"Sickness had reached our valley at last." In August's Web Exclusive flash fiction, "Father as Astronaut," a young woman mourns the loss of her father in an increasingly hostile world where everyone is fighting for survival. It's a story that's wildly imaginative, unsettling, and full of heart. We talked to G.E. Stiteler about this story, about a world in trouble, and what gives her peace. Erin McReynolds: What led you to decide to set the narrator's loss in the midst of widespread … [Read more...] about Web Exclusive Interview: G.E. Stiteler
Web Exclusive Interview
Web Exclusive Interview: Corey Flintoff
Yes, that Corey Flintoff! When we came across the recently retired NPR reporter's flash fiction story, "Dream of the White Worm," we were of course intrigued. Then we discovered that with an honest, unassuming domestic scene, he'd managed to capture the disconnect between people who may love and care for each other deeply, but never fully understand the fears and challenges the others face. It was pretty cool to talk to someone whose voice we could hear in our heads... and to get to use the word … [Read more...] about Web Exclusive Interview: Corey Flintoff
Web Exclusive Interview: Tyler Stoddard Smith
"I aspire to dread . . . " begins June's online short story, "Knausgaard in Space." And with these words, we knew author Tyler Stoddard Smith had nailed the Nordic icon and we were in for something very funny. And boy, did we need it. Here we talk Weird Al, the legendarily awkward meeting between Knausgaard and Jeffrey Eugenides, and the potential hilarity of having no escape. — Erin McReynolds: This story is hysterical; do you have a background in improv or writing parody or … [Read more...] about Web Exclusive Interview: Tyler Stoddard Smith
Web Exclusive Interview: Nathan Go
In May's Web Exclusive, "The Blind Oracle of Mactan," author Nathan Go takes us to an island in the Philippines, to a fantastical man who just, as it turns out, wants what any of us wants. The prose is light and funny, winding lithely around something that reveals itself to be as profound and enduring a problem as human beings have ever known. Even a human who has lived many, many lifetimes over. We talked with Nathan about how this strange and wonderful story came about. Erin McReynolds: The … [Read more...] about Web Exclusive Interview: Nathan Go
Web Exclusive Interview: Hal Walling
Our March Web Exclusive, "You Haven't Won Anything Yet," is a taut, complex, and slightly odd story about a missing child and an adult with a missing childhood. It's a terrific example of using negative space, and nearly every sentence is a surprise. We (finally) spoke with author Hal Walling about his approach, and, yes, indulged ourselves with a couple of Canada questions. Erin McReynolds: In "You Haven't Won Anything Yet," the police are trying to see if the narrator is this still-missing … [Read more...] about Web Exclusive Interview: Hal Walling
Web Exclusive Interview: Kate Reed Petty
In February's Web Exclusive flash fiction, "Fish Jokes," a woman is challenged with articulating exactly what her former boss did to her that was inappropriate. In order to convey Annie's struggle to recollect what happened, name it, and support her own reaction to it, author Kate Reed Petty created an ingenious modern trope that everyone can understand: the hunt for an elusive email buried in an endless inbox. Erin McReynolds: There is a genius to the many levels of want in "Fish Jokes": … [Read more...] about Web Exclusive Interview: Kate Reed Petty