SIN BUG - CAConrad

he wrote “I have AIDS
and kissed this wall”
X marked the spot
I wrote “I’m not afraid”
and kissed him back
wherever he is

SIN BUG 

A new book by poet-activist CAConrad combining essay, memoir and (Soma)tic poetry rituals. Documenting the pervasive homophobic violence of the 1980s and the overwhelming losses of AIDS, this work is an unwavering testament to queer resilience. CA’s text forms a resounding incantation to friends and lovers lost. SIN BUG is the first book published as part of the Open Narratives series.

About CAConrad

CAConrad has been writing poems for more than 50 years and working with (Soma)tic poetry rituals for over 20 years. Their latest book is Listen to the Golden Boomerang Return (Wave Books / UK Penguin 2024). The Book of Frank is available in 9 different languages, most recently French and Italian. They also exhibit poems as sculpture with recent shows in London, Melbourne, Porto, Santander, and Tucson. Please visit them online at CAConrad.com.

Open Narratives

A publishing and events programme highlighting LGBTQIA+ voices through a series of newly commissioned printed matter, live readings, exhibitions and workshops. Open Narratives at Tenderbooks is funded by Arts Council England. 

Tender Readers 

A series of experimental ideas realised in a pocket-sized format and published by Tenderbooks. Previous titles in this series: You gotta keep your head straight about clothes — Dal Chodha 

Credits

Commissioned by Tamsin Clark
Coordinated by Harri Welch
Designed by Kia Tasbihgou
Edited by Lillian Wilkie

Printed by Printon, Tallinn

Supported by Arts Council England 

*Signed copies available* 

Tenderbooks, 2025
First edition of 250 copies 
Softcover 64pp with die-cut bookmark 
139 x 105mm