Czyzniejewski, Michael

I Will Love You For the Rest of My Life: Breakup Stories

ISBN: 9781940430287
Chicago, IL: Curbside Splendor Publishing, 2015. First Edition, First Printing. Dated, inscribed, signed twice & with drawing by Michael Czyzniejewski to Dan & Amanda Rzicznek. "Sharp and funny, with reach and heart, these stories serve as an exhibit of the many ways love can get the hell out." (Amelia Gray, back cover review). A collection of 29 amusing, penetrating short stories by Michael Czyzniejewski (b. 1973), an acclaimed, prize-winning author & academician from Chicago. He serves as Editor-in-Chief of Moon City Press and Moon City Review as well as Interviews Editor of SmokeLong Quarterly. These sometimes sublime, sometimes raunchy slices of love lives coming apart can often sound like flash fiction, having largely been culled from previous publications in obscure literary journals, galleries of poetics and, yes, flash fiction websites. Taken at more than a surface level, they more closely resemble molecular gastronomy, a medium where a creation’s parts are transformed through close attention and high pressure into something completely different. On the title page, Czyzniejewski has drawn & hand-written in black ink: "(drawing of bleeding and broken heart) 4/11/15 | MN MN | TO | DAMANDA- | REMEMBER | THAT TIME | YOU GUYS, | ME, | KAREN, | BYRON KANOTI, SGH, & SHARONA | WERE NAKED IN THAT | HOT TUB, PLAYING JENGA - | A-GO-GO? NEITHER DO I | (WINK WINK). (signed) MIKE." Below his printed name which he has crossed-out, Czyzniejewski has also hand-written his full signature. "DAMANDA" is likely a portmanteau for Dan (b. 1979) & Amanda (b. 1977) Rzicznek, husband-&-wife poets. From the collection of Dan Rzicznek, poet and professor at Bowling Green State University. Trade-format softcover original, first edition as stated at copyright page, presumed first printing with no references to further printings thereon. The date in the inscription, earlier in the year of publication, is also a certain indication that this copy is a first printing. A satirical, surreal & rewarding collection in its rarest contemporary form, greatly enriched by the author's affectionate, humorous writer-to-writers inscription & signatures; with distinguished, highly relevant association & provenance. In relatively very fine condition with only a touch of rubbing, faint scratching to front, back covers & spine; a few tiny bumps, creases at/from edges & corners of same; occasional spotting to lower edge of text block. Interior relatively very fine with only tiny bumps at corners of a few page leaves. Very Fine. [Item #7980]

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