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.
April 2, 2013

2013 Reading: A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan

A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction. A couple of years ago, everyone was talking about, so…
April 1, 2013

The New Yorker: “Valentine” by Tessa Hadley

April 8, 2013: “Valentine” by Tessa Hadley As revealed in the Q&A with Tessa Hadley, this story is an excerpt from a forthcoming novel,…
April 1, 2013

Poetry Month Spotlight: Sam Taylor’s Body of the World

Sam Taylor’s Body of the World was published in 2005, but I didn’t meet Sam until we were both in residence at the Virginia Center…
April 1, 2013

April is Poetry Month

April is Poetry Month, a month-long celebration of poetry established by the Academy of American Poets in 1996. As a writer of literary fiction,…
March 29, 2013

Tips for Writers: Being a Good Literary Citizen

This morning, a writer friend of mine posted some nice words on Facebook about my book, What the Zhang Boys Know. I appreciated his comments,…
March 27, 2013

2013 Reading: The Case for God by Karen Armstrong

The Case for God by Karen Armstrong is my book club’s selection for March. (See Reading Liberally-Staunton.) It was an interesting read, although frustrating at…
March 25, 2013

The New Yorker: “Marjorie Lemke” by Sarah Braunstein

April 1, 2013: “Marjorie Lemke” by Sarah Braunstein Marjorie Lemke was called a “major loser” in high school. It wasn’t true then, but, according…
March 24, 2013

Wrap-up: 2013 Virginia Festival of the Book

The 19th Virginia Festival of the Book is now history, and it was a good one. I was there for part of every day…
March 22, 2013

2013 Reading: Pagan Babies by Elmore Leonard

Pagan Babies by Elmore Leonard is entertaining. It seemed, in the first half, as though it might be more than that, but in the end,…
March 21, 2013

2013 Reading: Cascade by Maryanne O’Hara

Cascade: A Novel by Maryanne O’Hara was a pleasure to read. It begins in late 1934 when Desdemona Hart, a trained artist, has married Asa…