Con Chapman


Location Boston, Massachusetts
Occupation writer
Website http://www.conchapman.com

About Me

I am a Boston-area writer, author of two novels, most recently Making Partner (Joshua Tree Publishing), and The Year of the Gerbil, a history of the '78 Red Sox-Yankees pennant race. I am the author of twenty-seven plays, ten published, which have been performed in Boston, New York and elsewhere. My humor has appeared in Barrons, The Christian Science Monitor, The Boston Globe, The Atlantic Monthly and Salon.com, and I am a frequent contributor to The Boston Herald.

Why do you write?

I hurt my knee and had to drop out of my bowling league.

Any favorite authors? Books?

Ring Lardner, George Ade, A.J. Liebling, H.L. Mencken, Thomas Berger, Raymond Carver, Flannery O'Connor

Con Chapman's Wall

Ray Nessly – Feb 08, 2016

Con, thanks for visiting and commenting on "I Was A Republican."

Charlotte Hamrick – Jul 12, 2013

Thanks for your comment and fave on "Everybody...", Con. Friends don't let friends, indeed!

Garth Erickson – Apr 02, 2013

Con
Thanks for your comment on Leviathan - I take pride in being unfashionable :D

Willie Smith – Mar 03, 2013

MAIDSTONE, yes! Nice try, on Rip Torn's part, to knock some sense into Mailer with that hammer. But obviously he didn't get anywhere; just produced another few minutes of great art. This is a marvelous era in which to be alive: all one need do is swing away with a hammer and immortality is guaranteed. Thanks for reminding me of MAIDSTONE!

Janice D. Soderling – Feb 07, 2013

Thanks for reading and commenting "What the Heart Is". I wasn't aware of any Chinese belief about the liver being the seat of emotions, but this was the opinion of Galen in ancient Rome whose opinion was passed on to medieval philosophers. I learn new things all the time. Thanks.

Gloria Garfunkel – Jan 15, 2013

Read my comment on your comment and thanks for the thoughts.

Samantha Memi – Jan 09, 2013

But grilled cheese sandwiches make devilishly difficult characters. They never do anything you want them to :)

Gloria Garfunkel – Jan 05, 2013

Thanks for your comment on Insomnia. The worst is over.

John Riley – Dec 09, 2012

Con, thanks for faving my poem "Factory Girl in a Blurred Photograph."

Gloria Garfunkel – Oct 12, 2012

I'm ambivalent about acknowledging Carver with What we talk about. Too obvious. And there are already too many cats on the Internet.

Gloria Garfunkel – Sep 20, 2012

On How to be an Artist in New Jersey, they are all con artists, even the writer.

Gloria Garfunkel – Sep 20, 2012

For My Next Act, Fluffy going to heaven. That's so sad.

Eric Sweder – Aug 31, 2012

Thanks for the feedback on my story--encouraging and helpful.

Mathew Paust – Aug 17, 2012

Thanks for being the first to comment on my debut story here. Where again should I send the check?

Bill Yarrow – Aug 06, 2012

Con, thanks for reading and commenting on "A Thousand Books." I like your metaphor!

Gloria Garfunkel – Aug 03, 2012

The term Refrigerator Mothers comes from the Mother-blaming era of psychiatry in the fifties when autism and schizophrenia were blamed on cold distant mothers, before it dawned on the field that these were biologically based conditions, genetic even, so some of the mothers may have been on the spectrum of the same disorders. Your story, on the other hand, implies refrigerator husbands.

Gloria Garfunkel – Aug 03, 2012

As the spanking new co-adminstrator of The Comic Story group, I am falling in love with your work, only hoping that you won't have to single-handedly continue to keep the group going.

Bill Yarrow – Mar 27, 2012

Thanks for faving "The Hotel Where Esenin Hanged Himself," Con.

J. Mykell Collinz – Mar 18, 2012

Hi, Con. Thanks for reading, 'Masguerade.' I greatly appreciate your comment and fav.

Kait Mauro – Mar 05, 2012

Small world :) what is your son doing here?

Neil McCarthy – Feb 14, 2012

If that bar has a pool table and a Guinness tap and bar of politicians then I´m up for a visit next time I´m in town! Thanks, Neil

Beate Sigriddaughter – Jan 12, 2012

Thanks for reading "New Song of Innocence and Experience" and giving me the green light for further procrastination.

