Ricky Monahan Brown
@rickyballboy.bsky.social
Writer. Poetry pamphlet Drawer of Letters from Broken Sleep Books – "Wonderfully audacious" 🖤 Terminal and Other Stories 🖤 Little Apples (novella) 🖤 Stroke: A 2% chance of survival (memoir) 🖤 Next: Poetry in The Madrid Review
Absolutely delighted to have a new poem in the forthcoming issue of The Madrid Review @madridlitmag.bsky.social
Find out more about an astonishing amount of good reading: themadridreview.substack.com/p/into-the-n...
Find out more about an astonishing amount of good reading: themadridreview.substack.com/p/into-the-n...
Into the Night: The Madrid Review Returns with Issue 9
From Patti Smith and A. C. Grayling to the vibrant pulse of independent bookshops, our massive new nocturnal edition explores what blossoms in the dark. It’s here Friday.
themadridreview.substack.com
October 6, 2026 at 10:13 AM
Absolutely delighted to have a new poem in the forthcoming issue of The Madrid Review @madridlitmag.bsky.social
Find out more about an astonishing amount of good reading: themadridreview.substack.com/p/into-the-n...
Find out more about an astonishing amount of good reading: themadridreview.substack.com/p/into-the-n...
Reposted by Ricky Monahan Brown
New issue out on Friday - details here:
themadridreview.substack.com/p/into-the-n...
@roguestrands.bsky.social @annabeerauthor.bsky.social @rickyballboy.bsky.social @acgrayling.bsky.social @pattismithh.bsky.social @richlyevocative.bsky.social @stephenclaughton.bsky.social @pdevonald.bsky.social
themadridreview.substack.com/p/into-the-n...
@roguestrands.bsky.social @annabeerauthor.bsky.social @rickyballboy.bsky.social @acgrayling.bsky.social @pattismithh.bsky.social @richlyevocative.bsky.social @stephenclaughton.bsky.social @pdevonald.bsky.social
Into the Night: The Madrid Review Returns with Issue 9
From Patti Smith and A. C. Grayling to the vibrant pulse of independent bookshops, our massive new nocturnal edition explores what blossoms in the dark. It’s here Friday.
themadridreview.substack.com
October 6, 2026 at 3:58 AM
Reposted by Ricky Monahan Brown
Had a look at the poetry section of Waterstones in Chichester the other day. Deeply depressing.
Insta poets, dead poets, sale-or-return, box-ticking collections from funded publishers, and themed anthologies.
And no representation whatsoever of the ace poetry that's being written in the U.K...
Insta poets, dead poets, sale-or-return, box-ticking collections from funded publishers, and themed anthologies.
And no representation whatsoever of the ace poetry that's being written in the U.K...
October 5, 2026 at 8:50 PM
Had a look at the poetry section of Waterstones in Chichester the other day. Deeply depressing.
Insta poets, dead poets, sale-or-return, box-ticking collections from funded publishers, and themed anthologies.
And no representation whatsoever of the ace poetry that's being written in the U.K...
Insta poets, dead poets, sale-or-return, box-ticking collections from funded publishers, and themed anthologies.
And no representation whatsoever of the ace poetry that's being written in the U.K...
