3/12: ALL BOOKED UP--A Double Launch and Literary Lovefest

On Wednesday, March 12th, 6 p.m., Three Rooms Press presents the NYC launch for two new novels: THE WRITERS AFTERLIFE by Richard Vetere and LIGHT OF THE DIDDICOY by Eamon Loingsigh plus VERY special guests, including:

• Christiane Seidel (actress, Boardwalk Empire, Tu & Eu) 
• Anthony Drazan (director, Hurlyburly, Imaginary Crimes) 
• TJ English (author, The Westies, Paddy Whacked) 
• John Duddy (actor, former Irish Middleweight Boxing Champion) 
• Zina Wilde (actress, Friends with Benefits) 
• Danielle Paige (author, Dorothy Must Die) 
• Giada Valenti (Italian singer/songwriter) 
• John McDonagh (host, Radio Free Erieann, WBAI 99.5 fm);

The event will feature readings and signings by both authors plus readings and performances by special guests in support of the two novels. The new books will be available for purchase at the event. 

THE WRITERS AFTERLIFE, by native New Yorker playwright/novelist Vetere, is the hilarious and triumphant tale of a writer given one last chance to realize his lifelong dream—after he dies. Publishers Weekly raves, “In this utterly unique story, novelist Vetere unfolds a caper of inter-dimensional scope. The scenes taking place in the afterlife are written with classic magic-realist gusto.” Playwright Israel Horovitz says, “Vetere is a man with a writer’s soul.” And author Adriana Trigiani (The Shoemaker’s Wife) calls THE WRITERS AFTERLIFE “an original, hilarious and poignant tale of second chances and the triumph of the creative spirit."  

LIGHT OF THE DIDDICOY, author Loingsigh’s debut novel, is the riveting and immersive saga of an Irish gang on the Brooklyn waterfront in the early part of the twentieth century, told through the eyes of young newcomer Liam Garrity. Kirkus Reviews says LIGHT OF THE DIDDICOY “rings with passion and pain.” Foreword Reviews notes, “The dark and compelling Irish American gang lifestyle of early 1900s Brooklyn pulses through this sharp, hardboiled drama.” And famed Irish-American author and actor Malachy McCourt, raves, “LIGHT OF THE DIDDICOY is an amazing series of literary leaps from terra firma into the stratosphere above. Don’t leave the store without this book.”

Le Poisson Rouge: 158 Bleecker Street | NYC | 212-505-FISH | lepoissonrouge.com

Admission is free. Reservations recommended. RSVP: info@threeroomspress.com 

 Three Rooms Press books are distributed by PGW/Perseus.

02/07: NAKED BURROUGHS: 100 Year Tribute to William S. Burroughs feat. PENNY ARCADE

Three Rooms Press presents NAKED BURROUGHS: a 100 Year celebration of Beat icon and postmoderns trailblazer William S. Burroughs on Friday, February 7, at Cornelia Street Cafe. The event will be highlighted by tribute readings and discussions by performance artist and Burroughs associate Penny Arcade, poet Steve Dalachinsky and spoken word artist Kat Georges. Also on tap will be an audience group reading of an excerpt from Burroughs’ iconic masterpiece NAKED LUNCH. Three Rooms Press co-director Peter Carlaftes hosts.

Doors open at 5:45. Admission is $8 which includes a free drink! Cornelia Street Cafe is at 29 Cornelia Street, in the West Village, between W. 4th Street at Bleecker (http://corneliastreecafe.com/).

Info and reservations: info@threeroomspress.com. For additional press details, including photos, interviews and press passes, please call Peter Carlaftes at 212-731-0574.

Information on key performers:

Penny Arcade is a performance artist, actress and playwright, best known for her show Bitch!Dyke!Faghag!Whore!  She has worked with numerous underground film and theater artists including John Vaccaro’s Playhouse of the Ridiculous, Jack Smith, Charles Ludlam, Quentin Crisp and Andy Warhol. She is a co-founder of the Lower East Side Biography Project, an oral history of New York’s Bohemian culture from the 50s to the present.