Dolemite – Jan 05, 2012

"Matt, thanks for the comment. I came across the quote in an essay on Ben Jonson whose theme was basically that he was the anal-retentive king of the Elizabethans, which I guess the quote proves."
``````````````````````````````````
Ahem... "the theme OF WHICH was..."

I'm the king of the (anal-retentive) cats!

Bobbi Lurie – Dec 26, 2011

Con--thank you for reading and responding to my poem, "Homeless Outside The Church"--much appreciated.

Chris Sheehan – Dec 21, 2011

Thanks for the comment and faving--I'm still trying to get used to that word--my story. I really appreciate it. Looking forward to reading your work.

sean m. poole – Dec 17, 2011

Hi Con,
Thanks for your comments on "Sideshow Sam & The Heckler".

I also attended many state fairs, circuses and sideshows as a kid. My favorite sideshow act was the 6 foot tall, fire breathing, man eating chicken. The banner art for that act alone was worth the price of admission!

Browning's "Freaks" is an old favorite of mine. I'd like to find it on a DVD.

In my years working the Dirt Circuit I've gotten to know many circus acts and sideshow performers. My wife and I had the privilege to share a stage for several years at a show on the Upper Cape with the great Johnny Meah. Billed as "The Czar of Bizarre" Johnny is also a world class artist. His circus/sideshow banner paintings have been exhibited in the Smithsonian. Check out his website - www.czarofbizarre.com

I haven't read Conroy's "Stop-Time" yet but I'll look for it. "Geek Love" by Katherine Dunn is a superb and many layered, surreal novel about a family owned traveling show. It's well worth reading.

Bill Yarrow – Nov 23, 2011

"aesthetics"--So were you a Monroe Beardsley fan?

Every read High Blair's Lectures on Rhetoric and Belles Lettres?--one of my favorites.

"did my senior project on figures of speech"
Would I enjoy reading that if you have it available electronically and are willing to share?

Thanks for commenting on the A of B thing.

Bill Yarrow – Sep 08, 2011

Thanks for commenting on and faving the Chattanooga poem, Con. I kind of agree with you on the ambition line.

Joani Reese – Sep 03, 2011

Hi Con: Your appreciation of "Abstinence" made my heart thrum! : )

Bill Yarrow – Sep 01, 2011

Thanks for faving the visa poem, Con. "Positive Suck"--I'm sure someone will jump on that soon.

Joani Reese – Aug 22, 2011

Hi Con: Happy you liked "Play." It was fun to write, but I'm not her. She did tell me, however, that those little kids tried to sell her a blunt or two...

Bill Yarrow – Aug 01, 2011

Thanks for commenting on the Euclid poem. Appreciate it!
"I was hoping the pun would be continued in the poem--Bogie looking at Bacall, while they proved a theorem."
Sounds more like a job for Con Chapman!

Joani Reese – Jul 23, 2011

Hi Con: Thanks for stopping by. I think you left your scarf...

Bill Yarrow – Jul 10, 2011

Hi, Con. Thanks for commenting on and faving "Black Ice." Always enjoy hearing from you!

Jack Swenson – Apr 11, 2011

Don't worry, Con. You can turn your hearing aids off. Thanks for the comment (& star?) for "Men Are Beasts."

Larry Strattner – Mar 17, 2011

Thanks for your comments on Home Invasion (Johnny Dangerously) which I renamed Hello Kitty.
I will not republish with the new title to save you re-reading saying to yourself,” haven’t I already read this damn thing? Like some stupid Tom Clancy paperback in the airport where they changed the cover causing you to get halfway to St. Louis before you realize you recognize the plot. Ha.
LS

Jack Swenson – Feb 03, 2011

On the nosey. The mantis it is. Some women are like that, too, as you say.

Bill Yarrow – Jan 05, 2011

Con,
Thanks for commenting on and faving "Whiplash Marriage." Glad you liked it.

Bill Yarrow – Dec 27, 2010

Know the song. (Thought I did!) Don't remember the "fish scent" lyric.

Bill Yarrow – Dec 27, 2010

Thanks for faving "Mussel Memory," Con. I'll have to check out the Willie Dixon tune.

Angela Kubinec – Dec 21, 2010

Thanks for you compliment on the craft used in "Casting It". Our styles are widely different, so your comments are especially meaningful.

Robert Crisman – Dec 14, 2010

I just read the I Hate To Fuck book and just want to say, you're a funny, funny guy. Continued great success.

Cherise Wolas – Dec 09, 2010

Con, thanks for reading Ping Pong! There is indeed rubber on them there paddles!

Joani Reese – Dec 05, 2010

Con: Actually, it was a DEEP FRIED peanut butter, banana, and mayo sandwich. Ew! Thanks for the read and the good words.

Bill Yarrow – Nov 12, 2010

"Is there a prize?"
Ha! Paraphrasing Spinoza, knowledge is its own reward.
Thanks for reading "I Am Not a Corpse," Con.

Cherise Wolas – Nov 08, 2010

Con, many thanks for reading Unpacking Sentences, the great comment, and the fave!

