The Orneriest of Cusses

After decades of talking about it and handfuls of false starts and stops, I’ve completed my first book. On June 1st of 2026, Weirdo Du Jour Press releases my debut novel, Ornery Cuss. Not to be confused with the zine printed in 2023, this is the complete and unabridged version chocked full of the working class dark humor you love. A grubby coming-of-age tale about a sharp-edged loner who runs away from a stifling rural community and into the arms of Chicago’s raw chaos. No shortcuts taken nor lessons learned any way but the hard way.

You can pre-order a copy here. By doing so, 100% of the price you pay goes directly to me as the author. I will sign and write whatever personal inscription you wish on every copy you purchase.

Of course, I didn’t do this all alone. I wouldn’t have gone through with any of this, were it not for the support and guidance of Dmitry Samarov. His talent and experience helped refine these pages through edit and design. Most importantly, his encouragement helped will Ornery Cuss into existence. It’s a gift to have someone so thoughtful in my corner. Yesterday we had a conversation on Hu U No about the book, writing, zines, and the like. You can listen to it here.

We Should Close

“We Should Close”

88-page long, quarter sized zine about working in a record store. Complete with silly good times and tales of weirdo collectors of vinyl. Comes with its own playlist on YouTube or Spotify. Only $3!

It’ll be available soon, and I’m STILL sorting out an online store-front. So if you want a copy right away, shoot me an email. weirdodujour@ proton.me

Ornery Cuss Perzine

I wrote a zine, and it’s not about horror movies, but it does have a lot of monsters.
Ornery Cuss is a dark humored perzine with 11 short stories about mental illness, addiction, and grief.

Locally, it is available at Quimby’s Book Store & Chicago Comics. Soon, it’ll be available at Atomic Books in Baltimore, MD, and other distros across the U.S.

If you’re not in Chicago and can’t wait, Venmo $4 (+$1 s&h) to ‘weirdodujour’ and put your mailing address in the notes. I’ll even throw some little stickers in.

TW: drug and alcohol use, domestic violence, sexual assault, and death

Merry Maladies & Sepulchral Summoning

Last October I was honored to collaborate with Nora Barton of Planchette for some eerie orations and spooky spoken word. 

Planchette (feat. Krystle Ratticus) – “Spider Baby”

A rendition of Ronald Stein’s underrated theme for the 1963 horror film, Spider Baby. Video by Matthew Shelton of Flex Your Love Muscles.

Planchette (feat. Krystle Ratticus) – “Because I Could Not Stop For Death”

Written by Emily Dickinson and video by Nora Barton.

Planchette (feat. Krystle Ratticus) – “Omens”

Written by Cecilia Llompart and video by John Barnard of Pexelsvideo

Planchette (feat. Krystle Ratticus) – “Polluted”

Written by Krystle Ratticus and video by Nora Barton.

You can find more of Planchette here and please check out all of Nora’s extra cellistrial projects and celloscapes here.