Steve Dalachinsky is a New York downtown poet and author of the PEN Award-winning book The Final Nite & Other Poems (2006). Dalachinsky's main influences are the Beats, Blake, The Odyssey, obsession, socio-political angst, human disappointment, music (especially Jazz), and visual art with leanings toward abstraction. His work, for the most part is spontaneous and leans towards transforming the image rather than merely describing it, in what he now refers to as transformative description/descriptive transformation.

Kat Georges is a New York spoken word artist, designer and co-director of Three Rooms Press. Her books include the poetry collection Our Lady of the Hunger and Punk Rock Journal. She will read an excerpt from Burroughs’ classic novella Junky.

About the Monthly:

THE MONTHLY at Cornelia Street Cafe, hosted by Three Rooms Press, brings together writers, artists, philosophers and scientists to discuss a monthly theme. Past themes have included women in love, conspiracy theories (on the 50th anniversary of JFK’s assassination), and illegal Leaves of Grass, an exploration of grass-related ideas from Walt Whitman to the War on Drugs.

About Three Rooms Press: 

Three Rooms Press is a New York-based publisher and performing arts producer, founded in 1993. Since its inception, it has served as a leading independent publisher of creative content, including poetry translations, drama and art sourced from the burgeoning international spoken word, music and underground art scenes. In 2011, it expanded its publishing line to include cutting edge work in fiction, creative historical nonfiction, memoir, photography and art. Books include Janet Hamill’s TALES FROM THE ETERNAL CAFE (with an introduction by Patti Smith); MIKE WATT: ON AND OFF BASS, a photo memoir by the great punk rock bass player; and the forthcoming novels THE WRITERS AFTERLIFE by Richard Vetere and LIGHT OF THE DIDDICOY by Eamon Loingsigh.

High Praise for Thomas Fucaloro's It Starts from the Belly and Blooms in Luna Luna Mag Review

Luna Luna Mag was full of high praise for the poetry of Thomas Fucaloro in its recent lengthy review of Thomas Fucaloro's It Starts from the Belly and Blooms (Three Rooms Press, ISBN: 978-09895125-4-1, Feb 2014). 

The reviewer notes: "The book immediately cuts into me like a hot knife, birthing me into the speaker’s world–the first poem is appropriately titled 'Waking up in a bathtub full of ice cubes.' Throughout the collection, bodies, and body parts, are everywhere. Instead of the reader merely observing the speaker, the reader literally is electrified to life by the words." 

Citing the many New York references in Fucaloro's poems, the reviewer raves, "The loneliness, and desire for real human interaction, is so potent, it reminded me of the utter bleakness of Eraserhead." 

Read the complete review here. The book is available for pre-order on Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, and from your favorite independent publisher, Three Rooms Press.

And speaking of Thomas Fucaloro, his poem "Mistakes" was recently published on the Best American Poetry website. A sign of things to come? Better order your copy of IT STARTS FROM THE BELLY AND BLOOMS before the first edition sells out!

Vetere's The Writers Afterlife earns high praise from Publishers Weekly

The Writers Afterlife, a masterful and moving novel by Richard Vetere, is the second forthcoming Three Rooms Press book to garner rave reviews in the month of January from pre-publication industry bible Publishers Weekly:

"In this utterly unique story, novelist Vetere unfolds a caper of inter-dimensional scope. The scenes taking place in afterlife are written with classic magic-realist gusto; those taking place on earth will have readers rooting for Chillo's success."

Read the complete review here. And be sure to preorder the book on Amazon or Barnes and Noble. For industry folks, all Three Rooms Press books are now distributed by Publishers Group West. 

 If you're in NYC and want to discover more about this extraordinary novel, make plans to attend NOVEL IDEAS: Sneak Peeks @ New Books at Barrow Street Theatre Thursday, January 16, 7 pm.  

