A few photos of me with my Pure Sleeze Press poetry chapbook AND my Pure Sleeze shirt!

I had meant to share some photos like this well over a month ago, of me wearing my newish Pure Sleeze shirt (which Darryl got me for Xmas) while holding my Pure Sleeze poetry chapbook (Blue Stingers Instead of Wings, published by Pure Sleeze Press in April 2025, with cover art by Chad M. Horn), but the first set of photos I attempted either had half of the chapbook missing or parts of the Pure Sleeze missing off the shirt. Plus on top of that, the older I get the less prone I am to taking selfies because I'm not one of those people who filters my photos, but the older I get, the less I like looking at photos of myself and feeling like I look old (I probably shouldn't say that, but just being honest). But the chapbook is not old and neither is the shirt and you can get one (or both or more than both) for yourself in the Pure Sleeze shop HERE - https://puresleezepress.bigcartel.com/products On a side note, I also have a few copies of my Blue Stingers Instead of Wings chapbook available directly from me or in the Blood Pudding Press shop HERE - https://www.etsy.com/listing/4314653197/new-blue-stingers-instead-of-wings

NEW! I am delighted by this phenomenal new Review of my two most recent poetry chapbooks!

I don't visit my goodreads account every day nor even every week, but I visited it yesterday and was delighted to unexpectedly encounter this phenomenal new review of my two most recent poetry chapbooks ("REVOLTING" published by Cul-de-sac of Blood in November 2024 and "Blue Stingers Instead of Wings" published by Pure Sleeze Press in April 2025)!

The review was written by Scott C. Holstad, a poet I've known for many years (and am currently in the process of reading his recent full-length poetry book, "Surviving Immortality Again" published by Alien Buddha Press 2025).

Here's most of what he had to say:

"It didn't take long into reading this poetry collection (REVOLTING) for me to start saying "Wow!" and "Holy Shit!" and so on. When I finished, I didn't immediately respond but stopped to ponder because Juliet Cook is so very talented, has such a way with words, is such a unique and gifted poet and communicator that I really wanted to soak it all in, perhaps move on to another similar collection of hers (Blue Stingers Instead of Wings) -- which I did, reading them back to back twice -- because I get so much more out of Juliet's work and words than most other contemporary poets, and if I sound biased, I make no apologies. I've had the good fortune to "know" (electronically, never having yet met in person) Ms. Cook for some two decades, and I've seen her grow from an aspiring poet with unique skills to express what others often can't -- or won't -- to a towering literary giant, going places where others are often either too scared or never come back from, and she OWNS things many others can never even see. I've long admired just the very titles of so many of her poems and books -- witness "A Moldy Bathtub Is a Sin and You Must Repent Forever, Because She Said So" or "Hagfish Slime" for example, the latter of which contains lines I can only admire, such as "Screaming instead of / quietly swimming / as they try to swallow me / or throw me away." That is shit I feel I can really relate to, even if I might not want to. I often feel like Juliet does or could speak for me so many times over, as a survivor, observer, truly unique creative entity and I admire her skills so very much.

These words and my reactions apply to Blue Stingers as well, and I mention this because I'd hoped and intended to write a review for each but won't be able to as I've been in the hospital and had to have emergency surgery on my writing hand, while I'm lining up a bigger surgery for the arm and shoulder on the same side, so it's very difficult for me to write/type at the present, and I'm sorry for that. But for what it's worth, these two poetry collections were among the best I've read in a long time, and are among my immediate favorites."

Here's a link to the whole wonderful review and I'll link to the chapbooks near the bottom of this post.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/8031261089

***

This review is a wonderful end of year poetry oriented gift for me.

I certainly don't think of myself as a "towering literary giant", as he refers to me in part of his review. To the contrary, oftentimes in recent years, I tend to think of myself as becoming increasingly invisible poetry-wise, for various different reasons, but at least in part because I don't want to constantly promote myself or try to sell myself to others. I mean, I'm certainly not against self promotion and I do think it's a necessary part of the process when it comes to sharing one's poetry, if you want others to possibly become aware of your creative work. BUT on the other hand, I personally don't want to be one of those writers who comes across as someone who seems to think their creative work is way more special and meaningful and important and worthy of tons of attention than hundreds of other writer's creative work, because how the heck do I know how important my own work is to others?

