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.
June 21, 2013

Theater: “Anything Goes”

Now, that’s entertainment. I suppose that was the point back in 1934 when this Cole Porter musical first appeared, and that’s the point now….
June 18, 2013

Emerging Writers: How you can help

I will probably never be a best-selling author. I might not ever be published by one of the big publishing houses. That’s okay. I’d…
June 18, 2013

The Writer’s Handful: Patricia Ann McNair interviews me

I’m honored to have been invited by Patricia Ann McNair to participate in The Writer’s Handful, a series of brief interviews running on her…
June 17, 2013

2013 Reading: Flashes of War by Katey Schultz

Flashes of War by Katey Schultz is a surprisingly good book. I say this even though the author is a friend (we met a couple…
June 17, 2013

The New Yorker: “Stars” by Thomas McGuane

June 24, 2013: “Stars” by Thomas McGuane We learn from the Q&A with Thomas McGuane that this is NOT an excerpt from a novel,…
June 15, 2013

Theater: “Becky Shaw” by Gina Gionfriddo

      My theater binge continues. For tonight’s show, I trekked up to Bethesda–not exactly a hardship, since my hotel is close to…
June 14, 2013

Theater: “Stupid Fucking Bird” by Aaron Posner

I seem to have developed a renewed interest in the theater. Years ago, in graduate school, I read a lot of drama, although I…
June 12, 2013

The New Yorker Summer Fiction Issue: “Scenes of the Crime” by Cormac McCarthy

“Scenes of the Crime” by Cormac McCarthy Excerpted and adapted from the screenplay for “The Counselor,” a Ridley Scott film coming out later this…
June 11, 2013

The New Yorker Summer Fiction Issue: “Happy Trails” by Sherman Alexie

“Happy Trails” by Sherman Alexie This might be my favorite piece in the issue. The story begins: “Forty-one years ago, my uncle Hector said…
June 10, 2013

The New Yorker Summer Fiction Issue: “Brotherly Love” by Jhumpa Lahiri

“Brotherly Love” by Jhumpa Lahiri We learn from the Q&A with Jhumpa Lahiri that “Brotherly Love” is an excerpt from Lahiri’s new novel, forthcoming…