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 1, 2008

>The New Yorker: Best Stories of 2008

>Thanks to all who left comments or sent me emails to suggest stories that should be included in the top-ten list. I agreed with…
December 1, 2008

>The New Yorker: "In Other Rooms, Other Wonders" by Daniyal Mueenuddin

>This is Mueenuddin’s second story in The New Yorker in the past couple of months, and third since August of 2007. While the story…
November 29, 2008

>Staunton Keeps Getting Cooler

>As much as I like living in the country, part of me thinks (part of the part that thinks, that is) that living in…
November 29, 2008

>New York Times Notable Books of 2008

>It’s time for the New York Times 100 Notable Books of 2008. On the Fiction & Poetry side of the ledger, I’ve read a…
November 29, 2008

>ASC: Actor Interview

>An interview with John Harrell and John Pasha from American Shakespeare Center
November 27, 2008

>ASC: More Twelfth Night

>Because the current American Shakespeare Center season (Twelfth Night, King Lear, Richard II, and Measure for Measure) is coming to a close and next…
November 25, 2008

>The New Yorker: "Ghosts" by Edwidge Danticat

>I’m torn. On the one hand, this is a marvelous story, filled with tension, beautiful language, an exotic setting, and resounding symbolism (the meaning…
November 24, 2008

>Secret [Literary] Santa

>How does exchanging gifts with complete strangers sound? Nah, I don’t much care for the idea either. Except, here’s the plan: it’s going to…
November 23, 2008

>Very Short Novels

>Check out this new-to-me blog: David B. Dale’s Very Short Novels. 299 words . . .