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A Choir of Honest Killers
A Choir of Honest Killers , Buddy Wakefield's first new book of prose and poetry in eight years, is an episodic novel exploring his creative climb out of the gritty underbelly of anger and shame, into the dissolution of tragedy addiction and the unmistakable clearing ahead.
Having toured the world performing poetry for the last eighteen years, navigating the blunt loneliness of life on the road and a rotating cast of unlikely antagonists, Buddy keenly unpacks topics like the intense overcompensation of his masculinity, growing up terribly queer in the south, the detriments of public shame, a toxic fear of intimacy and the devastation of a failed major relationship. Wakefield revs up for his relay race to the light with refreshing humor and insight by finding meditation as the love of his life, accepting bliss and learning to let go.
While the poetry in A Choir of Honest Killers undeniably throws plenty of insightful punches, it's the through-story about moving from devastation to frequent serendipity that gives the book pace. But it's worth noting, as Wakefield writes, “Perfect probably isn't what you think it is.”
Wakefield is ultimately catapulted through collective misery, landing in a sustainably joyful life governed by awareness, equanimity and a constant thorough understanding of impermanence. A Choir of Honest Killers is the result of a lifetime of intense work, fervent seeking and largely takes aim at an exodus from tragedy addiction, into the transmutation of his self-admitted density.
Having toured the world performing poetry for the last eighteen years, navigating the blunt loneliness of life on the road and a rotating cast of unlikely antagonists, Buddy keenly unpacks topics like the intense overcompensation of his masculinity, growing up terribly queer in the south, the detriments of public shame, a toxic fear of intimacy and the devastation of a failed major relationship. Wakefield revs up for his relay race to the light with refreshing humor and insight by finding meditation as the love of his life, accepting bliss and learning to let go.
While the poetry in A Choir of Honest Killers undeniably throws plenty of insightful punches, it's the through-story about moving from devastation to frequent serendipity that gives the book pace. But it's worth noting, as Wakefield writes, “Perfect probably isn't what you think it is.”
Wakefield is ultimately catapulted through collective misery, landing in a sustainably joyful life governed by awareness, equanimity and a constant thorough understanding of impermanence. A Choir of Honest Killers is the result of a lifetime of intense work, fervent seeking and largely takes aim at an exodus from tragedy addiction, into the transmutation of his self-admitted density.
- GenresPoetryBiography Memoir
205 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2019
15 people are currently reading
133 people want to read
About the author
Buddy Wakefield
14 books167 followersBUDDY WAKEFIELD is the two-time Individual World Poetry Slam Champion featured on NPR, the BBC, HBO’s Def Poetry Jam, and most recently signed to Ani DiFranco’s Righteous Babe Records. In 2004 he won the Individual World Poetry Slam Finals thanks to the support of anthropologist and producer Norman Lear then successfully defended that title at the International Poetry Festival in Rotterdam, Netherlands against the national champions of seven European countries with works translated into Dutch.
In 2005 he won the Individual World Poetry Slam Championship again and has gone on to share the stage with nearly every notable performance poet in the world in hundreds of venues internationally from The Great Lawn in Central Park and Scotland’s Oran Mor to San Quentin State Penitentiary, House of Blues New Orleans and First Avenue.
In the spring of 2001 Buddy left his position as the executive assistant at a biomedical firm in Gig Harbor, WA, sold or gave away everything he owned, moved to the small town of Honda Civic and set out to live for a living, touring North American poetry venues through 2003. He still tours full time and considers annual Revival tours with Derrick Brown and Anis Mojgani, as well as separate tours with Ani DiFranco, to be the highlight of his career thus far.
Born in Shreveport, LA, mostly raised in Baytown, TX, now claiming Seattle, WA as home, Buddy has been a busker in Amsterdam, a lumberjack in Norway, a street vendor in Spain, a team leader in Singapore, a re-delivery boy, a candy maker, a street sweeper, a bartender, a maid, a construction worker, a bull rider, a triathlete and a sucker for anything unfolding. And for peanut butter. And hygiene. Wakefield is a writer, the elated son of a guitar repair woman, wingman of Giant Saint Everything, and remembers Kirkwood, NY. Sanborn too.
Buddy, a Board of Directors member with Youth Speaks Seattle, is honored to be published internationally in dozens of books with work used to win multiple national collegiate debate and forensics competitions. An author of Write Bloody Publishing, Wakefield is known for delivering raw, rounded, high vibration performances of humor and heart.
