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A. Razor

Goodreads Author

Born

in Brooklyn NY, The United States

Website

http://www.razor13.blogspot.com

Genre

Poetry, Historical Fiction, Nonfiction

Influences

Wanda Coleman, Scott Wannberg, Situationist International, surrealists ...more

Member Since

January 2013

URL

https://www.goodreads.com/arazor

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A. Razor was born in Brooklyn, N.Y. in 1963, but was brought to California at the age of 1. He was raised with a strong desire to read and write, but an even greater desire to survive his circumstances, which has aided his experience and longevity so far. He began writing and publishing around 1980 in various underground zines and publications, first in the Los Angeles area, then ever expanding outward from there as he was discovered by Drew Blood Press, Ltd. in 1984, where he published 11 chapbooks up to 1995. He has read his work at many readings and spoken word events over the years and been published in many types of publications, ranging from those that are considered reputable to those that are of ill repute. He has fought hard to li A. Razor was born in Brooklyn, N.Y. in 1963, but was brought to California at the age of 1. He was raised with a strong desire to read and write, but an even greater desire to survive his circumstances, which has aided his experience and longevity so far. He began writing and publishing around 1980 in various underground zines and publications, first in the Los Angeles area, then ever expanding outward from there as he was discovered by Drew Blood Press, Ltd. in 1984, where he published 11 chapbooks up to 1995. He has read his work at many readings and spoken word events over the years and been published in many types of publications, ranging from those that are considered reputable to those that are of ill repute. He has fought hard to live and express his art in many different ways and in many different places. He became a member of the Hollywood Institute of Poetics in Los Angeles, CA in 2009. He has participated recently in the Poets In Prison panel at Beyond Baroque and the 2011 ALOUD reading series held at the Downtown Los Angeles Public Library. In 2012 he teamed up with Iris Berry to launch Punk Hostage Press, on which he released 5 titles of his own work and edited 13 more titles from as many writers, Danny Baker, Iris Berry, C.V. Auchterlonie, Carolyn Srygley-Moore, Rich Ferguson, Dennis Cruz, Frank Reardon, Alexandra Naughton, SB Stokes, Hollie Hardy, Hannah Wehr, Maisha Z Johnson and Amy Saul-Zerby. He has collaborated on book cover designs with graphic artist Geoff Melville for many of these books. He co-founded the non-profit group, Words As Works in 2013 and has brought many books and readings into shelters, jails, juvenile halls and helped raise awareness for outreach work using literary arts.

His long anticipated offering, 'Better Than A Gun In A Knife Fight' was released in May, 2012 on Punk Hostage Press, edited by Iris Berry with an introduction by Bucky Sinister.

2012 also saw the release of 'Drawn Blood: Collected Works on D.B.P.,Ltd. 1985-1995', also on Punk Hostage Press and with an introduction by Maureen McNally.

A small, 48-page, commemorative edition of A. Razor's work was released just before December and entitled 'Small Catastrophes in a Big World', edited by the author.

‘Beaten Up Beaten Down’ was released on Punk Hostage Press the 22nd of November, 2012. It features an eclectic mix of writing styles, both poetic and prosaic, that reflect on the contemporary influences on the culture of this most marginal of artists. S.A. Griffin provides the colorful and apt Introduction for this book.

2013 witnessed the release of a 50 poem collection to celebrate the author's 50th birthday, entitled 'Half-Century Status'.

In 2014 Punk Hostage Press released 'Days of Xmas Poems' which is a collection of poems based on the author's experience of being born on December 25.

2015 will see the long awaited release of the short story collection entitled 'Long Winded Tales of the Low Plains Drifter', Introduction by Jennifer Blowdryer. The highly anticipated collection of poetry, “Puro Purismo”, edited by Mk Chavez, will be coming later this year as well.

His writing has always explored the world that he has sought to be a part of and to rebel against at the same paradoxical moment. He has traveled extensively, seeking and enduring everything from homelessness and imprisonment to serenity and peace.

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A. Razor’s books

Average rating: 4.71 · 261 ratings · 23 reviews · 21 distinct works

	Better Than A Gun In A Knife Fight... 4.82 avg rating — 49 ratings — published 2012 — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Daughters of Bastards by Iris Berry, Geoff Melville (Illustrator), A. Razor (Goodreads Author) (Editor) 4.55 avg rating — 44 ratings — published 2012 — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	You could never objectify me more than I've already objectified myself by Alexandra Naughton (Goodreads Author), A. Razor (Goodreads Author) (Editor) 4.46 avg rating — 35 ratings — published 2015 — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Drawn Blood: Collected Works from D.B.P.Ltd., 1985-1995 4.84 avg rating — 19 ratings — published 2012 — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Beaten Up Beaten Down 4.94 avg rating — 18 ratings — published 2012 — 4 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Small Catastrophes in a Big World 4.67 avg rating — 18 ratings — published 2012 — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Half-Century Status 4.89 avg rating — 9 ratings — published 2013 — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Days of Xmas Poems it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 1 rating	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Puro Purismo 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Days of Xmas Poems 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

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A. Razor's Blog

Talking Paper Interview Series: A. Razor

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A. Razor has read Stealing the Midnight from a Handful of Days by Michele McDannold (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
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Quotes by A. Razor (?)

