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 27, 2014

2014 Reading: The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy

The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy What a beautifully written book this is. Perhaps it is “overwritten,” as a friend of mine has…
February 26, 2014

My old law firm interviews me

Because I knew when I graduated from law school in 1981 that I wanted an international career (I had served in the Peace Corps…
February 25, 2014

On the Eve of AWP

Last year at this time, a large snowstorm that eventually dumped 20 inches of snow was bearing down on the Shenandoah Valley. Because that…
February 1, 2014

Trolling

When I was a kid, my family every summer went to a Minnesota lake because my father enjoyed fishing. Every day we went trolling…
January 28, 2014

2014 Reading: Understudies by Ravi Mangla

Understudies by Ravi Mangla This short novel is a very quick read (or listen, as I did with the audio version). The (unlikable) narrator is…
January 27, 2014

2014 Reading: The Other Wes Moore by Wes Moore

The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates by Wes Moore I rarely finish a book in a single day, but I did that with…
January 27, 2014

2014 Reading: Haints by Clint McCown

Haints by Clint McCown This book is a fine example of the novel in stories or story cycle that more resembles Winesburg, Ohio (the granddaddy…
January 24, 2014

NPR Interview Aired Today

I recently was interviewed by Martha Woodroof for “The Spark,” a program about creativity that airs on WMRA–the NPR station for the central Shenandoah…
January 23, 2014

Register for Split This Rock Poetry Festival

The Split This Rock Poetry Festival is fast approaching. The dates this year are March 27-30. Check out the great lineup for this year’s…