Books and Brews Podcast Episode #15: Mark Conner

Books and Brews Podcast

Mark Connor is from St. Paul, MN. In summer 2019, he was featured in the first Gabriel’s Horn Press anthology, Surprised by Joy. A boxer since age 10, he currently trains competitive and recreational boxers, runs a training business called Fighting Chance/Boxing for Life and writes fiction, poetry, and journalism. He has written and published many articles about Boxing and Irish culture and history, as well as other features. boxersandwritersmagazine.com

Mark's Readings:

• The Perfect Metaphor – 9:26
• Halfway Around – 29:53
• Two Pilgrim Souls: Anam Cara – 46:14

Michael’s Beer Pairings:

• Veltins Pilsener, Brauerei C & A Veltins (paired to The Perfect Metaphor) – 6:03
• Ommegang Saison Rosé, Brewery Ommegang (paired to Halfway Around) – 27:24
• Dirt Wolf Double IPA, Victory Brewing Company (paired to Two Pilgrim Souls: Anam Cara) – 42:43

Interview Highlights:

• Boxing and jazz improvisation – 11:41
• Boxing and poetry – 14:48
• Mark’s start in boxing – 17:30
• Mark’s mentors – 21:06
• Similarities of boxing to poetry – 24:24
• Other boxer poets – 25:16
• Native American medicine wheel – 37:04
• Spontaneous writing vs re-working a poem – 39:07
• The epic Irish poet and his muse – 48:06
• Becoming a monstrance – 53:03

COMING NEXT MONTH: Mike Faricy, mystery author

Our theme music is from www.bensound.com.

UPCOMING EVENTS: Gabriel's Horn is accepting submissions for its anthology