In the previous two issues of Four Minutes to Midnight we’ve featured work by an American poet named FA Nettelbeck. I discovered Nettelbeck on the old vispoets forum, ranting at the powerlessness of the “visual poetry” on display and discussion there. I contacted him, showed him my shit, and asked if he would be interested in submitting something to issue 9 of Four Minutes. He did, and I was blown away. As I read up on his story I was floored…

Nettelbeck has shared the stage, the page and probably quite a few drinks with the likes of William S. Burroughs, Allen Ginsberg, Jack Micheline, Wanda Coleman, Charles Bukowski, John Giorno and John M. Bennett. His own writing is some of the most brutal, honest, powerful and ugly (yet sublimely beautiful) poetry I have ever read. Long marginalised, he lives and writes from the margins, Sprague River Valley, reminding me of this beautiful quote from Bell Hooks.

The eleventh issue of Four Minutes to Midnight will be dedicated to FA Nettelbeck’s Happy Hour, a collection of original poems written and (to be) designed specifically for this publication (although you can get a taste on his blog). We received the manuscript last week and needless to say, we’re incredibly excited.

This is important, and we hope you’ll join us for the ride…