Hosho McCreesh's Blog, page 11
August 21, 2021
Welcome to Tough City, America...
And we’re live!
For anyone interested…
Many thanks to Martin, the editors that published the poems originally, and to you for reading and supporting my work!
August 17, 2021
Tough City, America...
Welcome to Tough City, America…
This quick 1-2 poetic punch lands on 21 August 2021 out of Scumbag Press, one of the UK’s DIY workhorses. The new chapbook runs about 16 pgs, and I’d like to thank the editors of the following publications for originally publishing the included poems:
3 Poets, Vol. 2; A Common Thread, Bottle, Holy & Intoxicated, Naked Knuckle; nibble, Rusty Truck, and Unlikely Stories
Now, fair warning: the limited print run means you probably wanna be ready to jump when that link goes live.
By way of a teaser: Get your own copy and you’ll quickly know why we’re calling it TOUGH CITY, AMERICA…and why our original cover design involved a giant dildo!
August 5, 2021
Just Another Scumbag...
Yes, it’s true.
8/21/2021
I will soon be among the Scumbags — that is, on the press of the same name — with quick-little one-two punch of a chapbook called Tough City, America. You may recognize the assorted efforts of lit fiend and Renaissance man, Martin Appleby. Scumbag Press, a rising star on the UK small press scene, looks to soon be offering up a veritable cache of small press dirty realism/grit lit names in limited productions, so ‘don’t sleep on ‘em,’ as the kids are fond of saying these days.
As for my $0.02, there are some prescient and ugly American themes running through the rapid-fire, gunshot-style chapbook — quick bursts and mostly one-page slices from this hard American life. Still, the pieces cover a lot of ground in a relatively short space, and I’m damn glad to be part of what they’re up to. I’m especially glad as I truly haven’t thought much about writing, or done much work — as sometimes the juice just ain’t there. I’m not the only one out there who had a bad year…but I certainly feel like I’m not managing it as well as most. Anyhow, Martin reaching out was a bright and pleasant change it the rut of the normal ol’ day-to-day.
July 28, 2021
Book Club Bundle...
Book Clubbin’…We’re Book Clubbin’…
DO YOU HAVE A BOOK CLUB? DOES YOUR CLUB WANNA READ ONE OF MY BOOKS?
If you have a book club (or even just a couple of friends who are interested) and you’d like to read one of my books — here at the HQ we want to make it easy for you by offering a Book Club Bundle.
What’s in a Book Club Bundle?
Discounts on copies for everyone
Password access to the book club page you’re reading
10 Discussion Questions curated specifically to the book you pick
Even a virtual reading/Q&A if you’re interest
As a kid who grew up poor, I never want cost to be a barrier to my work. So reach out and, via downloads and computer magic, we’ll try to find a solution that works for you.— Hosh Learn more here ready to book? email HERE!
July 4, 2021
A 4th of July Poem from A Deep & Gorgeous Thirst...
Once again, it’s the 4th of July. Once again this young, brash, and imperfect union has the chance to reflect on just what it is, what it has been, and what it might one day be…if only we have the courage to own it all with honesty and a stark humility. Who’s to say if collectively we will? The 4th is a complicated day for me.
But, what’s not complicated — this poem. It’s read by William Boyle, and can be found on A Deep & Gorgeous Thirst — Unabridged Audio either on CDs, or as a download at most of the audiobook spots, or even requested from your local library. Enjoy!
June 13, 2021
Kut 1
Welp, they’re at it again…
Hot on the tail of the gorgeous (TV - O.D.) project celebrating World Collage Day, your favorite slice-and-dice collective, The Kut-uPs, are back — this time with Kut 1. And man, what a beaut! Complete with fake ads, a quick Q&A with creators, loads of collage from the rag-tag pack of art-and-trouble-makers, and even one of them highfalutin’ brainy-type essays comparing a Frankenstein-centric series to the reimagining of image that collage delivers, and how the two make for such terrific bedfellows — the beautiful 32 page full color booklet is wrapped by a damn fine letterpress cover that, as promised, definitely furnishes a “painful knee to the cast iron groin of apathy!”. So, If you’re looking for a copy, why not go give THIS PLACE A TRY…
You may recognize the two masterminds behind the collective (and the various projects past and present) from X-Ray Book Co. and any glance at their work over the decades should tell you just how snazzy your end product is gonna be, should you get your mitts on a copy. I freely admit — I click through the galleries and offerings whenever I’m after a little inspiration — and it always works! Be it the gorgeous books and broadsides they’ve made over the years, the ongoing assemblage of their BAGAZINE project, and now more recently collage — it’s another shining example of the independent press doing badass things with a whole host of terrific creators, and exactly the kind of thing we’re honored to be a small part of here at the HQ.
It’s Go Time!
And as if that wasn’t enough — their next project — while not necessarily broadcasted just yet — is another doozey! Let’s just say that, should you walk around the right corner at the right time in the right place in the right city, you could stumble upon an original Kut-uPs collage utterly free for the taking. Anyhow, watch for it…and that’s all I’m gonna say about that!
And speaking of (TV - O.D.), I’ve decide to list the original collage I did for the project, “Mortality” in the store for a short while, just in case someone was desperate to own it. I say a short while because, well, let’s just say that it won’t hurt my feelings if I get to hold on to it! Though I am trying to slowly make peace with the fact that NOT holding on to things often encourages me to make more new things…which is a nice silver lining when watching originals go out the door forever. Anyhow, you can check it out below. You kids stay safe out there, now!
consider "mortality"?
May 30, 2021
Dispatch from the Frontlines of the Great Unknown...
The coolest cats this side of the blade, The Kut-uPs, have just completed their homage to World Collage Day 2021 — their kickass mission: T.V.O.D.
Art-minded folks from all over collaged on a curated series of old-timey TV sets and their work has now been made into a sheet of stamps that any and everyone can get! So if that floats your boat the way it floats mine, you can ORDER YOURS HERE
In other news…over at their blog, Reverend Kane posted about TEN POETS YOU’VE NEVER HEARD OF BUT YOU’RE GOING TO LOVE. There are some embarrassingly terrific names here…so I’m honored to be among them. I’ll be looking into those I don’t know…so hopefully we all can find some great new stuff to read!
May 12, 2021
Cicada...
Emerging sometime in 2021…
The story behind the little poem that could…emerging sometime in 2021…
May 8, 2021
TV - O.D.
Here at the HQ we’re jazzed to celebrate World Collage Day 2021 with the coolest batch of collaging cats this side of the blade, the Kut-uPs! And we’re celebrating being part of this kickass new project: TV - O.D.
You can check out all the pieces over HERE ON INSTAGRAM.
Why…it’s enough to google our drunkskull eyes!
April 24, 2021
Independent Bookstore Day...
Have you done your part? Free something for you if you do!
Here’s to hoping you not only supported publisher, writers, and artists — but the lifeline of thew small press — booksellers and champions of the small press today as well!
If you did, send me proof — any ol’ proof — in any ol’ place (EMAIL, or at TWITTER or INSTAGRAM —, and I’ll send you something own the cuff, baby.