Larry Strattner – Oct 30, 2010

Con - Appreciate your support. Wish I was as prolific as you are. Cheers.

Jack Swenson – Oct 25, 2010

Well, the ladies of the evening dressed differently in my day, esp. in Paris.

Bill Yarrow – Oct 25, 2010

Thanks for the fave of "Florid Psychosis," Con. Coming from you, means a lot.

Daniel Passamaneck – Oct 08, 2010

thanks for the comment on Birdbrain. The shadow thing started as an afterthought and wound up being my whole point. Which I guess means I didn't know what I was doing but wound up doing it anyway. Just like real life. It was good to hear from you.

Jack Swenson – Oct 07, 2010

Con, I hate it when they ask me they can help me carry my groceries out to the car. Young punks.

Bill Yarrow – Oct 06, 2010

Thanks for the comment on "Son of Uncle Sam," Con.
"doesn't take hands to work with your brain"--you've figured out a new way to word process?

Jack Swenson – Oct 05, 2010

Con, thanks for the recyling info. And for the read and comment (my post-9/11 story).

J. Mykell Collinz – Sep 29, 2010

Hi, Con. Thanks for reading 'Blues Away.' I appreciate your comment.

Bill Yarrow – Sep 19, 2010

Thanks, Con, for commenting on "Black Squirrel Poem." Whimsy? Yes. Wallace Stevens? I wish!

Jerry Ratch – Jul 06, 2010

Thank you, Con!

George LaCas – Jun 29, 2010

Con, check out the new version of "Blossom and Monkey-Wrench" in which Don Q rides to the rescue.

George LaCas – Jun 28, 2010

I think Don Q would do better with a partner like, say, Morgan Freeman or even Mel Gibson. Sancho tended to be a second-guesser.

J. Mykell Collinz – Jun 22, 2010

Con, thanks for reading Unfit III. I appreciate your helpful comments and suggestions.

Cherise Wolas – Jun 21, 2010

Con,

Thank you so very kindly for your wonderful words about An Italian Lunch (II) on the Fictionaut Fave. I am honored that you selected my work to comment upon, I so appreciate it. Both the reading of it here on fnaut, and the time it took to write about it! Thank you!!

George LaCas – Jun 16, 2010

Already the man's asking for a spot. You're a hustler for sure.

Jack Swenson – Jun 16, 2010

Aw, Con, I stopped going to parties years ago. It's tough to get old. But, consider the alternative. Thanks for commenting on "Naked Ladies."

Walter Bjorkman – Jun 12, 2010

Con, thank you for reading my 52\250 flash for this week, sad & sweet was what was felt - bittersweet.

Mark Reep – Jun 08, 2010

Con, thanks for your comments on 'A Woman Walks Into A Bar'. I hadn't played in many years, shot a few games of eightball with old friends over the weekend- Missed more than I made but it was big fun. Glad you liked.

Michelle Elvy – Jun 06, 2010

Hey Con -- thanks for the comment on Rock On. Mametian, wow, very kind of you. Glad you liked the layout. Glad you weren't bored...

David King – Jun 05, 2010

Con, Thank you for your kind comments and the fav for 'Radio City'

Susan Tepper – Jun 04, 2010

Con, that's funny- what you wrote about Soup. I think Mrs.
Sensor is probably back home by now...

Christian Bell – May 28, 2010

Con, thanks for commenting on my “How I Used to Ponder the Stars” story! I don’t actually have a tape. I’m afraid of Lucas’s goons coming to get me so I can only tell you the movie can be found at a place that rhymes with “Hoogle Zideo.”

Cherise Wolas – May 26, 2010

Succinct words for a fav about An Italian Lunch. I thank you.

Brendan McKennedy – May 25, 2010

Thanks for the comment & the fave!

Con Chapman – May 25, 2010

Thanks. My guess is Lowell was a cheater.

Gary Percesepe – May 25, 2010

damn! thank you for that poet golf story you made my day then the week!

Stephanie Bobo – May 21, 2010

Thank you, Con, for your comments on "Not Today" and the fave. Looking forward to reading your work. Lived in Boston 5 years, loved it. Does the Citgo sign still light up, the one you can see from Fenway Park?

Gary Justis – May 20, 2010

And BTW, thank you for the FAV!

Gary Justis – May 20, 2010

Good to see you Con, I'm happy to see more information about your profession on this forum. I'm a fan from OS...

J. Mykell Collinz – May 18, 2010

Thanks again. Con, for reading Doreen - III. Your comments are always very useful and greatly appreciated.

J. Mykell Collinz – May 14, 2010

Con, thanks for reading and for the helpful comments on Doreen - II. I look forward to more of your writing, also.

Julie Innis – May 12, 2010

Thank you Con, looking forward to your work as well. Big fan of the comic story.

J. Mykell Collinz – May 11, 2010

Thanks for reading and commenting on Doreen, Con. I look forward to more of your writing and humor.

Con Chapman – May 10, 2010

Thanks.

Darryl Price – May 10, 2010

Welcome aboard!

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