I know what my poetry means to me. But I'm not going to tell anyone else what it should or shouldn't mean to them, because I don't know. What my poetry means to other people is up to them and I don't want to slam myself in a bunch of people's faces and act like I deserve more attention because how do I know what sort of attention my writing does or doesn't deserve?

Again, I know what my poetry means to me. I don't know what it means to others unless they choose to tell me. Which is part of the reason why unexpected positive reviews are so delightful. I knew Scott Holstad was likely to read these chapbooks of mine at some point in time (because I recently traded him these chapbooks for his recent full-length book), but I had no idea he was going to write a review and I truly appreciate this unexpected treat.

If a few (or more than a few) people are drawn to my poetry, whether they're friends or total strangers or somewhere in between, then that feels wonderful. And if someone likes my poetry I want it to be because of the actual poetry.

***

Here is where you can acquire the two chapbooks reviewed by Scott Holstad:


REVOLTING is available from Cul-de-sac of Blood HERE - https://www.culdesacofblood.com/books

Also available from my own Blood Pudding Press shop HERE - https://www.etsy.com/listing/1851916682/revolting-poetry-chapbook-by-juliet-cook


AND Blue Stingers Instead of Wings is available from Pure Sleeze Press HERE - https://puresleezepress.bigcartel.com/product/blue-stingers-instead-of-wings

Also available from my own Blood Pudding Press shop HERE - https://www.etsy.com/listing/4314653197/new-blue-stingers-instead-of-wings

A photo of me exorcising, I mean reading, some of my poetry (and more)...

A photo of me exorcising, I mean reading, some of my poetry, as one of the Featured Readers at Uncloistered Poetry Live, October 11, 2025, at the Attic on Adams.

First Featured Reading in well over a year. Last Featured Reading at the age I am now.

Reading a poem from my most recently published poetry chapbook, "Blue Stingers Instead of Wings", which is still available and which shall be linked to below. 

My most recent poetry chapbook that I'm reading a poem from here, Blue Stingers Instead of Wings, is indeed still available from its publisher Pure Sleeze Press HERE - https://puresleezepress.bigcartel.com/

Or from my own Blood Pudding Press shop HERE - https://www.etsy.com/listing/4314653197/new-blue-stingers-instead-of-wings-by

AND in additional exciting poetry news, the poem I read from this chapbook Saturday evening, "Severed Into Unspeakable Compliance" was nominated for a Pushcart Prize the same evening I was reading it, unbeknownst to me until I saw the nomination hours later!

Heck, maybe I received the nomination while in the time frame of reading that poem!

Thank you very much to Pure Sleeze Press!

And congratulations to the other nominees!

NEW! Another New Review of my latest poetry chapbook, "Blue Stingers instead of Wings"!

"Juliet Cook doesn't write books. She creates surreal experiences for her readers with a sick soup of limitless-on edge-vulnerability, kick-ass imagery and dark humor all her own, and a clear mastery at detailing the violently petty horrors of existing. Not living, exactly. The insidious in-between. And she offers one who dares an honest to gawd peek into The Void. Whenever I open a book by her, I get greedy. I have to consume it all at once and want more. Lucky for us, she has plenty. So check out some of her macabre delights! She is truly a fascinating artist. Absolutely recommended!!"

from another new Review of my newest poetry chapbook, "Blue Stingers Instead of Wings" (published by Pure Sleeze Press in April). This Review is on Goodreads, written by the fabulous Casey Kiser. Thank you very much to Casey Kiser!

read more of this Review by clicking the link below:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7693381109

If you'd like to read this chapbook yourself (or acquire one for a friend), "Blue Stingers..."is still available from its publisher, Pure Sleeze Press HERE - https://puresleezepress.bigcartel.com/product/blue-stingers-instead-of-wings

Also available from my own Blood Pudding Press shop HERE - https://www.etsy.com/listing/4314653197/new-blue-stingers-instead-of-wings-by

NEW! A Review of my latest poetry chapbook, "Blue Stingers Instead of Wings", thanks to Rachel Kendall of Sein und Werden!

