After Work With IST-tastic Poet Matthew Zapruder

Matthew Zapruder’s new collection of poetry is called The Pajamaist. We’re still not sure if this one of those cosmic coincidences, or if Zapruder meant to sing the lyrical praises of all things “IST.” In any case, the collection is excellent, as is his previous work, and we will be out in our most stylish PJs to watch him read at Follett's this afternoon.

Zapruder’s made it a sort of mission to bring poetry to younger and more fun-loving audiences. He co-founded a press, Wave Books, which is now a go-to source for this-poet-could-be-your-life type voices, like Joe Wenderoth, Eileen Myles, Mary Ruefle, Joshua Beckman, and others. He was also a driving factor behind the Poetry Bus, which rolled through Austin one year ago as, “The biggest literary event of 2006 and the most ambitious poetry tour ever attempted.”

And if you think you recognize his last name from somewhere, yes, Zapruder does have Texas roots… His grandfather, Abraham Zapruder, was a Dallas textile manufacturer who accidentally recorded the assassination of John F. Kennedy. You might have seen a film about it.

Check out his poetry here and here. Zapruder will read with journalist Jeff Tietz.