“Neva hate hustle, just hate bein' hustled.”
― A. Razor

4 likes

Topics Mentioning This Author

topics	posts	views	last activity
Punk Hostage Press: Better Than A Gun In A Knife Fight by A. Razor	1	4	Mar 31, 2014 11:09AM
Punk Hostage Press: Drawn Blood: Collected Works from D.B.P.Ltd., 1985-1995 by A. Razor	1	1	Mar 31, 2014 11:15AM
Punk Hostage Press: Small Catstrophes in a Big World by A. Razor	1	2	Mar 31, 2014 11:26AM
Punk Hostage Press: Half-Century Status by A. Razor	1	2	Mar 31, 2014 11:38AM
Punk Hostage Press: Talking Paper Interview Series: A. Razor	1	4	Oct 06, 2015 11:35AM

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A.’s Quotes

“Neva hate hustle, just hate bein' hustled.”
― A. Razor

4 likes

“Many have referred to [Lewis] Carroll's rhymes as nonsense, but in my childhood world — Los Angeles in the '50s — they made perfect sense.”
― Wanda Coleman, The Riot Inside Me: More Trials and Tremors

tags: poetry

5 likes

“Life moves on, whether we act as cowards or heroes. Life has no other discipline to impose, if we would but realize it, than to accept life unquestioningly. Everything we shut our eyes to, everything we run away from, everything we deny, denigrate or despise, serves to defeat us in the end. What seems nasty, painful, evil, can become a source of beauty, joy, and strength, if faced with an open mind. Every moment is a golden one for him who has the vision to recognize it as such”
― Henry Miller

tags: inspirational

838 likes

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A.’s Groups

Punk Hostage Press — 374 members — last activity Feb 19, 2020 09:45AM
Punk Hostage Press is a not-for-profit book publishing imprint that also acts as a an outreach program to connect writers and contemporary literature ...more

Goodreads Authors/Readers — 55516 members — last activity 1 minute ago
This group is dedicated to connecting readers with Goodreads authors. It is divided by genres, and includes folders for writing resources, book websit ...more

Poetiscape w/ Rich Ferguson — 8 members — last activity Jul 13, 2016 03:32AM
Poetiscape studies the landscape of poetry in all its various manifestations. BROADCASTS Poetiscape w/ Rich Ferguson and Yvonne De la Vega | http:/ ...more

Goodreads Librarians Group — 301550 members — last activity 2 minutes ago
Goodreads Librarians are volunteers who help ensure the accuracy of information about books and authors in the Goodreads' catalog. The Goodreads Libra ...more

Goodreads Los Angeles — 367 members — last activity Jun 07, 2020 11:05AM
A group for Los Angeles readers and writers.

Q&A with author Leslie C. Ferdinand — 12 members — last activity May 22, 2013 01:59PM
Author Leslie C. Ferdinand will answer questions about her books and her writing habits.

Words As Works — 135 members — last activity Sep 03, 2016 02:09PM
Words As Works With this non-profit venture we hope to coordinate with other publishers, authors, editors, promoters, journalists and further our ef Words As Works With this non-profit venture we hope to coordinate with other publishers, authors, editors, promoters, journalists and further our efforts to build a community with those who are also doing similar works. We also want to connect with more programs in schools, juvenile literacy programs, inpatient treatment centers, mental health facilities, detoxification units, homeless/housing shelters & programs, women's shelters, social service providers, city and county jails, state and federal prisons, halfway houses, outpatient programs, librarians, teachers, counselors, case managers, curriculum builders, creative writing programs for at risk youth or adult services. We are aware of many who are already engaged in this work and we want to reach and become connected to many more in order to grow a network for ourselves and for others to use freely in order to expand the reach of contemporary literature and enlarge its usefulness for those who benefit the most from this support. This effort comes from the heart and is founded in our personal experiences with literacy, books and literature being very strong guiding points on the road to recovery and rehabilitation as well as getting a better start in life for at risk youth. We hope to disseminate books from independent publishers and to set up and conduct readings with the authors that wrote these books in order to give not only the gift of the books themselves, but the personal interaction with the writers and publishers who produce the books. A future goal would be to conduct creative writing groups and hopefully allow participants to empower themselves into self-expression and learning their own creative process that is supported by their peers. Also, to encourage publishing opportunities for the works of these participants in chapbooks, anthologies and even support the beginning of publishing concerns that would become the participants own within these programs or outside of the support structure provided by Words As Works. ...more

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