Rare Bird Books and Unnamed Press have teamed up to offer an exclusive companion vinyl audiobook to the Unnamed hardcover release of Story of a Poem: A Memoir by Matthew Zapruder. "Story of a Poem is the luminous, lyrical meditation on wringing beauty from suffering and air, threaded with a singular, moving story about parenting an atypical child. I read it in a single gulp, and you will too.” —Mary Karr, Bestselling author of The Liars' Club and Cherry Matthew Zapruder had an idea: to write a poem as slowly and intentionally as possible, to preserve its drafts, and record the painstaking, elusively transcendent stuff of its construction. It would be the end cap to a new collection of poetry, and a means to process modern American life in a time of political turmoil, mega fires, and sobriety. What Zapruder didn’t anticipate was that this literary project would reveal a deeply personal aspect as well: a way to resolve the unexplored pain and unexpected joys he was confronting in the wake of his son’s diagnosis with autism. The result is a remarkable piece of writing, one that explores not just what it means to be a poet and father, but also what it means to be alive on this planet during this turbulent and extraordinary time. By comparing the writing of a poem with his own tangled evolution as a son, husband and father, Zapruder unfolds moments of his own life in the reflection of an increasingly uncanny world. With a wide range of reference points— from Celan, Li Bai and Frank O’Hara to Whitman, Merwin and Rupi Kaur—we join Zapruder on a poet’s journey; that in some alchemy of literature, becomes a journey of our own. Ultimately, the poet asks us to join with him in the search for a crucial answer. In his words: “What world can we imagine, and then make, where we all can live?” With Story of a Poem celebrated poet Matthew Zapruder offers a personal, deeply unguarded examination of a poet’s eternal struggle to transform a moment of feeling into verse, as well as a subtle and enthralling roadmap to the practice of poetry and finding its threads in everyday life. The vinyl audiobook is currently available for preorder on limited edition opaque orange vinyl with an alternate vinyl audiobook cover design, including abridged narration by Matthew Zapruder with music by Matthew Zapruder and The Claudius Birdman Quartet, featuring Josh Haden, Butch Norton, Matt Chamberlain, Roberto Infante, Andrew Bush, Kevonkj, and Larry Kanarian. Recorded by Andrew Bush at Grandma's Warehouse, Chatsworth, California, and Sound City, Van Nuys, California, November 2022. Mixed by Andrew Bush and Roberto Infante Mastered by Jeff Woolery Manufactured by A to Z/CZ in the Czech Republic. Preorder exclusively through www.northfigbookshop.com

In Double Talkin’ Jive, legendary drummer Matt Sorum takes music lovers behind the scenes of a remarkable life in rock. Sorum, whose albums have sold tens of millions of copies around the world, provides an honest, engaging account of the highs and lows of superstardom. Sorum recounts his childhood years idolizing Ringo Starr and surviving an abusive stepfather. After leaving high school, Sorum sold pot to get by. Over time, his drug dealing escalated to smuggling large quantities of cocaine, a career that came to a halt following a dramatic shoot-out. Sorum fled his old life and settled in Hollywood, where he’d enjoy a rapid ascension to rock ’n’ roll immortality. He caught his big break drumming for the Cult, and only a year later was invited to join Guns N’ Roses, with whom he’d record two of rock’s most iconic albums: Use Your Illusion 1 and 2. The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee and Grammy Award–winning Sorum opens up with forthright honesty, sharing anecdotes from his time touring the globe, battling drug and alcohol addiction, as well as working with Axl Rose, one of the greatest frontmen in rock, Slash and the rest of the GNR team. His career with the Cult, Guns N’ Roses, Velvet Revolver, Motörhead, the Hollywood Vampires, and Kings of Chaos costars an ensemble of rock royalty, from Billy Idol to Steven Tyler, Billy F Gibbons, and Alice Cooper. Double Talkin’ Jive goes beyond the clichés of sex, drugs, and rock ’n’ roll, telling the very human story of what it takes to make it in music, and the toll stardom exacts from those who achieve success. Sorum invites fans to revel in the debauchery of the good times, but also paints a stark portrait of life after the party. Music fans of any generation will find value in the pages of this evocative, thoughtful, and candid autobiography. “Matt lights up rooms, corridors, clubs, theaters, arenas, and stadiums with the kind of infectious rock ’n’ roll energy that is increasingly becoming obsolete. His dedication to his craft remains virtually peerless, and when the sticks are resting, you’ll have to go a long way to find someone cooler in rock ’n’ roll. Dive into these shenanigan-saturated pages immediately and find out for yourself!" —Lars Ulrich, Metallica “A colorfully dark look into the f * * * ed-up psyche of a legendary and badass drummer. I want to read it over and over.” —Jonas Åkerlund, director of Spun and Lords of Chaos Available in hardcover, e-book, and audiobook, including a signed limited-edition hardcover with vinyl audiobook bundle, narrated and performed by Matt Sorum Signed bundles available at rarebirdlit.com Trade hardcover, e-book, and audiobook formats wherever books are sold. Hardcover and E-Book Distributed by Publishers Group West Audiobook Published and Distributed by Recorded Books/Tantor Media Author Site: mattsorum.com

