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Ricky Monahan Brown @rickyballboy.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

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)

Album cover of Rattlesnakes by Lloyd Cole and The Commotions

Album cover of Slanted And Enchanted by Pavement

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Ricky Monahan Brown @rickyballboy.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

New writing at the edge of language in orb speaks. You can read now at the sincere corkscrew website. sincerecorkscrew.neocities.org/orbspeaks0-5

Graphic showing the contributors to orb speaks

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Ricky Monahan Brown @rickyballboy.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

New writing at the edge of language in orb speaks. You can read now at the sincere corkscrew website. sincerecorkscrew.neocities.org/orbspeaks0-5

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Ricky Monahan Brown @rickyballboy.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

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)

Album cover of Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo! by Devo

Album cover of Marquee Moon by Television

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Matthew Stewart @roguestrands.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

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...

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Daniel Hinds @danielghinds.bsky.social · 26/07/2026

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.

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Ricky Monahan Brown @rickyballboy.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

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)

Album cover of Unknown Pleasures by Joy Division.

Album cover of One Step Beyond by Madness

Album cover of George Best by The Wedding Present

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Ricky Monahan Brown @rickyballboy.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

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)

Album cover of Born To Die by Lana Del Rey

Album cover of The Modern Dance by Pete Ubu

Album cover of Nobody Loves You More by Kim Deal

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Ricky Monahan Brown @rickyballboy.bsky.social · 03/07/2026

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)

Album cover of Purple Mountains by Purple Mountains

Album cover of Slanted & Enchanted by Pavement

Album cover of Vampire Weekend by Vampire Weekend

Album cover of Are You Experienced by The Jimi Hendrix Experience

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Ricky Monahan Brown @rickyballboy.bsky.social · 13/06/2026

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) ‬

Album cover of Gutterblood by Gutterblood

Album cover of Speed Of Life by Port Sulphur

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Ricky Monahan Brown @rickyballboy.bsky.social · 07/06/2026

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 😉

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Ricky Monahan Brown @rickyballboy.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

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.

Drawer of Letters by Ricky Monahan Brown and The Indigo Hours by Maria Sledmere on display at Typewronger Books

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Ricky Monahan Brown @rickyballboy.bsky.social · 27/05/2026

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...

eventbrite.co.uk

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.

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Ricky Monahan Brown @rickyballboy.bsky.social · 25/05/2026

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

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Ricky Monahan Brown @rickyballboy.bsky.social · 22/05/2026

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)

Album cover of Mogwai Young Team by Mogwai.

Album cover of Dandys Rule OK by The Dandy Warhols.

Album cover of Foo Fighters by Foo Fighters

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Ricky Monahan Brown @rickyballboy.bsky.social · 16/05/2026

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

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Ricky Monahan Brown @rickyballboy.bsky.social · 13/05/2026

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.

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Ricky Monahan Brown @rickyballboy.bsky.social · 01/05/2026

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)

Album cover of Another Music In A Different Kitchen by Buzzcocks

Album cover of Public Image: First Issue by PiL

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Ricky Monahan Brown @rickyballboy.bsky.social · 01/05/2026

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Ricky Monahan Brown @rickyballboy.bsky.social · 25/04/2026

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.

A recently acquired copy of Silent Riders of the Sea by John Gerard Fagan

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Ricky Monahan Brown @rickyballboy.bsky.social · 10/04/2026

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)

Album cover of Purple Mountains by Purple Mountians

Album cover of sometimes I sit and think, and sometimes I just sit by Courtney Barnett

Album cover of MJ Lenderman by MJ Lenderman

Album cover of In Memory Of by Catholic Action

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Ricky Monahan Brown @rickyballboy.bsky.social · 02/04/2026

Delighted that East Bristol Books has taken a few more copies of my short story collection, TERMINAL. I'll provide extra content to anyone picking one up there, so if you know folks… Independent bookshops are key supporters of interesting new writing. Please support EBB and your local bookstore!

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Ricky Monahan Brown @rickyballboy.bsky.social · 01/04/2026

I really enjoy the Tantallon Tìr Author Spotlights. Answering the Qs is a fun way to shine a spotlight on one’s own process, and reading other writers’ answers gives an interesting insight into how they do it. tantallontir.com/author-spotl... See replies for a pre-order link for Call of the Isles.

tantallontir.com

Ricky Monahan Brown: From Law to Literary Inspiration

Discover Ricky Monahan Brown's journey from lawyer to writer after a life-changing stroke. Explore his unique literary influences and works.

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Ricky Monahan Brown @rickyballboy.bsky.social · 23/03/2026

I do rather enjoy the way Trump ends his Truth Social posts in the style of the National Lampoon’s Politenessman

National Lampoon Politenessman badge: THANK YOU FOR LOOKING AT THIS BUTTON!

