Meet the Readers: Krystle Ratticus

Krystle Ratticus was born in Denver and raised on the rural border of Iowa/Missouri before running away to join the DIY circus in Chicago. She's been publishing zines for over 25 years, including titles like Weirdo Du Jour and Ornery Cuss. Her writing channels the dramatic undercurrents of the working class, shaped by years spent in kitchens, funeral parlors, and outsider circles. With a dark sense of humor, Krystle weaves together tales of latchkey childhoods, rock’n’roll hillbillies, and the lonely, electric tension of being othered—even by other outsiders.

Join Krystle and our other great readers on Tuesday, April 7, 2026 in the upstairs bar at Hopleaf! Doors open at 7pm, and the show starts at 7:30. It's free, and 21-and-over. Please RSVP on Facebook.