"The dry spell here might suggest writer’s block, an obstruction of language. Or it might speak of the libido, or of the menopausal body. Elsewhere in the book birds’ eggs, branches, and nests are rife, but this is not the imagery of a spring renewal. The eggs are cracked, the nests broken, the branches rotten."

A small sample within a new and much appreciated Review of my latest poetry chapbook, "Blue Stingers Instead of Wings" (Pure Sleeze Press)!

Thank you very much to Rachel Kendall, writer and editor of Sein und Werden, for writing this review!

Read more of the review here - https://seinundwerden.wordpress.com/2025/07/06/blue-stingers-instead-of-wings-by-juliet-cook/

***

"Blue Stingers Instead of Wings" can be acquired through Pure Sleeze Press here - https://puresleezepress.bigcartel.com/product/blue-stingers-instead-of-wings

Or from my own Blood Pudding Press shop here - https://www.etsy.com/listing/4314653197/new-blue-stingers-instead-of-wings-by

NEW! I am delighted to have a poem of mine appearing in HSTQ: Spring 2025, the latest curated collection from Horror, Sleaze and Trash!

"My brain is broken. Slashed like an old horror
film scene, retching and dragging my un-tight legs along
this antiquated, soon to be autopsied linoleum floor.
Cracked allure of concussive gore. Bruised and confused
and wavering away from reality. Disabled runway model"

part of my long-ish poem, "The Age of Vicissitude"

I'm delighted to have this poem appearing within HSTQ: Spring 2025, the latest curated collection from Horror, Sleaze and Trash!

You can download this new collection for FREE here - https://horrorsleazetrash.com/2025/06/19/hstq-spring-2025/

This poem of mine also appears in my most recently published chapbook, "Blue Stingers Instead of Wings" (Pure Sleeze Press, 2025), which is still available to be acquired from Pure Sleeze here - https://puresleezepress.bigcartel.com/

Or from my own Blood Pudding Press here - https://www.etsy.com/listing/4314653197/new-blue-stingers-instead-of-wings-by

Me holding a copy of my latest poetry chapbook, Blue Stingers Instead of Wings!

Me holding a copy of my latest poetry chapbook, Blue Stingers Instead of Wings. Published by Pure Sleeze Press in April. Still available from Pure Sleeze. And now also available in my own Blood Pudding Press shop. See links below. Available from Pure Sleeze Press HERE - https://puresleezepress.bigcartel.com/product/blue-stingers-instead-of-wings Available in my own Blood Pudding Press shop HERE - https://www.etsy.com/listing/4314653197/new-blue-stingers-instead-of-wings-by

NEW! Blue Stingers Instead of Wings has now been added to the Blood Pudding Press shop too!

My newest poetry chapbook, "Blue Stingers Instead of Wings" was very recently published by Pure Sleeze Press in late April 2025. It is still available from Pure Sleeze Press HERE - https://puresleezepress.bigcartel.com/product/blue-stingers-instead-of-wings

AND NOW in addition to still being available from its publisher, I have also placed a few copies of this chapbook into my own Blood Pudding Press shop here - https://www.etsy.com/listing/4314653197/new-blue-stingers-instead-of-wings-by

So why not get one while the getting is good (or bad or awful or hideous or at least still oddly available)! 

(Also, if there's some other way you'd prefer to purchase one directly from me, such as via Paypal, feel free to ask).

(Also, Pure Sleeze will have more new chapbooks coming out in July so keep an eye out!)

Please help support small poetry presses so that they can continue to exist! 

NEW! I have four poems newly appearing in Poetry Pacific!

