hint fiction (n) : a story of 25 words or fewer that suggests a larger, more complex story LRR, February 11, 2015February 8, 2025 Hint fiction, a genre that has been around since the beginning of story-telling, has made a great comeback on the literary scene, thanks in large part to one of my all-time favorite books, titled, aptly, hint fiction: An Anthology of Stories in 25 Words or Fewer edited by Robert Swartwood…. Continue Reading
If my life is ever biography-worthy… LRR, February 1, 2015February 8, 2025 Who would I like to write about my…. Feeling alive? Ray Bradbury. “The grass whispered under his body. He put his arm down, feeling the sheath of fuzz on it, and, far away, below, his toes creaking in his shoes. The wind sighed over his shelled ears. The… Continue Reading
Dinosaur Junior By Julie Bartoli (2014) LRR, June 16, 2014June 16, 2017 Jennie Hackman Memorial Award for Short Fiction, Winner (2014) Sid sits on the overhang outside his bedroom window, watching cars. It’s one of those deadbeat summer days, mid-July and steaming. This week the number one song on the radio talks about driving with the windows rolled down, but Sid has… Continue Reading
“Artifacts of Our Affection” By Amber West (2014) LRR, June 16, 2014June 16, 2017 Wallace Stevens Poetry Prize, Second Place (2014) When I notice mold in my toothbrush mug I remember the pigeons roosting in the airshaft: their toilet, their nest, our bedroom view dusk and dawn Monogamous, amorous, pigeons are known for their soft cooing calls Once I had three mugs. Gold-trimmed. Blond… Continue Reading
“Jean-Michel Basquiat’s Last One-Artist Show at the Baghoomian Gallery” By Kate Monica (2014) LRR, June 16, 2014June 16, 2017 Wallace Stevens Poetry Contest, Second Place (2014) Collins Literary Prize, Poetry Winner (2014) The passion’s bled out. I’ve split open all the oranges I possibly could to see the wet jewels shining like teeth in the sun and I’ve pushed my fingers into the meat of it and I’ve popped… Continue Reading
“The Wall” By Miller Oberman (2014) LRR, June 16, 2014June 16, 2017 Wallace Stevens Poetry Contest, Winner (2014) Once, drunk, and having just avoided a fight, the two walked outside from the dark dive smelling thrillingly of sour beer and sweat and clapping the blue pool chalk from their hands, they, coming to a boarded up construction site, made fists, their hair… Continue Reading
Inspired by Spoken Word LRR, April 25, 2014February 8, 2025 Daughter * If I have a daughter, I will tell her to always think she is ready for this shiny, fast-moving world because at least then, when it barrels at her unannounced, she will have the sense to keep her head up and watch with open hands when it comes… Continue Reading
Top Ten Nonfiction Books That Will Change Your Life LRR, April 23, 2014February 8, 2025 These ten books, I can say with confidence, have changed my life in some way, and they will probably change your life too. Or, maybe not, because I’m me and you aren’t. But I’m fairly certain that these books will make you think about nonfiction, or English boarding schools, or… Continue Reading
Writer Crush Wednesday – Ian Doescher LRR, April 9, 2014February 8, 2025 I’m the kind of person that doesn’t really have a favorite author or a favorite book because that status is always changing. That being said, my current flavor of the month is Ian Doescher, an only recently published author, known for his bestselling debut novel, “William Shakespeare’s Star Wars: Verily, A… Continue Reading
Feed Your Inner Wanderer LRR, February 28, 2014February 8, 2025 “A man cannot become wise until he has weathered/ his share of winters in this world” – from The Wanderer, trans. RM Liuzza *** Though the wind-chill was still below zero this morning, little February is coming to an end and taking winter with it. Spring is just 20 days… Continue Reading