Against memoir : complaints, confessions & criticisms

The razor-sharp but damaged Valerie Solanas, a doomed lesbian biker gang, recovering alcoholics, and teenagers barely surviving at an ice creamery: these are some of the larger-than-life, yet all-too-human figures populating America’s fringes. Rife with never-ending fights and failures, theirs are the stories we too often try to forget. But in the process of excavating and documenting these queer lives, Michelle Tea also reveals herself in unexpected and heartbreaking ways. Delivered with her signature honesty and dark humor, this is Tea’s first-ever collection of journalistic writing. As she blurs the line between telling other people’s stories and her own, she turns an investigative eye to the genre that’s nurtured her entire career―memoir―and considers the price that art demands be paid from life. **Michelle Tea** is the author of numerous books, including __Black Wave, Valencia__, and __How to Grow Up__. She is the creator of the Sister Spit all-girl open mic, and founded RADAR Productions, a literary nonprofit that oversees queer-centric projects. Currently she curates Amethyst Editions, a queer imprint of the Feminist Press. Valerie Solanas, A Lesbian Gang, Recovering Alcoholics, And Teenagers Surviving At A Shop: These Are Some Of The Figures Populating America's Borders. These Essays Include Fights And Failures And The Uncovering Of And Documentation Of These Lives. Michelle Tea Reveals Herself Through These Stories-- Art & Music. On Valerie Solanas -- Andy Warhol's Self-portrait -- Times Square -- On Erin Markey -- On Chelsea Girls -- Gene Loves Jezebel -- Purple Rain -- Minor Threat -- Sonic Youth's Magic -- Love & Queerness. Transmissions From Camp Trans -- How To Not Be A Queer Douchebag -- Polishness -- Hard Times -- Hags In Your Face -- How To Refer To My Husband-wife -- Writing & Life. The City To A Young Girl -- Pigeon Manifesto -- Summer Of Lost Jobs -- Telling Your Friends You're Sober -- Sister Spit Feminism -- I Had A Miscarriage -- Baba -- Dire Straits -- Against Memoir. Michelle Tea. "The razor-sharp but damaged Valerie Solanas, a doomed lesbian biker gang, recovering alcoholics, and teenagers barely surviving at an ice creamery: these are some of the larger-than-life, yet all-too-human figures populating America's fringes. Rife with never-ending fights and failures, theirs are the stories we too often try to forget. But in the process of excavating and documenting these queer lives, Michelle Tea also reveals herself in unexpected and heartbreaking ways. Delivered with her signature honesty and dark humor, this is Tea's first-ever collection of journalistic writing. As she blurs the line between telling other people's stories and her own, she turns an investigative eye to the genre that's nurtured her entire career--memoir--and considers the price that art demands be paid from life."--Provided by publisher