In Double Talkin’ Jive, legendary drummer Matt Sorum takes music lovers behind the scenes of a remarkable life in rock. Sorum, whose albums have sold tens of millions of copies around the world, provides an honest, engaging account of the highs and lows of superstardom. Sorum recounts his childhood years idolizing Ringo Starr and surviving an abusive stepfather. After leaving high school, Sorum sold pot to get by. Over time, his drug dealing escalated to smuggling large quantities of cocaine, a career that came to a halt following a dramatic shoot-out. Sorum fled his old life and settled in Hollywood, where he’d enjoy a rapid ascension to rock ’n’ roll immortality. He caught his big break drumming for the Cult, and only a year later was invited to join Guns N’ Roses, with whom he’d record two of rock’s most iconic albums: Use Your Illusion 1 and 2. The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee and Grammy Award–winning Sorum opens up with forthright honesty, sharing anecdotes from his time touring the globe, battling drug and alcohol addiction, as well as working with Axl Rose, one of the greatest frontmen in rock, Slash and the rest of the GNR team. His career with the Cult, Guns N’ Roses, Velvet Revolver, Motörhead, the Hollywood Vampires, and Kings of Chaos costars an ensemble of rock royalty, from Billy Idol to Steven Tyler, Billy F Gibbons, and Alice Cooper. Double Talkin’ Jive goes beyond the clichés of sex, drugs, and rock ’n’ roll, telling the very human story of what it takes to make it in music, and the toll stardom exacts from those who achieve success. Sorum invites fans to revel in the debauchery of the good times, but also paints a stark portrait of life after the party. Music fans of any generation will find value in the pages of this evocative, thoughtful, and candid autobiography. “Matt lights up rooms, corridors, clubs, theaters, arenas, and stadiums with the kind of infectious rock ’n’ roll energy that is increasingly becoming obsolete. His dedication to his craft remains virtually peerless, and when the sticks are resting, you’ll have to go a long way to find someone cooler in rock ’n’ roll. Dive into these shenanigan-saturated pages immediately and find out for yourself!" —Lars Ulrich, Metallica “A colorfully dark look into the f * * * ed-up psyche of a legendary and badass drummer. I want to read it over and over.” —Jonas Åkerlund, director of Spun and Lords of Chaos Available in hardcover, e-book, and audiobook, including a signed limited-edition hardcover with vinyl audiobook bundle, narrated and performed by Matt Sorum Signed bundles available at rarebirdlit.com Trade hardcover, e-book, and audiobook formats wherever books are sold. Hardcover and E-Book Distributed by Publishers Group West Audiobook Published and Distributed by Recorded Books/Tantor Media Author Site: mattsorum.com

