Barringer

New 10-year Anniversary Website

2010-08-29T09:49:00.001-07:00

Justin Kropp is redesigning my website. It needs it, desperately. I've had this website for over ten years now, and I've designed all the past iterations. You can tell. So finally a real website designer who knows what he's doing is giving my site a serious overall. There will be an online store with shopping-cart technology, all new photos and text, and little things like constantly updated blog posts and Tweets and whatever else Justin's got up his sleeve. I will be putting new products to buy online as well. I hope to include a couple new posters and possibly even a new book, but we'll see. First things first. The new website cometh shortly....

Essay at Voice, Audio Interview for Australia Radio

2010-06-23T07:30:00.000-07:00

It's been nearly six months since I published a design essay at Voice (or anywhere else). I've been teaching and lecturing and trying to write a novel. So here's an essay at Voice, finally. I derived and edited "The Mind Moves the World" from the last section of a 45-minute lecture. I've given the lecture twice, and I keep editing it.

Also, Alan Saunders of ABC Radio in Australia interviewed me on his design program. They called the interview, "Design as Thinking, and Design as Literature." It's available online, and it's short, less than fifteen minutes, I think.

2010-05-21T07:54:00.000-07:00

I designed the cover (with photos by Lauren Vallese) and the interior of the New Jersey Literary anthology What's Your Exit? The first run has already sold out. You can preorder from the next run at a discount at Word Riot Press. It's 326 pages, 6x9, $25 retail, discounted to $20 from Word Riot. Contributors: Robert Pinsky, Joyce Carol Oates, Tom Perrotta, J. Robert Lennon, Alicia Ostriker, Gerald Stern, Jason Biggs, James Hoch, Louise DeSalvo, and on and on. Big book, good deal, all NJ, all the time. And, yes, the bar code is in the shape of New Jersey.

SVA D-Crit Lecture Now Online

2010-05-21T07:27:00.000-07:00

David Barringer, “Design As Literature: The Changing Shape of the Novel” from D-Crit on Vimeo.

Barringer Update: Lectures, Travel, Book

2010-04-09T13:52:00.000-07:00

Here's an update of things I'm doing and nice things people have said about the book.

1. I'm teaching a senior-thesis class at MICA this term. I visit for the last time on April 18. It's been wonderful. I have probably overwhelmed the students.

2. I lecture as part of the D-Crit lecture series in NY on April 20. I'll be in NYC through April 25.

3. I do a studio visit at NC State in Raleigh, NC, on May 4.

4. I visit Living Arts College in Raleigh, NC, on May 5, for studio visits and a talk.

5. "Finally, I've finished reading There's Nothing Funny About Design. First copy went to someone in Istanbul, second one went to Canada, but I hung on to the third one and read it with a big smile on my face. The reading was a truly pleasurable experience. It is unlike any design book on the market. Without being didactic, it taught me more than many of the design books out there. Your writing shines. I felt like I was reading a book of stories. Great stuff."—Faruk Ulay

6. "I highly recommend this to anyone who considers themselves creative. Being a designer, I’m a sucker for visuals and rarely have time to sit down and read a book that has no images. I’m currently half way through this book, and I really encourage designers to read about design instead of always looking at pretty pictures."—Design Milk

7. "Dave Barringer’s There’s Nothing Funny About Design is twice as good as most experimental creative nonfiction lyric whatchamacallits."—Daniel Nester, Pank

8. Please check out this nice handwritten blog, and nice handwritten note about the book, at "Designer's Library."

9. "There’s Nothing Funny About Design: Essays that are sometimes about design but always laugh-out-loud hilarious by design’s greatest contemporary wit, David Barringer."—Alissa, Gelatobaby

10. "Barringer is a freelance author, graphic designer and artist, and this collection of his essays reveals the ubiquitous influence of visual design on our everyday lives. Written for fellow designers and artists, these pieces analyze the design aspects of everything from the product names of prescription drugs to evolution and the shape of the human skull. The author uses generous helpings of humor as well as illustrations and photographs to support his observations."—Book News Inc.

