Briar Haus Writes, Becky Parker interviews me today

 

Briar House Writes is a group is dedicated to being a safe space for those who write stories and poems or who love a good tale! Members can share submission opportunities and your own successes.  Becky Parker runs it and she interviewed me a month or so ago, and it appears out in the world today!

At the 11:00 mark I talk about the new novel Shadows of the Seen and read from it. 

  And, no, I'm not howling at the moon. 

Interview with Doug Holder, Poet to Poet, Writer to Writer show

     I've been interviewed by the venerable Doug Holder on his show often, and it's always an honor. Doug and I shoot it about the new Virtual Fridays Dire Literary Series, my unsigned novel, Big Table Publishing, writing as a sober person vs. not sober, and then I read a few poems from Spreading Like Wild Flowers and two new ones.

To hear me read more watch for

8.6 Boston Poetry Marathon Reading
8.11 Cervena Barva 25th Anniversary Reading Series



Here is mine, and Doug's new "best of" both published by Big Table Publishing.

Assiduous Dust Podcast Interview by Josh Corwin, where I talk about a whole lot of things.

I met Joshua Corwin at my Virtual Dire Literary Series, and am grateful to be invited on his podcast.  Link on Spotify below. My part of the podcast starts at around the 63 minute mark. I talk about writing, what I was like as a 12 year old, The Dire Series, and my novel, Joe the Salamander where the protagonist, Joe is a neurodiverse individual--- which probably is the reason, Josh Corwin and I connected.  

Some quotes: "12 year old Timmy would not know what the fuck that poem was about"

"Writers need to wear their bruises and their trauma like pride"

"When I"m writing my inner editor is screaming at me, "YOU SUCK" and I need to be like, "screw you." and when I'm done, "Shut up!"


“What I like about the indy bookstore is that it’s a comfortable little meeting place, and each store has a certain character to it. Each indy bookstore is different in different ways. Indies are also friendly to indy writers.”

Below is the show and description, taken directly from joshuacorwin.com. 

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Assiduous Dust #8:
Marc Olmsted + Timothy Gager

July 10, 2020

Host Joshua Corwin interviews award-winning poets Marc Olmsted and Timothy Gager. Olmsted shares about sex with Allen Ginsberg & meditation with Rinpoche Chögyam Trungpa; Gager gives us a sneak peek at his new autism novel. Listen to them share their latest work and create on-the-spot poems with your host.

Listen Now on Spotify

Los Angeles native Joshua Corwin is a neurodiverse, Pushcart-nominated poet with a B.A. in mathematics and a minor in philosophy from Pitzer College ('19). His debut poetry collection, Becoming Vulnerable, details his experience with autism, addiction, sobriety and spirituality (Baxter Daniels Ink Press/International Word Bank). Corwin hosts the poetry podcast “Assiduous Dust,” home of the on-the-spot collaborative poem (OTSCP). He teaches self-exploration through poetry to neurodiverse addicts in recovery at The Miracle Project, an autism nonprofit, held at The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills, California. He writes to honor his grandpa, Mert, whose last words to him were “Don’t ever stop writing.”

Words about this week, more burning than .Interview posted by Maria Goodson,

This week was difficult. I won't pretend it was difficult for me as I've never had to worry about being in a car and being pulled over because I'm white. I've never feared that a traffic cop might kneel on my neck or, felt that I might find hatred just by leaving my house. I can only acknowledge that others feel that every day.

I'm 100% privileged.

My friends in Baltimore, and around the country are battling, and I am privileged.

I am lucky. I have an interview sent out in the world by the Writers and Words series in Baltimore (Maria Goodson)---where I read a few years ago. It really doesn't seem to matter much about what I am doing for myself these days, compared to what is going on, but I'm going to post----(Maria and Writers and Words are wonderful) and give all I can to be kind and treat others kindly.

Here's the link to find all the interviews---titled Five Burning Questions for Timothy Gager---turns out that they, in the scheme of things, aren't all that burning.

and I'll post it here

5 Burning Questions with Timothy Gager

May 18, 2020Maria C. Goodson

As well as feature our future readers, we also wanted to check in with folks who have read for us over the last 5 years. Timothy Gager read for us in 2017 – read what he has been up to below!

What have you been up to since reading with us at Writers & Words? How has the writing been going?

I retired my Dire Literary Series, but I found it is again needed during the pandemic, so it is back. People need literary outlets, and entertainment. I’d love it if some Writers & Words folks would pop in and say, “hi.”

I’ve had two books published since I read in Baltimore in 2017, one an anthology of Flash Fiction, Every Day There is Something About Elephants, and the other a book of poetry. I’ve also finished a novel called, Joe the Salamander and am seeking representation for it.  I thought I’d be visiting and reading in Baltimore when my daughter announced she’d be attending college there, but that didn’t pan out, but my father has moved to Owings Mills, since my mom passed, so Baltimore is in the cards. It is a very welcoming city, and I always feel at home there. My mother’s illness, and period of hospice placed me with her and my father for about six months. It is time I treasure, and can never be replaced.

