Bare-Knuckled Lit: The Best of WRITE CLUB

by Ian Belknap (Editor)

Bare-Knuckled Lit is a collection of some of the funniest, most persuasive, and deliciously pugnacious essays from the live lit phenomenon WRITE CLUB. At the vanguard of the nation’s burgeoning live lit scene, WRITE CLUB features compelling performers reading their own riveting prose in a growing number of shows in cities across the continent. Founded in Chicago in 2010 by the perennially irritable Ian Belknap, WRITE CLUB is monthly literary smackdown that pits writers against each other to defend opposing Light vs. Dark, Fate vs. Free Will, Vampires vs. Bare-Knuckled Lit comprises some 30 essays by a variety of writers from WRITE CLUB shows across the continent, arranged in head to head bouts. The pieces are necessarily short and tackle a variety of topics, from feather- to heavy-weight. Some of the country’s funniest, most thoughtful, and deeply irreverent writers are represented Samantha Irby, Daniel Shapiro, Josh Zagoren, Dave Stinton, Nick Tecosky, Myke Johns, Casey Childers, Steven Westdahl, and others.

Genres: Essays

152 pages, Paperback

First published April 8, 2014

Reviews

[Ian Belknap · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full disclosure: I'm co-editor and contributor.

Fuller disclosure: having my name on the cover of a book is a no-fooling dream come true.

I launched WRITE CLUB because it was the show that had yet to exist, but which I needed.

I have found an expanding tribe of like-minded persons - in four cities so far, with more on the way.

This book is not a culmination - it's a snapshot of where WRITE CLUB has been recently.

Hopefully you'll read it and get bit by this bug.

And hopefully there'll be more such anthologies in future.

Kill. Crush. Destroy. But in a good way.

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

WORDS THAT WERE ONCE YELLED ARE PUT ONTO PAPER SO THE BATTLE CONTINUES.

[Daniel Shapiro · Rating 5 out of 5]

I mean, I pretty much just read the part that I wrote over and over. I don't read a lot. The part I wrote was good though. But I sincerely apologize for the joke about showing up late to the movies. Didn't think it was that bad at the time. Sorry. Not kidding. Other than that what I wrote was absolutely amazing, astounding and brought me to torrential orgasm. I'm sure the rest of the book is great too.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

oh how I miss you, dear Write Club.