
Keeping it short this week because it’s the true end of the year. Go forth and have fun with your friends and families, my dudes. Read some good books. Listen to new-to-you music. Eat good food, drink good coffee, consume some cannabis. To borrow from The Daily Zeitgeist, also get your vaccines and don’t do nothing about white supremacy. To borrow from The Beaches’ Tiny Desk, start a band with your friends and never stop partying.
Life is good but it takes work.
Sorry you got an email,
Chris