If it wasn’t for Richard Brautigan, I would not be a writer today.

 Brautigan based himself out of the West Coast and in honor of my upcoming West Coast tour, I have been re-romancing his poetry as well as his novels. You really otter check out his work. You can buy compilations and re-prints of his books, but do try to find originals! It is like the difference between vinyl and your iPod.

 I am so eager for the West Coast tour! I am getting to share a stage with some of my favorite authors! Mindy Nettifee, Anis Mojani, Paul G. Maziar, Michael Roberts, Karen Finneyfrock, click on their names to find out more about them. Also, I’ll visit Write Bloody headquarters and meet the captain himself, Derrick Brown! Click on his name to see his shiny new website!

 A bit about me and why I am super happy about going out west…

 I was born in Colorado Springs, CO in 1983, then was a tiny tot in Woomera, Australia before moving to California at the age of 4 where I lived until I was 13, minus a brief spell in the state of Washington at the age of 8 (my father was a soldier, if you haven’t guessed).

 Anyhow, all that to say, even though I spent my formative years in Iowa (ages 13-17) and have returned here every time I run out of money (ages all the time), California has always had a buttery-honey-homey warmth to me.

 Interestingly enough, my dear friend, Aaron Ward, who will be touring with me, spent his early years in California! We didn’t know this about one another until just recently. I’m from equal parts Morro Bay and Santa Clara. He is from up north, Sacramento-ish, if I remember correctly.

 Aaron Ward is a videographer and will be documenting the tour. There will be video blogs posted on this website, as well as a West Coast tour DVD released once we are back.

 Here’s to The Golden State, The Beaver State, and The Evergreen State!

 See you soon!

Everything is outstanding in North Carolina! From the careening mountain adventure delivering Asheville’s cooing affection to the lushy-gushy ancient trees spangling Charlotte’s edgy cityscape, I found myself soaked with its pulchritude and swimming in the vivaciousness of its people.

The show in Charlotte was rip-roaring. I was the opener for local music heros The Houstons and Andy The Doorbum. Andy and I traded merch and I haven’t been able to stop rocking out to his album. Remember, when you scroll over names of places, people, bands, etc. I have usually made a link to a webpage for it/them. Also, the pictures in these posts provide a caption when scrolled over.

I was also able to visit with an old pal of mine from when I lived in Colorado ten years ago. He moved to North Carolina, where he is from, and started a family. I had visited him there a few times but had not been back, or seen him at all, for six years! It was marvelous to catch up, super surreal to meet his wife and children.

Asheville was most resplendant! I adore mountain towns, they feel so hallowed to me. The people both at the show and who hung out afterward were some of the most altrustic personalitites I’ve ever met. 

Many smiles. Much laughter.

Ames IA! Home of Iowa State University and ooooh! how those students love poetry! Thanks to all who showed their delightful mugs. Special thanks to my friend and mentor, Jim Coppoc, for booking the show.

New shows posted! Pacific Northwest, you are so good to me!

There is nothing like the inspiration gleaming from the verve of high school students sharing their poetry. Also, the acceptance of my work from these young artists, who will come along after us in bigger and better ways, is soothing… so edifying. I forgot how unbarred writing was when I was that age.

Thanks for having me, Palatine! The freedom in your writing has me glowing, indeed!

As part of the hipster hoedown known as Emily and Noahs birthday party, my book is going to be on sale! (well, not everywhere, just the ones you buy from me personally) Eleven big ones instead of the usual fifteen. Yup. I’ll be there around 10 tonight with a backpack full of books! Studio 825 on 17th Street. (Sherman Hill neighborhood)

It is true! I will sell books anywhere and everywhere:

With that evidenced in the above image, I ask that you please help Write Bloody Booking book shows for me from May 14th through May 19th in the Pacific Northwest (or even after that in other parts of the world where you could enjoy my woozy wuzzy word-smithing). I have a plane ticket out of Portland, OR on the 20th of May and my last booked show is on the 13th in Spokane, WA.

Thank you for your help! contact: Write Bloody Booking!

I would implore you to go out and buy this record, RIGHT NOW!

Do you like supporting the arts? Good! I thought so!

Did you know that you can help spread the Write Bloody Publishing empire? Here’s how:

- ask EVERY book store you visit if they carry Write Bloody books

- if they say ‘yes’… purchase one! I recommend Karen Finneyfrock’s Ceremony for the Choking Ghost

- if they say ‘no’… look at them with your wildest eyes, demand that they order in one of every title!

Here are some places in Des Moines, IA that you can buy my book right now…

ZZZ Records @ 2200 Ingersoll Ave.

oh! while you’re there, pick up that new Joanna Newsome

Instinct Gallery @ 1408 Locust (the art gallery inside of Des Moines Social Club)

cozy art space ran by my pal Michelle Holley, go home with a rad painting as well!

More retailers to come!

I canceled my KC plans and will be in Des Moines all weekend to help orchestrate a Happy Birthday to my dear friends Emily Svec and Noah Orion!

Find me… buy a book!

What a town! Thank you to everyone who came to my shows. Thank you to everyone who bought books! It was a remarkable venture, indeed. Also, thanks to Josh Grieve for this spectacular site, and to you, commenter, for the warm welcome. Van, call me so I can get a book to you ASAP! I’m in Des Moines for the next week or so.

I was so nervous to read at The Green Mill! To me, everything sounded like it was underwater. My armpit sweat drenched the bottom half of my shirtsleeve! No one seemed to notice, though. Marc Smith is SO nice, so charming. Mike McGee made a surprise visit!!! He told me that he was witnessing history. Such a compliment!

Well, I’ll be doting around Kansas City this weekend, no formal shows are booked though, then Palatine IL on the 30th. I can hardly wait!

Oh yeah, there is a new show added to the tour dates: Ames IA at The M-Shop, April 6th.

Paul G. Maziar, fellow writer and Write Bloody brother, is helping me book some shows in Portland OR on the 7th-8th-9th-ish on May. Check back frequently!

There are talks of a Josh Boyd performance at the nationally acclaimed Des Moines Art Festival (I know what you’re thinking, but it REALLY is nationally acclaimed) at the end of June, this summer. Does anyone want to perform with me? Let me know.

All the best.

Josh