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.
May 10, 2011

>Short Story Month 2011: The New Yorker — Michael Ondaatje (#ssm2011)

> May 16, 2011: “The Cat’s Table” by Michael Ondaatje I liked this fiction a lot—Ondaatje is a great writer—but it’s not a short…
May 9, 2011

>Short Story Month 2011: Ploughshares — Lynne Tillman (#ssm2011)

> The story today is “Tiny Struggles” by Lynne Tillman, from the current issue of Ploughshares (Guest Editor Colm Tóibín). Tiny, a former Soaps actor,…
May 8, 2011

>Short Story Month 2011: The Kenyon Review — Theodore Wheeler (#ssm2011)

> Here’s yet another 10-year-old protagonist–even though I don’t love the kid’s perspective, maybe I ought to give it a try myself. It seems…
May 7, 2011

>Short Story Month 2011: There is Something Inside, It Wants to Get Out by Madeline McDonnell (#ssm2011)

> Until now, my Short Story Month 2011 contributions have been from literary magazines, and I’ve got plenty more of those to talk about…
May 6, 2011

>Short Story Month 2011: Mid-American Review — Kevin Wilson (#ssm2011)

> I’m a big fan of Kevin Wilson and his work, so I was thrilled when I picked up the latest Mid-American Review and…
May 5, 2011

>Short Story Month 2011: One Story — Ethan Rutherford (#ssm2011)

> I’m not sure why it is, but I don’t love stories about kids. I just don’t. So I probably didn’t come to “Summer,…
May 4, 2011

>Short Story Month 2011: New Letters — Abby Frucht (#ssm2011)

> “Tamarinds” by Abby Frucht is in the current issue of New Letters (Volume 77, No. 1). The Help it isn’t, but the story is about…
May 3, 2011

>Short Story Month 2011: Interview with Christine Schutt (#ssm2011)

> I love Christine Schutt’s short stories. So, in honor of Short Story Month 2011, and the fact that today is Christine’s birthday, I…
May 3, 2011

>Short Story Month: Book Giveaway! #ssm2011

> Today is 5/3, which means that it’s National Press 53 Day. And to celebrate, Press 53 is giving away free books, including one…
May 3, 2011

>Short Story Month 2011: The New Yorker — Donald Antrim (#ssm2011)

> May 9, 2011: “He Knew” by Donald Antrim Whatta ya know? A story about New York in The New Yorker!  This one involves…