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 13, 2013

2013 Reading: The First Man by Albert Camus

The First Man by Albert Camus Unquestionably, Camus was one of the most influential writers and thinkers of the 20th Century. The Stranger is one of…
September 9, 2013

The New Yorker: “By Fire” by Tahar Ben Jelloun

September 16, 2013: “By Fire” by Tahar Ben Jelloun Q&A with Tahar Ben Jelloun This isn’t a short story so much as a barely…
September 8, 2013

Writing in Coffee Shops

Lately, I’ve been doing a lot of work in coffee shops. I’m not sure why, but I find it stimulating (and not just because…
September 6, 2013

2013 Reading: Snow Hunters by Paul Yoon

Snow Hunters: A Novel by Paul Yoon It’s not that I didn’t like this book. I did. It’s a short, quiet narrative that I was…
September 6, 2013

Tips for Writers: LitMag Submission Season

It’s September, and that means a lot of my writer friends are gearing up their submissions to literary magazines, many of which close to…
September 5, 2013

Interview with Mary Akers, author of Bones of an Inland Sea

My friend Mary Akers has a new book out, Bones of an Inland Sea (Press 53, 2013).  I plan to give you my own reaction to…
September 4, 2013

Reading and Discussion Guide for What the Zhang Boys Know

What the Zhang Boys Know is an ideal choice for your bookclub or classroom discussion because of the range of voices and themes it…
September 4, 2013

Interview with Tom Lombardo, author of What Bends Us Blue

A few days ago, I posted my brief review of a wonderful collection of poems by my friend Tom Lombardo: What Bends Us Blue. Tom…
September 3, 2013

The New Yorker: “The Heron” by Dorthe Nors

September 9, 2013: “The Heron” by Dorthe Nors I can’t remember another story by a Danish author since I’ve been running this series on…
September 2, 2013

2013 Reading: Red Moon by Benjamin Percy

Red Moon: A Novel by Benjamin Percy Great cover. But that’s pretty much where my fondness for this book ends. And that’s not really the…