In 2005 he won the Individual World Poetry Slam Championship again and has gone on to share the stage with nearly every notable performance poet in the world in hundreds of venues internationally from The Great Lawn in Central Park and Scotland’s Oran Mor to San Quentin State Penitentiary, House of Blues New Orleans and First Avenue.
In the spring of 2001 Buddy left his position as the executive assistant at a biomedical firm in Gig Harbor, WA, sold or gave away everything he owned, moved to the small town of Honda Civic and set out to live for a living, touring North American poetry venues through 2003. He still tours full time and considers annual Revival tours with Derrick Brown and Anis Mojgani, as well as separate tours with Ani DiFranco, to be the highlight of his career thus far.
Born in Shreveport, LA, mostly raised in Baytown, TX, now claiming Seattle, WA as home, Buddy has been a busker in Amsterdam, a lumberjack in Norway, a street vendor in Spain, a team leader in Singapore, a re-delivery boy, a candy maker, a street sweeper, a bartender, a maid, a construction worker, a bull rider, a triathlete and a sucker for anything unfolding. And for peanut butter. And hygiene. Wakefield is a writer, the elated son of a guitar repair woman, wingman of Giant Saint Everything, and remembers Kirkwood, NY. Sanborn too.
Buddy, a Board of Directors member with Youth Speaks Seattle, is honored to be published internationally in dozens of books with work used to win multiple national collegiate debate and forensics competitions. An author of Write Bloody Publishing, Wakefield is known for delivering raw, rounded, high vibration performances of humor and heart.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
December 29, 2019
A phenomenal collection of openness, words I didn’t know I needed, and what it sounds like being present. Even the thank you section pulled at my heart strings enough to evoke tears (the good kind). I’m so glad to have a physical copy next to my bed to revisit.
August 2, 2025
Buddy has long been my favorite poet. Lines he wrote have changed my life. This was a delightful book. Prose mixed with live poetry, music, and side quests. It was a wonderful audio program.
My favorite parts were the prose. I enjoyed the story. Revealing parts of his story. I am not sure what is true and what isn’t, it doesn’t matter. Buddy lives for a living.
A story about heartbreak, travel, silent meditation retreats, serendipity, 100% friends, and more.
I liked the last poem, a mix of his other poems
Did they get back together, did he become an actor? The book ended unexpectedly. I still loved it
My favorite parts were the prose. I enjoyed the story. Revealing parts of his story. I am not sure what is true and what isn’t, it doesn’t matter. Buddy lives for a living.
A story about heartbreak, travel, silent meditation retreats, serendipity, 100% friends, and more.
I liked the last poem, a mix of his other poems
Did they get back together, did he become an actor? The book ended unexpectedly. I still loved it
June 17, 2020
⭐ 4+ ⭐
Buddy Wakefield was the first poet, maybe the first writer, who really made me feel SEEN. His writing affected me on a deep, visceral level, and Live for a Living and Gentleman Practice got me through some of the lowest points of my life. So I was stoked as hell to finally get my hands on his newest work. And while this book felt different to Buddy's older books, I had the same visceral gut punch reaction to his writing that made me love him in the first place. This book felt raw, like the baring of a soul, and I felt privileged to witness it.
Buddy Wakefield was the first poet, maybe the first writer, who really made me feel SEEN. His writing affected me on a deep, visceral level, and Live for a Living and Gentleman Practice got me through some of the lowest points of my life. So I was stoked as hell to finally get my hands on his newest work. And while this book felt different to Buddy's older books, I had the same visceral gut punch reaction to his writing that made me love him in the first place. This book felt raw, like the baring of a soul, and I felt privileged to witness it.
February 1, 2020
This isn't what I had anticipated it to be. Buddy really leaves himself out bare and raw for all of us with this. Peeking into what his life is to him, everyday, how he's survived and overcome. Bleeding it all out.
December 31, 2019
First book and real exposure to this author/poet and WOW - blown away. Dog-earred the copy I bought. Would recommend to anyone with a brain.
November 5, 2021
May whichever Gods you claim bless you, Buddy Wakefield. And thank you.
March 2, 2023
Brutal. Honest. Raw. Familiar.
December 21, 2024
Buddy reminded me what it feels like to be alive
August 2, 2025
Wonderful. I had chance to meet Buddy and see him perform live in Brighton England along with Andrea Gibson. Wonderful to hear his words again in audiobook format.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews