Ginsberg Action Figure

Er, well, maybe not an action figure… Rather, a Ginsberg doll. That’s right, folks, you can now buy an Allen Ginsberg “Beat Poet Figurine“! It “comes with glasses! Book! Cloth Coat! Beaded Necklace! Uncle Sam Hat!”

Link Dump

Here are a few links you might be interested in:

Allen Ginsberg’s fourteen steps for revising poetry

Allen Ginsberg’s poetic practicum

5 Tips from the Beats on how to Write Better

Guest post by Ardin Lalui, a writer inspired by Tom Waits and Cormac McCarthy.

While the beats have gained a reputation for spontaneous, free-flowing, unedited writing, the truth is that usually, good writing takes time and practice. The best beat writers were well aware of this. Here are 5 of their tips on how good writing happens:

Substance Use

Last week, in part one of Beatdom’s literary discussion series, we debated the impact of the Beats (and other writers) on “crap writing”. This week we’re looking at a more controversial topic – that of substance use and abuse, and its impact upon the world of literature.

The Beat Generation, Gonzo Journalism, and Crap Writing

Over at Charles Montgomery’s Korean Literature in Translation website, there is a small discussion on “weird” or “strange” writing. He was discussing a Korean novel that – whilst not entirely awful – seemed only to be strange for the sake of strangeness. I commented that this is something I see a lot as an editor, particularly as an editor of a Beat Generation-themed literary journal.

Hunter S. Thompson & The Lizards

I’ll admit that I’m hardly the first person to notice this, but I don’t generally keep up with the latest movie news unless it’s a project particularly close to my heart. But I couldn’t help raise an eyebrow at the trailer for Johnny Depp’s latest effort: as the voice of a lizard in Rango (2011).

Watch the following video and pay particular attention around 1:47 mins.

Animals, Whores & Dialogue

Wayne Ewing’s newest documentary is about to begin shipping on July 13th, just in time for Hunter S. Thompson’s birthday. Animals, Whores & Dialogue is the sequel – of sorts – to 2003′s classic Breakfast With Hunter.

Beatdom #7 Released!

Beatdom’s seventh issue is now available to buy or to read online for free. Please take a look at our website for more details.

(Here’s the cover…)

Quick Update

I’ve been busy getting issue seven ready these past few weeks, and cconsequently haven’t been updating this blog as much as I’d like. Hopefully that will change after the release, which is scheduled for next month.

The Beatdom Facebook page is doing well. I’m always happy to see people participating. This isn’t the sort of magazine I want people just to read… I want you all to feel like part of the Beatdom family. I know that sounds silly and cheesy… but there you go. It’s true.

Issue Seven Update

About Issue Seven:

Firstly, I apologise for the delay in releasing this issue. Beatdom is a strange beast. As a not-for-profit organisation we don’t have the funding we’d like, and so it takes a while to get things done. All of our regular staff work their own jobs, live their own lives, and contribute their valuable time to making Beatdom what it is.

These past few months have been busier than most. We’ve had the new www.beatdom.com in production for a long time, but it looks set to be worth it. This website will be a drastic improvement on the last.

We’ve also been busy with competitions and internships and all sorts of company growth… but we haven’t entirely put off releasing this seventh issue. Beatdom #7 is set to be a good one.

The theme of this coming issue is “music.” That means we’ll be looking at the relationship between music and literature (specifically the Beats) as well as a few contemporary poems and short stories that deal with the subject of music.

So far we have essays on:

• Hunter S. Thompson and the Music of the 1960s
• John Lennon and the Beat Generation
• Allen Ginsberg and Music
• Jim Carroll
• William S. Burroughs and Rock Music
• Patti Smith, Bob Dylan and Allen Ginsberg
• Bob Dylan and the Beats
• Isaac Bonan is back with some new illustrations!
• We also have interviews, poems and fiction that will blow your minds

Changing Beatdom

The first six issues of Beatdom were a little expensive, and a little difficult to purchase. I think you all for supporting us, and I’ve been trying my hardest (along with everyone at Beatdom) to lower the price, increase distribution and get the magazine into as many hands as possible.

I believe that is about to happen with Issue Seven. The new www.beatdom.com will have its own store, so you don’t need to go to another retailer, and we will send Beatdom to you at what I hope will be around half the regular price. Once all is finalised, we’ll be offering subscriptions at further discounts.