Tag: new book

7.2 SkullQuake by Michael E. Duckwall

James D. Casey IV

7.2 SkullQuake, a chapbook of poetry and artwork by Michael E. Duckwall, drops next Tuesday!! Look for it on Feb. 27th, I’ll share the Amazon link when it goes live. Brother Duck will also have author copies soon if you want a signed book!

Michael E. Duckwall offers up pieces of his soul in artistic and poetic form between the pages of 7.2 SkullQuake. You’ll find musings about the darkness and light of the human condition in this collection. Liberated shadows, dug up and set free from deep within the roots of his own being. Here’s how Michael describes his poems: “I don’t write, I release. I’m not sure if I could hold any of this in, even if I wanted to. Poetry.. my therapy, my friend, my release.”
—JDCIV, Editor-in-Chief of Cajun Mutt Press

Abyssal Recitations by Heller Levinson (Book Promo)

James D. Casey IV

Heller Levinson is a true wordsmith, and The Abyssal Recitations takes you on a submarine dive into the depths of the poet’s mind. The way these poems roll off the tongue is a work of art. This book isn’t simply a collection of poetry, it’s an educational journey into the abyss of wordplay. A beautifully crafted, well-written, and highly recommended read. Heller Levinson and Concrete Mist Press have done us all a great service in bringing it to the surface of the literary fathoms.
—JDCIV, Founder/Editor-in-Chief of Cajun Mutt Press

Cover Design:

Back Cover
Front Cover
The Abyssal Recitations by Heller Levinson
(Concrete Mist Press, Jan. 2024)

A Few Poems:

Amazon Link:

https://www.amazon.com/Abyssal-Recitations-Heller-Levinson/dp/B0CTHK47XD

Praise:

Whatever you think you know about Heller Levinson, guess again. Levinson’s latest book, The Abyssal Recitations, not only requires the suspension of your disbelief, but also requires a complete reorganization of your sensibility. Hallmark and/or AI rubbish does not live here. Look at his poem “Abyssal Reminiscence” in its entirety:

shortfall evanescent repeal

reel pitch flinch
grate grill cultivate
sow sew stitch
foamcoalesce
surface

From beginning to end, Abyssal Recitations reads this way. The best way to enjoy these poems is to forget how you’ve been taught poetry should read and focus intently upon the relationships that Heller’s lexicon creates, especially the vibrations of sounds and senses his words generate. To apprehend the following lines requires readers to actually experience the poet’s linguistic vibrations as they rattle neurons from their slumber:

verbs incinerate incline grief vowels wish you
were here twine thickens straits thru mewling
chaw wipe bibelot courtesies in the company
of balance thistle thrush threshold thicket
cymbal clunk cadaver slaver skins thins (“Abyssal Abject”).

Concrete Mist Press is known for supporting some of the most unique poetry around today, and Heller Levinson surely belongs on this list of fresh voices. Pour yourself a glass of wine, if you like, but hunker down some place where the nonsense of the world isn’t too much with you and feel those neurons rattle like the tail of a Southeastern Diamondback.

—Alan Britt, author Gunpowder for Single-ball Poems
Towson University

“For my money, Levinson is THE most challenging, interesting, frustrating and brilliant writer on the scene today. His books are NOT easy…and they’re not meant to be! This is not bathroom throwaway, stand-up comedy poetry…this stuff’s legit. It takes work. Buy one and see if you’re up to the task!”

—John Yamrus, author of The Street and People (and other bad ideas)

“Only Heller Levinson’s poetry makes my mind feel like it’s moving in all directions at once. I can go inside the words and feel boundless running space for my imagination. It invites dialogue between the page and the gaze. Love it!”

—Jason Moore

CMP Featured Writers Feb. 2024

James D. Casey IV

Is it just me, or did January feel like an eternity? I had a ton of shit happen in the last four weeks that made the month seem to drag on forever. Some Good; Some Bad. Between the new magazine and all the other projects on my plate–plus the extra surprises that got piled on top–it was a bit of a rocky start to 2024. But, “this ain’t no place for the weary kind.” So I’m pulling up my bootstraps, and marching into February with my head held high. I accomplished the goals I set out to achieve—even if I did hit a few bumps in the road along the way.

Wasn’t sure if I could pull it off, but Night Owl Narrative No.1 kicked off with a BANG!! Enormous thanks to the contributors, and to everyone who grabbed a copy. I’ve been getting nothing but positive feedback. I’m so happy y’all dig it. Now buckle up for No.2! It’s officially available today, and in my opinion, this one is even better!! I want every issue to outshine the last. I’ll have a copy around the 12th to post some pictures of. I’ve got some info inside from Ron Whitehead and Dr. Rory Patrick Feehan about Gonzofest Dublin: Calling The Underground, a column by Leland Locke about the True Crime in Layers podcast by Bob’s Bookstore, and another killer lineup of literature and artwork. Can’t wait for y’all to see this one!

