Tattoo Club
- About
- Terms
- Members
About
Sometime during the year of 2009, in the midst of the Great Recession, we (Eric and Eliza) spontaneously got our Two Dollar Radio logo tattooed on our wrists. It seemed to serve as a physical display of our never-ending dedication to our company and to our mission. We were living in farm country, in Ohio, a new baby company with neither industry connections nor stacks of money, the economy had just tanked in a big way, news outlets everywhere were proclaiming the "Death of Print" just as we were getting into the game... and we weren't ready to give up on our vision.
Then our thrice-published Two Dollar Radio author/friend Joshua Mohr sent us a picture showing that he had gotten the logo tattooed too. And then our dear friend and professional bookseller Emily Pullen got the tattoo on her arm as well. And the club was born!
In the fall of 2010, we publicly launched our Tattoo Club, inviting readers to tattoo the Two Dollar Radio logo on their person in exchange for free books. Since then over 50 members have joined the Tattoo Club from all across the country — from Texas to Iowa, from California to New York. While at events or conferences, meeting folks who've gotten the tattoo has been an incredibly fun and rewarding experience, almost like running into a long-lost friend. So, we certainly welcome any and all future club members!
Terms
In exchange for tattooing your body with our boombox logo, you can choose any 10 currently available print books published by Two Dollar Radio (for shipment to U.S. addresses only!) or Ebooks, and be showcased on our website and social media as part of the Two Dollar Radio Tattoo Club.
Terms:
* Print books will only be mailed to U.S. addresses (via USPS); Ebooks (.mobi or .epub) can be sent for any addresses outside of the U.S.
* Only the boombox radio image file we provide below is valid for joining the Tattoo Club.
* The art can be any size and can be placed anywhere on your body.
* Home tatts are just fine.
* Your uploaded photos and provided details will be used on our website and social media sites.
* Lastly, if you falsely claim to have gotten the tattoo, you agree to pay the full list price for each book received.
Join:
* All required information must be provided; here's what we'll need:
> Clear and well-lit photographs of: tattooing in progress / finished tattoo / healed tattoo.
> Tattoo Date.
> Tattoo Artist and Parlor Name.
> Parlor Address.
> Your U.S. Mailing Address for print books.
> Your social media handles—if you want to be tagged!
> A little text explaining why you got the tattoo.
* Please email all required information to: orders at symbol twodollarradio period com.
* After we receive your email, we will reply asking which 10 print books (must have a U.S.mailing address) or Ebooks (if living outside of the U.S.) you'd like mailed to you!
DOWNLOAD THE ART
Click here to download (right click and select Save if it doesn't download automatically)
Members
From oldest to newest, here is the Two Dollar Radio Tattoo Club fam!
Eric and Eliza Obenauf, 2009
Inked in Columbus, OH.
"We got our logo tattooed visibly, on our wrists, to flaunt our dedication and determination. We have three babies: Rio, Maceo, and Two Dollar Radio."
Joshua Mohr, 2010
Inked by Kelley Premeaux at Painted Lady in San Francisco, CA.
"I got that tattoo because I believe in Two Dollar Radio just as much as they believe in my art. It's a family shop and I like to believe that I'm a part of the family."
Emily Pullen, 2010
Kevin Thomas, 2010
Inked by Lisa at Icon Tattoo in Portland, OR.
Check out Kevin's very cool illustrated HORN! Reviews on The Rumpus here. 
Cory Bennet
Ian Dick Jones
Jason Jefferies
Shawn Mitchell
Debbie Paredes
Mike Brezinski
Sanjay Bisht
Brian Manning
Kyle Pratt
Casey Jordan Mills
Dan Smith
Bradley Wojak
Caleb Andrew Ward
Myron McVeigh
Liberty Hardy
Amanda Madigan
Mark Snyder
Max Bowman
Jeremiah Murphy
Jim Taone
Stephen Lawson
Victoria De Leone
Andrew Miller
Annelise Maurer, 2013
Inked by Terrence at Champion Tattoo Company in Washington, D.C.
"I chose to get the tattoo not just because I want to read all your books and then pass them on to my library, spreading great literature and advertising you, but because I like small business, local business, and especially character and quality. And I like where I'm from. The first book I read of yours was Crapalachia — it's in the D.C. Public Library's biography section. I've wholly appreciated your press ever since."
Too Feral, 2013
Inked by Chris Primm at Sleeping Giant Tattoo in San Diego, CA.
