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.
March 20, 2013

Tips for Writers: She shrugged

I frequently encounter this sentence in the work of both students and would-be contributors to my magazine: “She shrugged her shoulders.” With student work,…
March 20, 2013

Midge Raymond interviews me

Midge Raymond, author of Forgetting English, interviews me on her blog: Q&A with Clifford Garstang. Thanks, Midge!
March 19, 2013

2013 Reading: Hemingway’s Girl by Erika Robuck

Hemingway’s Girl by Erika Robuck is a fast read, and I recommend it. It’s a historical novel set in 1935 (with a prologue and epilogue…
March 19, 2013

The New Yorker: “The Judge’s Will” by Ruth Prawer Jhabvala

March 25, 2013: “The Judge’s Will” by Ruth Prawer Jhabvala As of today, March 18, no Q&A is posted, so there’s no help there….
March 18, 2013

I’m Interviewed by Katrina Denza

My friend Katrina Denza has just read my book, What the Zhang Boys Know, and asked to interview me on her blog. Here is the…
March 18, 2013

2013 Reading: Life Among Giants by Bill Roorbach

Life Among Giants: A Novel by Bill Roorbach is a terrific read. Very entertaining. This is the first of Roorbach’s books I’ve read and I…
March 15, 2013

2013 Reading: The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan

The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan is Charlottesville’s choice for The Big Read this year, and I was invited to participate in a panel…
March 12, 2013

2013 Reading: Wash by Margaret Wrinkle

Wash by Margaret Wrinkle is a terrific book. First, some disclaimers. I was in a workshop at the Tinker Mountain Writers Workshop with Margaret several…
March 11, 2013

The New Yorker: “Checking Out” by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichi

March 18, 2013: “Checking Out” by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie In the Q&A with Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie we learn that this week’s “story” is an…
March 4, 2013

The New Yorker: “Kattekoppen” by Will Mackin

March 11, 2013: “Kattekoppen” by Will Mackin Stories about war are very hard to pull off, I think. This one’s not bad, although I…