Richard Krech was born in 1946, and grew up in Berkeley, California. He became involved in civil rights and anti-war activities in 1963 and started writing soon thereafter. His first book was published in 1967, by d.a. levy, in Cleveland. He published a poetry magazine, The Avalanche, which lasted five issues. Along with the The Avalanche, Krech published several chapbooks under his Undermine Press imprint and sponsored weekly poetry readings at a Telegraph Avenue bookstore in Berkeley from 1966 to 1969. His poetry appeared in various small magazines around the country including Work (from John Sinclair's Artists Workshop Press in Detroit), Ole, Manhattan Review, City Light's Journal for the Protection of all Beings, and Kauri. During that time, and afterwards, he wrote for the underground press, including the Berkeley Barb, the San Francisco Express Times, the Seattle Helix and other publications.
He stopped writing poetry in the mid-70's and in 1976 The Incompleat Works of Richard Krech was published by Litmus Inc., and that same year Krech started law school. After graduating from New College of California School of Law, Krech has been practicing criminal defense in Oakland (a good place to practice criminal law) since 1980. His practice has included everything from murder to shoplifting as well as pro bono representation of anti-apartheid demonstrators in the 1980s, anti-war demonstrators in the 1990s and 2000s, and others similarly situated. His practice includes trial and appellate work.
After a 25+ year line-break he began writing poetry again early this century, and has recently had five chapbooks published and numerous appearances in the small press and on-line. Krech lives with his wife, Mary Holbrook, a former lawyer and now a therapist in Albany, California.
Complete Bibliography
Section of Poetry
"Abricot" a poem and drawing