The Work-Shy painstakingly reconstructs a chorus of voices rescued from hermetic “colonies” and fragile communes, from worlds that work in ways that defy work as we know it. Its poetic assemblages offer direct testimony from the first youth prison in California and from asylums for the chronically insane (preserved in the Prinzhorn Collection in Germany and the Creedmoor Psychiatric Center in New York City). Painful facts emerge about “sterilization mills” in California, where thousands of individuals became subject to compulsory procedures (policies that shaped eugenics practice in the Third Reich). In addition, the poems “translate” asylum texts--the writing of the insane--into a wider field of social conflict and utopian fragments of not-yet-being. Activating what Susan Howe calls “the telepathy of the archive” (and Peter Gizzi dubs “archeophonics” in the title of his latest collection), the poems of The Work-Shy become part of a “book of listening,” occupying identities rooted in the demimonde and in places of confinement. Voices echo to form a ragged chain of soliloquies, kenning and keening, riddles and rants. Published under the collective, anonymous signature of the BLUNT RESEARCH GROUP, the book operates at the crossroads of lyric and documentary poetries, of singularity and collectivism. An online readers companion will be available at bluntresearchgroup.site.wesleyan.edu.

After an overdose, the unfortunate painter Edgar Bloom is dead. At the funeral, Douglas Frank (soft-boiled crime writer) is persuaded to look into his friend’s misadventure by Bloom’s long suffering widow. Did I mention she was beautiful? He discovers the artist’s diaries buried in the an unkempt studio. Frank’s agent, Ron Cranston (Albatross Books) urges him to write a brash expose featuring the dirty side of creative failure so Frank can rise in the literary food chain. What better way to get back at the elitist “Art Mob” for neglecting his friend Bloom and make a bit of cash? Ethical dilemmas multiply. Frank is asked to consult on a big museum exhibition by hard-nosed, curator, Martha Trout and Bloom’s resurrection takes on a life of its’ own. Bemused, Frank realizes he’s the only one who represents the disaffected artists of the world. To complicate matters, the success of the “Forgotten Poets” exhibition and subsequent book Work Shy soon has Hollywood knocking on his door. Publishers are thrilled. Is this a good thing asks the jaded writer? Sherrie Bloom is upset by the belated notoriety her dead husband receives and spurns amorous Frank. Our reluctant investigator must choose sides, live with the guilt or take the money and run.

Say hello to new friends, new business opportunities, new love, and new confidence Okay, so you're shy. Here are 85 proven techniques to help you conquer your shyness and change your life for good. No psychobabble. No nonsense. These tested "ShyBusters" prepare you for that upcoming party, work function, interview, date, and the rest of your life. As someone who overcame debilitating shyness herself, professional speaker Leil Lowndes used this method to become a confident woman who has been interviewed on hundreds of TV and radio shows and has spoken to crowds of 10,000. You'll soon be making "fearless conversation" with people who used to intimidate you. You'll learn how to win the love you deserve and ask for whatever you want. You will overcome embarrassing stammering, sweating, clamming up, and wishing you were invisible. Good-Bye to Shy will show you how to: Make a stronger impression at work, at parties, in any situation Feel more relaxed around people, make eye contact, and spark conversations Boost your career, jump-start your social life, and open your heart to new possibilities Say Good-Bye to Shy--and hello to the happy, loving, confident person who's been hiding inside you.

"Legendary Australian showman Dave Graney returns to the page and reveals the lengths he has gone to avoid anything that really feels like work. In his inimitable style, Graney veers from a feckless childhood in blue-collar South Australia, to the punk rock scene of 1980s London, and beer-soaked nights touring Australia where he worked very hard at not working at all. But in slacking off, Graney became one of the hardest working musicians in the industry, constantly evolving, reinventing, staying one step ahead of everyone – even himself. Workshy is half written by Dave Graney the consummate and tireless performer, and half-written by Dave Graney the bludge. The magic is that you’re never sure which is which."

Sam is a quiet litle boy who must conquer his fear of show-and-tell.

"In his groundbreaking book, Talmer Shockley (himself a love-shy individual) presents a thoroughly accessible and motivating read for those suffering from love-shyness... Pay attention to his words of wisdom. They will help you find the partner that you so richly deserve" - Nick Dubin, author of Asperger's Syndrome and Bullying For many people, romantic and sexual relationships are complex and cause feelings of anxiety. For people who are love-shy, this anxiety is so overwhelming that it can make finding a partner feel like an impossible dream. Although relatively unrecognised, and therefore often undiagnosed, love-shyness is a condition which causes an intense phobia of romantic and sexual situations. This book is designed to help Love-Shys overcome this fear and allow themselves to meet, date, and eventually maintain romantic relationships with members of the opposite sex. A self-confessed Love-Shy, Talmer Shockley explores the condition, its links with Asperger's Syndrome and how it differs from normal shyness. He gives candid advice on how to deal with being love-shy, make dating an enjoyable experience, and survive the “relationship jungle”. While love-shyness is predominately a male problem, it can also affect women, and the book offers tips on relationship success for both sexes. Refreshingly honest and insightful, The Love-Shy Survival Guide provides essential advice for love-shy people wanting to overcome their anxiety and form successful romantic relationships.