PRATE

Robert Chrysler

Robert Chrysler is an inspired subway-ranter from Toronto, Canada. He enjoys challenging capitalist property relations, trying to figure out what the post-structuralists are going on about, and dreams of someday living in a tree. Interviewed by Lynn Alexander for PRATE.

LA: What’s constant? In other words, is there anything that seems consistent for you right now?

RC: Unfortunately, the only constant in my life is my continued marginalization, living on the fringes of society. I used to think that I could still at some point work hard and fight my way back towards some degree of normalcy or the everyday domestication that most people experience. I don’t any longer. I am too old to spend my time at menial, backbreaking labour that leaves me with no time or energy to pursue the things that really mean anything to me and never get me ahead anyway. I’ve resigned myself to the fact that I’ll probably be destitute and homeless, living in shelters and whatnot, for the rest of my days. I plan on making the best of it, however. Continue Reading…

Felino A. Soriano

Felino A. Soriano is the author of a number of poetry collections, and the editor of Counterexample Poetics. Interviewed by Lynn Alexander.

LA: You say that ‘philosophy’s vast history and rich language enhances the mind’s ability to articulate and think critically’.  You connect this to your practice of writing poetry. Do you mean in the sense of process, or the ways by which elements are incorporated into the construction of the poem?

FAS: The construction of a poem I am writing is never predetermined in the facet of existential idea, nor from the vantage point of isolated symmetry, meaning the connected balance between idea and language.  Philosophically, my endeavor is to examine surroundings, objects, colors, sounds, etc., through the metaphysical aspirations of ascertaining what is not readily seen.  This practice is performed through a conscious and concentrated effort into writing without the use of cliché.  When approaching a poem as I do life [existentially], the philosophy of the self is determined to promote the poem through critically thinking about what is in direct line with natural observation.  Observation is imperative; as is interpretation.  These realities must be in abundance when writing a poem, but too, can predict one’s life within the spectrum of success, when implementing these skills within a practical method.  Beyond the multitude of poetic metaphors available for say, a cliché subject as the sun, the authentic poet can write about this cliché, but unveil it to a reader as if it is a neoteric idea.  This is my intention, my scheme while writing a poem regardless of subject matter.    Continue Reading…

Richard Wink

UK poet, publisher, and freelance writer Richard Wink just finished a new poetry collection, Dead End Road, featuring over fifty poems, published by BeWrite. Gloom Cupboard is still going strong in it’s second year, and it seemed like a good time to pester him for some candor on the state of poetry, small press, and what we can expect from him next. Interviewed by Lynn Alexander.

Your new poetry collection will be available as both a print edition and an “ebook”. What factored into that decision, and do you see potential in the electronic media format?

I’m very much a traditionalist; I prefer the touch and feel of a book. I prefer to read from the page. I guess there wasn’t really a decision as such because I believe BeWrite are simply moving with the times and offering books in both formats.

The ‘ebook’ however has its advantages, both in terms of speed and immediacy, and I think very much that poetry suits the electronic format. At the moment ‘we’ (the worldwide poetry community) are still tinkering, trying to strike the right balance between the traditional and the future. I think there is room for both, in the same way that vinyl exists alongside digital music files, paperbacks can coexist with ebooks. Continue Reading…

Lenore Weiss

Paul Corman-Roberts on Lenore Weiss: Bay Area poet, essayist, fiction editor at The November 3rd Club. She is the author of “Sh’ma Yis’rael” published by Pudding House, and has an extensive list of publication credits both online and off with her most recent work in “Bridges: A Jewish Feminist Journal,” and in “Women in Judaism” from Canada. Lenore also produced “The CellPhone Poems” with composer Paul Kirk and she is currently working on a collection of “Tkhine,” modeled on prayers by Jewish women, which were first published in 1648. She serves as Web Master for a transit company and as the chair of the political action committee of AFSCME Local 3916.

Continue Reading…

Dan Provost

Dan Provost is a writer and coach from Worcester, MA. He could very well be one of the nicest men you will ever meet. He is a man unafraid to wear the rawest parts of himself on his sleeve for everyone to see, touch, and experience. He is no stranger to the darkness in himself that most of us so often deny.

Dan is an avid reader who has been publishing in the small press for years, always supporting new writers through reading and promotion and lending his hard earned wisdom. It is my pleasure to share with you this candid interview with Dan Provost.

-Aleathia Drehmer

AD:  You grew up in a household heavily laced with music and athletics.  How do you think this has affected your outlook on the world as a child and as an adult?  Do you think these things influence your writing and if they do, in what way?

DP: Being exposed to such a variety of music gave me an opportunity to experience different genres.  My grandfather and father were both jazz drummers; they introduced me to George Shearing, Buddy Rich, and Gene Krupa.  My brothers, Chip and Tim, were influenced by rock and blues, while my sister Judi, who played the organ and piano–played everything from classical to the Allman Brothers.  For me, the lyric content was always the most fascinating and relevant.  What was the writer of the lyrics trying to portray and how did he say it?  Was he indignant, sly, and boastful?  I always admired those who could sing in a way that could relate to the theme of the song.  Even today, great lyricists heavily influence my writing.  Continue Reading…

Paul Corman-Roberts

Paul Corman-Roberts is a poet and performer out in Oakland, California. He is the poetry editor at Cherry Bleeds and his recent poetry collection (neocom)muter is out now from Tainted Coffee Press. Interview by Lynn Alexander.

LA:When was the first time you can remember calling yourself a writer, describing yourself that way? When did you start writing poetry?

PCR: I probably first described myself as a writer when I was drunk and trying to impress a girl at a party or something. I do remember getting kind of snotty and elitist about it around the time I started working at the New College of California just before 9/11. I got sick of everyone calling me a poet so I started referring to myself as a writer. Of course, everyone totally made fun of me after I started doing that.
I didn’t really start thinking of myself as an actual poet until quite recently, probably around the time I published my first book Coming World/Gone World (Howling Dog Press) in 2006. But I really did start writing poetry in 1989 for the sole purpose of trying to impress girls, while I was burning to be a tortured playwright, or filmmaker, or sketch comedy writer. When I got tired and burnt out on all that shit, and tired of impressing only girls with poetry, I found I still wanted to write poems for myself. Continue Reading…