I am happy to have four poems newly appearing in Poetry Pacific, Vol. 14, 2025, here - http://poetrypacific.blogspot.com/2025/05/4-poems-by-juliet-cook.html

The first two ("Un-pretty Maroon" and "Nihilistic White") are haiku variants that also appear inside my new poetry chapbook, "Blue Stingers Instead of Wings" (which I will link to below).

The third one ("I Hate My Guts") is a haiku that does not appear anywhere else.

The fourth one ("Another Me") is a newer poem that also does not appear anywhere else.

The first three have some accidental formatting errors, so I'm going to place correctly formatted versions below.

***

Un-pretty Maroon

My creative flow
starts internal ambience,
then begins screaming.

I revise my screams
into un-pretty maroon
that will speak for me.

Words obliterate
words into non-existence
if I don't feel real.

Nihilistic White

Fresh white snowflakes fall.
Shimmer down, glitter the ground,
grow into cold gloom.

Nihilistic white
witch, ice queen growing darker.
Overtaking light.

I Hate My Guts

Ugly fat preys on
my ribs. Tries to hide them with
menopause gut punch.

***

"Blue Stingers Instead of Wings" is my new poetry chapbook, recently published by Pure Sleeze Press, in which these first two haiku variants also appear, as well as eleven other poems.

Acquire a copy from Pure Sleeze Press here - https://puresleezepress.bigcartel.com/product/blue-stingers-instead-of-wings

Or please feel free to ask if you'd like to acquire one directly from me.

Happy May! My latest poetry chapbook "Blue Stingers Instead of Wings" is now one week old and still available!

Happy May!

My new poetry chapbook, "Blue Stingers Instead of Wings" is now one week old and still available!

Don't hate me because I'm weird and repetitive.

Thank you to Pure Sleeze Press for publishing this, along with four other new chapbooks, all of which will remain available until they sell out.

"Blue Stingers Instead of Wings" can be purchased for $8 (plus $5 shipping)!

Or you can get all five new chapbooks in a Five Book Bundle for $30!

Acquire mine and/or 1, 2, 3 or all 4 of the remaining others while they are still available.

Here's the link to buy them from Pure Sleeze Press! - https://puresleezepress.bigcartel.com/

I also have some copies of  my "Blue Stingers Instead of Wings" so if you'd like to acquire my chapbook directly from me for the same price, that is a possibility too. Please do feel free to reach out...

Happy Poetry Month! It's Not Quite Done Yet! My latest poetry chapbook "Blue Stingers Instead of Wings" is newly available from Pure Sleeze Press until it sells out! Get It Before It's Gone!

Happy Poetry Month!

As of Friday April 25, 2025, the new Spring chapbooks from Pure Sleeze Press were made officially available until they sell out!

This includes my new "Blue Stingers Instead of Wings" for $8 (plus $5 shipping)!

Several other new chapbooks are also available for $8 each (or a Five Book Bundle for $30)!

Acquire mine and/or 1, 2, 3 or all 4 of the remaining others before they sell out!

Here's the link to buy them from Pure Sleeze Press! - https://puresleezepress.bigcartel.com/

Thank you very much to Pure Sleeze Press, Jonathan S Baker, and K Ann Sea for publishing these chapbooks!

Also, thank you very much to Chad M. Horn, whose art appears on the cover of mine.

A few photos of my new chapbook and a sampling from one of the poems inside it appears below.

(P.S. I also have some copies of  my "Blue Stingers Instead of Wings" so if you'd like to acquire my chapbook directly from me for the same price, that is a possibility too. Please do feel free to reach out...)...

***

I wasn't sure if I was human anymore.
Maybe I was a goose in labor,
giving birth to a subhuman or else
I was in the middle of aborting my own brain
inside another terrible dream, trapped
underneath a seeping blue machine
shaped like a giant pill container
with cracked slots that don't keep anything inside.

A loudly honking lullaby of horrific
conjoined twin geese, a grody gaggle
of gag reflexes swarming out of my mouth,

blue stingers instead of wings.

in my poem "Both Similar and Dissimilar", in my chapbook, "Blue Stingers Instead of Wings", Pure Sleeze Press, late April 2025