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.
June 10, 2012

The New Yorker: “Black Box” by Jennifer Egan

June 4 & 11, 2012: “Black Box” by Jennifer Egan, plus Part One. I found this unreadable on my first, lazy effort. I don’t…
June 8, 2012

Fall for the Book, September 26-30

I am very pleased that I’ll be participating in this year’s Fall for the Book Festival in Northern Virginia. Besides me, there are some…
June 7, 2012

Gathering of Writers, August 18, 2012

The Gathering of Writers, hosted by Press 53 and Prime Number Magazine, is a full-day workshop for fiction and nonfiction writers on August 18,…
June 7, 2012

Look at me, I’m a poet.

I’m a fiction writer. But I do like to read poetry and from time to time I also write poetry. I almost NEVER submit…
June 7, 2012

Why is there no Prosist Laureate?

The Library of Congress has announced that the new Poet Laureate of the United States is Natasha Trethewey. Read more about the appointment here….
June 6, 2012

The New Yorker: “My Internet” by Jonathan Lethem

June 4, 2012: “My Internet” by Jonathan Lethem This is an odd, very short story, from the point of view of someone who has…
June 5, 2012

2012 Pushcart Prize Ranking — Fiction

Note: this post originally appeared on November 10, 2011 on the old Perpetual Folly site. It is that time of year again. My copy…
June 5, 2012

2012 Pushcart Prize Ranking — Poetry

 Note: this post first appeared January 12, 2012 on the old Perpetual Folly site. By now, my ranking of literary magazines is well known…
June 5, 2012

2012 Pushcart Prize Ranking — Nonfiction

Note: This post originally appeared on the old Perpetual Folly site on November 10, 2011. As you may know, I recently supplemented my annual…
June 4, 2012

Book Review: So There! by Nicole Louise Reid

So There! By Nicole Louise Reid Stephen F. Austin State University Press The stories in this surprising, slim collection by Nicole Louise Reid occupy…