In Double Talkin’ Jive, legendary drummer Matt Sorum takes music lovers behind the scenes of a remarkable life in rock. Sorum, whose albums have sold tens of millions of copies around the world, provides an honest, engaging account of the highs and lows of superstardom. Sorum recounts his childhood years idolizing Ringo Starr and surviving an abusive stepfather. After leaving high school, Sorum sold pot to get by. Over time, his drug dealing escalated to smuggling large quantities of cocaine, a career that came to a halt following a dramatic shoot-out. Sorum fled his old life and settled in Hollywood, where he’d enjoy a rapid ascension to rock ’n’ roll immortality. He caught his big break drumming for the Cult, and only a year later was invited to join Guns N’ Roses, with whom he’d record two of rock’s most iconic albums: Use Your Illusion 1 and 2. The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee and Grammy Award–winning Sorum opens up with forthright honesty, sharing anecdotes from his time touring the globe, battling drug and alcohol addiction, as well as working with Axl Rose, one of the greatest frontmen in rock, Slash and the rest of the GNR team. His career with the Cult, Guns N’ Roses, Velvet Revolver, Motörhead, the Hollywood Vampires, and Kings of Chaos costars an ensemble of rock royalty, from Billy Idol to Steven Tyler, Billy F Gibbons, and Alice Cooper. Double Talkin’ Jive goes beyond the clichés of sex, drugs, and rock ’n’ roll, telling the very human story of what it takes to make it in music, and the toll stardom exacts from those who achieve success. Sorum invites fans to revel in the debauchery of the good times, but also paints a stark portrait of life after the party. Music fans of any generation will find value in the pages of this evocative, thoughtful, and candid autobiography. “Matt lights up rooms, corridors, clubs, theaters, arenas, and stadiums with the kind of infectious rock ’n’ roll energy that is increasingly becoming obsolete. His dedication to his craft remains virtually peerless, and when the sticks are resting, you’ll have to go a long way to find someone cooler in rock ’n’ roll. Dive into these shenanigan-saturated pages immediately and find out for yourself!" —Lars Ulrich, Metallica “A colorfully dark look into the f * * * ed-up psyche of a legendary and badass drummer. I want to read it over and over.” —Jonas Åkerlund, director of Spun and Lords of Chaos Available in hardcover, e-book, and audiobook, including a signed limited-edition hardcover with vinyl audiobook bundle, narrated and performed by Matt Sorum Signed bundles available at rarebirdlit.com Trade hardcover, e-book, and audiobook formats wherever books are sold. Hardcover and E-Book Distributed by Publishers Group West Audiobook Published and Distributed by Recorded Books/Tantor Media Author Site: mattsorum.com

In Double Talkin’ Jive, legendary drummer Matt Sorum takes music lovers behind the scenes of a remarkable life in rock. Sorum, whose albums have sold tens of millions of copies around the world, provides an honest, engaging account of the highs and lows of superstardom. Sorum recounts his childhood years idolizing Ringo Starr and surviving an abusive stepfather. After leaving high school, Sorum sold pot to get by. Over time, his drug dealing escalated to smuggling large quantities of cocaine, a career that came to a halt following a dramatic shoot-out. Sorum fled his old life and settled in Hollywood, where he’d enjoy a rapid ascension to rock ’n’ roll immortality. He caught his big break drumming for the Cult, and only a year later was invited to join Guns N’ Roses, with whom he’d record two of rock’s most iconic albums: Use Your Illusion 1 and 2. The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee and Grammy Award–winning Sorum opens up with forthright honesty, sharing anecdotes from his time touring the globe, battling drug and alcohol addiction, as well as working with Axl Rose, one of the greatest frontmen in rock, Slash and the rest of the GNR team. His career with the Cult, Guns N’ Roses, Velvet Revolver, Motörhead, the Hollywood Vampires, and Kings of Chaos costars an ensemble of rock royalty, from Billy Idol to Steven Tyler, Billy F Gibbons, and Alice Cooper. Double Talkin’ Jive goes beyond the clichés of sex, drugs, and rock ’n’ roll, telling the very human story of what it takes to make it in music, and the toll stardom exacts from those who achieve success. Sorum invites fans to revel in the debauchery of the good times, but also paints a stark portrait of life after the party. Music fans of any generation will find value in the pages of this evocative, thoughtful, and candid autobiography. “Matt lights up rooms, corridors, clubs, theaters, arenas, and stadiums with the kind of infectious rock ’n’ roll energy that is increasingly becoming obsolete. His dedication to his craft remains virtually peerless, and when the sticks are resting, you’ll have to go a long way to find someone cooler in rock ’n’ roll. Dive into these shenanigan-saturated pages immediately and find out for yourself!" —Lars Ulrich, Metallica “A colorfully dark look into the f * * * ed-up psyche of a legendary and badass drummer. I want to read it over and over.” —Jonas Åkerlund, director of Spun and Lords of Chaos Available in hardcover, e-book, and audiobook, including a signed limited-edition hardcover with vinyl audiobook bundle, narrated and performed by Matt Sorum Signed bundles available at rarebirdlit.com Trade hardcover, e-book, and audiobook formats wherever books are sold. Hardcover and E-Book Distributed by Publishers Group West Audiobook Published and Distributed by Recorded Books/Tantor Media Author Site: mattsorum.com

