Rudy Jon Tanner studied piano and 20th century composing at Oklahoma City University, where he also began writing poetry. He moved to California in 1980. He attended the Old Spaghetti Factory readings in North Beach, where he became friends with Julia Vinograd, along with her many friends who just happened to have a very natural talent for stunning poetry. He has published two chapbooks, Picasso’s Monkey (Paul Landry) and The Accidental Beacons of Things Worn Away (Deep Forest Press). He continues to compose. He is publishing his first full-length collection. Rudy passed away in August 2021.