MUSINGS
I hadn't heard of Manuel Muñoz until I saw the Publishers Weekly starred review of his upcoming novel What You See in the Dark:
As readers of this blog know, I'm a huge fan of the second person -- when it's done properly, and judging by this review, it's done very well. Plus the book just sounds great. Oftentimes I psych myself up for a book that, when I do finally read it, I come away disappointed. I really hope that's not the case this time around. Guess we'll find out in March.
Why in the world had I never heard of Edith Pearlman? And why, if you hadn’t, hadn’t you? It certainly isn’t the fault of her writing, which is intelligent, perceptive, funny and quite beautiful, as demonstrated in “Binocular Vision: New and Selected Stories.” In the world of literary fiction Pearlman is hardly unknown: she’s the author of three previous collections, “Vaquita,” “Love Among the Greats” and “How to Fall”; she has won several prizes; and her work has appeared repeatedly in “Best American Short Stories.” So she should be known all over the place.
The above is from Roxana Robinson's review in today's New York Times of Edith Pearlman's new collection Binocular Vision. It's a sentiment heard from many experiencing Pearlman's work for the first time. I had the pleasure of working with Edith on the Hint Fiction anthology with her marvelous story "Golden Years," which I also ended up reading on Weekend Edition Saturday with Scott Simon (Edith has told me people still compliment her on that story having heard it on NPR).
Of her new collection, T.C. Boyle says "Edith Pearlman is an absolute master of the form: these stories that abjure tricks and flash for brilliantly drawn characters, classic construction, and language that sings and aches all at once." Anthony Doerr says "If you read, write, or teach short fiction -- if you believe gorgeous, scrupulously made literature nourishes the soul -- then you must read Edith Pearlman." And in the collection's introduction, Ann Patchett says:
When I was asked to write this introduction, an invitation I leapt at, I sat down to read the manuscript with a pen in my hand. I thought it would be a good idea to underline some of the best sentences so I could quote them along the way, but I could quickly see the ridiculousness of that idea. I was underlining the entire book. Okay, I thought, just put a check by your favorite stories so you can be sure to mention them, but by the time I'd finished reading the book, every one of them was checked. Every story.
I could mention so many more reviews of this collection -- like David L. Ulin's review in The Los Angeles Times or the fact that Publishers Weekly gave it a starred review -- but instead I'll simply tell you that Binocular Vision is published by Lookout Books and that Edith Pearlman will be at AWP. If you plan to be at the conference too, do yourself a favor and seek her out.
I'll post about this again later in the month, but anyone going to AWP? If so, be sure to stop by Virginia B Room of the Marriott Wardman Park at 3:00 on Friday for what is probably going to be the greatest panel ever:
Hint Fiction: Stories that Prove Less is More. (Robert Swartwood, Randall Brown, Michael Martone, Daniel Olivas, Roxane Gay) The editor of the recent Norton anthology and its contributors examine stories of extreme brevity. They will discuss whether these stories are considered actual stories, and whether they hold substance, focusing on these questions: Do works of this length help or hinder writers? Can these tiny stories have just as much impact as stories of traditional length? The panelists will share their own hint fiction and discuss its role in the ongoing evolution of literature.
Well, okay, I am a tad biased, but I'm sure it's going to be a fun time. I'm actually in the process of organizing a list of topic questions and was wondering for those who are not going to be in attendance, is there anything you'd like to ask in regards to Hint Fiction or just extremely short stories in general, something that myself or Randall Brown or Michael Martone or Daniel Olivas or Roxane Gay could perhaps answer?
Wait, you're probably thinking, why would I want to ask a question to an answer I'll never hear because I won't be at the conference?
Good question. The reason, my friend, is if all goes well, I'll try to have the panel recorded and upload online for your perusal. Sound good?
Yes, you're probably thinking, it does.
Glad to hear it. So then if you do have any questions, let me know in the comments section. Thanks.
As many of you know, Jamie Eyberg and his wife died earlier this year, leaving behind two children. Aaron Polson has dedicated the latest volume of 52 Stitches to Jamie, and is donating all the proceeds to a memorial fund for his children. Cate Gardner also is helping out in a very special way. You can purchase the anthology (which rocks an amazing cover) at Amazon.
... I will be at the following places:
Author/Editor Robert Swartwood featured December 16 at MAC
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Author and Hint Fiction editor Robert Swartwood will be featured with Morgantown Poets at 7 p.m. Thursday December 16, at Monongalia Arts Center (MAC).
The event is free and open to the public. The MAC is at 107 High Street, downtown Morgantown (beside Hotel Morgan).
In addition to writing books including The Silver Ring and In Solemn Shades of Endless Night, Robert created the term “hint fiction,” which limits stories to 25 words or fewer. This new form is showcased in Robert’s anthology Hint Fiction (published by W. W. Norton), which features such authors as Joyce Carol Oates, J. A. Konrath, and Peter Straub. He blogs at www.robertswartwood.com.
Public parking is available near the MAC in the parking garage at the corner of Pleasant and Chestnut streets and at the city lot behind 142 High Street (enter off Spruce). The MAC is accessible to individuals with special mobility requirements; schedule ahead at least two days prior to the event by calling 304-292-3325, or write to info@monartscenter.com.
Morgantown Poets is an informal not-for-profit, all-volunteer community group that meets 7-9 p.m. the third Thursday each month at the MAC, providing literary enthusiasts in north-central West Virginia the opportunity to express themselves, share their work, network and to connect up-and-coming writers with more established authors. New writers are welcome. Join on Facebook by entering “Morgantown Poets” in the search. Or join the mailing list at morgantownpoets@yahoo.com or the listserve, http://groups.yahoo.com/group/motownpoetry.
My panel "Hint Fiction: Stories That Prove Less Is More" is scheduled for Friday, February 4, at 3:00 PM. Participants include Randall Brown, Roxane Gay, Michael Martone, and Daniel A. Olivas.
All the details haven't been finalized yet, but I'll be hosting an evening of Hint Fiction here and there will be other contributors reading stories and, I'm sure, much drinking and fun to be had. More info coming soon.
And that's about it for now. If you happen to be in any of these places on any of these dates, please try to stop by. I promise I will play Rock, Paper, Scissors with you. If you're lucky, I might even let you win.