In Double Talkin’ Jive, legendary drummer Matt Sorum takes music lovers behind the scenes of a remarkable life in rock. Sorum, whose albums have sold tens of millions of copies around the world, provides an honest, engaging account of the highs and lows of superstardom. Sorum recounts his childhood years idolizing Ringo Starr and surviving an abusive stepfather. After leaving high school, Sorum sold pot to get by. Over time, his drug dealing escalated to smuggling large quantities of cocaine, a career that came to a halt following a dramatic shoot-out. Sorum fled his old life and settled in Hollywood, where he’d enjoy a rapid ascension to rock ’n’ roll immortality. He caught his big break drumming for the Cult, and only a year later was invited to join Guns N’ Roses, with whom he’d record two of rock’s most iconic albums: Use Your Illusion 1 and 2. The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee and Grammy Award–winning Sorum opens up with forthright honesty, sharing anecdotes from his time touring the globe, battling drug and alcohol addiction, as well as working with Axl Rose, one of the greatest frontmen in rock, Slash and the rest of the GNR team. His career with the Cult, Guns N’ Roses, Velvet Revolver, Motörhead, the Hollywood Vampires, and Kings of Chaos costars an ensemble of rock royalty, from Billy Idol to Steven Tyler, Billy F Gibbons, and Alice Cooper. Double Talkin’ Jive goes beyond the clichés of sex, drugs, and rock ’n’ roll, telling the very human story of what it takes to make it in music, and the toll stardom exacts from those who achieve success. Sorum invites fans to revel in the debauchery of the good times, but also paints a stark portrait of life after the party. Music fans of any generation will find value in the pages of this evocative, thoughtful, and candid autobiography. “Matt lights up rooms, corridors, clubs, theaters, arenas, and stadiums with the kind of infectious rock ’n’ roll energy that is increasingly becoming obsolete. His dedication to his craft remains virtually peerless, and when the sticks are resting, you’ll have to go a long way to find someone cooler in rock ’n’ roll. Dive into these shenanigan-saturated pages immediately and find out for yourself!" —Lars Ulrich, Metallica “A colorfully dark look into the f * * * ed-up psyche of a legendary and badass drummer. I want to read it over and over.” —Jonas Åkerlund, director of Spun and Lords of Chaos Available in hardcover, e-book, and audiobook, including a signed limited-edition hardcover with vinyl audiobook bundle, narrated and performed by Matt Sorum Signed bundles available at rarebirdlit.com Trade hardcover, e-book, and audiobook formats wherever books are sold. Hardcover and E-Book Distributed by Publishers Group West Audiobook Published and Distributed by Recorded Books/Tantor Media Author Site: mattsorum.com

