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 12, 2007

>Pick the Best New Yorker Story of 2007

>I have been commenting on New Yorker stories since the beginning of the year, every week, week after week. There have been stories that…
December 11, 2007

>2008 Pushcart Prize Rankings

>The 2008 Edition of the Pushcart Prize (Best of the Small Presses) Anthology arrived while I was away and I was keen to dig…
December 10, 2007

>VCCA: Warmingday; Endday

>Sunday was supposed to be rainy, but we never got wet, just warmer. For me things were winding down and my mind was already…
December 9, 2007

>The New Yorker: "Found Objects" by Jennifer Egan

>Now this is a story. Sasha has been seeing a therapist because she knows she has a problem. She even knows subconsciously that it…
December 8, 2007

>The New Yorker: "The Visitor" by Marisa Silver

>Candy is a nurse’s aide in a V.A. hospital and is taking care of badly wounded soldier she thinks of as El Lobo. At…
December 8, 2007

>VCCA: Grayday

>This morning was not only gray, but icy, causing some concern for folks who were heading off site in cars. It was even kind…
December 7, 2007

>Rain Taxi Winter 2007

>The Winter 2007 issue of Rain Taxi is on its way, including my review of The Understory by Pamela Erens.
December 6, 2007

>The New Yorker: "Álvaro Russelot’s Journey" by Roberto Bolaño

>Although I liked this story much more than “The Insufferable Gaucho,” the Bolaño story from a few weeks ago, this still doesn’t appeal to…
December 6, 2007

>VCCA: Snow Day

>Not a lot of snow, but it began mid-morning and lasted off and on until about dusk. Most of it is gone now, but…
December 5, 2007

>2008 Pushcart Prize Rankings

>I just heard that my copy of the latest issue of the Pushcart Prize Anthology is on the way. If all goes according to…