Back into the time capsule
March 27, 2014 § Leave a comment
Excited to be heading back to Cuba with National Geographic Expeditions from March 30 to April 7! I’ve done this particular itinerary a good number of times now, and there are almost always surprises — most of them pleasant, all of them fascinating.
Then again, it’s impossible to be in Cuba on any given day and NOT have a fascinating experience of one kind or another. This is particularly true because the island is undergoing such a rapid period of change; every time I return there are changes, most of them subtle, some of them not. Don’t worry, I’m taking notes!
If anyone is looking for an opportunity to experience for yourself what I’m talking about, here’s an upcoming program I particularly recommend.
New short fiction out at Sixfold
February 1, 2014 § 7 Comments
Hey everyone, my short story “The Afternoon Client,” winner of the Crime Category in the 2013 Writer’s Digest Popular Fiction Awards, is now up at Sixfold. You can read it on-line here, or, if you’d rather have a a print version of the entire winter fiction issue and at the same time support the efforts of this innovative little review, you can order the paperback here.
I hope you enjoy the story!
Story Wins Writer’s Digest Popular Fiction Awards
December 19, 2013 § Leave a comment
Just found out a story of mine won the 2013 Writer’s Digest Popular Fiction Awards! Crime category, if you can believe it. Very pleased, and I didn’t even have to commit a crime. Though I did write about one . . .
The story is titled “The Afternoon Client.” It will appear in January at Sixfold, and again in May/June at Writers Digest on-line. I’ll post the links once they’re up.
Spain and Portugal with National Geographic
September 15, 2013 Comments Off on Spain and Portugal with National Geographic
Very much looking forward to heading back to the Iberian Peninsula! This time it’s in my continuing capacity as a featured expert for National Geographic Expeditions: On September 30 I’ll be flying to Lisbon for a journey through Portugal and Andalucía, finishing up in Madrid on October 11. I’ll be giving talks on history, art, Goya, and Hemingway, and generally trying to be as helpful as I can both with trip logistics and in terms of helping travelers make personal connections with the fabulous life and culture of one of my favorite parts of the world. Coincidentally, I’ve just posted a craft analysis on For Whom the Bell Tolls, which may be of interest if you’re a writer or a close reader of Hemingway’s fiction.
Back in the U.S. on October 12.
Cuba talk at Brattleboro Museum and Art Center
July 18, 2013 § Leave a comment
Very pleased to be giving a talk at the Brattleboro Museum and Art Center on contemporary Cuba. I’ll address some of the important historical aspects leading up to the present moment, with a special focus on Cuban art and the fraught Cuba – US relationship. If you’re in the area, it would be great to see you there!
Click here for the details.
Dublin bound, and Inishbofin!
July 4, 2013 § Leave a comment
Very much looking forward to joining a group of talented young writers in Dublin, Ireland, from July 5 – 12. I’ll be giving a talk on the Jungian Shadow in fiction (see this post for a preview), and we’ll all be heading off to the small island of Inishbofin near Galway. There we’ll have a chance to share our work, create some new work, explore the stark Irish landscapes with journals in hand, and no doubt participate in many lively discussions about life, love, and the writing craft. Sláinte mhaith!
Best of Havana piece up at National Geographic’s Intelligent Travel Blog
April 27, 2013 § Leave a comment
Well, it’s a pretty subjective list, and limited by the format. But some of it might be useful if you’re thinking of going to Havana. Read here.
Heartsong post featured at Grub Daily
April 8, 2013 § Leave a comment
A craft analysis I wrote several years ago on James Welch’s great novel The Heartsong of Charging Elk is featured at Grub Street Daily, a blog for writers produced by the wonderful people at Grub Street, a popular Boston-based organization for writers. Check it out here!
Cuba, Cuba, Spain and Ireland
April 4, 2013 § 1 Comment
Very excited for several upcoming trips! First up is another National Geographic program to Cuba, April 18 – 24, in which I’ll be introducing a group of mostly first-time visitors to one of my favorite places on the planet and giving lectures on Cuban colonial history, 20th century Cuban history, and Hemingway’s years in Cuba.
Next up, from May 12 – 24, I’ll be returning to the Pearl of the Antilles with a small group of honors students from Keene State College. I’ve been co-teaching a class there with political scientist Prof Chuck Weed on the history of US – Cuba relations this semester, and it will be great fun to show everyone around and let them experience for themselves the vibrant and enigmatic realities of contemporary Cuba. And we’re planning some great hiking and snorkeling!
From June 2 – 10, sponsored by the Brattleboro Museum and Art Center, the talented contemporary artist Eric Aho and I will be accompanying a small group of travelers to Madrid, Úbeda, Córdoba, Granada, and points between for a fascinating art-based journey in Spain. We’ll be learning a lot about the Spanish context, taking in some of the world’s greatest art from a creator’s perspective, and everyone will have the opportunity to produce some of their own art as well. Very excited to get back to Spain after a long absence! There’s still some (limited) space on this trip, so you if have these dates free and want to explore Spain in a fun and absolutely unique way, drop me a line.
From June 29 – July 12, I’ll be working with three other writers and a group of 24-30 young writers (14-18 yrs old) in Dublin, Ireland. Couldn’t be more thrilled by the prospect of another field-based writing workshop – it’s been awhile. There’s still room on this program too, so if you happen to fall into the above age range, follow the instructions on the link to apply. Don’t wait, because this one is filling up fast.
If you’re interested in Cuba and looking for a fun, informal (i.e., non-touristy), and relatively affordable way to get there, check out this fascinating art-based people-to-people program I’ll be leading in early November 2013.
Lightship Short Fiction anthology out
December 1, 2012 § 1 Comment
British publishing house Alma Books has just released the anthology showcasing the winners of the 2012 Lightship International Literary Prize.
My short story “The Money Pill,” set in Santiago, Cuba, and featuring a hapless protagonist with whom I have very little in common (truly!), appears in the anthology, which I encourage you to purchase by clicking here . . .