"I wanted to be part of the tattoo club and get me some books!"
Matt Dutto, 2014
Inked by Kane Gordon at Inksmith & Rogers in Jacksonville, FL.
Kendall Arakawa, 2015
Inked by Sketch at GOT INK? Tattoos and Piercings in Statesboro, GA.
"I got this tattoo as an appreciation for the diversity and quality of literature that Two Dollar Radio features. Also, I'm a senior in nursing school and need some leisure reading."
Benjamin Kerns, 2015
Inked by Other Dave at Webber Tattoo Company in Sarasota, FL.
"I got this tattoo because you guys publish awesome books and your logo looks damn good as a tattoo!"
Bryan Hale, 2015
Inked by Brian Baker at Electric Ink in Russellville, AR.
"Larissa and I had been (and still are) in the process of starting a small independent press and had begun to look at other companies for inspiration and ideas. Coming across Two Dollar Radio was an amazing breath of fresh air. Everything we read was really enjoyable, and we sort of set you guys on a pedestal as inspiration as we slowly get our own press going. We weren't initially sure about the tattoo idea, but were sold on it once we had purchased and read a few of your books."
Cassandra Andrus, 2015
Inked by Brian Baker at Black Cross Tattoo Parlor in Russellville, AR.
"Five buddies and I decided to get the tattoo as a buddy-tat. I like books, I like small presses and small creative enterprises in general, I like tattoos, I like making questionable decisions, and I like my buddies."
Brynn Kingsley, 2016
Inked at Gen at Infinite Art in Toledo, OH.
"I got this because I am a voracious reader and I also love tattoos. What better way to combine them than by getting a cute tattoo of an awesome, independent publisher? Plus free books ftw!"
Kit Maria, 2016
Inked at Gen at Infinite Art in Toledo, OH.
"I got this tattoo because I love tattoos as well and because I wanted to help support my girlfriends obsession with owning as many books as humanly possible (and maybe a few more on top of that)."
Teresa Pollack, 2016
Inked by Paul Anderson at 'Derma Doodlez' Parlor in Fairmont, WV.
"I LOVE tattoos and books; they're two of my favorite things, actually. So coupling the two together seemed logical to me. Y'all have an awesome logo, so I loved looking at it anyway, then when I found out you actually have a club? Well that was a no-brainer. Now I can look at it any time. It looks crazy badass in front of a pile of books!!! What *really* pushed me over the edge, however, was my undying devotion to indie presses and my desire to push good lit into everyone's hands. I'm proud to donate a 2" by 3" portion of my ankle to Two Dollar Radio ad space. Why not? If it even helps sell one book, or converts one person into a fan, I feel the tattoo will have served its purpose. And so far, I've gotten a zillion questions about what it is, and have several of my friends wanting to borrow Two Dollar Radio titles. Job completed!" 
Joe Haeger, 2016
Inked by Mark T. at Screaming' Ink Parlor, Spokane, WA.
"I love books. Reading and writing, they give me something to look forward to, and indie presses have expanded my reading immensely in the last few years. And a box of books is a good incentive, too."
Brian Obenauf, 2016
Inked in Detroit, MI.
Mila Jaroniec, 2016
Inked by Kyle Klippel at Assassin Tattoo Studio in Akron, OH.
"This is the best deal on books a die-hard fan could imagine! I love the work you put out and hope to join your author family someday."
Kara Hamilton, 2017
Inked by Alli Davis at Maiden Voyage Tattoo Studio in Pekin, IL.
"I love small presses, your books, tattoos, and free stuff, so this seemed like a pretty sweet deal!"
Matt Sharp, 2017
Inked by Van (@vanityinkz) at Black Attic Tattoo in New York, NY.
"First member of the Trump Age. I have to read great books like yours and poke myself with needles while we still can!!"
Leesa Dean, 2017
Inked by partner Matty Kakes at home in British Columbia, Canada.
"I like the idea of paying tribute to books and indie publishers (my publisher here in Canada is indie as well). I'm a book nerd and in August I'm going to get a half sleeve of book related images on my left arm. The radio was a test run, I suppose, plus I liked the idea of being tattooed by my partner. It was a sweet bonding experience. After the tattoo, he made me an omelette and we snuggled."
Jenny Catlin, 2017
Inked by Bonnie Gillson at Mom's Custom Tattoos and Piercings in Spokane, WA.
