If you’re interested in the cover art for the book, it was done by Amy Casey. She is awesome! The cover is absolutely gorgeous. You can learn more about Amy at her website here. Amy also provided artwork for the most recent Neko Case album, Middle Cyclone. And this is awesome because Neko Case is amazing. Also, Amy was recently featured on the cover of New American Paintings.

I’m a HUGE music listener. I tend to lean toward the “independent” music scene but I am kind of all over the place with my taste. So, I’m going post very irregular updates on what currently interests me musically. Perhaps you’ll find of them, or not. Enjoy! Here are the albums that I’m currently obsessed with: Yeasayer - Odd Blood Shearwater – The Golden Archipelago Florence...

I am not the most qualified person to write this review (or rant, or whatever it is). This credibility deficiency doesn’t stem from my lack of published reviews or my absence from the faculty of a well-known collegiate institution.  Both of those are also obvious shortcomings as well. But the core reason I’m not qualified to wrote the review of Sherman Alexie’s latest book, Face, is because...

Greetings people from the future! I hope the new decade has gotten of to a great start for everyone. How is it 2010? When did that happen? (I know, like 11 days ago) But I digress… Today, we’re announcing the publication of my next chapbook! This spring, Plan B Press will publish Your Casual Survival, my latest batch of poems. The book is going to be beautiful and I’m especially excited about...

If you’re interested in checking out a new batch of poems (mine and other excellent poets), you should pick up the latest edition of the Refined Savage Poetry Review (issue #6). The poems that appear in this publication, there are 6 of my poems in all, are part of the new, upcoming, not-yet-announced book that I’ll have out next year. But we’ll discuss this new project at a later date once...

In the poetry slam world too many poets focus on the points, or they focus on performance over content, or basically they focus on anything other than the poetry. As long as poetry slam exists, these issues will linger. With that being said, let’s talk poetry slam strategy! I know what you’re thinking: didn’t I just say that poetry slam should focus on the poetry and not the points? Yes, this...

For years I’ve been studying the art of the chapbook. This research has not been a scientific process with a methodical plan. I just really like the idea of a small, tightly focused group of poems. Also, the meeting of form and content in the way of production also captures my attention and imagination. The poems within a chapbook should have form a cohesive unit from start to finish. Also, each poem should...

I have been an avid reader of Louise Gluck for years. The first book of hers that grabbed my attention was Vita Nova. Since then I’ve read each consecutive book with a fervor that I possess for few poets. With each publication my relationship with Gluck deepened as I explored Meadowlands, The Seven Ages, and Averno. After reading each of these books, I went back and read her first four books and loved...

This Friday the Reservoir Dogwoods are performing at the Still Frames Art Gallery in Columbus (IN). We haven’t given a feature performance since May so I’m stoked to get back on the stage with Jason, Matthew and Tony. We always have a great time with some great poetry and great crowds. Recently, I’ve been thinking a lot about the group pieces I do with the Dogwoods. I think may throw in some...

Greetings. Well, I’ve finally launched a new website. I’ve been thinking about doing this for around two years. So, it’s about time. Here you’ll find everything you could want to know about my literary happenings. Plenty of publication and events updates. And the blog is going to serve as… well, whatever I want to serve as. It’s my damn site, I can’t do whatever I want. That’s...