Just posted my noms for the final of Richard Shaw’s polls to find the best debut albums:
1. Lloyd Cole and The Commotions: Rattlesnakes (1984)
2. Pavement: Slanted And Enchanted (1992)
3. Jeff Buckley: Grace (1994)
4. The Breeders: Pod (1990)
5. Television: Marquee Moon (1977)
1. Lloyd Cole and The Commotions: Rattlesnakes (1984)
2. Pavement: Slanted And Enchanted (1992)
3. Jeff Buckley: Grace (1994)
4. The Breeders: Pod (1990)
5. Television: Marquee Moon (1977)
September 25, 2026 at 7:09 PM
Just posted my noms for the final of Richard Shaw’s polls to find the best debut albums:
1. Lloyd Cole and The Commotions: Rattlesnakes (1984)
2. Pavement: Slanted And Enchanted (1992)
3. Jeff Buckley: Grace (1994)
4. The Breeders: Pod (1990)
5. Television: Marquee Moon (1977)
1. Lloyd Cole and The Commotions: Rattlesnakes (1984)
2. Pavement: Slanted And Enchanted (1992)
3. Jeff Buckley: Grace (1994)
4. The Breeders: Pod (1990)
5. Television: Marquee Moon (1977)
Reposted by Ricky Monahan Brown
New writing at the edge of language in orb speaks. You can read now at the sincere corkscrew website. sincerecorkscrew.neocities.org/orbspeaks0-5
September 16, 2026 at 12:23 PM
New writing at the edge of language in orb speaks. You can read now at the sincere corkscrew website. sincerecorkscrew.neocities.org/orbspeaks0-5
New writing at the edge of language in orb speaks. You can read now at the sincere corkscrew website. sincerecorkscrew.neocities.org/orbspeaks0-5
September 16, 2026 at 12:23 PM
New writing at the edge of language in orb speaks. You can read now at the sincere corkscrew website. sincerecorkscrew.neocities.org/orbspeaks0-5
I’ve picked 5 faves for the 4th and last semifinal of Richard Shaw’s polls for the best debut LPs:
1. Devo: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo! (1978)
2. Lloyd Cole And The Commotions: Rattlesnakes (1984)
3. The Breeders: Pod (1990)
4. Television: Marquee Moon (1977)
5. Morrissey: Viva Hate (1988)
1. Devo: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo! (1978)
2. Lloyd Cole And The Commotions: Rattlesnakes (1984)
3. The Breeders: Pod (1990)
4. Television: Marquee Moon (1977)
5. Morrissey: Viva Hate (1988)
September 4, 2026 at 6:55 PM
I’ve picked 5 faves for the 4th and last semifinal of Richard Shaw’s polls for the best debut LPs:
1. Devo: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo! (1978)
2. Lloyd Cole And The Commotions: Rattlesnakes (1984)
3. The Breeders: Pod (1990)
4. Television: Marquee Moon (1977)
5. Morrissey: Viva Hate (1988)
1. Devo: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo! (1978)
2. Lloyd Cole And The Commotions: Rattlesnakes (1984)
3. The Breeders: Pod (1990)
4. Television: Marquee Moon (1977)
5. Morrissey: Viva Hate (1988)
Reposted by Ricky Monahan Brown
Richard Meier's last collection, After the Miracle, was published shortly before his death. Many of the poems (such as this one) were written with the knowledge that time was short.
It's an exceptional book, full of life, and I recommend you grab a copy asap!
happenstancepress.com/index.php/co...
It's an exceptional book, full of life, and I recommend you grab a copy asap!
happenstancepress.com/index.php/co...
September 4, 2026 at 7:07 AM
Richard Meier's last collection, After the Miracle, was published shortly before his death. Many of the poems (such as this one) were written with the knowledge that time was short.
It's an exceptional book, full of life, and I recommend you grab a copy asap!
happenstancepress.com/index.php/co...
It's an exceptional book, full of life, and I recommend you grab a copy asap!
happenstancepress.com/index.php/co...
Reposted by Ricky Monahan Brown
A few new arrivals from @brokensleepbooks.bsky.social, that I've been meaning to read for a while: Megan Pattie's Bertha Comes Down, Steve Ely @steveeely.bsky.social and Michael Faint's @ansolasoir.com Orasaigh, and Ricky Momahan Brown's @rickyballboy.bsky.social Drawer of Letters.
July 26, 2026 at 11:22 AM
A few new arrivals from @brokensleepbooks.bsky.social, that I've been meaning to read for a while: Megan Pattie's Bertha Comes Down, Steve Ely @steveeely.bsky.social and Michael Faint's @ansolasoir.com Orasaigh, and Ricky Momahan Brown's @rickyballboy.bsky.social Drawer of Letters.