"I'm a writer and a reader, and not much else. I read Joshua Mohr's Damascus a handful of years ago in LA, looked up Two Dollar Radio and thought the little boombox was a bad ass logo for a bad ass publishing house. I meant to join the old tattoo club back then, but ya know, life and things. I just reread Damascus a few weeks ago and remembered the tattoo club, so here I am. I write odd-ish nonfiction, and I love writing that challenges traditional narratives, forms, persona. I felt better knowing a press like Two Dollar Radio is out there, making the world a better place. Don't go changing."
Brett Gregory (left), 2017
Brenna Womer, 2018
Inked by Ryan Wheaton at Eternal Tattoo in Springfield, MO.
"I was first introduced to Two Dollar Radio at AWP in March of 2018 in Tampa. The press's table was unique, as were the gorgeous and varied covers of the books, and the person working the table was enthusiastic and knowledgeable about the press and its contributors. I already owned They Can't Kill Us Until They Kill Us, which is such an important text, and purchased How To Get Into the Twin Palms at the conference. I am so impressed by the work the press publishes and want to support and promote its mission."
Danny Mulligan, 2019
Inked by Holly Simple in her apartment in the Rittenhouse neighborhood of Philadelphia, PA.
"I got the tattoo because I appreciate the roughness of your publishing company. I've been stuck on reading just "classics" and until I came along your authors was a bit disenfranchised with many modern authors. Also, reading these stories inspired me to write again, and gives me the courage to tell my stories without worrying about being perfect. The tattoo is a good reminder of that too."
David Weinberg, 2019
Los Angeles, CA.
The K stands for Katya Apekina, author of The Deeper the Water the Uglier the Fish!
Joel Bunch, 2019
Inked by Dustin Cleveland at Ritual Electric in Tulsa, OK.
"I am 34 and this is my first tattoo. A year ago, I ran across Found Audio at my local library (Fayetteville Public) and liked the cover. I enjoyed the book enough to research you as a company. Since then, I've read several of your books, both purchased and checked out through the FPL. Besides being into your books, I like the idea of getting a tattoo of a boombox because I love music and was a radio DJ is seven years. Although I did not pursue it as a career, it is still very much a part of who I am."
Hazlett Henderson, 2019
Inked by Holly at Standard Electric in Lawrence, KS.
"I like books, I like tattoos, I like the irony of using my body as an advertising platform."
Joseph Buckley, 2019
Inked by Cameron Muller at home in Quaker Hill, CT.
"fell in love with your books"
James J. Hatfield, 2019
Inked by Paul Sackman at Choice Tattoo in Durham, NC.
"I got the tattoo because I love good stories."
Julian Porter, 2019
Inked by Geselle Arrate at Ink’d Chronicles in Pomona, CA.
"Each novel you guys put out is very obviously crafted with love and an intimate weirdness that I have come to recognize as the hallmarks of True Art. Each cover design, each storyline, is an unabashedly unique breakaway from the shelves of Barnes and Noble and I love it. Thank you for putting out quality material in such an honest and fearless fashion."
Kacey Severin, 2019
Inked by Cam Muller, Waterford, CT.
"I got this tattoo because my cousin let me borrow Termite Parade and I thought it was a very good read. I then learned that this tattoo would be a gateway to more good books so here I am."
Andy Barnes, 2019
Inked by Chris Hampton of Relentless Tattoo in Sacramento, CA.
"I have really loved all of the work that you've put into the world (not that I have read them all yet but I am trying to amend that fact) so of course I could not say no to celebrating that love/love of saving money."
Aaron McGarity, 2020
Inked by Vinny of Claw and Talon Tattoo in Boulder, CO.
"The original idea was planted in my brain while visiting Two Dollar Radio City while in Columbus, OH for a partner acrobatics training. My partner and I were led to the shop by the happy cow app, as we are vegan and the cafe had great reviews. It became apparent that this was more than a cute little vegan cafe, but also a publishing house. The barista/cashier briefly mentioned that people can get a tattoo of the logo and receive free books in return. After we ate our delicious lunch the idea for the tattoo was taking hold as I was perusing the books on the shelves, wanting to buy them all. I love reading, and the idea of supporting a small, local publishing company while discovering new books intrigued me. Also- I love the simple logo and it’s a really neat tattoo on its own, without the story attached."
Ryan Brei, 2020
Inked by Gene Kelley of Three Fates Tattoo in Pensacola, FL.
