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.
August 11, 2014

On hearing Richard Bausch read from his new novel

Tomorrow, August 12, is publication day for Before, During, After, the new novel by Richard Bausch, his 20th book of fiction (or something like that–is…
August 10, 2014

Frontier Culture Museum of Virginia

A couple of weeks ago I was contacted by Governor Terry McAuliffe’s office to see if I would be interested in serving on the…
August 9, 2014

Heifetz International Music Institute at Mary Baldwin College

Staunton, Virginia is a small town — just 25,000 people — but it is surprisingly rich in culture. I’ve often written about the American…
August 5, 2014

2014 Reading: The Car Thief by Theodore Weesner

The Car Thief by Theodore Weesner Astor & Blue Editions The Car Thief, republished as an eBook in 2012 by Astor & Blue and now…
July 28, 2014

Josh Weil at WriterHouse

On Sunday afternoon I attended  a presentation by Josh Weil at WriterHouse in Charlottesville about his new novel,The Great Glass Sea. I’ve known Josh…
July 27, 2014

Readings — a report from the road

I did a reading last night at One More Page Books that was part of the Waterbear Reading Series. The bookstore is terrific–wonderful staff and…
July 25, 2014

Everywhere Stories coming soon!

Everywhere Stories: Short Fiction from a Small Planet This is the anthology of short stories I edited. The official publication date is October 1,…
July 24, 2014

2014 Reading: Space Chronicles by Neil deGrasse Tyson

Space Chronicles: Facing the Ultimate Frontier by Neil deGrasse Tyson This isn’t a book so much as a collection of Dr. Tyson’s writings that…
July 20, 2014

Three Hits This Summer at the Blackfriars Playhouse

Staunton, VA is a pretty nice place to live. It’s in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley, between two mountain ranges. It’s been dry…
July 17, 2014

Where to Buy my Books?

I was asked recently where the best place to buy my books was. The answer is more complicated than I’d like it to be….