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.
June 25, 2014

Hambidge — Arrival

Hambidge – arrival day I’d been so busy these last few weeks—finishing the anthology, cleaning the house, working on the magazine, and a million…
June 22, 2014

Writing Residency

I have been a bad blogger of late. I’ve been working hard on my anthology (Everywhere Stories, coming out in October), among other things….
May 7, 2014

Reading at Black Swan Books & Music

I’m looking forward to giving a reading right here in Staunton tomorrow evening at Black Swan Books & Music at 1 E. Beverley St….
May 7, 2014

Everywhere Stories Update: the Complete List of Contributors and Countries

Coming in October 2014: Everywhere Stories — Short Fiction from a Small Planet I am very pleased to say that we have been able…
May 3, 2014

Prime Number Magazine Issue 53

I can’t believe it’s been four years. Our first issue (Issue 2, because we number in Primes) launched in July 2010. Today, our sixteenth…
April 29, 2014

The World in Translation

I had the pleasure this past weekend to participate in a terrific program at Black Swan Books & Music, a local store specializing in…
April 27, 2014

2014 Reading: Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline

Orphan Train: A Novel by Christina Baker Kline It’s a heartwarming story, but don’t let that stop you. It’s 2011, and Molly is a troubled…
April 26, 2014

The Tom Wolfe Seminar at Washington & Lee University: Elizabeth Strout

For the past few years, I’ve been attending a wonderful spring program at Washington & Lee University called the Tom Wolfe Seminar. This two-day…
April 20, 2014

2014 Reading: The Good Soldiers by David Finkel

The Good Soldiers by David Finkel This is a tough book to read because of the subject matter, but it should be required reading for…
April 19, 2014

2014 Reading: Still Writing: The Perils and Pleasures of a Creative Life by Dani Shapiro

Still Writing: The Perils and Pleasures of a Creative Life By Dani Shapiro Atlantic Monthly Press, 2013 I love this book. I’ve just finished…