Why is language? Language is that we may mis-unda-stand each udda.

—Krazy Kat

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Beauty has no evident usefulness, and yet without it, we could not endure our lives.

—Freud

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Art does not reproduce the visible. Rather, it makes it visible.

—Paul Klee

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Member, National Book Critics Circle: America's most discriminating readers

Oberpfälzer Künstlerhaus

Schwandorf, Germany, summer 2016

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Time, space, and colleagues in the beautiful Blue Ridge, spring 2012

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VCCA France, September–October 2014

Work-filled weeks, fine food, halcyon weather, delightful company.

Writing • Teaching • Editing

LOCK & LOAD: ARMED FICTION: the National Tour continues!


Lock & Load: Armed Fiction—read all about it!

Lock & Load on the Road: APRIL


Chicago


The Book Cellar, Chicago
We'll be in the Windy City April 21 at 6 p.m.

Happy spring!

Baltimore: Charm City, here we come!


“Always Loaded, Never Safe: Guns on the Page and in the Streets”
April 14, 1:30-2:30, University of Baltimore
William H.Thumel Business Center, BC 143

Lock & Load on the Road: MARCH


MLWGS Alumni Showcase, March 30


Alumni Showcase, March 30
It's not about the title, the salary, the stuff.
It's about knowing what you're hungry for: knowledge, skill, mastery.
It's about feeding and schooling that, and pouring it out in the world.

James River Writers—the Writing Show


James River Writers, “Breaking into Anthologies”
Editors talk about gathering, editing, and publishing anthologies.
March 28, 6 p.m., Firehouse Theatre, Richmond

The Virginia Festival of the Book


Kicking off the Virginia Festival on DAY ONE!
March 21, 2 p.m., New Dominion Bookshop, Charlottesville:
“The Short Story: Moments of Truth.”

AWP Conference, Tampa, March 7-10: Lock & Load shows up, signs, meets, and greets, writers, readers, mentors, publishers, editors. Crowds gather, word spreads.

Lock & Load on the Road: FEBRUARY


Lock & Load: Armed Fiction. Visit nineteen new worlds—strange, amazing, troubling, beautiful.
You'll be engaged, amused, entertained. We'll hear from you, we'll read the hair-raising and enchanting bits. And we'll sign!

• February 22, 6:30 p.m.: Publication Party, the New School, New York NY
• February 11, 3:30 p.m.: Books in the Bay, Richmond VA
• February 6, 7 p.m.: Politics & Prose at the Wharf, Washington DC

NOW OUT from the University of New Mexico Press: Lock & Load—writing that hits the mark!

Lock & Load, an extraordinary collection of literary fiction, includes work by such American masters as
Annie Proulx, John Edgar Wideman, Rick DeMarinis, Pinckney Benedict, Jim Tomlinson, and Bonnie Jo Campbell, as well as a host of fresh new voices.

Beautiful, surprising, and thought-provoking all the way through.


LOCK & LOAD—an anthology of American writing on guns.

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YOU WANT TO WRITE.
Drive forth, therefore, the Dragon of Doubt.
And BEGIN!
Start with fiction classes at the Visual Arts Center.



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Occasional: Private Classes, by invitation


Knowledgeable, sophisticated instruction; congenial surroundings.

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Everyone Needs an Editor


As you start . . .


• Developmental editing—
Before it's a book, it's an idea, a set of notes, an outline, a bunch of pages.
Developmental editing takes your project from these beginnings to a completed manuscript,
paying special attention to:
-structure
-content
-plot
-beginning and ending

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As you draft . . .


• Copyediting—
The editor helps the writer make sure the work is
-correct
-clear
-grammatical
-not wordy
-factually accurate
-readable
-meaningful

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After you've written . . .


• Manuscript evaluation—
-Is it good?
-Is it ready?
-What now?
• General Editing—
-grammar
-spelling
-syntax
-usage
• Substantive Editing—
-organization
-coherence
• Submission guidance—
-What to send
-Where to send
• Consultation—
Proven, experienced guidance finding the right
– MFA program
– fellowship
– residency
– grant
• Informed, sophisticated help—
-Crafting better applications
-Improving chances of success

To discuss or arrange evaluation,
editing, or consultation, click e-mail.


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Quick Links

“At the Time of Exposure”
In Willow Springs 25
From Heart Trouble
In pursuit of the pig
“Pia’s Daughter”
“I’m afraid,” I told the higher-ups. “You should be,” they answered. “Things look grim. But it’s too late. You have to be born.”
"Baudelaire's Sister at the Betty Ford"
What transgression really looks like.
Best American Fantasy editor's blog
"Shield of the Norns," Best American Fantasy 4 shortlist
The Georgia Review Blog
Shout-out for NMW short fiction prize (above)
"Deirdra McAfee of Richmond, VA, has won the $1,000 New Millennium WritingsShort-Short Fiction Prize for her story 'Hydroplane,' a piece of flash fiction about lethal jealousy between brothers. Her story strikes with the impact of a head-on collision."
The Collagist
Review of Caitlin Horrocks's story collection, This Is Not Your City
E-mail
Authors Guild