Better Than A Gun In A Knife Fight

by A. Razor, Geoff Melville (Illustrator), Bucky Sinister (Introduction)

Authored by A. Razor, A. Razor
Introduction by Bucky Sinister
Cover design or artwork by Geoff Melville
Edited by Iris Berry

A Collection Of Prose and Poetry from A. Razor, who has published and written and shared his work on the road and from inside prison for many years, now here is the writer's work in one book that presents many styles and influences all worked out with a genuine love that has driven a lifetime struggle for peace among the words of this world.

Genres: Poetry

232 pages, Paperback

First published May 19, 2012

About the author

A. Razor was born in Brooklyn, N.Y. in 1963, but was brought to California at the age of 1. He was raised with a strong desire to read and write, but an even greater desire to survive his circumstances, which has aided his experience and longevity so far. He began writing and publishing around 1980 in various underground zines and publications, first in the Los Angeles area, then ever expanding outward from there as he was discovered by Drew Blood Press, Ltd. in 1984, where he published 11 chapbooks up to 1995. He has read his work at many readings and spoken word events over the years and been published in many types of publications, ranging from those that are considered reputable to those that are of ill repute. He has fought hard to live and express his art in many different ways and in many different places. He became a member of the Hollywood Institute of Poetics in Los Angeles, CA in 2009. He has participated recently in the Poets In Prison panel at Beyond Baroque and the 2011 ALOUD reading series held at the Downtown Los Angeles Public Library. In 2012 he teamed up with Iris Berry to launch Punk Hostage Press, on which he released 5 titles of his own work and edited 13 more titles from as many writers, Danny Baker, Iris Berry, C.V. Auchterlonie, Carolyn Srygley-Moore, Rich Ferguson, Dennis Cruz, Frank Reardon, Alexandra Naughton, SB Stokes, Hollie Hardy, Hannah Wehr, Maisha Z Johnson and Amy Saul-Zerby. He has collaborated on book cover designs with graphic artist Geoff Melville for many of these books. He co-founded the non-profit group, Words As Works in 2013 and has brought many books and readings into shelters, jails, juvenile halls and helped raise awareness for outreach work using literary arts.

His long anticipated offering, 'Better Than A Gun In A Knife Fight' was released in May, 2012 on Punk Hostage Press, edited by Iris Berry with an introduction by Bucky Sinister.

2012 also saw the release of 'Drawn Blood: Collected Works on D.B.P.,Ltd. 1985-1995', also on Punk Hostage Press and with an introduction by Maureen McNally.

A small, 48-page, commemorative edition of A. Razor's work was released just before December and entitled 'Small Catastrophes in a Big World', edited by the author.

‘Beaten Up Beaten Down’ was released on Punk Hostage Press the 22nd of November, 2012. It features an eclectic mix of writing styles, both poetic and prosaic, that reflect on the contemporary influences on the culture of this most marginal of artists. S.A. Griffin provides the colorful and apt Introduction for this book.

2013 witnessed the release of a 50 poem collection to celebrate the author's 50th birthday, entitled 'Half-Century Status'.

In 2014 Punk Hostage Press released 'Days of Xmas Poems' which is a collection of poems based on the author's experience of being born on December 25.

2015 will see the long awaited release of the short story collection entitled 'Long Winded Tales of the Low Plains Drifter', Introduction by Jennifer Blowdryer. The highly anticipated collection of poetry, “Puro Purismo”, edited by Mk Chavez, will be coming later this year as well.

His writing has always explored the world that he has sought to be a part of and to rebel against at the same paradoxical moment. He has traveled extensively, seeking and enduring everything from homelessness and imprisonment to serenity and peace.

Reviews

[Iris · Rating 5 out of 5]

A. Razor has a relationship with words that spans a lifetime spent on the streets, in bars, behind bars and on the run. Straddling worlds, dark, light, good, bad and ugly. Escaping death, or something much worse, surviving and crossing over, taking his craft to a deeper level. One gets the impression that A. Razor has had the opportunity on more than one occasion to spit in the face of death. The beautiful and poetic moral of this story is that A. Razor survived death and does not stand triumphant bragging about his victories, but rather humbled by the fact that he is lucky enough to still be here, to graciously lend both hands to those still stuck in a life that is too dark for them to find their way out. A. Razor writes his poetry and his prose, telling tales of a life that not many would and could survive. With his powerful ability to craft words, respectfully, with a tip of the hat to many of those who have gone before him. His writing is real and integral, it pours out of his heart and soul and onto the page, leaving you wish, you too could have lived this life and lived to tell, but only if you were gifted enough to tell it in the way that A. Razor powerfully and masterfully writes it. His writing turns heads, and will live on way after he is no longer here with us. I believe this is the first of many, of a large body of work, and most likely in many other languages. So, take notice now. Enjoy his work and when the movie deals come rolling in, you can say you knew him when.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

A work to cherish, savor, read, reread, underline, literary dynamite.

[Matt Shaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

a volume of poetry that should be carried around at all times.

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have enjoyed many books, there are a few that I return to again and again for comfort, for inspiration-- this is one of those books for me. I have a sneaking suspicion, when the word(s) get out, it will be that way for many. Even in the darkest moments of his story, there's a quiet hope. If you're not a 'from the beginning of the book reader' as I am usually not.. pick it up and flip to page 77 - "More Like Driven". There you go. I just saved your life/sanity with that advice. If you don't need saved right now, just flip through and stop at any poem with a thick block of text from one page side to the other. This is where he takes off with a rhythm that I swear - you will love. This book must have been an intentional blood-letting. Careful, thoughtful and years and time to see, to understand what it all means. If you like to read books that give you a solid sense of place - this is the book for you. If you like nostalgia, sweetness, brutishness, bluntness - buy it buy it buy it. Though there are many confessions in this book, it is more than "confessional poetry" can offer. It is "darnkess is always there to be our mask we wear together/but you keep giving off more light in spite of it all", "it comes from/killing all your hostages/by starting with yourself/first", "so give me a night before the gallows, instead/so give me a moment before dying as well/so give me an undying love that you will never forget" and on and on.

[Frankie · Rating 5 out of 5]