Publisher’s Description

The Selected Poetry Series presents individual collections by some of today’s top poets in the fields of science fiction, fantasy, and horror. Each book is illustrated by a well-known genre artist and published as a paperback in a limited run of 150 numbered copies signed by both the author and the artist.

“The Selected Poetry series continues to bring forth the most notable SF/F/H poetry of the mostly small press.” –Tom Piccirilli

Edited by poet Bobbi Sinha-Morey, this entry collects 36 of Michael Arnzen’s best poems. Copiously illustrated by artist Renate Müller, each volume features an introduction by Wayne Edwards and John Grey, respectively.

Praise

“Darkness has seldom had a more astute and imaginative chronicler…Arnzen is good and he sounds like no one else.”
– John Grey, from the introduction

“Much of what scares and repels Arnzen is close to home, though it may have legendary referents… Horror fans will like these books.” –Fosfax

“Michael Arnzen represents everything good about horror and speculative poetry…Writhing in Darkness is an excellent retrospective that provides an even-handed overview of Arnzen’s poetry, fiercely augmented by Renate Müller’s elegant art. Given a specific interest in Arnzen’s work or a general interest in literate, horrific poetry, you have excellent reasons to buy this set.” –Wayne Edwards, LipDink

Contents

VOLUME I:

Introduction by Wayne Edwards
Writhe
Brazilian Night
Exogenesis
Glarewolves
In the Box
Chew Again
In Daddy’s Workshop
Rockface
The Night the Nativity Set Came Alive
After the Neo-Dark Age
Morning: Cryogenic Sleep Chamber
Varicose
Jesus Wept, But
So Say the Dead
The Rub
Frothing
Lunge
Eclipse of Reason
Dried Red Leech Found in Dusty Notebook

VOLUME II:

Introduction by John Grey
Awake
The Poem Wall
Green
Harvest Soliloquy Silent
The Astronaut’s Camping Trip
Feelers
Wine
Watching You Dance Between Punchlines
Stand Up Comic
Censorship
Rest Note
Stripper
Darkroom Cuts
Commute
Smoker
Double Burial
Memorabilia

Excerpt

A sample page from Volume 1, featuring atmospheric art by Renate. [If you can't read the excerpt below, visit scribd.com/Arnzen for alternatives.]

Sample Page from WRITHING IN DARKNESS by Michael Arnzen

Audio

Here is an audio recording of the lead poem from this title, “Writhe,” recorded in 2007 with musical background by Arnzen as a “DVD extra” for the movie, Exquisite Corpse. It also appears on the rare “Live and Vile” audio EP (2009).

“Writhe” | [Download .mp3]

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Specs

Title: Writhing in Darkness (2 Volume Set)
Author: Michael A. Arnzen
Publisher: Dark Regions Press, 1997
No ISBN, about 32 pp. each
Signed by Arnzen and Müller/Limited to 125 copies each vol.
Out of Print

Related Links

• Proverbs for Monsters — also published by Dark Regions — features some poetry from Writhing
• Return to Books and Other Creative Works