JOSEPH FASANO is an American novelist, poet, and songwriter. His novels include The Swallows of Lunetto (Maudlin House, 2022) and The Dark Heart of Every Wild Thing (Platypus Press, 2020), which was named one of the “20 Best Small Press Books of 2020.”  His books of poetry include The Crossing (2018), Vincent (2015), Inheritance (2014), and Fugue for Other Hands (2013).  His honors include the Cider Press Review Book Award, the Rattle Poetry Prize, seven Pushcart Prize nominations, and a nomination for the Poets Prize.

My current favorite thing to read is: everything I can about the Riemann Hypothesis.

My current favorite things to watch are: hours and hours of real-crime documentaries. You know, a totally normal amount of real-crime documentaries.

My current favorite thing to listen to is: Rachmaninov’s Second Piano Concerto, especially the second movement.

My current state of mind is: cautiously optimistic. I see my students making some positive and exciting changes.

My current chemical romance involves: black licorice. I’m in recovery.

My current words of wisdom are: “Love is not a shelter from ourselves.”

My current mode of transportation includes: [a] Honda CB500F motorcycle on the weekends, total dad-car on weekdays.

My current favorite fast food establishment is: …I regret to inform you I have tried my first Slurpee, and I am a changed man.

My current workout routine consists of: biking 10 miles a day and lifting weights for 30 minutes.  Oh, and lifting a 20-pound baby.

My current regrettable decision involves: …see fast food answer above.

My current hopes and dreams include: to be a good Dad. Everything else will fall into place.

My current projects and hobbies involve: deciphering the Voynich manuscript. Just kidding. Kind of.

Joseph Fasano is online at josephfasano.net.

Brian Alan Ellis runs House of Vlad Press, and is the author of several books, including Sad Laughter (Civil Coping Mechanisms, 2018) and Hobbies You Enjoy (serialized daily on Instagram: @hobbiesyouenjoy). His writing has appeared at Juked, Hobart, Fanzine, Monkeybicycle, Electric Literature, Vol. 1 Brooklyn, X-R-A-Y, Heavy Feather Review, and Yes Poetry, among other places. He lives in Florida.

Author photo: Laura Rinaldi

Follow Vol. 1 Brooklyn on Twitter, Facebook, and sign up for our mailing list.