I’ve picked 5 faves for the 3rd semifinal of Richard Shaw’s polls for the best debut LPs:
1. Scott: Scott Walker (1969)
2. Joy Division: Unknown Pleasures (1979)
3. Madness: One Step Beyond (1979)
4. The Wedding Present: George Best (1987)
5. The Wonder Stuff: The Eight Legged Groove Machine (1988)
1. Scott: Scott Walker (1969)
2. Joy Division: Unknown Pleasures (1979)
3. Madness: One Step Beyond (1979)
4. The Wedding Present: George Best (1987)
5. The Wonder Stuff: The Eight Legged Groove Machine (1988)
August 14, 2026 at 9:51 PM
I’ve picked 5 faves for the 3rd semifinal of Richard Shaw’s polls for the best debut LPs:
1. Scott: Scott Walker (1969)
2. Joy Division: Unknown Pleasures (1979)
3. Madness: One Step Beyond (1979)
4. The Wedding Present: George Best (1987)
5. The Wonder Stuff: The Eight Legged Groove Machine (1988)
1. Scott: Scott Walker (1969)
2. Joy Division: Unknown Pleasures (1979)
3. Madness: One Step Beyond (1979)
4. The Wedding Present: George Best (1987)
5. The Wonder Stuff: The Eight Legged Groove Machine (1988)
Just posted my picks in the second semifinal of Richard Shaw’s polls to find the best debut albums out there:
1. Lana Del Ray – Born To Die (2012)
2. Jeff Buckley – Grace (1994)
3. Pete Ubu – The Modern Dance (1978)
4. Kim Deal – Nobody Loves You More (2024)
5. PJ Harvey – Dry (1992)
1. Lana Del Ray – Born To Die (2012)
2. Jeff Buckley – Grace (1994)
3. Pete Ubu – The Modern Dance (1978)
4. Kim Deal – Nobody Loves You More (2024)
5. PJ Harvey – Dry (1992)
July 24, 2026 at 7:03 PM
Just posted my picks in the second semifinal of Richard Shaw’s polls to find the best debut albums out there:
1. Lana Del Ray – Born To Die (2012)
2. Jeff Buckley – Grace (1994)
3. Pete Ubu – The Modern Dance (1978)
4. Kim Deal – Nobody Loves You More (2024)
5. PJ Harvey – Dry (1992)
1. Lana Del Ray – Born To Die (2012)
2. Jeff Buckley – Grace (1994)
3. Pete Ubu – The Modern Dance (1978)
4. Kim Deal – Nobody Loves You More (2024)
5. PJ Harvey – Dry (1992)
Just voted in the first semifinal of Richard Shaw’s polls to find the best 5 debut albums:
1. Purple Mountains: Purple Mountains (2019)
2. Pavement: Slanted & Enchanted (1992)
3. Vampire Weekend: Vampire Weekend (2008)
4. The Jimi Hendrix Experience: Are You Experienced (1967)
5. Ash: 1977 (1996)
1. Purple Mountains: Purple Mountains (2019)
2. Pavement: Slanted & Enchanted (1992)
3. Vampire Weekend: Vampire Weekend (2008)
4. The Jimi Hendrix Experience: Are You Experienced (1967)
5. Ash: 1977 (1996)
July 3, 2026 at 7:08 PM
Just voted in the first semifinal of Richard Shaw’s polls to find the best 5 debut albums:
1. Purple Mountains: Purple Mountains (2019)
2. Pavement: Slanted & Enchanted (1992)
3. Vampire Weekend: Vampire Weekend (2008)
4. The Jimi Hendrix Experience: Are You Experienced (1967)
5. Ash: 1977 (1996)
1. Purple Mountains: Purple Mountains (2019)
2. Pavement: Slanted & Enchanted (1992)
3. Vampire Weekend: Vampire Weekend (2008)
4. The Jimi Hendrix Experience: Are You Experienced (1967)
5. Ash: 1977 (1996)
Just posted my picks for Richard Shaw’s poll of the best debut albums of 2020-26:
1. Gutterblood: Gutterblood (2021)
2. Kim Deal: Nobody Loves You More (2024)
3. VLURE: Escalate (2025)
4. Port Sulphur: Speed Of Life (2022)
5. bdrmm - Bedroom (2020)
1. Gutterblood: Gutterblood (2021)
2. Kim Deal: Nobody Loves You More (2024)
3. VLURE: Escalate (2025)
4. Port Sulphur: Speed Of Life (2022)
5. bdrmm - Bedroom (2020)
June 13, 2026 at 3:46 AM
Just posted my picks for Richard Shaw’s poll of the best debut albums of 2020-26:
1. Gutterblood: Gutterblood (2021)
2. Kim Deal: Nobody Loves You More (2024)
3. VLURE: Escalate (2025)
4. Port Sulphur: Speed Of Life (2022)
5. bdrmm - Bedroom (2020)
1. Gutterblood: Gutterblood (2021)
2. Kim Deal: Nobody Loves You More (2024)
3. VLURE: Escalate (2025)
4. Port Sulphur: Speed Of Life (2022)
5. bdrmm - Bedroom (2020)
A very kind of response from Erin to the old What Are You Reading question.