11. "Few writers can speak about graphic design with the alacrity and sharp-tongued criticism of the self-taught David Barringer. This collection of essays on everything from the letter X to DVD covers bristles with energy and metaphoric prose."—Brian Fichtner, Cool Hunting

12. "Barringer devotes Part I to these often quirky essays and articles, while Part II offers a wry self-help guide, namely the Live Well Now! Brainbook, designed to enhance 'identity science,' which Barringer notes is at once 'grammatically awkward but scary effective.' The spoof includes charts, graphics and a self-acceptance certificate, as well as a section on design of the self, all of it pointing to Barringer’s rich imagination. The third section is yet another spoof, sort of, in this case rekindling the form of the rulebooks from the past, including Ben Franklin’s Poor Richard’s Almanac; the guide ostensibly directs young designers through sections on temperament, penmanship, collaboration, clients and so on, but again achieves something else indirectly, in this case performing a curious form of commentary through humor."—Holly Willis

13. "David Barringer is surely one of our best and funniest writers on design. He talks with Rich Fisher about his collection of essays, There's Nothing Funny About Design (Princeton Architectural Press), which critically examines everyday design from the 'promiscuousness of the letter X in our culture,' to how the cautionary colors of red and yellow have been adopted by the fast food industry, to how evolution is portrayed with fish symbols and the ape-to-man chart."—Rich Fisher, Public Radio Tulsa, KWGS

14. Other interviews: at Design Observer, AIGA Charlotte, and 36 Point.

15. And here are some customer reviews: "an outstanding survey of a wide range of design puzzlers perfect for any general or college-level library strong in arts and design";

"shows designers and non-designers (whichever you may be) why and what design means to him, and in the end, you see it in a fresh light yourself";

"I put this in the same category as Miranda July's Learning to Love You More and Matt Madden's 99 Ways to Tell a Story";

"Barringer combines his unique brand of humor and appreciable perspective in a way that gave this outsider a fascinating view into the world of design";

"an original and seriously funny take on design...there's enough solid wisdom here to engage an experienced designer and enough wit to keep a non-designer happy";

"one of the best design books out there...his prose is well crafted and elegant";

"David Barringer is that rare species in our (often provincial) United States of America: a Renaiassance man. His mind goes in many directions; and his imagination connects what he finds in in original ways. The fact that he writes down the resulting thoughts is a gift to us all. His book There's Nothing Funny About Design tackles the issue in a fresh, quirky and irreverent way. He challenges the reader to stretch his or her mind, but never condescends to his audience. We could use more barrier-busting books like this."

The book is available at any online bookseller. Gratzi.

Trip to MICA Moved to Valentine's Day Weekend

2010-02-08T12:52:00.001-08:00

Because of the snowstorm on the East Coast, I moved my trip to MICA to Sunday, Feb. 14, through Monday, Feb. 15. Happy Valentine's Day, Baltimore.

Barringer in Baltimore 2/7 and 2/8 at MICA

2010-02-02T07:01:00.000-08:00

So this weekend, I'm off to teach at MICA, in Baltimore, for the first of three visits as a visiting critic. The course is taught by Ellen Lupton, and it's called Thesis Writing and Research.

"In this three-credit Critical Studies course for graphic design graduate students in their thesis year, a prominent design writer will work with students on shaping the content, message, and written component of their thesis work. This will be achieved through a combination of on-campus visits and online feedback on written and visual work. Class meetings will combine group critiques, individual meetings, and discussion of readings."

.......................

I also travel to Nashville on February 19. I'll be speaking at Lipscombe University.

2009-12-15T17:33:00.000-08:00

Sadly, a magazine ends. Farewell to I.D. The oldest design magazine in the country, it was 55 years old. It was one of the few design magazines I wrote for, at least when Julie Lasky was editor. Julie and several other editors wisely jumped ship last year amid increasing cuts in staff and budget. I reconnected with editors there recently and was in the middle of writing an article on the trend in the creative use of paper in art and design. I haven't heard from them in a while, and this would explain why. I can already hear the e-stampede of mid-article freelancers sending their ill-fated I.D. stories to AIGA's Voice and Design Observer; I will likely be one of them. I always loved the elegant layout of I.D., how all that white space increased the importance of what they included. Now, it's all white space.... Hopefully they'll archive all back issues online.

