.Goodbye Leopold sing backwards carols

National Short Story Day

OK, so I missed National Short Story Week, but it turns out there's a National Short Story Day as well.

Thanks Comma Press!

Unglue.it

Well, this is certainly an original project.  I haven't quite got my head round how it works.  See what you think:

https://unglue.it

Anyway, I'm very interested in Oral Literature in Africa by Ruth H. Finnegan. 

If it's blurb is anything to go by, we're all duty bound to download this free ebook and read it immediately:

"First published in 1970 by Oxford University Press, this classic study has been hailed as "the single most authoritative work on oral literature”. It traces the history of story-telling in Africa, and brings to life the diverse forms of creativity across the African continent. Author Ruth Finnegan is thought to have “almost single-handedly created the field of ethnography of language” with this book, and it continues to be a go-to text for anyone studying African culture." 


Sounds good.

William Owen Roberts

Also from the Dalkey Archive, here's a very interesting interview with William Owen Roberts, who contributed to the Best European Fiction 2011 anthology. 

I had no idea Welsh-language fiction sold in such numbers, but it makes sense considering how many people speak the language.

William Owen Roberts happens to be a very good writer as well :)

Best European Fiction 2012: a one-word review

Here's a one word review of Best European Fiction 2012

"Important."

Actually, I'd use the same word to describe all four volumes of this anthology series so far.  That includes the 2013 anthology which I haven't read yet (although it's already available).

Fiction translated into English is a scarce commodity, and short story anthologies are equally rare, so when so many great European short-stories are brought to the attention of the English-reading public in such a comprehensive way, it's worthy of the word "important".  It's almost worthy of the word "vital". 

Besides anything else, Best European Fiction 2012 is a brilliant book - consistently interesting, surprising and entertaining throughout.

Book of the year, maybe?  Difficult to say.  I'd have to read all the other books just to make sure.  But I reckon it's up there with the best.  

Visit the Dalkey Archive website for more details, including readings, discussions and author profiles, etc. 

'Jesus' by Stephen Michael McDowell

Well, here's a writer who knows what he's doing.  

Nice one. 

Free PDF download here.  

See also, http://mammalhabitat.blogspot.com 

Things I've Done For the Internet by Lauren Marie Grant: a 23 word review

I recommend you download this free ebook - a collection of funny, weird and original prose, ripping the piss out of online silliness. 

Tantalisingly we're promised: "If you donate $3 or more, you can receive a physical copy and a handwritten note (and maybe a surprise!)."

Read / download here.