New Short Fiction Collection Is a "Pocket Full of Loose Razorblades"

Hyattsville, MD (PRWEB) October 7, 2005

Afterbirth Books has just released Pocket Full of Loose Razorblades, a collection of short fiction by John Edward Lawson. A frontrunner in the Bizarro literary genre, Lawson’s work is already known among those in the fringe literature scene. This book is distributed by Ingram as well as by Baker & Taylor.

The book officially debuted at Horrorfind Weekend 2005 with an author reading and signing. The author’s next appearance will be at World Fantasy Convention 2005 in Madison, Wisconsin November 3-6. More events will be announced soon. In the meantime he will be hosting online chat sessions every Wednesday afternoon from 3-4 p.m. EST at http://www.MondoBizarroForum.net.

Book Description:

This collection highlights dark surrealism at its most experimental and absurd depths. The texts are perception-altering and soul-poisoning, humorous in the way that accidental amputation and spontaneous combustion are. From the man who works at the foot fungus factory to the man who lives in a giant rectum, Pocket Full of Loose Razorblades will leave you wondering where you misplaced your sanity.

Critical Commentary:

"Lawson's tales here, many of which are experimental in a way that defies standard storytelling, are uniformly strange...when Lawson's firing on all synapses he's got a gift for the surreal that makes you follow him into the weirdest, wettest places with a smile on your face."

—Jeremy Robert Johnson for Dark Discoveries magazine

"The thing that surprised me most about Pocket Full of Loose Razorblades was not its quality, but its intensity. The absurd, obscene images and scenarios that make these stories so original do not in any way distract from their intelligence and emotion. No matter how bizarre, Lawson writes with a deadly seriousness appropriate only to the book's title."

—Kevin Dole 2, author of Tangerinephant

"Knowing that John Edward Lawson is loose in the world not only makes me nervous, but whips me into a hot lather as well. His characters are hopelessly ensnarled in a world they never made...so they remake it in their own twisted images. If you like fiction that gropes into your psyche and rearranges the chromosomes, then this is for you. If you're into Jane Smiley and her ilk, you better go somewhere else."

—Efrem Emerson, author The Unauthorized Woman

"Once again, John Lawson takes a jackhammer to the crotch of mainstream fiction. This collection of beautifully-crafted stories is more disturbing than a wet fart in a crowded elevator, and prettier than a whore three weeks dead. His razorblade candy will render you a godless gibbering heathen, and you'll enjoy every last minute of it." —Alyssa Sturgill, author Spider Pie

About the Author:

John Edward Lawson is a Bizarro author, editor, and publisher living just outside Washington, DC. His poetry collections include The Troublesome Amputee (forthcoming), The Plague Factory, The Horrible, and The Scars Are Complimentary. Fiction includes the novel Last Burn in Hell and several chapbooks. While serving as editor-in-chief of Raw Dog Screaming Press and The Dream People webzine, John has also been editor of the anthologies Tempting Disaster, Sick, and Of Flesh and Hunger. Spy on him at http://www.johnlawson.org.

About Bizarro:

The recently-established Bizarro genre blends elements of many traditional genres while using unexpected content to allow readers new views of the world. This approach often draws comparisons to films such as Eraserhead and Santa Sangre. Bizarro is truly international, featuring authors such as Steve Aylett (UK), Kenji Siratori (Japan), Carlton Mellick III (USA), and D. Harlan Wilson (USA) among others. For articles, interviews, discussion boards and more please visit http://www.MondoBizarroForum.net.

About Afterbirth Books:

Afterbirth Books is a publisher of experimental, absurdist fiction, surreal, bizarre, anything-goes fiction. For a full catalog visit http://www.AfterbirthBooks.com. They can also be reached at P.O. Box 6068, Lynnwood, WA. 98036-0068.

# # #