Where to Buy Barringer Books

2009-12-02T09:00:00.000-08:00

People have been asking where they can buy my books. It varies a bit. You can always check my website, type my name into Amazon or Powells, or even email me directly. Otherwise, here's a quick list of links for each book.

1. There's Nothing Funny About Design ($18-25): Amazon, Powells, Barnes & Noble, Princeton, Chronicle. It's even in some bookstores, like Barnes & Noble.

2. American Home Life ($12): new copies at Powells, from me, and from the publisher; other copies through resellers at Amazon.

3. Johnny Red ($7-16): Amazon, Powells, the publisher, and me.

4. What Happened to Us These Last Couple Years? ($20): Powells, and me here and here.

5. Opium Magazine: current issue 9 and back issues at Opium; Opium 3 at Amazon; back issues 3, 5 and 6 from me.

6. Unbound ($25 or $4.99): This is the book on the future of the legal industry, with info here; purchase it through the publisher; at Amazon in hardcover or Kindle; can also get a signed copy from me.

7. The Dead Bug Funeral Kit ($20): there are only five left, available through me.

8. American Mutt Barks in the Yard: Emigre 68: This is pretty much sold out. New and used copies are at Amazon. They are expensive. A few pages of American Mutt are reprinted in Emigre 70, a best-of collection (see post below). That's at Amazon and Emigre.

9. We Were Ugly So We Made Beautiful Things ($7-8, Kindle $2.50): Amazon, Powells, Barnes and Noble, Word Riot.

10. The Leap and Other Mistakes ($10-35): I took this out of print way over a year ago, but for some reason you can still find new (and of course used) copies at Alibris, Amazon, and Barnes&Noble. I don't get any royalties for these, so I don't know what's going on.

11. Other stuff, like the Writer's Specimen, Picasso Plates, postcards, posters, and more, can be had through me at my site.

Moon Ring

2009-12-01T20:17:00.000-08:00

Tonight, December 1, a ring surrounded the moon. Turns out it's common. Moonlight (sunlight bouncing off the moon) is refracted by ice crystals in the atmosphere, which focuses the light into a ring.

Emigre 70

2009-12-01T11:34:00.000-08:00

It's crazy lovely that my contribution to Emigre, American Mutt Barks in the Yard: Emigre 68, sits atop the stack on the back cover of the new Emigre 70. It's the "Look Back" issue, a 512-page best-of volume of Emigre magazine. It's an amazing book (it's on my gift list), and it's surreal that my little bright-blue book is right there on the back. (An excerpt is in the big book, too.) I think my Emigre 68 is like the drum solo when the rest of the band takes a breather and gets a drink before they come out and close the concert with the anthem of Emigre 69, the last issue. Then, in the darkness and the applause, the band returns for the grand-finale encore of Emigre 70, a remixed crowd-pleaser of greatest hits. Put 70 on your gift list.

New Interview, New Book Kudos

2009-11-29T14:58:00.000-08:00

There's Nothing Funny About Design was included in I.D. Magazine's roundup of contributors' books in their November issue. Alissa Walker, a writer and blogger (at gelatobaby.com), has a shot of the I.D. page here, as well as a super nice comment about yours truly:

"There’s Nothing Funny About Design: Essays that are sometimes about design but always laugh-out-loud hilarious by design’s greatest contemporary wit, David Barringer."

Nothing Funny also received a quick mention in How Magazine's October issue: "Fresh and funny essays from the winner of the 2008 AIGA Winterhouse Award for design writing."