What are you working on right now (writing or otherwise (nothing is a valid answer as well))?

I’m picking at the novel, writing poems, and some flash fiction. I’ve also started a non-fiction memoir-esque  manuscript which I need to be fully retired to write. I’m thinking that it, when finished, might be my last book.

What has been your favorite Quarantine Read thus far?

I’ve read the James Brown trilogy which started with a book The Los Angeles Diaries, published in 2003, and the last, one put out in the past year, titled, Apology to the Young Addict.

How would you describe the writing community where you live in just a few words?

Busy, vibrant, selfless, sexy, boundless

What would be a few words of advice you would give someone wanting to get into any writing community?

Whatever you give back to the community, you get back tenfold. Be available, be generous—it’s not a version of social influencing.

Bonus question: what level of quarantine are you at? 1) relaxing with a book,  2) the dog clears her throat too loudly,  3) hot dog fries, 4) THE PRINTER IS BROKEN I DON’T NEED A PRINTER, 5) I am one with the Force and the Force is with me.

I’m at the better safe than sorry level, and checking to see if the home depot has a decontamination shower I can install directly outside my front door. Also all-in on the full body latex intimacy gear.

__

Timothy Gager is the author of fifteen books of fiction and poetry. His latest, Spreading Like Wild Flowers, is his eighth of poetry. He has had over 600 works of fiction and poetry published, of which sixteen have been nominated for the Pushcart Prize. His work has been read on National Public Radio, has also been nominated for a Massachusetts Book Award, The Best of the Web, and The Best Small Fictions Anthology.

Reading and interview, Poetry In The Bar: A poet virtually walks into a Michigan bar

     A monthly series sponsored by Easton Rapids Poetry Club, in Easton Rapids called Poetry In The Bar and run by Helen and Gavin Broom. Up until recently it was held in an actual bar--over there, to your right.

     This month I was asked to be their feature, which was great, and I didn't have to travel. I was interviewed for about 20 minutes, and then read a set of poetry. It all came out pretty cool, and I spoke about poetry, writing trends, dark humor, talking dogs, going soft, and needing a re-do. (volume wise).

To listen you can go
HERE

or on Spotify
HERE

or on Apple Podcasts
HERE

The poetry of my set starts at 25:30

From the book Spreading Like Wild Flowers, from Big Table Publishing, 2019
1. Concerto
2. This Poem Is Like a Bruise
3. In The Dark Corner Of A Theater
4. The Heart Is A Broken Little Thing
5. College Dining Hall
6. A Certain Warrior
7. Fear, God Bless My Soul
8. Faith
9. At a Cookout for Poets
10. How To Unring a Bell
11. Centralia, Pennsylvania

A new poem
12. Social Distancing of a Town, Population 10

From the book, Chief Jay Strongbow is Real, from Big Table Publishing, 2017
13. Making American History
14. The Filth and the Fury
15. Sobriety
16. When We Talk About Love

From the book, The Shutting Door, from Ibbetson Street Press, 2013
17. reply to someone who said, "you owe me a poem, boy."
18. The Shutting Door
19. Manomet Point
20. The Poems in My House

Some more new poems
20. Ballet of Surrender
21. Seclusion
22, Nine Lives
23. Rosebud Winter
24. Life's Canvas

closing with a true story
25. There's a Fly in My Soup

     The broadcasts ends with poems from Kelsey Hudson, Dennis Hendrickson, Fay Turner Johnson, and new poetry by Helen Broom

Interview on Mass Poetry site: GETTING TO KNOW TIMOTHY GAGER AND HIS NEW BOOK CHIEF JAY STRONGBOW IS REAL

Today my inteview on  MassPoetry.org is up. 

It is something they did with me right after "Chief Jay Strongbow is Real" came out.

Cool. Click the above link or read it below, but the site has a poem on it. The book is also available elsewhere not just on my website, which sounds amateurish.

So there is some history here. I've had many great associations with MassPoetry. I've filmed rides with Kim Addonizio, and with Nick Flynn, Greg Pardo and Rachel Eliza Griffiths on their way to Mass Poetry Festivl.

I've taught workshops for High School and Middle School students. "Say It a Different Way!"-I put on that blackboard at U Mass, Boston.  Damn straight

Student Day of Poetry UMass Bosto

n

Student Day of Poetry Bristol Community College

I've read poetry on trolleys and also appeared on panels. Here's a picture from Poetry of Grief panel. I'm not pictured, probably grieving..

The Interview is in their Getting to Know series....which puts this song in my head.

GETTING TO KNOW TIMOTHY GAGER AND HIS NEW BOOK CHIEF JAY STRONGBOW IS REAL

When did you first encounter poetry? How did you discover you wanted to write poems?

More or less in High School. I was a big music listener as a kid—it drew me in and that was the age of the singer songwriter. Lyrics told stories, had meaning, were poetic. In college I joined a band and I wanted to write poetry just the opposite way I had listened to it. I wanted to write poetry so I could compose better lyrics.

