Better Than A Gun In A Knife Fight (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9780985129316)

A. Razor was born in Brooklyn, N.Y. in 1963, but was brought to California at the age of 1. He began writing and publishing around 1980 in various underground zines and publications, first in the Los Angeles area, then ever expanding outward from there as he was discovered by Drew Blood Press, Ltd. in 1984, where he published 11 chapbooks up to 1995. He has read his work at many readings and spoken word events over the years and been published in many types of publications, ranging from those that are considered reputable to those that are of ill repute. He became a member of the Hollywood Institute of Poetics in Los Angeles, CA in 2009. He has participated recently in the Poets In Prison panel at Beyond Baroque and the 2011 ALOUD reading series held at the Downtown Los Angeles Public Library. In 2012 he teamed up with Iris Berry to launch Punk Hostage Press, which has released 5 titles of his own work and where he has edited 10 more titles from as many writers, Danny Baker, Iris Berry, C.V. Auchterlonie, Carolyn Srygley-Moore, Rich Ferguson, Dennis Cruz, Frank Reardon, Alexndra Naughton, SB Stokes and Hollie Hardy. He collaborated on book cover designs with graphic artist Geoff Melville for many of these books. 2012 also saw the release of 'Drawn Blood: Collected Works on D.B.P., Ltd.1985-1995', also on Punk Hostage Press and with an introduction by Maureen McNally. 'Beaten Up Beaten Down' was released on Punk Hostage Press the 22nd of November, 2012. It features an eclectic mix of writing styles, both poetic and prosaic, that reflect on the contemporary influences on the culture of this most marginal of artists. S.A. Griffin provides the colorful and apt Introduction for this book. A small, 48-page, commemorative edition of A. Razor's work was released just before December, 2012, entitled 'Small Catastrophes in a Big World', edited by the author. In 2013 a 50 poem collection came out to celebrate the author's 50th birthday, entitled 'Half-Century Status'. Last December in 2014 he released a holiday themed collection, 'Days of Xmas Poems'. 2015 will see the hopeful release of the long awaited collection of short stories, 'Long Winded Tales of the Low Plains Drifter' and the poem/prose book 'Puro Purismo'. His writing has always explored the world that he has sought to be a part of and to rebel against at the same paradoxical moment. He has traveled extensively, seeking and enduring everything from homelessness and imprisonment to serenity and peace.