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 4, 2013

AWP Week is Here — a day early

Just got home from a weekend trip to Chicago last night, only to discover that a snowstorm was threatening to disrupt my planned trip…
February 27, 2013

2013 Reading: The Jury by Steve Martini

The Jury (A Paul Madriani Novel) isn’t going to persuade me to read any more Steve Martini books. I only read this one because I…
February 25, 2013

The New Yorker: “Summer of ’38” by Colm Tóibin

March 4, 2013: “Summer of ’38” by Colm Tóibin I found this story by Colm Tóibin pretty ordinary, although beautifully told in an unusual…
February 24, 2013

Opening: Calligraphic Art by Terry M. Coffey

I was honored that artist and calligrapher Terry Coffey wanted to use the opening line from my book, In an Uncharted Country, as part…
February 24, 2013

2013 Reading: Twilight of the Elites by Christopher Hayes

Twilight of the Elites: America After Meritocracy by Christopher Hayes is the selection for February for our Reading Liberally Book Club. (We meet monthly to…
February 22, 2013

2013 Reading: Shine Shine Shine by Lydia Netzer

Shine Shine Shine by Lydia Netzer is one of a kind. That’s one of the things I look for in a book. Have I read…
February 20, 2013

Taking my own advice: Exploring Small Presses

If you’ve ever finished a novel, you remember the euphoria of typing “The End,” even if you knew the next phase was going to…
February 18, 2013

The New Yorker: “The Furies” by Paul Theroux

February 25, 2013: “The Furies” by Paul Theroux Having just read a pair of novellas by Theroux (“Dr. Slaughter” and “Dr. DeMarr,” published together…
February 16, 2013

Short Story Resurgence?

We are now being told that short story collections are all the rage. A story from yesterday’s New York Times is circulating among writers…
February 15, 2013

2013 Reading: Half-Moon Street by Paul Theroux

Half Moon Street: Two Short Novels by Paul Theroux was an enjoyable read. (Or listen, actually, as I heard the book in the car.) I’m…