My interview with Nate Voss of Omaha is available at 36 Point. Here's their intro:

"We got word that David Barringer was coming through Omaha to judge the AIGA Nebraska Show, and jumped at the chance to talk with him. Well, I ended up being in LA at the time, so I had Steve Gordon step in for me on this one (which was a good decision, because the recording is a hoot). Besides discussing his Bug Kit and new book, There's Nothing Funny About Design (with a cover by Felix Sockwell), the discussion ranges from Emigre, Chuck, the difference between stealing and an homage, service vs. commodity, Shogun Warriors and other random topics. Buried in the conversation is also great advice on getting freelance writing, design business models, clients and a mention of David Barringer's article on top hats."

NTY Book Review & Essay on Design Writing for Students

2009-11-14T12:51:00.000-08:00

I have a new book review, entitled "Snow Zone," in the Sunday New York Times Book Review.

I also have a new essay at Voice. It offers writing prompts for design students.

Lots to Catch Up On

2009-09-10T11:47:00.000-07:00

Listen to my radio interview with Rich Fisher of Public Radio Tulsa.

My lecture at the Philbrook Museum of Art on August 20 was fantastic. The Philbrook folks know what they're doing. They not only treated me like royalty, they promoted the event like professionals, set up flawlessly the technical aspects of the podium and projector, and handled the book sales perfectly. For every talk I give hereafter, I want the Philbrook treatment.

I was recently interviewed for the Charlotte AIGA Chapter website.

I recently wrote about the graphics of motorhomes for Voice, about speaking tips for Voice, and about the Bauhaus and IKEA for Design Observer.

As for press, my book There's Nothing Funny About Design has been mentioned by James Wolcott in Vanity Fair, by Holly Willis in Voice, and by Brian Fichtner at Cool Hunting.

Writes Willis: "[R]eaders learn from Barringer a particular stance, one that acknowledges the flux of cultural context, and that design invariably entails the often neglected or acknowledged practice of ideological and cultural Frisbee, grabbing an icon and flipping it back, with a good twist. Barringer’s real achievement, then, is laying bare some of the rules of this game in essays that never, ever use words like ideological."

Writes Fichtner: "Few writers can speak about graphic design with the alacrity and sharp-tongued criticism of the self-taught David Barringer. This collection of essays on everything from the letter X to DVD covers bristles with energy and metaphoric prose."

I.D. Magazine is supposed to run a review of the book in an upcoming issue. Stay tuned.

Opium Magazine Issue 8 has garnered press around the world, literally, like in fifteen countries, and TechRadar.com named the cover one of the seven best magazine-cover technical innovations, up there with covers from Time, Wired, Rolling Stone, and Esquire.

Design Talk in Tulsa at Philbrook Museum

2009-08-19T06:34:00.000-07:00

David Barringer Talk in Tulsa, OK

Design Talk, Q&A, Book Signing

Lecture Title: "The Mind Moves the World"

philbrook.org

Host:Philbrook Museum of Art

Time: 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM Thursday, August 20th

Location: Philbrook Museum of Art

Philbrook Museum of Art
2727 South Rockford Road
Tulsa OK 74114
918 749-7941

1,000-year Opium 8 Cover in the Press

2009-06-22T06:00:00.000-07:00

Here is a list of the media coverage given the cover of Opium Magazine, Issue 8. The cover concept is by Jonathon Keats, I designed the issue, and the editor is Todd Zuniga. A new store for purchasing copies at Opium is almost complete.

Gizmodo
Wired
NBC
Daily Heller
Technovelgy
The Independent
Fark
Inside Catholic
Even in the Russian press and the Swiss press.

Reading the comments in the Fark thread are like listening to trash talk in the break room at Pet Smart. However, no one in any of the other press outlets has yet taken the opportunity to think very deeply about the cover concept. I was hoping someone would wonder, "What could I write today that would be of interest to someone 1,000 years from now?" The concept challenges our ideas about writing for posterity, about the immortality of art, and about communication to successive generations. If you could communicate to someone a millennium from now, what would you say? "Don't press the red button," or "Duck," or perhaps "We tried."

Design Writing Roundup

2009-06-16T09:32:00.000-07:00

Interviewed by Ellen Lupton at Design Observer.