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Ricky Monahan Brown @rickyballboy.bsky.social · 22/03/2026

Join me and the Graveyard Shift team to celebrate World Poetry Day (observed) in Leith tomorrow!

Flyer for The Graveyard Shift poetry and music night at Diggers Leith on Bernard Street on Monday, 23 March, 2026, 7pm-9pm, featuring Gabrielle Tse, Ricky Monahan Brown and singer-songwriter Cici Chen. 4-minute open mic spots available – apply to DiggersGraveyardShift@gmail.com

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Ricky Monahan Brown @rickyballboy.bsky.social · 21/03/2026

I wished a poet a happy birthday on World Poetry Day, then spent the day being more of a dad than a poet. But! Here’s one I prepared earlier, if you like poetry. Or the world. Or days. www.brokensleepbooks.com/product-page...

brokensleepbooks.com

Ricky Monahan Brown - Drawer of Letters | Broken Sleep Books

Drawer of Letters by Ricky Monahan Brown is a wry, elegiac and formally varied collection that navigates illness, grief, intimacy and reinvention with intelligence and bite. Mixing elegy, haiku, lyric...

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Ricky Monahan Brown @rickyballboy.bsky.social · 21/03/2026

brokensleepbooks.com

Ricky Monahan Brown - Drawer of Letters | Broken Sleep Books

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Ricky Monahan Brown @rickyballboy.bsky.social · 20/03/2026

Just posted my picks for Richard Shaw’s poll of the best debut albums of 1985-89. w/apologies to Blue Sky, they are: 1. Morrissey: Viva Hate 88 2. Cud: When in Rome, Kill Me 87 3. Pixies: Surfer Rosa 88 4. The Wedding Present: George Best 87 5. The Wonder Stuff: The Eight Legged Groove Machine 88

Album cover of When In Rome, Kill Me by Cud

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Ricky Monahan Brown @rickyballboy.bsky.social · 18/03/2026

I’ll be reading from my poetry pamphlet, Drawer Of Letters (pub @brokensleepbooks.bsky.social), in Leith with the good folks of The Graveyard Shift on MONDAY. Details on the flyer 👇

Flyer for the next Graveyard Shift event: poets Gabrielle Tse and Ricky Monahan Brown and singer-songwriter Cici Chen at Diggers Leith on Bernard Street (tram stop: The Shore), Monday, 23 March, 2026, 7-9pm. 4 minute open mic slots available: email the organisers

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Ricky Monahan Brown @rickyballboy.bsky.social · 07/03/2026

🎶 People looking for shoegaze Twitter to the left of me, people looking for Fugazi Albini Blue Sky to the right… 🎶

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Ricky Monahan Brown @rickyballboy.bsky.social · 28/02/2026

A hugely talented Brooklyn guy is gone. I always enjoyed seeing Neil Sedaka’s plaque on the Celebrity Path @brooklynbotanic.bsky.social, not least because of my love for this magnificent song. youtube.com/watch?v=U4-u...

youtube.com

Neil Sedaka - "Solitaire" (1972)

YouTube video by Lance The Scorpion

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Ricky Monahan Brown @rickyballboy.bsky.social · 27/02/2026

Just posted my picks for Richard Shaw’s poll of the best debut albums of 2005-09: 1. LCD Soundsystem: s/t (2005) 2. Vampire Weekend: s/t (2007) 3. Art Brut: Bang Bang Rock & Roll (2005) 4. The Last Shadow Puppets: The Age of the Understatement (2008) 5. The Horrors: Strange House (2007)

Album cover of LCD Soundsystem by LCD Soundsystem

Album cover of Bang Bang Rock & Roll by Art Brut

Album cover of The Age of the Understatement by The Last Shadow Puppets

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Ricky Monahan Brown @rickyballboy.bsky.social · 26/02/2026

I'm in the new anthology from Tantallon Tìr: tantallontir.com/product/call... "From St Kilda to Samoa, Call of the Isles sails into islands beset with grief, violence, hope, regret, and recovery. A stunning set of stories from the best Scottish and Scotland-based writers in the world."

tantallontir.com

Call of the Isles

Call of the Isles – A Scottish anthology

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Ricky Monahan Brown @rickyballboy.bsky.social · 12/02/2026

My first attempt at poetry in Gaelic (together with my English translation) has just seen the light of day. Thanks to Scottish Mountaineering Press for the prompt and opportunity. scottishmountaineeringpress.com/creatives/pu...

scottishmountaineeringpress.com

Duilleagan - Scottish Mountaineering Press

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Ricky Monahan Brown @rickyballboy.bsky.social · 06/02/2026

