By: Erin Dyer An irregularly issued magazine with unique content, FOUND Magazine, hits Houston at the end of this month as part of its 10th Anniversary Tour– “My Heart Is An Idiot.” FOUND Magazine is composed of various love letters, poems, photos, diary entries, prison letters, personal notes, and more; with origins varying from Los Angeles to Louisiana, Sweden to North Korea and beyond. These original ephemera included in the magazine are submitted by their finders, who discovered them on the street, in a used couch, in a library book, or somewhere of the like. The magazine and its corresponding ... Read More »

Here we are in November. The election hysteria will soon melt into apathy so Americans can turn their attention to a matter of actual importance- holiday shopping. Thanksgiving remains the only barrier between Americans and our sinful pastime of insatiable consumption; but that hardy American tradition of festive gluttony hasn’t stopped dedicated consumers from making their list and adding to it twice a day. Now, I can’t deny the joy that blushes in my cheeks this time of year. My hands are still stained in last year’s acidic cranberry sauce and the magnetic gunk of stocking lint. I/we need something to remind us that the injustices don’t ... Read More »

Houston is well-known for experimental music/noise and risk-taking performance art, but the literary landscape is rather safe, tepid, and bland. Poet / translator / interpreter / educator / collaborator / organizer / interdisciplinary artist John Pluecker is trying to change that. Read More »

When I tell someone I’m a literature major the responsible question emerges,“So, like, what are you gonna do with that?” My honest response to this honest question for the past six months has been, “WWI Ariel Combat Fighter.” People look at me like my answer is indicative of some humorous charade. It is not. Upon graduating, I will enlist in the Royal Air Force of 1917, climb into the cockpit of an Airco D.H.5., and scale the European skies, doing my bid to be sure my country folk never need to kiss the belt buckle of Kaiser Wilhelm II. “No, seriously.” The post-grad maturation progression inspectors ... Read More »

In a city holding one of the most successful creative writing programs in the nation, consistent and attractive literary events must be available for students and faculty alike to exhibit their projects and seek inspiration. Since the economic downturn has threatened so called “frivolous and extra” curriculums like UH’s creative writing program, accessible artistic productions are more crucial now than ever in guaranteeing the preservation of a diverse and opportunistic education. Thus enter foundations like Public Poetry. Although Public Poetry is infantile aside some of Houston’s more robust organization, they have quickly become a stable patron, encouraging and cultivating the writing scene in Houston. Every first Saturday of ... Read More »

You know what the politicians say (what their focus groups tell them you want to hear), you know what the pundits say (whatever will get them more ratings), and you know what the comics say (whatever will get them a cheap laugh)--now come hear the poets. Read More »

In the age of Facebook and Twitter, the humble DIY charm of the Zine is something that should make people stop and take notice.  Let’s face it, social media is a cold, self-serving interaction between users seeking instant feedback from each other but Zines are different; a person sits completely alone for some time with his or her work and carefully crafts an object for someone else to interact with and hold in their hands with no promise that the creator will ever know how it was received.  The focus here is on the object and not the author and ... Read More »

I’m a sucker for eccentric, edgy titles. That whole saying “never judge a book by its cover” is a poor principle to live by. If it wasn’t for choosing volumes based on a shallow and misguided notion, then I would not have been bedazzled by the content behind such gallant names as: Fear and Trembling, Jesus and Anarchy, Ethics of Ambiguity, Existentialism is a Humanism, Screwtape Letters, Ecce Home, and the scroll rolls on. Naturally, when I saw that an author of a book entitled Delicate Edible Birds would be doing a reading at the Jung Center on October 3rd, I thought, “Yes, I like eating ... Read More »