In August, we published a Web Exclusive story, "Monster," that seemed fitting (given that it was playground season and all) and creepy. But not creepy in the way you'd think—the unexpected twist of this story lodges itself in the place where our inadequacies lie, and it's comforting to be so recognized, isn't it? We talked to author Michael Czyzniejewski about this last month. Erin McReynolds: Your narrator in "Monster" is super relatable—in this era of social media, we're making constant ... [READ MORE]
NOTEBOOK
Editorial Outtakes: Shawn Wen
Editorial Outtakes is a series in which we publish excerpts from recent books that you won’t find anywhere else because, prior publication, these sections were cut. This installment of Editorial Outtakes features author Shawn Wen, whose A Twenty Minute Silence Followed by Applause is a kaleidoscopic, book-length essay examining the life and art of Marcel Marceau. Published this week by Sarabande Books, the book is by turns a journalistic endeavor, an imaginative inroad into the artist's world, ... [READ MORE]
Web Exclusive Interview: Shoshana Akabas
In June's Web Exclusive story, "Between the Shores," two people seem to move in parallel throughout their lives, always a hair's breadth away from interacting directly, only feeling the ripples of each other's actions but never knowing each other. We spoke with author Shoshana Akabas about this idea, about interconnectedness and empathy, and how our treatment of refugees right now doesn't bode well for either. Erin McReynolds: In “Between the Shores” two people move through their lives ... [READ MORE]
Web Exclusive Interview: Allegra Hyde
May's flash fiction exclusive, "Endangered," imagines a world in which artists are kept in cages for their own safety. But author Allegra Hyde is more about the utopia than the dystopia—and what with the sorry state of the world right now, it's completely understandable. We talked recently about utopias, how to get closer to your own (hint: it involves going off social media), and how there are little slivers of real utopias worth paying attention to. Erin McReynolds: In "Endangered," an ... [READ MORE]
Announcing our American Short(er) Fiction Contest Winners!
We are delighted to announce that Justin Torres has chosen the winners of our 2017 American Short(er) Fiction Contest. The first-place prize goes to Claire Robbins, for her story “Arms Out.” Of the story, Torres said, "Everything about 'Arms Out' impressed me: the punchy voice, the wayward chronology, the gender troubling. This story is fine and clear and tough and winsome." Claire Robbins is an MFA candidate at Western Michigan University where she teaches creative writing, works in the ... [READ MORE]
Web Exclusive Interview: Libby Flores
Our March Web Exclusive story, "Good," viewed a goodbye from the perspective of the one who did the dick move, "the bad guy," reminding us that good writing isn't at all interested in concept of "the bad guy." Author Libby Flores talked with us about writing the other side of the story, Amy Hempel's advice about tackling a big concept, and how Tom Waits lyrics are basically terrific flash fiction. Erin McReynolds: "Good" is nothing short of masterful in how much it gives in so few words: in ... [READ MORE]