I tried to sequence the poems to make getting to the end of DoL worthwhile 😉
I tried to sequence the poems to make getting to the end of DoL worthwhile 😉
Still chortling my way through the Dungeon Crawler Carl series. But I’m also hoping to finish Drawer of Letters by @rickyballboy.bsky.social. Really enjoying that one.
June 7, 2026 at 3:11 PM
A very kind of response from Erin to the old What Are You Reading question.
I tried to sequence the poems to make getting to the end of DoL worthwhile 😉
I tried to sequence the poems to make getting to the end of DoL worthwhile 😉
Like this picture of Drawer Of Letters and Maria Sledmere’s The Indigo Hours from last night’s event w/Ian Macartney at @typewronger.bsky.social
Our very different styles brush up against similar images – now I see her cover evokes the Magrittean unease of Little Apples.
Our very different styles brush up against similar images – now I see her cover evokes the Magrittean unease of Little Apples.
June 4, 2026 at 5:54 PM
Like this picture of Drawer Of Letters and Maria Sledmere’s The Indigo Hours from last night’s event w/Ian Macartney at @typewronger.bsky.social
Our very different styles brush up against similar images – now I see her cover evokes the Magrittean unease of Little Apples.
Our very different styles brush up against similar images – now I see her cover evokes the Magrittean unease of Little Apples.
JUST ONE WEEK TILL SLEDMERE, MONAHAN BROWN & MACARTNEY AT TYPEWRONGER!
Join us @tweetwronger on 3 June for an intriguing discussion about writing poetry and prose in the context of The Indigo Hours & Drawer of Letters, both from @brokensleepbooks.bsky.social.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/broken-sle...
Join us @tweetwronger on 3 June for an intriguing discussion about writing poetry and prose in the context of The Indigo Hours & Drawer of Letters, both from @brokensleepbooks.bsky.social.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/broken-sle...
Broken Sleep Books Scotland Showcase: Ricky Monahan Brown &Maria Sledmere
Join us to celebrate recent publications from two of Scotland's most vibrant contemporary writers.
www.eventbrite.co.uk
May 27, 2026 at 11:39 AM
JUST ONE WEEK TILL SLEDMERE, MONAHAN BROWN & MACARTNEY AT TYPEWRONGER!
Join us @tweetwronger on 3 June for an intriguing discussion about writing poetry and prose in the context of The Indigo Hours & Drawer of Letters, both from @brokensleepbooks.bsky.social.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/broken-sle...
Join us @tweetwronger on 3 June for an intriguing discussion about writing poetry and prose in the context of The Indigo Hours & Drawer of Letters, both from @brokensleepbooks.bsky.social.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/broken-sle...
Reminded of this banger wot I wrote in 2022, after learning Marx wrote a poem about Hegel. Definitely going in the next pamphlet:
There once was a man from Stuttgart
Who was thought to be terribly smart.
He was an idealist,
Obwohl ich nicht weiß was das ist,
So I guess I’ll just stick with the arts
There once was a man from Stuttgart
Who was thought to be terribly smart.
He was an idealist,
Obwohl ich nicht weiß was das ist,
So I guess I’ll just stick with the arts
May 25, 2026 at 3:36 PM
Reminded of this banger wot I wrote in 2022, after learning Marx wrote a poem about Hegel. Definitely going in the next pamphlet:
There once was a man from Stuttgart
Who was thought to be terribly smart.
He was an idealist,
Obwohl ich nicht weiß was das ist,
So I guess I’ll just stick with the arts
There once was a man from Stuttgart
Who was thought to be terribly smart.