"David Barringer’s book, There’s Nothing Funny About Design (Princeton Architectural Press, 2009) is actually very funny. This collection of new and revised essays presents the graphic design world with a kick in the literary pants. Barringer’s writing is bluntly personal yet rarely narcissistic; his prose often bristles with the excitement of an angry porcupine, yet it’s always grounded in rigorous thinking. No one else in our field is producing writing quite like this. As a self-taught designer, freelance writer, and work-at-home dad, Barringer is both an insider and outsider to the design discourse. He makes sense of what designers do and then takes us apart with his needle-sharp verbal tools. The conversation that follows was conducted via e-mail over a three-day period. "

"I'm A Modern Graphic Designer," a poem at Design Taxi.

I’m a modern graphic designer,
Wireless, witty, astute.
I show the world how to see itself.
And all this without a suit.

"When The Future Was Young, and the Cars Could Fly," an interview with Brett Snyder at Voice.

"Early concept cars were drawn by designers and illustrators who entered the industry as youthful pioneers. Optimistic and in their 20s, they started work in Detroit beginning in the Depression, with a resurgence of activity just after World War II. Think of the guys from Mad Men, but younger and with cars on their minds, drafting in their shirtsleeves in America’s very first styling studios."

I'll be in Chicago during Pilcrow May 17-23

2009-05-14T06:35:00.000-07:00

The Pilcrow Literary Festival takes place in Chicago from Sunday May 17 through Saturday May 23. There are events throughout the week, and a full schedule on Saturday, starting with a 9:15 am check-in at Trader Todd's. Check out the full calendar of events here.

Wednesday, May 20
I will be a guest at the Show 'n Tell Show at 7:00 pm at The Whistler (2421 N. Milwaukee; 773-227-3530). It's free to attend, and the guests will be talking about book design. Guests include Jay Ryan, Paul Hornschemeier, Zach Huelsing & Matt Kessler, and Doug Fogelson.

Thursday, May 21, and Friday, May 22
Check out the Pilcrow Calendar for events these days. I'll be at these as an attendee.

Saturday, May 23
10:00-10:45 am at Matilda's (3101 N Sheffield Ave; 773-883-4400): Recession Blues: Writers and publishers discuss promoting their work with more creativity than capital. Panelists: David Barringer, Gina Frangello, Leah Jones, Nick Ostdick, Ben Tanzer.

1:00-1:45 pm at Matilda's: The Design Panel: Designers discuss book production and design elements. Moderator: Zach Dodson. Panelists: Sally Alatalo, David Barringer, Ezra Claytan Daniels, Doug Fogelson, Jon Resh.

3:00-3:45 pm at Trader Todd's (3216 N Sheffield Ave; 773-348-3250): The Collaboration Panel: Writers and publishers discuss strategies, mistakes, and successes in collaborative literary efforts. Moderator: David Barringer. Panelists: Amanda Delheimer, Tim Hall, Jason Pettus, Megan Stielstra, Ben Tanzer, Lindsay Tigue, Todd Zuniga.

5:00-5:45 pm at Matilda's: Niches, Tech Writing and Event Coverage:
Panelists offer industry insight as they discuss various approaches to event coverage, niche blogging, and technical writing. Moderator: Andrew Huff. Panelists: David Barringer, Theresa Carter, Cinnamon Cooper, Tim Jahn.

7:00 pm at Viaduct Theatre (3111 N. Western Ave.; 773-296-6024): Opium's Literary Death Match. The lineup boasts judges T.J. Jagadowski, David Barringer (Opium’s designer) and readers Brian Costello (RUI), Bobby Biedrzycki (2nd Story), Max Glaessner (Windy City Story Slam) and more! Hosted by: Todd Zuniga & Amy Guth. Doors at 7 pm, show at 8 pm. $12 ticket.

Unbound: a new book on the future of the business of law

2009-05-13T06:41:00.000-07:00

This book was a two-year collaboration between two Davids. David Galbenski conceived the project, defined the trends, and edited many drafts, while I organized, researched, interviewed, wrote, and designed the book. The project changed as the global marketplace changed, especially during 2008 and early 2009. I updated the book with the latest news reports almost daily until we went to press in March. It's about the future of the legal industry, the ongoing transition of the profession of law into the business of law, and the opportunities for entrepreneurs in this area.

