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.
October 7, 2013

2013 Reading: Blacksnake at the Family Reunion by David Huddle

Blacksnake at the Family Reunion: Poems (Southern Messenger Poets) by David Huddle I thoroughly enjoyed this collection of poems by David Huddle, one of the…
October 2, 2013

2013 Reading: Swoop by Hailey Leithauser

Swoop: Poems by Hailey Leithauser Good poetry is usually edifying, but it isn’t always fun. I get the sense that this poet had a blast…
October 2, 2013

2013 Reading: Daring Greatly by Brene Brown

Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead by Brene Brown The fear of failure can…
September 30, 2013

The New Yorker: “I’m the Meat, You’re the Knife” by Paul Theroux

October 7, 2013: “I’m the Meat, You’re the Knife” by Paul Theroux I gave up a long time ago on Theroux’s nonfiction, which struck…
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…