He was an idealist,
Obwohl ich nicht weiß was das ist,
So I guess I’ll just stick with the arts
Just posted my picks for Richard Shaw’s poll to find the favourite debut albums of 1995-99. They are:
1. Mogwai: Mogwai Young Team (1997)
2. The Dandy Warhols: Dandys Rule OK (1998)
3. Foo Fighters: Foo Fighters (1995)
4. Gene: Olympian (1995)
5. Leftfield: Leftism (1995)
1. Mogwai: Mogwai Young Team (1997)
2. The Dandy Warhols: Dandys Rule OK (1998)
3. Foo Fighters: Foo Fighters (1995)
4. Gene: Olympian (1995)
5. Leftfield: Leftism (1995)
May 22, 2026 at 7:15 PM
Just posted my picks for Richard Shaw’s poll to find the favourite debut albums of 1995-99. They are:
1. Mogwai: Mogwai Young Team (1997)
2. The Dandy Warhols: Dandys Rule OK (1998)
3. Foo Fighters: Foo Fighters (1995)
4. Gene: Olympian (1995)
5. Leftfield: Leftism (1995)
1. Mogwai: Mogwai Young Team (1997)
2. The Dandy Warhols: Dandys Rule OK (1998)
3. Foo Fighters: Foo Fighters (1995)
4. Gene: Olympian (1995)
5. Leftfield: Leftism (1995)
Listening to Foo Fighters (album) for the first time in ages is a reminder of how shockingly good is was to hear This Is A Call on the radio, and then have the album live up to the promise #5debutalbums9599
May 16, 2026 at 4:38 PM
Listening to Foo Fighters (album) for the first time in ages is a reminder of how shockingly good is was to hear This Is A Call on the radio, and then have the album live up to the promise #5debutalbums9599
I’m feeling very privileged today to have received this close read and some kind words from one of my favourite poets.
Check out Rogue Strands, then turn to Matthew’s collections, The Knives of Villalejo and Whatever You Do, Just Don’t, if you haven’t already.
Check out Rogue Strands, then turn to Matthew’s collections, The Knives of Villalejo and Whatever You Do, Just Don’t, if you haven’t already.
A fine poem by Ricky Monahan Brown up at Rogue Strands today, first published in his recent pamphlet from Broken Sleep...
roguestrands.blogspot.com/2026/05/a-po...
@rickyballboy.bsky.social @brokensleepbooks.bsky.social
roguestrands.blogspot.com/2026/05/a-po...
@rickyballboy.bsky.social @brokensleepbooks.bsky.social
A poem by Ricky Monahan Brown
I'm delighted to feature today a poem by Ricky Monahan Brown, taken from his recent pamphlet, Drawer of Letters (Broken Sleep Books, 2025)....
roguestrands.blogspot.com
May 13, 2026 at 5:13 PM
I’m feeling very privileged today to have received this close read and some kind words from one of my favourite poets.
Check out Rogue Strands, then turn to Matthew’s collections, The Knives of Villalejo and Whatever You Do, Just Don’t, if you haven’t already.
Check out Rogue Strands, then turn to Matthew’s collections, The Knives of Villalejo and Whatever You Do, Just Don’t, if you haven’t already.
Reposted by Ricky Monahan Brown
A fine poem by Ricky Monahan Brown up at Rogue Strands today, first published in his recent pamphlet from Broken Sleep...
roguestrands.blogspot.com/2026/05/a-po...
@rickyballboy.bsky.social @brokensleepbooks.bsky.social
roguestrands.blogspot.com/2026/05/a-po...
@rickyballboy.bsky.social @brokensleepbooks.bsky.social
A poem by Ricky Monahan Brown
I'm delighted to feature today a poem by Ricky Monahan Brown, taken from his recent pamphlet, Drawer of Letters (Broken Sleep Books, 2025)....
roguestrands.blogspot.com
May 13, 2026 at 4:58 PM
A fine poem by Ricky Monahan Brown up at Rogue Strands today, first published in his recent pamphlet from Broken Sleep...
roguestrands.blogspot.com/2026/05/a-po...
@rickyballboy.bsky.social @brokensleepbooks.bsky.social
roguestrands.blogspot.com/2026/05/a-po...