Do you have a writing routine? A favorite time or place to write? 
I’m a morning person now so I like to write before or just after lunch. I like to work at a desk, with limited distraction. When I was writing my novels I wrote and stopped at between 500-750 words a day, so that I could start fresh the next day without writing the idea dry. For poetry, I like to pick at it—write a draft, pick and have a much better draft by the end of the day. Then I’ll look at it in the future and with fresh eyes, and do a more serious revision.

Where do your poems most often come from—an image, a sound, a phrase, an idea?
All of the above, but most often, a feeling, or vamping off a word or phrase.

Which writers (living or dead) do you feel have influenced you the most?
Dead. Seriously, at different points of my life different writers have influenced me. Influences or more subtle these days now I rely on my own voice, often using the cadence of other poets as influences.

Tell us a little bit about your new collection: what's the significance of the title? are there over-arching themes? what was the process of assembling it? was it a project book? etc

Tell us a little bit about your new collection: what's the significance of the title? are there over-arching themes? what was the process of assembling it? was it a project book? etc.

The book is in eight acts or sections. The first act starts with the titular Chief Jay Strongbow is Real. Strongbow was a Pro Wrestler who worked for Vincent J. McMahon's World Wide Wrestling Federationfrom 1970-1985. He was 57 when he retired, and his persona of fierce warrior was all an act. An Italian named Joe Scarpa played the chief. 

That said, there are no wrestling poems in this collection. What I was attempting in this work was, in general, the question of what exactly is real.? What do we believe? What do the people in power tell the masses which influence us into believing that the lies are the truth. This began in America when America began. Unfortunately, it still happens today. Funny thing is I never wrote poems about social consciousness before, because I felt that beliefs are beliefs, mine are mine and yours are yours, and nobody cares or is swayed by any of it.  In today’s world, what is going on is something I just couldn’t avoid in my writing. It is important. I tried to not make the work preachy, and more observant from one person’s point of view. Then there are seven other acts dealing with the conflicts of being human: love, loss, family, recovery and food. Never forget food.

New interview: "Rookie Sensation from Out of Nowhere" generously interviews me in Paradox Review

Who is Aneka Brunssen?

ANEKA BRUNSSEN is a writer, poet and graduate student from Bremen, Germany, with a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and Cultural Studies. Aneka has written several non-fiction essays, in both German and English, as well as a few short stories, articles, reviews and poetry collections. Her personal blog SELFISH SIMILE is a collection of several non-fiction articles and essays covering a vast range of subjects while her poetry blog  SPACE TRASH POETRY is dedicated to her poetry.

Here's the real answer. I had no idea who Aneka was until about a week ago. After we became social media friends, I found out she works really hard promoting the art and writing of others. I always say, if you want your work read, promote others also and here I was very impressed by Aneka. Two days ago she queried artists, poets, writers for interviews and quickly and graciously I was granted one HERE in The Paradox Review, a new and cool little joint she runs with Matthew Wagner..

That's how you make a splash. Thank you Aneka and Matt

 

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Here's the re-print
Please tell us a little bit about your most recent work.

My thirteenth book is my first book of poetry since 2013 and is broken into Eight Acts, with the first being about the history of privilege by the United States in regards to doing whatever the hell it wants, all the way back in time and all the way up to our current President.

What was your motivation for writing it?

I wanted to make a point--to do so in poetry instead of the frequent rantings and ravings people find and do on social media.

Are you currently working on any side projects?

I'm working with Paul Ahern on a screenplay for my novel "The Thursday Appointments of Bill Sloan" and I'm also celebrating 2ooth month anniversary of my literary series. Side projects? Are there ever such things?

What motivated you to become a writer?

I just wanted to write whatever I wanted. I hate being told what to do, say or write.

Do you have any unique writing rituals?

Not really. I used to, but now it's more writing when I have the time to write and attempt to do it daily.

Do you feel close to your characters? If yes, how so?

When The Thursday Appointments of Bill Sloan's first draft was finished I actually missed the characters. That surprised me. It was almost as if people I spoke to daily moved away. When I wrote Grand Slams: A Coming of Eggs Story, the characters were strongly based on the people I knew at the time; the restaurant actually existed. Saying goodbye to them was different and easier than the Bill Sloan characters.

Do you find it difficult to maintain a career as a writer?

I find it difficult to have a career as a writer period. If I relied on this to make a living---good luck. I have another job which pays the bills.

Tell us about your day job.

It's a state job working with disabled individuals. I've been at that longer than I've been a published author.

When it comes to poetry, where do you find your inspiration? 

Through sights, sounds and feelings. I was never a political poet as I find it kind of boring, but when I forced myself to produce poems this winter and early spring,  what came out of me was based on what was going on. I had strong feelings about that--the inequality, the power structure and just the overall wrong doings; especially how things were being portrayed to trick and fool people.

What would you like to tell your readers?
​
Read. Write. Purchase. Don't just "like"--We don't need the that-a-boy/girl. To my readers--Thank you for reading. I love and appreciate that.