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.
May 21, 2013

Book Giveaway: The Forty Rules of Love by Elif Shafak

I confess that I haven’t yet read this book, but I read Shafak’s previous book, The Bastard of Istanbul, which was excellent. Here’s the description…
May 20, 2013

The New Yorker: “Thirteen Wives” by Steven Millhauser

May 27, 2013: “Thirteen Wives” by Steven Millhauser I’m not sure I get this story, which you can read in its entirety for free….
May 18, 2013

2013 Reading: Damascus Gate by Robert Stone

DAMASCUS GATE.by Robert Stone I confess that I’ve only read one other novel by Robert Stone, and I have to say I didn’t care…
May 18, 2013

2013 Reading: River of Dust by Virginia Pye

River of Dust: A Novel by Virginia Pye I’d really been looking forward to reading this novel because the author is a friend of mine….
May 16, 2013

The New Yorker: “The Dark Arts” by Ben Marcus

May 20, 2013: “The Dark Arts” by Ben Marcus Q&A with Ben Marcus This story (available for free, so read it quick before they…
May 15, 2013

Guest Blog: “We Don’t Get a Do-over (Except When We Do)” by Valerie Nieman

We Don’t Get a Do-over (Except When We Do) by Valerie Nieman Time is an arrow, right? Fired into the future, never to return….
May 13, 2013

Tips for Writers: Like vs. As if

I’ve been seeing a lot confusion over the difference between like and as if lately. I used to see it all the time when…
May 6, 2013

The New Yorker: “Art Appreciation” by Fiona McFarlane

May 13, 2013: “Art Appreciation” by Fiona McFarlane Henry, the main character of this story, is described in the Q&A with Fiona McFarlane as…
May 5, 2013

The New Yorker: “The Gray Goose” by Jonathan Lethem

May 6, 2013: “The Gray Goose” by Jonathan Lethem I started reading this days ago but it didn’t grab my attention at the time,…
May 2, 2013

Short Story Month: In an Uncharted Country by Clifford Garstang

In honor of Short Story Month 2013, Press 53 has lowered the Kindle price of my first book to just $0.99. In an Uncharted…