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.
November 6, 2013

The New Yorker: “Weight Watchers” by Thomas McGuane

November 4, 2013: “Weight Watchers” by Thomas McGuane Q&A with Thomas McGuane I’m not sure I like this story much, but I really like…
November 5, 2013

The New Yorker: “Samsa in Love” by Haruki Murakami

October 28, 2013: “Samsa in Love” by Haruki Murakami Okay. I guess. Here we have The Metamorphosis turned on its head. Instead of Gregor…
November 4, 2013

New approach for me: The Three Act Structure

I’m not suggesting that the Three Act Structure is new to story writing–it’s been around a long time. It’s just new that I’m thinking…
November 4, 2013

The New Yorker: “The Bear Came Over the Mountain” by Alice Munro

October 21, 2013: “The Bear Came Over the Mountain” by Alice Munro Alice Munro, a frequent contributor to The New Yorker, was awarded the…
November 4, 2013

2013 Reading: Book Law for Authors by Mary Hutchings Reed and David Creasey

Book Law for Authors by Mary Hutchings Reed and David Creasey This is an excellent summary of the basic legal issues facing authors. There are…
November 3, 2013

2013 Reading: Out Across the Nowhere by Amy Willoughby-Burle

Out Across the Nowhere by Amy Willoughby-Burle This is a very short collection of very short stories. The characters are at times rough, but the…
November 3, 2013

2013 Reading: Sticklebacks and Snowglobes by B.A. Goodjohn

Sticklebacks and Snow Globes by B.A. Goodjohn One of the things that makes this novel (novel in stories?) unique is its setting—a housing estate in…
October 30, 2013

2013 Reading: The Right-Hand Shore by Christopher Tilghman

The Right-Hand Shore: A Novel by Christopher Tilghman This novel–the first book I’ve read by Tilghman–was one of the three finalists for the Library of…
October 25, 2013

2013 Reading: Sacred Economics by Charles Eisenstein

Sacred Economics: Money, Gift, and Society in the Age of Transition by Charles Eisenstein Judging by comments I’ve heard about this book, the author has…
October 25, 2013

2014 Pushcart Prize Ranking of Literary Magazines

NOTE: The 2015 Rankings are now available. Go here. These rankings of literary magazines are based on a simple formula that takes into account…