1/16/14: Director/Playwright Israel Horovitz and Irish Author/Actor Malachy McCourt offer Sneak Peek at TRP Books by Vetere and Loingsigh

 
 Join Three Rooms Press as we present an exclusive sneak peek of forthcoming novels LIGHT OF THE DIDDICOY and THE WRITERS AFTERLIFE with very special guest readers Malachy McCourt and Israel Horovitz as well as authors Eamon Loingsigh and Richard Vetere. NOVEL IDEAS: A sneak peak @ new books will take place Thursday, January 16, 7 pm, at Barrow Street Theatre, 27 Barrow St. (at 7th Ave. South). Tickets $10 cash at the door; bar opens 6:30 pm. For additional information and reservations, please contact Three Rooms Press at info@threeroomspress.com.

About THE WRITERS AFTERLIFE

THE WRITERS AFTERLIFE is a truly original, hilarious and triumphant tale of a writer given one last chance to realize his lifelong dream - after he dies. Tom Chillo, a 44-year-old writer with two novels under his belt, plus countless hack survival jobs, dies suddenly and is faced with one chance to return to earth for one week and set the wheels in motion to achieve eternal fame for his true life's work. Failure is not an option. 

Pre-publication raves have been universal. Adriana Trigiani, author of The Shoemakers’s Wife, notes, “THE WRITERS AFTERLIFE is an original, hilarious and poignant tale of second chances, the role of fate plays in our lives, and the triumph of the creative spirit.” And Anthony Tamburri, dean of the John D. Calandra Italian American Institute, enthuses, “THE WRITERS AFTERLIFE is a literary tale in every sense of word, a wonderful story of perseverance and taking control of one’s own fate.” And Israel Horovitz noted in Newsday, “Richard Vetere is a man with a writer’s soul!” 

Author Richard Vetere is has written more than 30 plays which have been performed worldwide. His 1997 novel, The Third Miracle, was made into the namesake 2000 film produced by Francis Ford Coppola and starring Ed Harris and Anne Heche. 

Writer Israel Horovitz has written more than 70 plays, several of which have been translated into 30 languages and performed worldwide. His Obie award-winning play, The Indian Wants the Bronx, had its world premiere in 1968 with a cast that featured Al Pacino and John Cazale. Horovitz is currently in post-production as writer and director on the film based on his stage-play, My Old Lady, which stars Kevin Kline, Maggie Smith and Kristin Scott Thomas.

THE WRITERS AFTERLIFE, a novel by Richard Vetere, ISBN 978-0-9884008-8-7, Original Trade Paperback, 218 pages, Three Rooms Press, March 2014

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About LIGHT OF THE DIDDICOY

LIGHT OF THE DIDDICOY is the brutal saga of Irish-American gangs on the Brooklyn waterfront in the early part of the twentieth century, told through the eyes of Irish immigrant Liam Garrity. Forced at age 14 to travel alone to America on the eve of the 1916 Easter Rising, Garrity stumbles directly into the hard-knock streets of the Brooklyn pier neighborhoods run by Bridge District gang The White Hand. In the industrialized enclaves where Famine Irish settled a generation earlier, Garrity has no choice but to use any means necessary to survive within the clan-like loyalties of the gang. 

The book has received widespread pre-publication praise from early readers, including McCourt, who raves, “LIGHT OF THE DIDDICOY is an amazing series of literary leaps from terra firma into the stratosphere above. The writing embraces you, and his description of the savagery visited on poor people is offset by the humor and love of the traditional Irish community. Don't leave the store without this book.” 

T.J. English, author of Paddy Whacked and The Westies, enthusiastically applauds the book, saying “LIGHT OF THE DIDDICOY is written with tremendous flavor and panache. Historical fiction at its best.” 

And Alphie McCourt, author of Heartscald, notes, “Eamon Loinsigh is a poet with a pickaxe and a scalpel attached to the working end. Mr. Loingsigh, the meticulous historian, paints a rich picture. Mr. Loingsigh, the novelist, tells it like it was. LIGHT OF THE DIDDICOY is a great read.” 