In Double Talkin’ Jive, legendary drummer Matt Sorum takes music lovers behind the scenes of a remarkable life in rock. Sorum, whose albums have sold tens of millions of copies around the world, provides an honest, engaging account of the highs and lows of superstardom. Sorum recounts his childhood years idolizing Ringo Starr and surviving an abusive stepfather. After leaving high school, Sorum sold pot to get by. Over time, his drug dealing escalated to smuggling large quantities of cocaine, a career that came to a halt following a dramatic shoot-out. Sorum fled his old life and settled in Hollywood, where he’d enjoy a rapid ascension to rock ’n’ roll immortality. He caught his big break drumming for the Cult, and only a year later was invited to join Guns N’ Roses, with whom he’d record two of rock’s most iconic albums: Use Your Illusion 1 and 2. The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee and Grammy Award–winning Sorum opens up with forthright honesty, sharing anecdotes from his time touring the globe, battling drug and alcohol addiction, as well as working with Axl Rose, one of the greatest frontmen in rock, Slash and the rest of the GNR team. His career with the Cult, Guns N’ Roses, Velvet Revolver, Motörhead, the Hollywood Vampires, and Kings of Chaos costars an ensemble of rock royalty, from Billy Idol to Steven Tyler, Billy F Gibbons, and Alice Cooper. Double Talkin’ Jive goes beyond the clichés of sex, drugs, and rock ’n’ roll, telling the very human story of what it takes to make it in music, and the toll stardom exacts from those who achieve success. Sorum invites fans to revel in the debauchery of the good times, but also paints a stark portrait of life after the party. Music fans of any generation will find value in the pages of this evocative, thoughtful, and candid autobiography. “Matt lights up rooms, corridors, clubs, theaters, arenas, and stadiums with the kind of infectious rock ’n’ roll energy that is increasingly becoming obsolete. His dedication to his craft remains virtually peerless, and when the sticks are resting, you’ll have to go a long way to find someone cooler in rock ’n’ roll. Dive into these shenanigan-saturated pages immediately and find out for yourself!" —Lars Ulrich, Metallica “A colorfully dark look into the f * * * ed-up psyche of a legendary and badass drummer. I want to read it over and over.” —Jonas Åkerlund, director of Spun and Lords of Chaos Available in hardcover, e-book, and audiobook, including a signed limited-edition hardcover with vinyl audiobook bundle, narrated and performed by Matt Sorum Signed bundles available at rarebirdlit.com Trade hardcover, e-book, and audiobook formats wherever books are sold. Hardcover and E-Book Distributed by Publishers Group West Audiobook Published and Distributed by Recorded Books/Tantor Media Author Site: mattsorum.com

In Double Talkin’ Jive, legendary drummer Matt Sorum takes music lovers behind the scenes of a remarkable life in rock. Sorum, whose albums have sold tens of millions of copies around the world, provides an honest, engaging account of the highs and lows of superstardom. Sorum recounts his childhood years idolizing Ringo Starr and surviving an abusive stepfather. After leaving high school, Sorum sold pot to get by. Over time, his drug dealing escalated to smuggling large quantities of cocaine, a career that came to a halt following a dramatic shoot-out. Sorum fled his old life and settled in Hollywood, where he’d enjoy a rapid ascension to rock ’n’ roll immortality. He caught his big break drumming for the Cult, and only a year later was invited to join Guns N’ Roses, with whom he’d record two of rock’s most iconic albums: Use Your Illusion 1 and 2. The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee and Grammy Award–winning Sorum opens up with forthright honesty, sharing anecdotes from his time touring the globe, battling drug and alcohol addiction, as well as working with Axl Rose, one of the greatest frontmen in rock, Slash and the rest of the GNR team. His career with the Cult, Guns N’ Roses, Velvet Revolver, Motörhead, the Hollywood Vampires, and Kings of Chaos costars an ensemble of rock royalty, from Billy Idol to Steven Tyler, Billy F Gibbons, and Alice Cooper. Double Talkin’ Jive goes beyond the clichés of sex, drugs, and rock ’n’ roll, telling the very human story of what it takes to make it in music, and the toll stardom exacts from those who achieve success. Sorum invites fans to revel in the debauchery of the good times, but also paints a stark portrait of life after the party. Music fans of any generation will find value in the pages of this evocative, thoughtful, and candid autobiography. “Matt lights up rooms, corridors, clubs, theaters, arenas, and stadiums with the kind of infectious rock ’n’ roll energy that is increasingly becoming obsolete. His dedication to his craft remains virtually peerless, and when the sticks are resting, you’ll have to go a long way to find someone cooler in rock ’n’ roll. Dive into these shenanigan-saturated pages immediately and find out for yourself!" —Lars Ulrich, Metallica “A colorfully dark look into the f * * * ed-up psyche of a legendary and badass drummer. I want to read it over and over.” —Jonas Åkerlund, director of Spun and Lords of Chaos Available in hardcover, e-book, and audiobook, including a signed limited-edition hardcover with vinyl audiobook bundle, narrated and performed by Matt Sorum Signed bundles available at rarebirdlit.com Trade hardcover, e-book, and audiobook formats wherever books are sold. Hardcover and E-Book Distributed by Publishers Group West Audiobook Published and Distributed by Recorded Books/Tantor Media Author Site: mattsorum.com

