Author: Cliff

I am the author of three novels--THE LAST BIRD OF PARADISE, OLIVER'S TRAVELS, and THE SHAMAN OF TURTLE VALLEY--and three story collections--IN AN UNCHARTED COUNTRY, HOUSE OF THE ANCIENTS AND OTHER STORIES, and WHAT THE ZHANG BOYS KNOW, winner of the Library of Virginia Literary Award for Fiction. I am also the co-founder and former editor of Prime Number Magazine and the editor of the award-winning anthology series EVERYWHERE STORIES: SHORT FICTION FROM A SMALL PLANET.
July 1, 2025

2025 Reading–June

Playground by Richard Powers was my book club’s selection for June. Most people in the group were underwhelmed, but I think that’s because they…
June 25, 2025

Between Books

I’m writing a new book. I’m almost at the end of a first draft and already looking forward to the revision process. No, really….
June 24, 2025

Squirrels in the Attic

Some time ago, I noticed two things at my house, which is out in the country surrounded by lots of trees. Inside, I was…
June 9, 2025

I’ve Got Questions for Alex Poppe

Editor’s Note: This exchange is part of a series of brief interviews with emerging writers of recent or forthcoming books. If you enjoyed it,…
June 2, 2025

I’ve Got Questions for Tim Weed

Editor’s Note: This exchange is part of a series of brief interviews with emerging writers of recent or forthcoming books. If you enjoyed it,…
May 31, 2025

2025 Reading–May

Pure America: Eugenics and the Making of Modern Virginia by Elizabeth Catte was my book club’s selection for May. Although the accounts of the…
May 5, 2025

I’ve Got Questions for Ross Hightower and Deb Heim

Editor’s Note: This exchange is part of a series of brief interviews with emerging writers of recent or forthcoming books. If you enjoyed it,…
May 1, 2025

2025 Reading–April

Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar is a novel about a young Iranian man who comes to America as a child, as Akbar did. The man,…
April 28, 2025

I’ve Got Questions for Suzanne Groves

Editor’s Note: This exchange is part of a series of brief interviews with emerging writers of recent or forthcoming books. If you enjoyed it,…
April 22, 2025

I’ve Got Questions for Del Blackwater

Editor’s Note: This exchange is part of a series of brief interviews with emerging writers of recent or forthcoming books. If you enjoyed it,…
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