Here are the links:

Night Owl Narrative No.2
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CTCJR9LY

Night Owl Narrative No.1
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CQVN1WPW

I’m almost finished putting together No.3 as well. I’ll share the list of contributors soon. Stay tuned for details. I’m also about to start working on book manuscripts. Today is the deadline to submit, so get them sent before midnight if you were planning to send one. I’ll get in touch with you soon if you’ve already submitted. Hold Fast.

CMP Bibliography:
(Please leave a review if you grab a book!)
https://cajunmuttpress.com/2021/06/08/cajun-mutt-press-bibliography/

Below you’ll find the list of featured writers for February. If you want to submit some work for a spot, send 1-3 poems to cajunmuttpress@gmail.com for consideration. I have a few spots left to fill for March, then I’ll be reading for April. Send submissions for Night Owl Narrative to the same email. For the magazine, I’m taking artwork, photography, poetry, prose, flash fiction, short stories, columns, articles, interviews, etc. No theme; anything goes. Please include a bio and author photo with ALL submissions!

I’d like to thank everyone who’s accompanied me on this journey throughout the years. I’m looking forward to reading y’all’s work in the year(s) ahead and helping y’all get your words out to the world.

Love Y’all, Write On,
JDCIV
🤟💀📚
🦉🎟️🦇

CMP Featured Writers, Feb. 2024:

OUR WARS
by Gentle S.C. Dragona
02/02/24

SWEET SWEETS WORLD
by David Earl Williams
02/05/24

In my dream I let go
by Roy Duffield
02/07/24

Conscience
by Tony Dawson
02/09/24

The Man Who Is A Planet
by G.M.H. Thompson
02/12/24

Teen Angel
by J.C. Rammelkamp
02/14/24

Kitchen Hand
by Jonathan Butcher
02/16/24

Blaze
by Gopal Lahiri
02/19/24

without you
by Botched Resignation
02/21/24

CRACK MADNESS
by Bradford Middleton
02/23/24

3 POEMS
by Daniel S Irwin
02/26/24

black-tipped shark
by Miriam Sagan
02/28/24

!!COVER REVEAL!!

James D. Casey IV

A Long Walk by John Drudge will be available on Nov. 21st! Featuring cover art by his son, Jacob Drudge.

This collection is the admonition “To walk a mile in someone else’s shoes.” represented in written form. Memories of shining moments and dark corners. In John’s pursuit of happiness and peace of mind. With a desire to live in tune and leave behind a residue of humanness.

I’ll have a copy to post some pics of on the 17th. Brother Drudge will have author copies as well if anyone would like a signed book. Follow the link below to see all CMP titles.

Love Y’all, Write On,
JDCIV
🤟💀

A Long Walk by John P. Drudge

“Poetry seizes a human being and creates an instrument. The poet is not simply a person acting freely, in pursuit of a merely private end, but one who allows poetry to realize its purpose through poems. Poets have moods, personal aims, free will, but as poets they are bearers of a collective humanity, carrying and shaping the conscious and unconscious life of our species. Poetry is an unexplainable mystery. No amount of critical analysis by academics, scholars, and poets can sufficiently describe poetry. Poetry must be experienced to be known. To know a poem we must dance to the edge of then into the fire. John Drudge is an instrument of poetry. He has danced in the fire. He is a poet. His A LONG WALK is a masterpiece.”
—Ron Whitehead, Lifetime Beat Poet Laureate, USA.

Now Available From Cajun Mutt Press

James D. Casey IV

Fear Of Falling Backwards by Ian Mullins

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CJ4F7DW9

The poems in this collection put you in the middle of an internal boxing match between the author and his thoughts. The lines are jabs and uppercuts to the mind. You feel every punch thrown as you go through this book, and they hit hard. Each ring of the bell brings in a new contender, as Ian fights 15 rounds with life itself. Going toe to toe with darkness and light.
—JDCIV Founder/Editor-in-Chief of Cajun Mutt Press, author of Bad Weed Never Dies

Cover Art by JDCIV

“Ian Mullins renders the brutality of being. Like Samuel Beckett, Francis Bacon, William S. Burroughs before him, Mullins chronicles bleakly the human condition. His self crucifixion, lowered sights with little to no expectation, does not lead to a personal resurrection or salvation. Yet in the darkness a radiance is revealed in lines like, “remembering how you love cloudless nights, when even the stars glow cold.” The Fear of Falling Backwards is a journey through darkness. The brilliant poems of Ian Mullins are worth the toll for the road.”
—Ron Whitehead, U.S. National Beat Poet Laureate, author of Adventures of Brain Man

“The poems in Ian Mullins’ book take us to dark places where he pulls off a masterful balancing act between mystery and joy, and futility and impending doom. There are fighting words between these pages and some fine writing too.”
—Mark Berriman, author of Holding the Door for Barbarians

All CMP Titles:
https://cajunmuttpress.com/2021/06/08/cajun-mutt-press-bibliography/