io magazine: the digital magazine of literary culture

INTERVIEW

"I fantasize about going back to high school with the knowledge I have now. I would shine. I would have a good time, I would have a girlfriend. I think that's where a lot of my pain comes from. I think I never had any teenage years to go back to."

From the Archives:
Kathy Acker: Where Does She Get Off?
R.U. Sirius converses with the underground's favorite literary saboteur.

"Writing is what I did when I was alone and no one was watching me or telling me what to do. I could do whatever I wanted. So writing was really associated with body pleasure -- it was the same thing. It was like the only thing I had."

SHORT FICTION

"Barbie laughs, Barbie groans, her head tossed back in sheer delight, her mouth open, with little bits of food stuck to it. Barbie catches sight of me staring in horror. She smiles slyly. Here Dolly, drink this ..."

CULTURE CRASH

"The Beat Generation brought America a message that's still crucially relevant; somebody's trying to take our freedom away, and you'd better pay attention."