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.
September 25, 2013

storySouth Million Writers Award — Notable Stories

Each year, storySouth, a fine online magazine, runs the Million Writers Award competition. It’s a little unusual in that it has both popular and…
September 25, 2013

The New Yorker: “The Breeze” by Joshua Ferris

September 30, 2013: “The Breeze” by Joshua Ferris Some of the best stories in the New Yorker in recent years have come from Joshua…
September 23, 2013

2013 Reading: The Civilized World by Susi Wyss

The Civilized World: A Novel in Stories by Susi Wyss Even if the author were not a friend of mine, I would be writing about…
September 23, 2013

Hampton Roads Writers’ Conference 2013

For the past several days, I had the pleasure of being down in Virginia Beach for the 5th Annual Hampton Roads Writers’ Conference. I…
September 22, 2013

Reading at The Writer’s Center

I had the pleasure and honor today of reading at The Writer’s Center in Bethesda, Maryland. This was especially meaningful to me because it…
September 22, 2013

2013 Reading: Death by Black Hole by Neil deGrasse Tyson

Death by Black Hole: And Other Cosmic Quandaries by Neil deGrasse Tyson This book was the September selection for my Reading Liberally Book Club. And…
September 17, 2013

2013 Reading: Secure the Shadow by Claudia Emerson

Secure the Shadow: Poems by Claudia Emerson. I would have read this collection even if it weren’t a finalist for the Library of Virginia Award…
September 16, 2013

2013 Reading: Come August, Come Freedom by Gigi Amateau

Come August, Come Freedom: The Bellows, The Gallows, and The Black General Gabriel by Gigi Amateau In this book for younger readers (12 and up),…
September 16, 2013

The New Yorker: “Bad Dreams” by Tessa Hadley

September 23, 2013: “Bad Dreams” by Tessa Hadley Q&A with Tessa Hadley Ugh. Not another Tessa Hadley story, I complained (even though I usually…
September 13, 2013

2013 Reading: Bones of an Inland Sea by Mary Akers

Bones of an Inland Sea by Mary Akers This is a wonderful collection of stories (linked thematically and with some character connections) by a good…