The first interesting aspect of this project is that Galbenski, whom I've known since 1995 when I graduated law school, allowed me to write as a journalist. I supported all arguments with research, statistics, and evidence of all kinds, but I kept the language as jargon-free as possible in order to make the book accessible to a general-interest reader. And I was able to follow the evidence where it led, rather than cherrypick evidence to support some grand theme. It was a great, worthwhile experience, and I mention that because these collaborations can, for writers, be frustrating. If I'd felt my integrity being compromised, I would have walked away. Instead, I have my name on the cover. It's 256 pages, hardcover, about 5.5 x 8.5. More info at www.unboundlegal.com.

The second interesting aspect is the marketing of this book. It's rocket-fueled. When the book went to press, I felt my work was finally done. I was exhausted and glad to stop. But that's when Galbenski was ready, finally, to start. There's a big difference between the creation of the book and the marketing of the book, and that's why a book like this really needs two different kinds of people with two totally different skills. The business folks see this book as a valuable product, and they know exactly what to do with a valuable product. This book has a public-relations guy, a website team, someone mailing books out to trade journals and select outlets, and I don't know who else. As a writer, I find it a relief to see other people fired up to do this kind of work. Other people value my work on this book and are working hard, right now, to get the word out. Now that's publishing.

Opium 8

2009-05-12T08:06:00.001-07:00

Opium Magazine Issue 8: The Infinity Issue. Learn about the unique, thousand-year cover here. Learn about the contents and see a preview of the interior here. I design the magazine, work as senior editor, and contribute content. Each issue is designed differently. Also, Opium holds Literary Death Matches across the country. Visit the site for information on the next shows in Boston (May 21), Chicago (May 23), New York (May 27), San Francisco (June 12), and Paris (September 23). I will be a judge at the Chicago Death Match, which is Saturday, May 23. Doors open at 7 pm and show starts at 8 pm at Viaduct Theater (3111 N. Western Ave., ph: 773-296-6024). The Death Match caps the week of the Pilcrow Literary Festival.

American Soma

2009-05-11T07:10:00.000-07:00

American Soma by Savannah Schroll Guz will be out shortly from So New. I designed the cover and interior. The word soma has many connotations relating to a kind of waking sleep state, with some meanings traceable to early Native Americans. The most famous literary use is in Aldous Huxley's Brave New World, in which people are required to take soma to remain happy and complacent. Today, soma is a muscle relaxer that blocks sensations of pain sent from the nerves to the brain. In the design of the book, I settled on evoking a sterile, pharmacological, drug-induced bliss.

2009-05-10T15:03:00.000-07:00

World Takes is a new collection of stories from Timmy Waldron, published this year by Word Riot Press. I designed the cover and interior, which included photos and other fun graphic touches. He has a funny list at McSweeney's.

Opium 7

2009-05-08T08:13:00.000-07:00

I designed the interior of Opium Magazine Issue 7, which came out end of 2008. See preview at Issuu.com here. Contributors: Etgar Keret, David Markson, Steve Almond, Neil Labute, Chuck Close, Lauren Schenkman, Amy Shearn, Melissa Broder, Michael Leong, Bradley Bazzle, Mike Sacks, Anne R. Allen, Kristina Moriconi, and more. An art section curated by Jesse Nathan includes work from Art Spiegelman, David Shrigley, CM Evans. The issue also features the first Network of Writers Experiment pages and the winners of the 7-line Story Contest.

Nothing Funny Available; Barringer in Chicago in May

2009-04-24T15:07:00.000-07:00

There's Nothing Funny about Design is now available at online booksellers everywhere. It has a Facebook Group page and a preview at Issuu.com. I will be part of a panel on book design hosted by Show&Tell in Chicago on Wednesday May 20 at 7:00 pm at The Whistler. More info here. Panel includes Jay Ryan, Paul Hornschemeir, and more. I will be in Chicago at the Pilcrow Literary Festival for events through Saturday April 24. I will be a judge at the Literary Death Match as well, which is either Friday or Saturday, still to be determined.

