GARRETT DIAMOND

  Garrett Diamond is a busy man. A longtime painter and musician, Diamond's first novel has now exploded onto the literary scene, keeping him running the gauntlet of readings and radio shows and earning him comparisons to beat author Neal Cassady, among other American legends. His debut, "Crashing Out in the Alphabets," explores the seamy, sexual New York City underbelly through its protagonist, the talented, drunken, murderous Kevin Nelson. Called "outrageous, raw, and savage" by one reviewer, the novel is typical of Diamond's oeuvre. "His work," he says, "portrays the maddening things one sees during the beginnings of life."

As the popularity of "Crashing" mushrooms, so has Diamond's public appearance schedule in the New York area. He has held numerous discussions and readings at Barnes & Noble and Waldenbooks and been featured on the Noam Landen Radio Show, 1500 AM in New Jersey. He is featured on curledup.com and spilledink.com, and his work has been serialized on xenith.net. Diamond's fine art had been showcased at the CSV Cultural Center, the Elizabeth, N.J. Public Library, The Tunnel, and Tompkins Square Art Around The Park. He has performed his music live at several venues, including Cafe Della Pace and CSV Cultural Center. And prior to the publishing of "Crashing," his writings and reproductions of his artwork appeared in Mudfish, Number Foundation Magazine, Rutgers University Review, 12th Planet, Writers Choice, Story Mania and the NY Hangover.

Diamond lives in Astoria, Queens, and is now at work on a second novel. When not scribbling on napkins or frightening bookstore patrons with his dark readings, he can be found drinking Kamikazes in any bar that will serve him.