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.
July 6, 2013

Tips for Writers: New Pages lists Independent Bookstores

Writers know bookstores, right? We shop there and often give readings or signings there. The big chains (is that word still plural? is there…
July 5, 2013

Tips for Writers: Conferences and Residencies

A friend just wrote and asked me if I knew of a list of writers conferences and residencies. The best one I know of…
July 4, 2013

2013 Reading: The Buddha is Still Teaching, edited by Jack Kornfield

The Buddha Is Still Teaching: Contemporary Buddhist Wisdom edited by Jack Kornfield The contents, of course, being the teachings of many contemporary teachers, are first…
July 2, 2013

2013 Reading: The Muslim Next Door by Sumbul Ali-Karamali

The Muslim Next Door: The Qur’an, the Media, and That Veil Thing by Sumbul Ali-Karamali The author is the American daughter of immigrants from India….
July 1, 2013

The New Yorker: “All Ahead of Them” by Tobias Wolff

July 8 & 15, 2013: “All Ahead of Them” by Tobias Wolff Bud and Arden in this story remind me of the two awful,…
July 1, 2013

Museums: Virginia Museum of Fine Art

Until earlier this year, my art museum visits had been sporadic for a long time. I did manage to see the Chrysler Museum of…
June 26, 2013

2013 Reading: The Varieties of Scientific Experience by Carl Sagan

The Varieties of Scientific Experience: A Personal View of the Search for God by Carl Sagan Our Reading Liberally book club selected this book because…
June 24, 2013

The New Yorker: “Mastiff” by Joyce Carol Oates

July 1, 2013: “Mastiff” by Joyce Carol Oates To begin with, you should read this story, which is available online for free. In my…
June 24, 2013

New Prime Number Magazine Update

Regular readers know that I am the editor of Prime Number Magazine, an online literary quarterly with a print annual edition. Besides our quarterly…
June 21, 2013

Theater: “Romeo & Juliet” at the American Shakespeare Center

            From “feel good” (Anything Goes last night at the Kennedy Center) to “feel lousy” (Romeo & Juliet at…