Working It Off in Labor County

Larry D. Thacker is a Kentuckian writer and artist living in Johnson City, Tennessee. He is the author of the paranormal folk history Mountain Mysteries, two chapbooks, and four full poetry collections. He holds an MFA in poetry and fiction from West Virginia Wesleyan College. Visit his website at www.larrydthacker.com.

Acknowledgments Working It Off in Labor County Hot Ticket Day of the Dead Diner, Home of Juan D's Best BBQ Brotherhood of the Mystic Hand Uncle Archie's Acquisition The Hard Thing Riding Shotgun with Dory Uncle Archie's Underground Reunion The Art of Grief Benny and the Hill's Angels No Dumping Hollow of the Dolls Uncle Archie Goes One for Three The Clown Brothers Eller About Levi The New Exhilarist The Work

"A rollicking portrayal of small-town Kentucky life . . . unified by strong narrative drive and well-crafted prose. Fans of George Singleton will love this." Publishers Weekly "Energetic, humorous, and full of heart. Thacker's voice feels fresh and alive." Jonathan Corcoran, author of The Rope Swing "Larry Thacker's stories have bark, but they also have bite. These Labor County people aren't real, I keep telling myself that. They are just figments a writer made up in his head. But when you come away from this book, you'll feel that you've encountered a cast of characters who are going to stay with you--like newfound kin or a bad feeling in the bottom of your brain. Thacker writes like a wild man with a mean streak, breaking your tired heart all along the way." Charles Dodd White, author of How Fire Runs and In the House of Wilderness "Thacker's linked collection is a carnival ride of southern gothic tales and freak-show oddities. . . . Hilarious, yes, but it's also a thoughtful exploration of the residents of Labor County, Kentucky, who are desperate to pull meaning out of loss." Marie Manilla, author of The Patron Saint of Ugly "There's a country song on every page. . . . These characters want out, want in, yearn for some luck, lose whatever fortunes appear in their lives. This collection's a keeper, worthy of shelf space between Larry Brown and Merle Haggard." George Singleton, author of You Want More: Selected Stories