Other than the publication of my own books and the Oregon Literary Fellowship I won a couple of years ago — in other words, other than events involving my own work — I’ve had a handful of truly exhilarating, giddy, can’t-stop-grinning literary moments in my life: I once heard Kurt Vonnegut lecture (he did his amazing “shapes ofContinue reading “Nick Hornby and Cheryl Strayed and one of the coolest nights in my literary life”
Category Archives: writing
The Jersey Devil puts the lotion in the basket
The February issue of Jersey Devil Press has been out for a few days now, so surely you’ve read it by now. If you haven’t, get over there for the awesome: we ride roller coasters (of love), we do a little native (love) magic, we play with a (love) snake, we erect epic, long-lasting monuments (this isContinue reading “The Jersey Devil puts the lotion in the basket”
Why I’m watching for the Watchman
First, I want to say that I am thrilled at the news of a second book from Harper Lee. I say that first because, while I’m not alone in my enthusiasm, there is also a lot of rumor and speculation and skepticism surrounding the recent announcement about Go Set a Watchman, a kind of prequel/sequel (accordingContinue reading “Why I’m watching for the Watchman”
A left-hand turn
Last Tuesday night I watched a blender fall from my kitchen cabinet and reflexively I reached to catch it. I was either too fast or too slow, because the blender hit the granite countertop and shattered just as my hand arrived. In effect, I wound up punching quarter-inch-thick, cut glass, resulting in an inch-long slice along myContinue reading “A left-hand turn”
Going home again
I don’t normally think of video games in narrative, literary terms. Sure, plenty of video games depend on story and follow some kind of linear narrative, but (and I’m not an extensive gamer, so gamers, feel free to add titles in the comments) I don’t often come across a game that is so immersive and soContinue reading “Going home again”
Repairable Men, by John Carr Walker
Folks who follow me on Twitter or Goodreads have likely already seen this review of John Carr Walker’s Repairable Men, but I liked the book so much that I wanted to include the review here, too. Repairable Men: Stories by John Carr Walker My rating: 5 of 5 stars Repairable Men starts out simply enough,Continue reading “Repairable Men, by John Carr Walker”
The Jersey Devil loves pop tarts
We gorge ourselves on junk food and zoo animals and then we belch the belch of universes. Even the dinosaurs are impressed. And that, boys and girls, is basically the gist of our entire January issue! (No, seriously. Just read it. You’ll see.) Also, we’re extremely proud to start our new year with this fantastic cover art from architectContinue reading “The Jersey Devil loves pop tarts”
Books that surprised David S. Atkinson
David S. Atkinson, whose book Bones Buried in Dirt just plain delighted me this time last year and whose preview of Hagridden this year was beautiful and so greatly appreciated, well, he’s gone and done something awesome again. Not a great believer in “top books” lists, David has instead listed some books that surprised him this pastContinue reading “Books that surprised David S. Atkinson”
Chapbook interviews!
This is a fun surprise! Just before the holidays, I did an interview with the chapbook and novella website Speaking of Marvels, and today that interview went live. I love Speaking of Marvels, by the way. I only recently started reading them — my publisher, sunnyoutside press, sent them my direction — but we needContinue reading “Chapbook interviews!”
Booklist 2014
It’s time again, gang, for my annual reading list. This year’s been quite light, actually — I felt like I’d read quite a bit, but turns out I managed just under 60 books. Does it count that I reread my own novel something like seven times in revisions before it came out in August? My summer months were slowest, whichContinue reading “Booklist 2014”
Samuel Snoek-Brown 