@rickyballboy.bsky.social @brokensleepbooks.bsky.social
Reposted by Ricky Monahan Brown
My selections for Richard Shaw’s poll to find the best debut albums of 1975-79:
1. Devo: Q. Are We Not Men? A. We Are Devo! (1978)
2. Buzzcocks: Another Music in Another Kitchen (1978)
3. Television: Marquee Moon (1977)
4. PiL: Public Image: First Issue (1978)
5. Pere Ubu: The Modern Dance (1978)
1. Devo: Q. Are We Not Men? A. We Are Devo! (1978)
2. Buzzcocks: Another Music in Another Kitchen (1978)
3. Television: Marquee Moon (1977)
4. PiL: Public Image: First Issue (1978)
5. Pere Ubu: The Modern Dance (1978)
May 1, 2026 at 6:21 PM
My selections for Richard Shaw’s poll to find the best debut albums of 1975-79:
1. Devo: Q. Are We Not Men? A. We Are Devo! (1978)
2. Buzzcocks: Another Music in Another Kitchen (1978)
3. Television: Marquee Moon (1977)
4. PiL: Public Image: First Issue (1978)
5. Pere Ubu: The Modern Dance (1978)
1. Devo: Q. Are We Not Men? A. We Are Devo! (1978)
2. Buzzcocks: Another Music in Another Kitchen (1978)
3. Television: Marquee Moon (1977)
4. PiL: Public Image: First Issue (1978)
5. Pere Ubu: The Modern Dance (1978)
My selections for Richard Shaw’s poll to find the best debut albums of 1975-79:
1. Devo: Q. Are We Not Men? A. We Are Devo! (1978)
2. Buzzcocks: Another Music in Another Kitchen (1978)
3. Television: Marquee Moon (1977)
4. PiL: Public Image: First Issue (1978)
5. Pere Ubu: The Modern Dance (1978)
1. Devo: Q. Are We Not Men? A. We Are Devo! (1978)
2. Buzzcocks: Another Music in Another Kitchen (1978)
3. Television: Marquee Moon (1977)
4. PiL: Public Image: First Issue (1978)
5. Pere Ubu: The Modern Dance (1978)
May 1, 2026 at 6:21 PM
My selections for Richard Shaw’s poll to find the best debut albums of 1975-79:
1. Devo: Q. Are We Not Men? A. We Are Devo! (1978)
2. Buzzcocks: Another Music in Another Kitchen (1978)
3. Television: Marquee Moon (1977)
4. PiL: Public Image: First Issue (1978)
5. Pere Ubu: The Modern Dance (1978)
1. Devo: Q. Are We Not Men? A. We Are Devo! (1978)
2. Buzzcocks: Another Music in Another Kitchen (1978)
3. Television: Marquee Moon (1977)
4. PiL: Public Image: First Issue (1978)
5. Pere Ubu: The Modern Dance (1978)
Taking a break from Blood Meridian, to explore “the cruelty of nature and humankind” as set forth in John Gerard Fagan’s Silent Riders of the Sea.
April 25, 2026 at 6:43 PM
Taking a break from Blood Meridian, to explore “the cruelty of nature and humankind” as set forth in John Gerard Fagan’s Silent Riders of the Sea.
I’ve submitted my selections for Richard Shaw’s polls to find the best debut albums of 2015-19:
1. Purple Mountains: s/t (2019)
2. Courtney Barnett: Sometimes I Sit and Think… (2015)
3. MJ Lenderman: s/t (2019)
4. Catholic Action: In Memory Of (2017)
5. Kamasi Washington: The Epic (2015)
1. Purple Mountains: s/t (2019)
2. Courtney Barnett: Sometimes I Sit and Think… (2015)
3. MJ Lenderman: s/t (2019)
4. Catholic Action: In Memory Of (2017)
5. Kamasi Washington: The Epic (2015)
April 10, 2026 at 6:23 PM
I’ve submitted my selections for Richard Shaw’s polls to find the best debut albums of 2015-19:
1. Purple Mountains: s/t (2019)
2. Courtney Barnett: Sometimes I Sit and Think… (2015)
3. MJ Lenderman: s/t (2019)
4. Catholic Action: In Memory Of (2017)
5. Kamasi Washington: The Epic (2015)
1. Purple Mountains: s/t (2019)
2. Courtney Barnett: Sometimes I Sit and Think… (2015)
3. MJ Lenderman: s/t (2019)
4. Catholic Action: In Memory Of (2017)
5. Kamasi Washington: The Epic (2015)