SECTION TWELVE

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COLUMN NINETY-SIX, SEPTEMBER 1, 2003
(Copyright © 2003 The Blacklisted Journalist)

I WILL BOW DOWN TO ILL HEALTH BUT I WON'T QUIT

(Photo by Myles Aronowitz)

"My best years may be gone. 
But I would not wish them back.
Not with the fire I have in me now."
--Samuel Beckett

hello everyone. well yes i'm down but not out. due to increasing ill health (2 lung aneurysms, & possibly another 2 nights ago, plus hyper-inflated lungs due to emphysema) i'm having to make radical work schedule changes. 

i'm taking a year or more, possibly permanent, sabbatical from editing, publishing, and producing events. i've edited 600+ titles, published 300+ titles, & produced 800+ events. my hope is that some of the young people i've worked with will take up where i'm leaving off & carry on the work. i have several manuscripts. some of you have manuscripts you are preparing to send me. i'll be glad to send the ones i have to Wasteland Press. plus those of you preparing to send manuscripts can send them directly to Wasteland Press. Wasteland Press, po box 21486, Louisville, Kentucky 40221-0486.

there are no guarantees with this publisher. i'm merely offering a suggestion. I presently have one book with Wasteland Press, Beaver Dam Rocking Chair Marathon. I am looking for another publisher. i love editing & publishing & producing events. most people don't realize the amount of time required to edit one poem much less an entire volume of poems. or to edit a novel. or to produce one 2-hour Music & Poetry event. much less a 48 or 72-hour Insomnicacathon with 60 bands and a 100 poets. or to find the monies to fund the publishing & CD & event projects. i've done all i can in these arenas. 

with passion. with compassion. with fire. with love. i encourage someone(s) to take up the torch.

i will continue giving readings/performances (solo & with others including The Viking Hillbilly Apocalypse Revue). I will continue recording. I will have more time to write the numerous books I have started. I will find new publishers willing to publish my books. and new record labels willing to produce my CDs. 

I thank ALL of You who have worked with me in various numerous capacities over the years. despite the challenges it has all been worth it. 

Taylor Hanforth, los angeles, is now managing my official website, www.tappingmyownphone.com . James Walck, philadelphia, is now my videographer & may be producing a documentary. He is doing same for my friend Frank Messina. Frank introduced me to James. I will continue working with folks all over the world.
I look forward to working with all of You as poet, writer, teacher. 

Long Live the global literary renaissance!!!

May God/Great Spirit bless ALL of You Always. May You ALL be filled with the Holy Spirit.

Ron Whitehead
poet

http://www.tappingmyownphone.com  ##

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