Author Eamon Loingsigh is a journalist with a long-held fascination for the Irish-American New York City experience. His family emigrated from Ireland in the late nineteenth century and his grandfather and great-grandfather ran a longshoreman’s saloon on Hudson Street in Manhattan for much of the twentieth century. LIGHT OF THE DIDDICOY is his first full-length novel. 

Award-winning Irish-American writer, actor, radio host and memoirist Malachy McCourt is the author of the New York Times bestseller memoir, A Monk Swimming, 2006 Green Party candidate for New York State governor, and younger brother of Frank McCourt (Angela’s Ashes).  A longtime NYC resident, he is a frequent contributor to Newsday, National Geographic, Conscience Magazine and the New York Times. 

LIGHT OF THE DIDDICOY, a novel by Eamon Loingsigh, ISBN 978-0-9884008-9-4, Original Trade Paperback, 230 pages, Three Rooms Press, March 2014 

About THREE ROOMS PRESS 

Three Rooms Press is a New York-based publisher and performing arts producer, founded in 1993. Since its inception, it has served as a leading independent publisher of creative content, including poetry translations, drama and art sourced from the burgeoning international spoken word, music and underground art scenes. In 2011, it expanded its publishing line to include cutting edge work in fiction, creative historical nonfiction, memoir, photography and art and all books are now available via the world’s largest distributor, PGW/Perseus. In addition, Three Rooms Press produces and promotes a variety of literary and cultural events in New York, Paris, Berlin, London, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and more, including readings, plays, workshops and concerts. More info: http://threeroomspress.com  

Publishers Weekly grants starred review for Janet Hamill's Tales from the Eternal Café

Janet Hamill's forthcoming short story collection Tales from the Eternal Café was given a starred review by Publisher's Weekly which raved: 

 "Acclaimed poet Hamill (Body of Water) uses the location of a cafe, a destination long associated with thinkers, dreamers, and conversationalists who dwell there, as the springboard for many of the stories in this rich and diverse debut story collection. Each of the 17 entries dazzles with virtuosity and uniqueness . . . Hamill's dialogue tactfully embraces each setting and her keen eye for the detail is enthralling. Readers will be thoroughly drawn into scenes of love, redemption, belief and delusion as well as alienation and fear in this terrific collection." 

Check out the complete review here. Hamill's book, which includes an introduction by musician/poet/author Patti Smith, is set for a February 11 release date. 

Preorder now on Amazon or bn.com or preorder directly from your favorite publisher, Three Rooms Press! For industry folks, all Three Rooms Press books are now distributed by Publishers Group West.

1/3/2014: 7th Annual NYC Charles Bukowski Memorial Reading

Celebrate the start of the new year with the 7th annual Charles Bukowski Memorial Reading, Jan. 3, 2014, 6pm at Cornelia St. Cafe (29 Cornelia Street, between W. 4th and Bleecker in NYC).

Charles Bukowski was truly one of the few and far between: a champion of the outsider, the lost and lonely, the outcasts from society. His work resonates like none other, revealing the core of what it is to be human—sans electronics—counting on nothing, but ready to win, be it with horses, women or writing. 

The event, held on the first Friday of the new year since 2008, will feature performances of Bukowski poems and tales by a unique cast of hardcore fans including controversial monologist/actor Mike Daisey, playwrights Richard Vetere and Michael Puzzo, poets Angelo Verga and Puma Perl, plus Three Rooms Press co-directors Peter Carlaftes and Kat Georges.

Readers will explore Bukowski’s works with respect to its place in contemporary culture. What would Buk think of ObamaCare? iPhones? Smart drugs? So much seems to have changed since his time—has it really? 

