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.
December 24, 2008

>American Shakespeare Center: A Christmas Carol

>It’s a little late in the run to be doing a review, but I’ve been out of town. Still, if you’re in the Staunton…
December 23, 2008

>Vote for New Yorker 2008 Story of the Year

>The year is almost over–just a week to go. I haven’t posted my comments on all of the fiction in The New Yorker Winter…
December 21, 2008

>Happy Yule

>Today (December 21, 2008) is the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. It gets better from now on…
December 21, 2008

>List o’ Lists

>Bookmark Magazine has provided a handy “best” lists from around the web: Top Ten Books of 2008, according to various publications, including Time Magazine’s…
December 20, 2008

>Winding Down at VCCA

>Our numbers are dwindling. A few people have left in the last couple of days, and since VCCA closes for Christmas they are not…
December 19, 2008

>New Issue: Six Little Things #13

>Be sure to check out the new issue of Six Little Things. The theme this quarter is Big Babies . . .
December 18, 2008

>Elizabeth Alexander to read at Obama inauguration

>Graywolf Press announced today that poet Elizabeth Alexander has been selected to read her work at the inauguration of Barack Obama in January. Personally,…
December 18, 2008

>More VCCA rain

>It’s been another rainy day here at VCCA, so I’ve been working reasonably steadily all day. But here’s a shot of the woods behind…
December 17, 2008

>Happy . . .

>National Day of Bhutan. Also Day 2 of Las Posadas (in Mexico). Check the Earth Calendar every day to see what you could be…
December 16, 2008

>VCCA Reading

>Last night at VCCA we had another fine reading. First up was Judith Tannenbaum, who is working on a dual memoir with a prison…