A. King McCarty

Getting some strange looks from my ride this evening. Should I tell him I’m on my way to Prom 😂

Tonight’s the night! “Prom Queens” is making its grand debut. If you’re not coming to the launch party tonight you can order it from @poetsifqueens /prom-queens I’ll be performing “Zombie Prom Queen” tonight with more dates to come. Big hugs to the entire Prom Queens team. Love you all! @noyoutellit Photo: Colin A Pearce

Hugs and kisses to the team at Astoria Bookshop who are so supportive and kind. Thanks to you all! Oh , and I’m gonna need you to stamp by shop small Astoria passport, bc I’m definitely coming for more books 💖

It’s a good plan, though.

Much love to The Brass Owl and all who made the his day possible! 💖

I’m at @thebrassowl on Ditmars today from 12-5pm! Come by to say Hi! buy a lil something and shop their closing sale. I’ll miss you Brass Owl, but I’m so happy to be here with you at the end 💖 Thank you to the team not only for today but for all the fun times and happy memories 💖 Brass Owl artist pop-up Tuesday 4/28 12-5PM

Saturday is Indie Bookstore Day and this one is particularly special to me because some of my art, books, zines and stickers are being featured at @astoriabookshop 💖 I’m so honored to be showcased and they did such an amazing job putting this wall together 🥰 Thank you! The Astoria Bookshop and their fellow Indie Bookstores of Queens are currently hosting their 2nd annual Queens Bookstore crawl this week - with pop-ups and specials thru the weekend - so have fun visiting your favorite bookseller and getting your passports stamped. I love you @astoriabookshop and I love Queens! Happy reading friends!

Join me at this fun and free event celebrating the release of “Prom Queens” - a collection of fantastic poems and stories by Queens writers that I contributed both words and artwork to. ☺️ I’ll be performing my new song “Zombie Prom Queen” inspired by workshops just like this one! 👑 Prom Queens at @qplnyc on Broadway in Astoria April 25 2PM Register and pre-order the book at @noyoutellit & @poetsofqueens

The sun is out and it’s a great day to visit our local book store @astoriabookshop 📖💖 While you’re there you can check out my pop-up collection including these stickers inspired by my love of reading and this very special place - now available thru the end of April ⭐️ Stickers by @akingmccarty

Celebrate National Poetry Month with PROMpts, poetry, and a little prom-night magic with @noyoutellit 💫 🗓 April 25 | 2 to 4pm 📍 @qplnyc at Broadway 🔗 in bio to register Join us for a generative workshop inspired by the launch of the "Prom Queens: Celebrating Prom Poems & Stories by Queens Writers" anthology from Poets of Queens (@poetsofqueens ) Press. Attendees will engage with poetry from the anthology and prom-themed PROMpts to write poems and share their own coming-of-age experiences. Plus a reading from the anthology and Q&A with the Prom Queens team: Pichchenda Bao (@pichchendabaopoet ), Kelly Jean Fitzsimmons (@kjfitzsimmons ), Olena Jennings (@olenamjennings ), Tim Lindner (@timlin9 ), Zach-Rothman Hicks (@gabbing_with_gays ), and A. King McCarty (@akingmccarty ).

Hello there! My name is Ashley King aka @akingmccarty 👑 I’m a local artist and founder of @artstoriany with my husband, Graham McCarty, and this April I’m the featured artist at @astoriabookshop 📖 ❤️ That means all month long you’ll be able to purchase some of my art, coloring books, zines, and stickers while supporting our awesome neighborhood bookshop and me! 🙏 I’m very excited because Astoria Bookshop has been home to a lot of firsts for me, including the first time I tabled at an Art Market! (But my favorite memory is taking my kiddo to his first story time there 🥰) Here’s some other fun facts about me. 1. My art journey started as an actor when I began drawing again to stay focused on set (and everywhere else). I also write music, stories, and musical theater. 2. I was born in Pittsburgh, but immediately wanted to move to New York City because that’s where the Ninja Turtles, Ghostbusters, X-Men, Spider-Man, and the Muppets hung out, and I wanted to be one (or all) of them. 3. My favorite places in Astoria are the Astoria Park Pool and the Museum of the Moving Image 4. My current obsession is “Centaurworld” Check it out! 🐴 🌎 5. Funnest fact: Ever see those pictures of Michelangelo the Ninja Turtle at the Metropolitan Museum of Art? That’s me. Dreams do come true. (See fun fact #2) Images: 1. me! @akingmccarty outside Astoria Bookshop with one of my art prints and Queens coloring books 🐦 2. My 1st original coloring book (I have 15 now 🙀) 3. New stickers inspired by Indie Bookstore month (That’s in April!) 4. Original Cards (to accompany your book gifts) 5. Cats of Queens mini zine (vol 3) and store hours 🎉 6. Me again! See you at @astoriabookshop

Happy Spring Every Bunny! Stop by @sunnysideartsnyc from 12-6pm Saturday 3/21 to shop my new collection for warmer days, including hand-painted magnets, mini art & my new mini zine about a very friendly bunny. Hope to see you there! Sunnyside Arts 4518 Skillman Ave Pop-up Market Saturday 3/21 12-6PM Art by @akingmccarty