Archive - John’s Substack

Be True, Episode 75: Why Don’t You All Fade Away

John reads his poem “Our Fathers” from his chapbook On Self-Expression After the Revolution. He also discusses generational conflict, Baby Boomer…

18 hrs ago •

10:41

I Turned the Page

How restarting a social media account has helped my writing...so far

Jan 8 •

Be True, Episode 74: This Poem is for the Birds

John reads his poem "Why I Say 'I Love You.'" He also discusses literary inspirations, offers some "pure, sincere, unironic" meditations on love and…

Jan 6 •

7:19

Let's Keep Each Other Honest

A few thoughts for the new year

Jan 1 •

December 2024

Be True, Episode 73: What Do You Believe?

John reads his poem “We were typical boys” from his chapbook All the Lonely American Roads. He also discusses childhood history lessons, competing…

Dec 30, 2024 •

7:25

A new poem, and good wishes for the holiday season

Dec 26, 2024 •

Be True, Episode 72: Worthy Disciples and the Weary

John reads his poem “Levi” from his forthcoming chapbook Apocrypha. He also discusses Biblical weirdness, the license to create, the radical potential…

Dec 23, 2024 •

10:10

Artists Are Not The Problem

Some thoughts about living a creative life of opposition in the year ahead

Dec 18, 2024 •

Be True, Episode 71: A Poem About Hard Work and Weekends

John reads his poem “Sunday After Church” from his collection Sometimes I Still Pray. He also discusses “old neighborhood” characters, blues man John…

Dec 16, 2024 •

7:48

On "Great Man" History and My Grandfather

What a Brooklyn plumber might say about the next phase of the American story

Dec 11, 2024 •

Be True, Episode 70: Why Isn’t Your Book Funny?

John reads from his novella Jigsaw Men. He also discusses the falseness of seriousness and the importance of humor in writing about big themes and…

Dec 9, 2024 •

7:57

Incident on Route 20

Dec 6, 2024 •

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