2009-02-02T10:12:00.000-08:00

"There's Nothing Funny about Design" is now available for preorder. 256 pages, 6x9, cover illustration by Felix Sockwell, written and designed by me, published by Princeton Architectural Press, official publication date is June 1. If you're a reviewer, contact PAP for your review copy. Discounted preorder prices are available at some online booksellers right now. Princeton, Chronicle, B&N, Powells, Amazon, Tower. More information later.

2008-11-19T18:51:00.000-08:00

A stunning and original record of contemporary American life, this anthology contains essays, memoirs, letters, stories, poems, photos, and art from 44 contributors all across the US. Men and women of various backgrounds, ethnicities, and perspectives explore how the events of the years 2000 to 2008 have affected their lives, loves, families and fortunes. Edited and designed by David Barringer.

Please preview the 71-page PDF at Issuu.

Contributors include Shari Goldhagen, Amy Guth, Lee Klein, Claudia Smith, Steve Almond, Ghazaleh Etezal, Patricia Cumbie, Deron Bauman, Blythe Winslow, Catherine Price, Faruk Ulay, Kevin Free, Joshua Gross, Maggie Shearon, Timmy Waldron, Little Shiva, Tony Rodriguez, Anjali Budhiraja, Molly Gaudry, Josh Olsen, Dave Morrison, Spencer Dew, Alison Morse, SSG. Stewart W. Boner, Kurt Carlson, James Reeves, Heather Kelley, Felix Sockwell, and many more.

What Happened to Us These Last Couple Years?
An Anthology of the Bush Years, 2000-2008
Edited by David Barringer
44 Contributors
$20 (free shipping) | 256 pages | 6x9 | Elope Press & So New

Order by Paypal to the account "dlbarringer@gmail.com." Include shipping address.

$5 coupon: With your purchase of this anthology, you will receive $5 off "American Home Life," "Johnny Red," "Twisted Fun," or the Dead Bug Funeral Kit (normally $20). Please visit www.davidbarringer.com for info on these items, and simply order all at once via Paypal.

Please order by the first week of December to get your order by the holidays.

Opium 6 Peekaboo Spreads 4

2008-05-27T07:24:00.001-07:00

Opium 6 Peekaboo Spreads 3

2008-05-27T07:21:00.000-07:00

Opium 6 Peekaboo Spreads 2

2008-05-27T07:19:00.000-07:00

Opium 6 Peekaboo Spreads 1

2008-05-27T07:16:00.001-07:00

Go Green! (But Save Me First)

2008-05-22T13:38:00.000-07:00

The Go Green! issue of Opium Magazine (Spring 2008) is now available. I'll post sample spreads shortly. You can see sample spreads of issues 3, 4 and 5 on my site. Meanwhile, buy the issue or subscribe here.

Contents: stories by Aimee Bender, Benjamin Percy, and many others. Winners of the Opium Bookmark Story Contest. Each issue comes with a bookmark on which is printed the winning 250-word story. Interview with Amanda Lear. 100-word stories from Tuesday Shorts, including one by Jacquelyn Mitchard. Select stories from the wit-lit ezine Sweet Fancy Moses. Beautifully wrought satire from the “Go Green! Guidebook of Restraint & Responsibility,” by yours truly. Art from Tymek Jezierski. Cartoons from CM Evans and John Callahan. Editor Todd Zuniga.

Design for Mind Games

2008-05-22T13:15:00.000-07:00

I designed the book cover for the story collection, Mind Games, by David Gianatasio, available for preorder at Word Riot Press. I tried to avoid all literal expressions of minds and games to suggest, instead, the mind games people play in relationships.

Design for The Suburban Swindle

2008-05-22T12:38:00.000-07:00

I designed the book cover for Jackie Corley's story collection, The Suburban Swindle, available now for preorder. Jackie took a photo of the statue in her mother's front yard. I fooled around with 8 different versions until we found one we liked.