Housefire is a prompt-based, invite-only publication venue that is fast approaching legendary awesomeness. The prompts are so courageous and the energy so inspiring that I can think of few situations I’m prouder to be a part of. This is my first piece to go up on the Housefire site, with more new work set to go up on the site in the near future. Love these guys, and Riley Michael Parker, Housefire’s Publisher, is a Dark Lord of Fiction Magick, to be sure.
ALONE FEELS DISCOMFORTABLE is the short story that went up — it’s a brief tale of a deaf man who visits a museum and encounters an at-first less-than-concerned docent who has no idea of his disability. Wracked with guilt and anxiety upon discovering the man is deaf, the two struggle to convince each other that their take on the impending situation (there is an artist lecture/talk taking place, and a sign interpreter is supposed to be there) is the more correct, more truthful one, opening up an odd discussion about how meaning is made, and what the value of being “right” actually amounts to in many experiences. (more…)
Public Art or Interesting Mischief? What’s the Difference?
From my dining room table, I stare out the large picture window just about all day, most days, while I work — drawing at the table, writing on the computer at the table, etc. I stare out to the west, watch the sun set, see people walking up and down my street, which has a lot of shops on it, and thusly, a lot of foot traffic. I can also see the large, royal blue mailbox on the corner, right in front of the nail salon. (more…)
Recently, Matt Ferner, a columnist over at Smalldoggies Magazine, sent me an old interview conducted by someone I believe at the Harvard Advocate, with Dave Eggers. This took place right as A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius was becoming a phenomenon, and McSweeney’s was in full swing. It’s long, and it’s worth every minute of your time, especially if like me, you are trying to make things that have value and you just don’t care what anyone else things. Some notable quotes, and then a link to the interview in its entirety afterward.
“We care about doing what we want to do creatively. We want to be interested in it. We want it to challenge us. We want it to be difficult. We want to reinvent the stupid thing every time. Would I ever think, before I did something, of how those with sellout monitors would respond to this or that move? I would not. The second I sense a thought like that trickling into my brain, I will put my head under the tires of a bus.”
“The thing is, I really like saying yes. I like new things, projects, plans, getting people together and doing something, trying something, even when it’s corny or stupid. I am not good at saying no. And I do not get along with people who say no.”
“What matters is that you do good work. What matters is that you produce things that are true and will stand.”
“What matters is that you want to see and make and do, on as grand a scale as you want, regardless of what the tiny voices of tiny people say. Do not be critics, you people, I beg you.”
Quiet Lightning Reading Series From San Francisco, CA September 2010
This month’s reading (August 12, 2010) featured paul corman-roberts, julia halprin jackson, matty byloos, jesus castillo, carrie seitzinger, scott lambridis, andrew paul nelson, timothy faust (aka frank stopp), katie may, amy glasenapp, steven gray, william taylor jr., w. ross ayers, shruti swamy, m.g. martin and laura riggs. Quiet Lightning San Francisco, hosted by Evan Karp and Rajshree Chauhan.
Video courtesy Evan Karp for Litseen, 2010. Quiet Lightning #9, September 10, 2010.
Why There Are Words Reading Series From Sausalito, CA August 2010
This month’s reading (August 12, 2010) featured Rosaleen Bertolino, Josie Brown, Matty Byloos, Jeff Gillenkirk, Margaret Kaufman and Townsend Walker. Why There Are Words, hosted by Peg Alford Purcell.
Video courtesy Evan Karp for Litseen, 2010. Why There Are Words, August 12, 2010: Subject – Weather.
