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.
July 28, 2006

>Sewanee–Day Eleven

>We had readings this morning from Shannon Cain, Tom Hunley, Elizabeth Kadetsky (Scholars) and Rachel Cline, Chuck Erven and Chelsea Rathburn (fellows), followed by…
July 28, 2006

>Sewanee–Day Ten

>As expected, time has sped up and we are reeling toward the conclusion of the conference. This morning we had readings by scholars Anna…
July 27, 2006

>Sewanee–Day Nine

>The Staff readings at 9am were terrific: Sam Esquith, who read part of a novel set in Mali (he’s a former Peace Corps Volunteer),…
July 26, 2006

>Sewanee–Day Eight

>As usual, we started with a scholars reading: Greg Downs, Marie Manilla and Ron Riekki. Although Greg and Marie were very good, we’ll all…
July 25, 2006

>Sewanee–Day Seven

>Back in full swing today after a slow Sunday. The scholars reading at 9am were Jen Chang, Nicola Mason and Cliff Garstang (that would…
July 24, 2006

>Sewanee–Day Six

>Sundays are a little quieter at Sewanee. People are slow to recover from the Saturday night party, and breakfast starts later. I joined the…
July 23, 2006

>Sewanee–Day Five

>Today started with more readings by Scholars (Holly Goddard Jones, Peter Levine and Gardner McFall). I missed the rest of the morning activities because…
July 22, 2006

>Sewanee–Day Four

>We started with another full morning: Scholar readings (Julie Funderburk, Rebecca Kanner and Brendan Mathews), Fellow readings (Josh Bell, Michael Hyde and Tim Wendel)…
July 21, 2006

>Sewanee–Day Three

>Thursday was full. It began with readings by scholars–Rachel Cantor, Amy Glynn Greacen, Jamie Poissant and Ken Urban–well attended by the conference. Jamie’s story…
July 20, 2006

>Sewanee Day Two–The First Full Day

>The first full day of conference activities began (not counting my early morning walk down Tennessee Avenue into the woods, a hearty breakfast, and…