Broke Stay Broke by Tim Stafford

Launching May 2nd, 2025, Pre order now!

"From devastating loss to hard-won hope—a masterwork that transforms personal catastrophe into universal connection."

ABOUT THE BOOK

Before becoming an educator, Tim Stafford worked as a telemarketer, burger flipper, jiu-jitsu instructor, MMA referee, and print shop lackey. His book, Broke Stay Broke explores the world of the working poor, the world of second jobs, side-hustles, and accumulated debt. Stafford's poems are filled with insight and humor from someone who has lived through the struggle but still finds time to celebrate the come-ups. Through these poems, Tim illustrates the delicate balancing act of work, relationships, fatherhood, and art. Sometimes he gets it right, sometimes wrong, but the poems are always honest.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Tim Stafford is a poet and educator from Lyons, IL. He is the editor of the "Learn Then Burn" anthology series (Write Bloody) and he is the author of the collection "The Patron Saint of Making Curfew" (Haymarket Books). As a former Chicago Poetry Slam Champion, he has performed at festivals throughout the US and Europe including the German National Poetry Slam, WOERDZ Festival (Switzerland), and the International Spoken Word Festival (Germany). He currently teaches at a restorative justice-based alternative high school in Cook County, IL and teaches poetry workshops all over the country.

FROM THE COLLECTION

"You are the Bob Fosse of financial illiteracy

a master choreographer the way you maneuver

your credit cards in and out of rotation"

"Maybe like a Plinko chip pinging from side

to side he'd land in the jackpot slot, be

allowed to stay."

"Seven years ago before the

divorce and the debt accumulated

like unanswered emails"

VITAL STATISTICS

Publication Date: May 2, 2025

Format: 6" x 9" Paperback, 115 pages

Price: $18.00 USD

ISBN: 978-1-949342-72-7

Publisher: Write Bloody Publishing

Distributor: IPG, Chicago

Book Launch: May 2nd, 2025