Someone recently described reading Rick Lupert's work as a similar experience to getting kicked in the teeth. He responded by recommending a good dentist. This was a sham as he had not been to the dentist in several years. The best he could do would be to front with 1-800-DENTIST and hope for the best. By the way, this book was not endorsed by 1-800-DENTIST but the author wishes them the best. What exactly does it mean to be one's own Orange County? It's about being self critical. When you read your poetry in Orange County, you'll find the audience more interactive; often critiquing your poem outloud while you read it. (It's not that he doesn't think dental hygiene is important. He brushes and flosses every day. His teeth are fine. He has no problem smiling with his mouth open. In fact, he is doing so right now.) This is Lupert's second book. It features many of the poems he'd had published various places, as well as things so special that only he agreed to publish them.
About the Author: Rick Lupert has been involved in the Los Angeles poetry community since 1990. He served for two years as a co-director of the Valley Contemporary Poets, a twenty-three year old non-profit organization which produces a regular reading series and publications out of the San Fernando Valley. His poetry has appeared in numerous magazines and literary journals, including The Los Angeles Times, Chiron Review, Zuzu's Petals, Caffeine Magazine, Blue Satellite and others. He recently edited A Poet's Haggadah: Passover through the Eyes of Poets anthology and is the author of eleven books: Paris: It's The Cheese, I Am My Own Orange County, Mowing Fargo, I'm a Jew. Are You?, Feeeding Holy Cats, Stolen Mummies, I'd Like to Bake Your Goods, A Man With No Teeth Serves Us Breakfast (Ain't Got No Press), Lizard King of the Laundromat, Brendan Constantine is My Kind of Town (Inevitable Press) and Up Liberty's Skirt (Cassowary Press). He has hosted the long running Cobalt Café reading series in Canoga Park since 1994 and is regularly featured at venues throughout Southern California. Rick created and maintains the Poetry Super Highway, a major internet resource for poets. (PoetrySuperHighway.com) Currently Rick works as the music teacher and graphic and web designer for Temple Ahavat Shalom in Northridge, CA and for anyone who would like to help pay his mortgage.