Just posted my 5 debut albums of the 50s & 60s for Richard Shaw’s latest poll: 1. Scott Walker: Scott (1967) 2. Jacques Brel: Jacques Brel et ses chansons (1954) 3. Leonard Cohen: Songs of LC (1967) 4. Jimi Hendrix Experience: Are You Experienced (1967) 5. The Velvet U’ground: The VU & Nico (1967)

Album cover of Jacques Brel et ses chansons

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North House Press @northhousepress.bsky.social · 30/01/2026

We're delighted to reveal the covers for three titles by the great Scottish novelist Neil M. Gunn, including a centenary edition of his remarkable debut, The Grey Coast. Read more about each book and pre-order information on our website: www.northhousepress.co.uk/books #Booksky 📚💙

Covers for The Grey Coast, The Serpent and Blood Hunt all by Neil M. Gunn and publishing on the 21st May 2026 from North House Press.

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Ricky Monahan Brown @rickyballboy.bsky.social · 23/01/2026

Just cast my votes for Richard Shaw’s poll for the best debut albums of the period 1990-94: 1. Pavement: Slanted & Enchanted (1992) 2. Gallon Drunk: You, the Night… and the Music (1992) 3. The Breeders: Pod (1990) 4. Jeff Buckley: Grace (1994) 5. Babes In Toyland: Spanking Machine (1990)

Album cover of Gallon Drunk by Gallon Drunk

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Ricky Monahan Brown @rickyballboy.bsky.social · 23/01/2026

Very much looking forward to participating in this discussion of poetry, language, languages and style at the Edinburgh Literary Salon on Tuesday. Copies of DoL will be available for purchase, signing and dedication. Come along! Have a chat!

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Ricky Monahan Brown @rickyballboy.bsky.social · 16/01/2026

Such a privilege to have readers who are willing to journey into a poem with you.

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Ricky Monahan Brown @rickyballboy.bsky.social · 11/01/2026

Thanks to whichever end of year show earwormed me with this deathless banger youtu.be/4iF47M3YDlg

youtu.be

Jimmy Nail Ain't No Doubt

YouTube video by minkepouss

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Ricky Monahan Brown @rickyballboy.bsky.social · 08/01/2026

I didn’t get the irony of the title first time around, partly because next to, say, En Trance To Exit, this is an ambient album. #5DebutAlbums9094 youtu.be/S8-n8vE7kSM

Album cover of Selected Ambient Works 85-92 by Aphex Twin

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Ricky Monahan Brown @rickyballboy.bsky.social · 05/01/2026

Probably the monster that is most responsible for the nature of my artistic temperament and tastes 😱 Gallon Drunk: You, the Night ... and the Music (1992) #5DebutAlbums9094

Album cover of Gallon Drunk’s You, the Night ... and the Music (1992)

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Ricky Monahan Brown @rickyballboy.bsky.social · 02/01/2026

Broadcasting C21st poetry from the 80s for NY2026 via the magic of @brokensleepbooks.bsky.social! Tonight’s readers for the latest Broken Sleep launch event prove that contemporary poetry is alive and thriving. Check out their Best of 2025 anthology for the evidence!

Ricky Monahan Brown reading from his pamphlet Drawer of Letters for an online launch event

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Ricky Monahan Brown @rickyballboy.bsky.social · 01/01/2026

I’ll be reading from my new poetry pamphlet at Broken Sleep Books' – @brokensleepbooks.bsky.social – online launch for their latest releases tomorrow, FRIDAY, JANUARY 2, at 8pm GMT. You can register for a link to the event for as little as £1. www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/broken-sle...

eventbrite.co.uk

Broken Sleep Books December 2025 Launch

Readers: Liza Costello ,Patrick Davidson Roberts, Katie Hale, Stuart McPherson, Ricky Monahan Brown, Róisín Ní Neachtain,and Eleni Philippou

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Ricky Monahan Brown @rickyballboy.bsky.social · 29/12/2025

Just posted my selections for Richard Shaw’s best 5 albums of 2025 poll, as follows: 1. Gutterblood –Good Dogs Will Never Die 2. Wednesday – Bleeds 3. Hannah Cohen – Earthstar Mountain 4. VLURE – Escalate 5. HMHB – All Asimov & No Fresh Air

Album cover of Good Dogs Will Never Die by Gutterblood

Album cover of Earthstar Mountain by Hannah Cohen

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Ricky Monahan Brown @rickyballboy.bsky.social · 22/12/2025

Glad to hear on the radio this morning that “hot streaks” of impactful creative output aren’t tied to starting young.

Raymond Chandler relaxing at home with his pipe.

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June Gemmell @junegemmell.bsky.social · 16/12/2025

Sounds perfect! Ordered. @rickyballboy.bsky.social

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