Rare videos of Bukowski, plus giveaways of Buk books, CDs, DVDs and other prizes will highlight the event. Doors open at 5:45. Admission is $12 which includes (naturally) a free drink! Cornelia Street Cafe is at 29 Cornelia Street, in the West Village, between W. 4th Street at Bleecker (http://corneliastreecafe.com/). 

Info and reservations: info@threeroomspress.com 

This year's reading will also toast the one year anniversary of THE MONTHLY at Cornelia Street Cafe, hosted by Three Rooms Press, which brings together writers, artists, philosophers and scientists to discuss a monthly theme. Past themes have included women in love, conspiracy theories (on the 50th anniversary of JFK’s assassination), and illegal Leaves of Grass, an exploration of grass-related ideas from Walt Whitman to the War on Drugs.

Information on key performers:

Mike Daisey is an American monologist, author, actor and raconteur best known for his extemporaneous monologues about Nikola Tesla, L. Ron Hubbard, Steve Jobs and Apple's supply chain in China, the Department of Homeland Security, the history of the New York transit system, 9/11, the inventor of the neutron bomb, Wal-Mart and a variety of other topics. He has recently been touring nationally with his new monologue, THE SECRET WAR about America's relationship with guns. 

Richard Vetere is an American playwright and screenwriter whose work has received international critical acclaim. His most recent work includes the play Last Day, and a novel, Baroque, about Caravaggio and the people he painted in Rome. His authored a recent poetry collection, The Other Colors in a Snow Storm. Movies include The Third Miracle, How to Go Out on a Date in Queens, and the cult classic, Vigilante. His highly-praised new novel, THE WRITERS AFTERLIFE, is due out in March 2014 on Three Rooms Press. 

Michael Puzzo is an American playwright and actor associated with the Labyrinth Theater Company. His new play, Spirits of Exit Eleven, set in a New Jersey strip club/pizza parlor on Halloween had its NYC premiere in 2013 and received high critical praise. He loves Bukowski! 

Peter Carlaftes is a New York-based screenwriter, playwright, actor, poet, and editor. He is the author of 12 plays, including a noir treatment of Knut Hamsun’s Hunger, and the celebrity rehab center spoof, Spin-Dry. He has appeared in numerous Off-Broadway productions, including his comic solo performance piece, Lenny Bruce: Dead & Well, as well as Barefoot in the Park and Stephen Adly Guirgis' Den of Thieves. As an author, Carlaftes has penned three books: A Year on Facebook (humor), Drunkyard Dog and I Fold With The Hand I Was Dealt (poetry) and Triumph for Rent (3 plays). He is a co-director of Three Rooms Press, and has served as editor for the annual Dada journal, Maintenant, the annual short story anthology, Have a NYC, and the recent photography and poetry book by punk rock bassist Mike Watt, On and Off Bass. 

Angelo Verga is a former postal worker, like Bukowski, and curator of the literary events at Cornelia Street Cafe, as well as a teacher, editor and poet. His work has been published in hundreds of journals, and his books include "A Hurricane Is," 3 Poets 4 Peace (Against The Tide, 2003), 33 New York City Poems (Booklyn, 2005) and Praise for What Remains (Three Rooms, 2009). 

Puma Perl is a poet, performance artist and curator, founder of DDAY Productions and author of several poetry collections including: Ruby True, Kunckle Tattoos and Belinda and Her Friends. She notes, "with Bukowski, you can open any book randomly and find a poem to read." 

Kat Georges is a New York-based poet, playwright, performer and designer. In New York since 2003, she has curated poetry readings, performed widely, and written and directed numerous Off-Broadway plays (including Jack Kerouac: Catholic by Larry Myers, and The Old In-and-Out, by Madeline Artenberg and Karen Hildebrand, as well as her own work SCUM: The Valerie Solanas Story, and Art Was Here, a play inspired by Dada predecessor Arthur Cravan). She is co-director of Three Rooms Press. Books include Slow Dance and 120 Beats a Minute, Punk Rock Journal and Our Lady of the Hunger.