In Double Talkin’ Jive, legendary drummer Matt Sorum takes music lovers behind the scenes of a remarkable life in rock. Sorum, whose albums have sold tens of millions of copies around the world, provides an honest, engaging account of the highs and lows of superstardom. Sorum recounts his childhood years idolizing Ringo Starr and surviving an abusive stepfather. After leaving high school, Sorum sold pot to get by. Over time, his drug dealing escalated to smuggling large quantities of cocaine, a career that came to a halt following a dramatic shoot-out. Sorum fled his old life and settled in Hollywood, where he’d enjoy a rapid ascension to rock ’n’ roll immortality. He caught his big break drumming for the Cult, and only a year later was invited to join Guns N’ Roses, with whom he’d record two of rock’s most iconic albums: Use Your Illusion 1 and 2. The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee and Grammy Award–winning Sorum opens up with forthright honesty, sharing anecdotes from his time touring the globe, battling drug and alcohol addiction, as well as working with Axl Rose, one of the greatest frontmen in rock, Slash and the rest of the GNR team. His career with the Cult, Guns N’ Roses, Velvet Revolver, Motörhead, the Hollywood Vampires, and Kings of Chaos costars an ensemble of rock royalty, from Billy Idol to Steven Tyler, Billy F Gibbons, and Alice Cooper. Double Talkin’ Jive goes beyond the clichés of sex, drugs, and rock ’n’ roll, telling the very human story of what it takes to make it in music, and the toll stardom exacts from those who achieve success. Sorum invites fans to revel in the debauchery of the good times, but also paints a stark portrait of life after the party. Music fans of any generation will find value in the pages of this evocative, thoughtful, and candid autobiography. “Matt lights up rooms, corridors, clubs, theaters, arenas, and stadiums with the kind of infectious rock ’n’ roll energy that is increasingly becoming obsolete. His dedication to his craft remains virtually peerless, and when the sticks are resting, you’ll have to go a long way to find someone cooler in rock ’n’ roll. Dive into these shenanigan-saturated pages immediately and find out for yourself!" —Lars Ulrich, Metallica “A colorfully dark look into the f * * * ed-up psyche of a legendary and badass drummer. I want to read it over and over.” —Jonas Åkerlund, director of Spun and Lords of Chaos Available in hardcover, e-book, and audiobook, including a signed limited-edition hardcover with vinyl audiobook bundle, narrated and performed by Matt Sorum Signed bundles available at rarebirdlit.com Trade hardcover, e-book, and audiobook formats wherever books are sold. Hardcover and E-Book Distributed by Publishers Group West Audiobook Published and Distributed by Recorded Books/Tantor Media Author Site: mattsorum.com

The first full-length collaboration between Mark Lanegan and Joe Cardamone—as Dark Mark vs. Skeleton Joe—will release later next year as a co-release between Rare Bird and Kitten Robot. However, in the meantime, preorders are available now for a very special limited edition 12" single featuring "Dark Mark Theme" b/w "Skeleton Joe Manifesto." This is a sample download link from the record. Mark LaneganJoe CardamoneScreaming The Icarus LineQueens of the Stone Age

The first full-length collaboration between Mark Lanegan and Joe Cardamone—as Dark Mark vs. Skeleton Joe—will release later next year as a co-release between Rare Bird and Kitten Robot. However, in the meantime, preorders are available now for a very special limited edition 12" single featuring "Dark Mark Theme" b/w "Skeleton Joe Manifesto." This is a sample download link from the record.

World champion wrestler and author of Wrestling with Angels, John Hanrahan talks with hall of fame wrestler and seven time world wrestling champion Lee Kemp, author of Winning Gold! Join them as they talk wrestling, getting through the tough times, and what they're up to now! Get John's book anywhere you buy books and Lee's book at leekemp.com.

Karen Stefano is the author of "What A Body Remembers: A Memoir of Sexual Assault And Its Aftermath" (Rare Bird Books 2019). She is also the author of the short story collection "The Secret Games of Words" (1GlimpsePress 2015) and the how-to business writing guide, "Before Hitting Send" (Dearborn 2011). Paul Alan Ruben’s fiction and non-fiction has appeared in print and online publications, including The Washington Post, Connotation Press, The Good Men Project and AudioFile Magazine. As an audiobook producer/director, he has received two Grammy Awards for Best Spoken Word. His debut short story collection, Terms of Engagement: Stories of the Father and Son, was published in November, 2018. Paul lives in Brooklyn, NY

On this last episode of "The Publicist Speaks", Jessica hosts JJ Anselmi to discuss his new book "DOOMED TO FAIL: THE INCREDIBLY LOUD HISTORY OF DOOM, SLUDGE, & POST-METAL". Jessica and JJ share their experiences with metal and the completely opposite ways they have experienced this massive genre of music. By the end of this episode, both Jessica & JJ decide that they are both one of the doomed.

