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.
February 4, 2018

The Omnivorous Reader

I grew up in small cities in the Midwest, in a pretty typical middle-class home. Both of my parents worked, but somehow we managed…
January 30, 2018

An Editor’s Notes

One of my many projects for the year is to compile, edit, and publish (with Press 53) Volume III of Everywhere Stories: Short Fiction…
January 10, 2018

Language(s)

In my recent post about the books I’m currently reading, I mentioned the book Fluent Forever by Gabriel Wyner. I started reading that one…
January 8, 2018

Books I’m reading now

I know a lot of people who only read one book at a time. I’m not sure what’s wrong with me, but I usually…
January 1, 2018

2018 Writing Goals

A lot of folks make New Year’s Resolutions. I think that’s a fine tradition, and I’ve got a few that I’ll keep to myself….
December 31, 2017

Resolve to be a good literary citizen in 2018

Need a worthwhile resolution for the New Year? Here’s one: Kick your literary citizenship game up a notch. Some tips:   Support your local…
December 30, 2017

2017: My Year in Review

I’m mostly a forward-looking person—possibly this is a function of having a lousy memory—but as 2017 comes to a close I am motivated to…
December 28, 2017

2017: My Year in Books

I am surrounded by books. There are bookshelves everywhere in my house–my office, my bedroom, the guestroom, the library (natch!), and the hallway between…
December 11, 2017

Get Back to Work!

As noted in my previous post, I returned on Friday from a month-long residency at Virginia Center for the Creative Arts. It was a…
December 10, 2017

End of Residency Blues

My residency at Virginia Center for the Creative Arts was scheduled to end today, a full month after it began.  As wonderful as the…