A new chapbook by Colleen McKee

Colleen McKee's newest chapbook, A Partial List of Things I Have Done for Money, to be released this Wednesday





Please join us for the release of A Partial List of Things I Have Done for Money, the newest chapbook by Colleen McKee. The party will take place at The Archive bookstore at 3215 Cherokee Street, this Wednesday, August 24th, from 7-9 pm.

Featuring the photographs of John Walker Eckles, Bob Reuter, and Alison Carrick, this deluxe first-run edition of Colleen's poetry is encased in a hot-pink and silver hand-stitched envelope with nickle and string closure. The poetry delves into Colleen's world of anthropomorphic cockroaches and thrift-store intrigue, with heartbreaking characterizations of her loved ones and finely crafted descriptions of her adopted hometown.

The release party will feature a book-signing by Colleen, readings by herself, Bob Reuter, and Nicky Rainey, along with music by Bob Reuter. Light refreshment and beverages will be available for purchase.


As a preview, please enjoy this photograph by Bob Reuter, and a poem by Colleen.

JUNIATA STREET



Today I walked past your old apartment, the one
with the rickety windows, the one with the door
that knocked in the wind. I remember the wrinkled
poster of the Ramones, the ramblings of drunks
scrawled on your walls. The mail piled up
on the gritty stairs.

The steak dinners you fixed,
the soft white sheets.
The whiskey bottle
always at your elbow.
The time you almost died.
The time you did.

Now, in your yard, children complain
about raking the leaves
that fall
and fall at their feet.

O Fool Lyric Booklets

Handmade Lyric Booklets for Local Band O Fool
Photos of a new, nifty SLP creation


Last month we made our first batch of lyric books for local gypsy-punk band O Fool. The idea was to accompany and compliment the release of their limited-edition first cassette, walk off a cliff, out from Manic Static. The artwork for the cassette cover is pretty neat:




I got together with frontman and poet Mathieu Paul to design a quarter sheet booklet with original artwork and lyrics, hand-stitched binding, and neat bright red faux-crocodile-skin cover.




Brett Marren created original illustrations for the project.




The neatest aspect of this mini-project is perhaps the finishing touch. Mat's girlfriend Mel had the idea of putting ribbons and flowers under a wax seal around each book. The purchaser must break the seal to read it, or leave it unread to maintain the look of the original product.




I wish I had a better picture of the finished product, as each of these are individually gorgeous. No two copies are alike.

The faux-red-leather edition has sold out, as we limited the print run to 29 copies. We're gonna get together next month, however, to craft the second edition in an equally tacky, quirky, and creative fashion.