J.J. Anselmi is the author of Doomed to Fail: The Incredibly Loud History of Doom, Sludge, and Post-metal; and Heavy: A Memoir of Wyoming, BMX, and Heavy Fucking Music. He’s played drums in several heavy bands, including In the Company of Serpents and Former Worlds. He’s currently the drummer of Drainage, a sludgy metalcore band from Long Beach, California. Lou Brutus, for lack of a better term, is a Professional Music Fan. He’s lives the dream of millions by traveling the Earth attending concerts and interviewing rock stars. He’s spent his life blasting tunes on the radio, becoming the first to play all your favorite bands, and gaining access to literally thousands of music events. He has severe hearing damage. Lou has smoked weed with Hunter S. Thompson and Snoop Dogg, chugged ale with Spinal Tap’s “Stonehenge” dwarfs, been in a tour bus that ran over a guy on the NJ Turnpike, and puked on the floor of many of the world’s most prestigious concert venues. He also sings in a couple of crazy bands, one of which has gotten him death threats. If he sells enough copies of this book, he will buy a KISS pinball machine. Brutus lives outside Washington, DC with his family, including Darla the Wonder Dog, subsisting on a diet of black coffee, Rock N Roll, and tinnitus.

Today's episode explores the life and influence of Joan Didion. From New York to California, Joan Didion left her mark across the generations. Steffie Nelson, editor of SLOUCHING TOWARDS LOS ANGELES, joins our host Jessica to talk about what it is like to be a woman in a man's world.

J.J. Anselmi is the author of Doomed to Fail: The Incredibly Loud History of Doom, Sludge, and Post-metal; and Heavy: A Memoir of Wyoming, BMX, and Heavy Fucking Music. He’s played drums in several heavy bands, including In the Company of Serpents and Former Worlds. He’s currently the drummer of Drainage, a sludgy metalcore band from Long Beach, California. Sam McPheeters was born in Ohio and raised in upstate New York. In 1981, at age twelve, he co-authored Travelers Tales: Rumors and Legends of the Albany-Saratoga Region. Starting in 1989, he sang for Born Against, Men's Recovery Project, and Wrangler Brutes, touring seventeen times across North America, Europe, and Japan. Since 2009, he has written for Criterion, Vice, and The Village Voice, among others. He currently lives in Pomona, CA, with his wife.

Karen Stefano is the author of the memoir, What A Body Remembers: A Memoir of Sexual Assault And Its Aftermath (Rare Bird, 2019). She is also the author of the short story collection The Secret Games of Words (1GlimpsePress, 2015) and the how-to business writing guide, Before Hitting Send (Dearborn, 2011). Her work has appeared in Ms. Magazine, The Rumpus, Psychology Today, California Lawyer, The South Carolina Review, Tampa Review, Epiphany, Volume 1 Brooklyn, and many other journals and magazines. Laura Bogart is the author of Don't You Know I Love You (Dzanc, 2020). She is a featured writer at The Week, and a contributing editor to DAME magazine. She was a featured writer at Salon, where her essays about body image, dating, politics, and violence went viral.

Jessica the podcast guru and John DeSimone, author of THE ROAD TO DELANO, discuss the things that influenced John and his writing. John tells our host about secondhand bookstores, his research into migrant worker conditions & so much more on his 'road to this novel'.

L.A.-based writer and editor Steffie Nelson recently edited the essay collection, Slouching Towards Los Angeles: Living and Writing by Joan Didion’s Light, published in February 2020 by Rare Bird Books. She also co-authored Judson: Innovation in Stained Glass, coming in March 2020 from Angel City Press. Throughout her career as a style and culture journalist, Steffie has contributed to The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, L.A. Review of Books, W Magazine and many others, bringing a curious mind and a refined eye to her subjects. Stacie Stukin is a journalist and essayist who was born and raised in Los Angeles. Her byline has appeared in the Los Angeles Times, The New York Times, W Magazine, and Architectural Digest. She is currently working on a novel.