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New Bushwick Book Aims to Be 'Time Capsule' of Present Day

By Serena Dai | June 27, 2014 1:24pm | Updated on June 30, 2014 8:20am
 Editor Dallas Anthent with Prospero Vega, one of the writers who contributed to "Bushwick Nightz."
Editor Dallas Anthent with Prospero Vega, one of the writers who contributed to "Bushwick Nightz."
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Courtesy of Bushwick Nightz

BUSHWICK — A new book of short fiction and essays aims to be an emotional "time capsule" of present day Bushwick.

For "Bushwick Nightz," that means resistance to change, the embracing of it and many, many one night stands, said Katarina Hybenova, editor of blog Bushwick Daily and one of the book's editors.

"When you read it, you feel a lot of contradictory emotions," she said. "You feel the pain of someone who just can't stand the change. At the same time, the writer would say how much he hated it when it was super sh--ty before."

Hybenova collaborated with Dallas Athent of indie urban publishing company Catopolis, to make the book of 12 short fiction stories and essays.

Most of the stories are about Bushwick nightlife — getting wasted at art shows and waking up next to a stranger.

But several of them are also written by lifelong Bushwick residents who talk about their reactions and feelings to changes happening in the neighborhood.

One writer is "brutal," "satirical" and "critical" to the onset of bars and restaurants that the young, millenial crowd brings to the neighborhood.

"He finds hipsters really annoying," Hybenova said. "But it's very satirical and very cleverly written."

Another writer, though, grew up in Bushwick and came back as an adult to find that she enjoyed the way her neighborhood had changed.

The editors hope they'll be able to put out more books that capture the feel of Bushwick as the neighborhood continues to change, Hybenova said.

"I like to think of it as a time capsule of the present moment of Bushwick," she said.

"Bushwick Nights" will be on sale on Amazon on July 15 for $10. It may also be sold in local shops. The official launch party will be on July 17 at Lot 45, 411 Troutman St. Tickets cost $10 and include a copy of the book.