Adam Stutz

It feels impossible to make lasting connections with anyone here in LA, San Diego, or wherever for that matter. I don't feel like it's worth it to try and put myself out there only to be left holding the bag and falling into a pit of resentment, cynicism, despair, and disappointment.

Dumbshitgobounce

Many thanks to @kevinmkearney.bsky.social for organizing Small Press Nite, and to Book Catapult for hosting.
Reading photos: @kevinmkearney.bsky.social, @stutz-writes.bsky.social, @adamvoith.bsky.social

Absolutely honored to read "Bill Murray Encounters Bigfoot" alongside @stutz-writes.bsky.social, @adamvoith.bsky.social, @adamvoith.bsky.social's yellow phone, @shelbyhinte.bsky.social, and @kylerseibel.bsky.social this weekend--such an iconic reading! Thanks to @adamdeutsch.com for the rad photos.

Honored to be reading on March 22 alongside a crew of stunningly-good-looking writers at SMALL PRESS NITE:
@kylerseibel.bsky.social, Shelby hinte,
@adamvoith.bsky.social, & @stutz-writes.bsky.social. Thanks to @kevinmkearney.bsky.social for organizing/hosting (he is also stunningly-good-looking)!

“Go further. Go there. Go out with fire.”

So, I shall.

“Go further. Go there. Go out with fire.” Given the precarious times we find ourselves in, this can also be a mantra of sorts to continue pushing forward despite whatever resistance one may encounter, be it internal or external, writing-related or not.

These three statements redirect my focus towards trying to maintain a simple and unadulterated momentum with writing that all too often feels frustratingly elusive when surrounded by so much noise.

Each of these expressions is inscribed on the inside cover of my notebook. I cherish this guidance because it gets me back to the bare necessity that my writing requires of me.

These are the most instructive pieces of advice that I’ve received regarding writing. Each aphorism was given to me at different points within the last decade by Mark Wallace, Heller Levinson, and Eryn Green respectively.

It reminded me of writing advice that I’ve gotten from mentors and friends: “Go further. Go there. Go out with fire.”

As I sat in an East Hollywood bar with a dear friend of mine, she relayed to me how writing advice to keep her work succinct and direct has made all the difference in keeping her writing honest.

These three statements redirect my focus towards trying to maintain a simple and unadulterated momentum with writing that all too often feels frustratingly elusive when surrounded by so much noise.

Each of these expressions is inscribed on the inside cover of my notebook. I cherish this guidance because it gets me back to the bare necessity that my writing requires of me.

“Go further. Go there. Go out with fire.”

These are the most instructive pieces of advice that I’ve received regarding writing. Each aphorism was given to me at different points within the last decade by Mark Wallace, Heller Levinson, and Eryn Green respectively.

“‘You know what?’ is not the best conversation starter” - Nico Vassilakis

That Super Bowl was a gift for black artists. Kendrick showed us a way forward in this time of facism. Coded language. Storytelling. Aggressive humor and joy. Elevated artistry in the place of mere entertainment. Not obeying in advance. Saying the thing that respectability doesn’t want us say.

Sister Rosetta Tharpe singing with guitar.

Sister Rosetta Tharpe singing with guitar. Go off dimples!!

Feb 12 – Sister Rosetta Tharpe (1915–1973)
Before Elvis. Before Chuck Berry. A queer Black woman invented rock & roll. Sister Rosetta Tharpe shredded the electric guitar and changed music forever. Give her credit. #BlackWomenRock #BHM

@jamellebouie.net Incredible column today! As usual, your arguments are brilliant and incisive and cut at the heart of the regime’s insidious ploys. Thank you!

I’m honored to open for @kylerseibel.bsky.social, Shelby hinte, @robbiemaakestad.bsky.social, and @adamvoith.bsky.social at Small Press Nite at Book Catapult in San Diego. Thank you to @kevinmkearney.bsky.social for organizing the event!

I would happily let Denmark purchase California.

I have three small poems that I was fortunate enough to have published in the Sonora Review. Thank you to Dillon Clark and Nellie Papsdorf for taking these pieces and giving them a home. Link to the work is in my bio. ❤️

I’ve been naive enough to believe that awkward, earnest enthusiasm and affection could win out and that authentic friendships could flourish.

I feel like such a fool, especially here in L.A.

It never ceases to amaze me how naive I can still be.

For so long I’ve wanted to believe that these relationships aren’t based on credentials, peddling influence, or possessing cachet, and that genuine friendship in these spaces is possible.

A huge part of me has never wanted to accept that so many relationships/interactions in the lit world are primarily transactional.

I shared this to my IG profile earlier today, but I thought it worthwhile to share it here as well, if anything to at least provide an opportunity for sharing some vulnerability.

In the flesh! Proofs of Nathaniel Mackey’s chapbook BY BENT LIGHT have arrived. Forthcoming from The Bodily Press

fundraising.fracturedatlas.org/the-bodily-p...

I’m glad they made it!

Thank you again to @robmclennan.bsky.social for publishing our exchange in @periodicities.bsky.social!