Texas Rising — in a cloud of dust and a fog of history

When I was a boy living in Texas, I loved The Dukes of Hazzard. I watch their TV show constantly, I had the General Lee in both Hot Wheels size and the large action-figure size because I also had the action figures of Bo and Luke Duke. I often had them mingle with my actionContinue reading “Texas Rising — in a cloud of dust and a fog of history”

Texas Rising — a yellow rose blooms, but mind the thorns

So, before I get into the third episode of Texas Rising, I would like to start with the show’s own disclaimer: “The following program is a dramatic interpretation of Texas’ fight for independence. Viewer discretion is advised.” I suppose the “viewer discretion” they advise is to focus on the “interpretation” part and not take any of this tooContinue reading “Texas Rising — a yellow rose blooms, but mind the thorns”

New publication

I’ve been a huge fan of Eunoia Review for a long while now, and I’ve been honored to be among their contributors three times now, and they’ve been home to some of my favorite stories. Today, I’m happy to say that Eunoia has published a fourth story of mine, and, depending on how you measureContinue reading “New publication”

Texas Rising — and quickly falling

I grew up in Texas, where the hagiography of early Texans and the aggrandizing of our heritage (or, at least, our Anglo heritage) was mandatory. People think I’m participating in the tradition of tall tales when I say a thing like that, but it’s true: in Texas schools, you learn Texas history before you learn AmericanContinue reading “Texas Rising — and quickly falling”

This is The End, but not of the Jersey Devil

The May issue of Jersey Devil Press is out, and it’s full of the usual shenanigans: stunning prose poems, otherworldly obelisks invoking transcendence, blessed/cursed warriors, anthropomorphic animals in the workplace, and, of course, the apocalypse at the end of it all. Everything always ends in the apocalypse. There’s even some moody noir artwork on the cover,Continue reading “This is The End, but not of the Jersey Devil”

New publication

So, I mentioned yesterday that Blue Skirt Productions was one of my favorite tables at AWP. One of the reasons was that they ran a contest for their literary magazine, Microfiction Monday: they provided these 4×4 sticky note and asked folks to submit microfiction that fit on it. Ideally, one hundred words or fewer. And it was a contest,Continue reading “New publication”

The Jersey Devil lost its head

You guys, I think I need a hug. The April issue of Jersey Devil Press has a lot of our usual shenanigans — wild art, Vikings, cigarettes, even poop. Lots of poop, right out of the gate. The first story has a lot of poop. And I love it. But that last story? The one about theContinue reading “The Jersey Devil lost its head”

Hey poets, be good literary citizens. No more excuses.

My friend — and one of my favorite poets, which is why I’m friends with her — Brianna Pike has some deceptively simple but necessary advice for all us writers, especially as we all head off to the literary smorgasbord that is AWP (where I’m looking forward to seeing Bri at her panel discussion!): HeyContinue reading “Hey poets, be good literary citizens. No more excuses.”

Brilliant books by brilliant writers

And all these writers are women. I spotted this list of 30 books by women in my Facebook newsfeed — the always-glorious Lidia Yuknavitch shared it — and I loved the first line of the intro: “Let’s be real: You should be reading books, and books by women, every month of the year.” Amen! But yes, it’s Women’s HistoryContinue reading “Brilliant books by brilliant writers”

Your 2015 indie lit shopping list

Last year, I was honored to see Hagridden previewed in The Great 2014 Indie Press Preview, dreamed up and wrangled by the amazing Michael J Seidlinger and published at Electric Lit. (And many thanks to David S. Atkinson for his enthusiasm about my book!) So this year, it seemed only proper that I return the favor and previewContinue reading “Your 2015 indie lit shopping list”