Mary Miller is one of my favorite writers and has been since I read her novel The Last Days of California. Well, Biloxi is even better than that book. Her latest is a novel about the South and the people who inhabit it. She captures voices so authentically, and the characters she creates are absolutely wonderful. I was thrilled to be able to ask Mary a few questions over at The Rumpus.
Read MoreI spent most of New Year’s Day reading Arnett’s debut novel, Mostly Dead Things, and it’s a book that hasn’t left my mind. Honestly, I don’t think it will. Arnett writes of loneliness and death beautifully, and it captures a family in turmoil so truthfully.
Read More"Losing Light" is a story about a boy named Gresh who eats fireflies. No one can understand why, but his unnamed brother, who serves as the story's narrator, has an especially difficult time understanding why Gresh wants to eat these creatures. Gresh obviously hungers for them, but the brother hungers for understanding and, later, for redemption as he struggles in understanding the harsh realities of his world. This is a strange little story, but I'm super proud of it.
Read MoreLovers of Alaskan literature should find much to appreciate in Lin’s debut, The Unpassing. This haunting debut is bleak—super bleak—but it’s so affirming by its end. I reviewed it at Chicago Review of Books.
Read MoreWhen I found out the folks at Lit Hub were wanting to profile me for their “Secrets of the Book Critic” series, I couldn’t believe it. I eagerly agreed, and set out to answer some questions about book world.
Read MoreAnyone who attends the Southern Festival of Books knows Mary Laura Philpott. She's one of the best discussion moderators in the business. Finally, her debut memoir is here. I Miss You When I Blink is funny, moving, and wise.
Read MoreSlim short story collections are my latest craze, and Josh Denslow’s Not Everyone is Special is one of the best I’ve read recently. It was my pleasure to be able to talk to him for The Millions.
Read MoreMolly Dektar’s The Ash Family is one of my favorite debuts of the year. It’s about cult living, family, freedom, and understanding self. It’s unsettling, but it’s also inspiring in ways. It was my pleasure to be able to review it for the Chicago Review of Books.
Read MoreThe Pulitzer Prize is a celebration of the year that was’ “best” literature. It was an absolute pleasure to be able to write about the Prize for Electric Literature. Like I did a couple of years ago, I’ve compiled a list of the 10 most-likely contenders for the Pulitzer.
Read MoreIf writers can pick favorite stories of their own catalog, I’m claiming “Those Fantastic Lives” as mine. I worked on it for such a long time to get it just how I wanted it, and I’m so proud of it. It’s about a young boy and his psychic grandmother. This story looks at issues of legacy and belonging. It’s sad like most of my stories, but it’s also hopeful.
Read MoreThe editors at BULL, Syntax & Salt, Rose Red Review, Signal Mountain Review, formercactus, Literary Orphans, Ghost Parachute, The Wild Hunt, The Airgonaut, Five:2:One, Vending Machine Press, Occulum, and Drunk Monkeys have already believed in me, so I’ll believe in myself as this journey continues.
Read MoreSharma Shields has been one of my favorite writers since I first read her short story collection, Favorite Monster. When I say it was a joy to be able to ask her some questions for Electric Lit, I mean it 100%.
Read MoreSeveral weeks back, I had the privilege of being able to interview Chigozie Obioma for The Millions. I loved Chigozie’s first novel, The Fishermen, so I was stoked when I found out he had a new book on the way. And An Orchestra of Minorities, his sophomore release, does not disappoint. It’s such a rich study on character, myth, and fate. It’s a masterclass in fiction.
Read MoreMy story story “The Fishermen,” which is about a father and son navigating an apocalyptic world in search of memories, is out now. I’m so proud of this story, and I hope you’ll take the time to read it at formercactus.
Read MoreAnother short story acceptance this week, and this one is at one of the places that all the cool kids are talking about: formercactus. It’s a very short story about the apocalypse and a boy and his father striving to cling to memories that the waters washed away. I’m really proud of this one. It’ll run in November.
Read MoreShouting from the rooftops! “Those Fantastic Lives,” the story I plan to be the titular one of my almost-finished collection, has a home at one of my top 5 favorite literary journals: Syntax & Salt! You know, there’s something really special when a magazine you’ve read for what seems like forever accepts your work.
Read MoreThe editors at Signal Mountain Review reached out to me for an interview. I was stoked to be able to answer a few questions about my story--and my process.
Read MoreI just found out that "The Galactic Healers" will be featured in Five:2:One's December 2018 issue! I am stoked because I love this journal.
Read MoreThis one is for readers who like weird fiction. There's a warrior mother, transformation, stuffed animals, and a bear (and an owl). My hope is that readers see the love that exists at this story's heart.
Read MoreA few weeks ago, I received an invitation to a writing workshop with Joy Harjo. Yes, that Joy Harjo. After nearly collapsing, I, of course, accepted the invitation.
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