February 2021 – Patrick O'Neil

Relying On A Government That Doesn’t Care

Relying On A Government That Doesn’t Care

I’ve been on hold for over an hour involuntarily listening to some unidentifiable muzak loop, droning over the speaker phone, interrupted every twenty seconds by an automated voice telling me I could be doing this online. Which feels both patronizing and torturous as I did do everything online only to have EDD mail me a...

The Sound Of A Mute Screaming

The Sound Of A Mute Screaming

My voice has left me. There’s paralysis in the muscles and nerves of my left vocal cord. For now all I can manage is a hoarse whisper and depending on what doctor I consult I’m not even supposed to do that. I’m on a heavy régime of Nimodipine; a class of medication called calcium channel...

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Patrick O’Neil is the author of the memoirs: ANARCHY AT THE CIRCLE K (Punk Hostage Press, 2022), GUN, NEEDLE, SPOON (Dzanc Books, 2015), and HOLD-UP (13e Note Editions, 2013). He is the co-author on two instructional writing manuals, WRITING YOUR WAY TO RECOVERY: HOW STORIES CAN SAVE OUR LIVES (Independent Press, 2021), with the author James Brown. And PEN America’s Prison and Justice Writing Program's, THE SENTENCES THAT CREATE US: CRAFTING A WRITER'S LIFE IN PRISON (Haymarket Books, 2022). His writing has appeared in numerous publications including: Juxtapoz, Salon, The Fix, Decible, and Razorcake. O'Neil is a contributing editor for Sensitive Skin Magazine, a Pushcart nominee, a two time nominee for Best Of The Net, and a PEN Center USA Professional and former Emerging Voices Mentor. His newest work, LA COUNTY - a noir crime novel set in LA - is out making the rounds for publication. O'Neil holds an MFA from Antioch University Los Angeles where he is a facilitator for their Continuing Education program. He also teaches at a Los Angeles community college and various rehabs, correctional facilities, institutions, and workshops. (Author Photos: Brian Looby)

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