Reading at Skylight Books in L.A. on 5/18

As part of the MFA Reading Series at UC-Irvine I'll be reading at Skylight Books in Los Angeles this Saturday (5/18) at 5pm. The reading will also feature the work of my friends, poets Josh Cornwell and Meagan Cooney, and fiction writer Justin Lee.

Skylight Books is a beautiful independent bookstore in the Los Feliz neighborhood that features readings from established literary luminaries and up-and-comers. It's one of the hubs of the L.A. lit scene, and I'm thrilled to be reading there with my peers. Thanks to Skylight Books for hosting the reading! More information here.

Spring 2013

My time in the MFA fiction program at UC-Irvine, where I also teach creative writing, is flying by. I'm nearing the end of year #2 and have just started work on the novel that will be my thesis project, due next year. I have a completed collection of stories ("Talking Past the Close") and a chapbook of five tales ("Families Among Us") that I'd like to have published in the near future. Bueller, Bueller?

In the meantime, I have a few stories and a book review coming out soon (and one from the archive to share with you):

This fall David Daley is going to publish my story "Pizza World" in FiveChapters, firm date TBD. FiveChapters publishes a short story in five parts each week, and I'm so honored David accepted this story. I'll let you know when it's coming out. In the meantime, you can read other stories at FiveChapters from the great Barry Hannah, Caitln Horrocks, David Abrams, Ramona Ausubel, Jess Walter, Marisa Matarazzo, Wells Tower, Joyce Carol Oates, Austin Ratner, Maile Meloy, Lydia Millet, Sam Lipsyte, Glen David Gold, Jennifer Egan, and many others!

My story "The Boxer" will appear in the next issue of Puerto del Sol (48.2), which launches in May. I'm so excited to have a story in this amazing journal. Thanks to Lily Hoang, Christopher Rosenbluth, and the rest of the editors at Puerto del Sol for accepting "The Boxer" for publication. Chris, who accepted the story via e-mail, paid me one of the nicest compliments I've received from an editor: "I loved the story. It was probably my favorite of the submissions from the slush pile. It reminded me of a Barry Hannah story. A force of nature." If you'd like to read "The Boxer" you can pre-order a copy of Puerto del Sol (48.2) here.

Peter LaBerge, editor of The Adroit Journal, solicited my story "A Family Among Us" for publication in their summer 2013 issue. "A Family Among Us" originally appeared online in Dark Sky Magazine, made the 2012 Million Writers Award Notable Stories list, and was adapted for broadcast on NPR stations, which you can listen to here. I'm excited Peter wanted to put this story in print for the first time!

My second book review (The Incurables by Mark Brazaitis, a beautiful linked collection) will appear in the forthcoming issue of Mid-American Review (33.2). My review of the excellent Fires of Our Choosing by Eugene Cross appeared in issue 33.1. Thanks again to MAR book reviews editor Michael Czyzniejewski for letting me write for the journal!

And from the archive: my story "Lazarus In the Backyard" (featuring recurring character Ricky Jensen) was published in Untitled Books two years ago, which you can read here. While you're there, you can also read stories from Etgar Keret, Tessa Hadley, Chris Adrian, Benjamin Percy, E.C. Osondu, and more.

More news on the way. Thanks for reading!

New Fiction in Structo 9

My story "The Skylight" appears in issue 9 of Structo, an Oxford-based British literary magazine. I'm really excited about this one. Structo is beautifully produced and if you like writing that tends toward slipstream check 'em out. The issue can be yours for just six pounds! Thanks again to editor Euan Monaghan for accepting "The Skylight" for publication. Get your copy here.

To learn a little more about Structo you can read a rave review of their last issue over at Newpages.

Book Review in Mid-American Review

I've got a book review in the current issue of Mid-American Review. I reviewed Fires of Our Choosing, an excellent debut collection of stories from Eugene Cross, out now from Dzanc Books. I can't recommend Fires of Our Choosing enough. The stories and writing are simply stunning.

Thanks again to Mid-American Review editor Michael Czyzniejewski for assigning this book for review. You can get a copy of the new issue of Mid-American Review here and a copy of Fires of Our Choosing here. Both are well worth the price of admission.

New Fiction in Keyhole 12

You can now order Keyhole 12, which contains my story "Ricky Jensen Goes to Work," along with great fiction from James Brubaker, Adam Moorad, and Simon A. Smith.

I just read the issue in proof format and it is really great. I'm happy to have my work featured next to stories by James, Adam, and Simon. Thanks again to editor Peter Cole for including my work in this issue. Keyhole is an imprint of the great Dzanc Books and at only $7.99, this issue is a total steal.

It'll ship on 12/12/12. Get your copy here.

"Dirty Birds" in Monkeybicycle

Thanks to editor J. Bradley and the guys at Monkeybicycle. They published my story "Dirty Birds" today, which you can read here.

Fall 2012

I'm in my second year of graduate school at UC-Irvine. Last year was a blur. Made great friends and snagged some readers for life. I'm also teaching creative writing this year, the excitement of which cannot be put into words.

I love the fall. Lots of good things happening, most importantly the arrival of our daughter in December. Can't wait to watch Danielle be a mom; she was visiting faculty at Knox College earlier this fall making a bit of public art with her students, and getting a little creative help from her assistant in the womb. Check out Danielle's project here.

And one day soon I'll start writing things my little girl can read, but for now, this:

"The Lanes" was recently published at Juked. You can read the story here. Many thanks to editor J.W. Wang for taking this story.

My story "The Best Man" appears in Issue 12 of The Los Angeles Review. This issue happens to be dedicated to Ron Calrson, the co-director of the MFA fiction program here at UCI. I'm beyond excited Stefanie Freele loved my story enough to put it in print. You can order the issue by clicking here.

My story "Ricky Jensen Goes to Work" will be published in Issue 12 of Keyhole Magazine, which you can pre-order here. Happy Peter Cole finally took a chance on a story of mine.

And later this fall I'll have my first book review appear in the pages of Mid-American Review. Thanks to departing editor Michael Czyzniejewski. 

Thanks for reading!