"I got the tattoo because I love independent publishers and good books and tattoos and this seemed like an enjoyable union of the three."
Katrina Bright-Yerges, 2021
Inked by Kristine Conforti of Slammin Ink Tattoo in Jefferson, WI.
"I got the tattoo because I love books, reading, indies, and tattoos. As an independent bookseller, books are my life. I'm surrounded by them professionally and personally, and I wouldn't have it any other way. I've been working on filling in tattoo sleeves since I turned 18 and the boombox fits right in on my arm. I love the uniqueness of Two Dollar Radio books, as well as the boombox logo."
Brian Stout, 2022
Inked by Ross Carter of Three Links Tattoo in Bloomington, IN.
"Read Hanif’s Go Ahead in the Rain: Notes to A Tribe Called Quest book and They Can’t Kill Us Until They Kill Us. I was blown away, so I looked up Two Dollar Radio. I love to support independent businesses with cool logos best, so here I am."
Zoe Wesp, 2022
Inked by Lee at Hardwire Tattoo in Wilmington, NC.
"I wanted to get this tattoo because I was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio, and as a writer, I felt the need to support an indie press within my hometown—love what y'all do!"
Emily Klug, 2022
Self-inked in Elkhart, IN.
"Your logo is great as is your mission."
River Styx, 2023
Self-inked in Bangor, ME.
"I got the tattoo because I discovered Two Dollar Radio after reading early Hanif work and enjoyed other titles too. There's nothing like supporting an indie press!"
Chris Burr, 2022
Inked by George Brown (@georgebrowniii) at Seven Crowns Tattoo (@sevencrownstattoo) in Orangeville, Ontario, Canada.
"I got the tattoo after visiting the HQ last summer. I have been a huge fan of TDR since picking up Hanif’s book in 2019 from @flyingbooks_to, and have been following you guys and working my way through your catalogue ever since. Last summer, I took a road trip from Toronto to Nashville, and made a point of coming back through Columbus to visit the store. The experience was unreal. After a couple of days in the south, the atmosphere in the store was like coming home. It was full of vibrant, interesting, diverse people having passionate conversations over brunch and coffee, and seeing all the TDR titles spread across the tables had a visceral effect. After a killer breakfast burrito, we picked up as many books as we could carry (and paid for them, haha), had an awesome conversation with Nathan, then headed back to Toronto. I think about that day all the time, which was also the highlight of the whole trip. Once home, having been a huge fan of the publishing side of things for a while, the experience at the HQ pushed me over the line and it was tattoo time. So the tattoo is for the books, for sure, but also a warm reminder of my favourite little cozy, delicious, bookish, safe space in the Midwest."
(Chris Burr on Instagram)
Keely Shorter, 2023
Inked by Hannah Rose/self in Columbus, Ohio.
"I have so many fun odd tattoos so I wanted another one! I have always loved books, so this is a perfect representative of my love of literature!"
Ben Clark, 2023
Inked by Emma Truitt at Sparrows Nest Tattoo in Phoenix, AZ.
"I'm always looking for good filler materials and I love the logo, as well as the books published by this imprint."
Isabella Cruz, 2023
Inked at home, self poke, in Orlando, FL.
"I did this because I’m a stick and poke fiend who’s happy to rep a sick press like Two Dollar Radio! Thanks so much for continually putting out great books."
Sarita Gara, 2023
Inked by Wendy at Reverie Ink in Columbus, OH.
"I wear this tattoo in support of my favorite local business. Two Dollar Radio publishes books that are truly 'too loud to ignore,' and it brings to my mind the concept of radio itself as a tool for solidarity-building and social transformation—something I’ve been fascinated by for years. The fact that this team also serves up an incredible vegan brunch cements the business as the embodiment of my favorite things."
Zachary Pace, 2024
Inked by Jimmy at Southernmost Tattoo.
I Sing to Use the Waiting author!
Keith York, 2024
Inked at home, self poke, Gardnerville, NV.
"I gave myself a stick-n-poke of the Two Dollar Radio logo because you publish books that remind me why I am who I am. Books for wandering souls. Books for writers. Books that embody the same punk spirit I wish to keep alive within myself. Thank you for consistently publishing books that make me want to live."
Brian Warfield, 2024
Inked by Josh Teague at Black Cat Collective, Perkasie, PA.
"When I saw you had a tattoo club, it was a no brainer. I've read a number of your publications and I'm looking forward to adding more to my collection."
