Stories, But Shorter

Rebecca Makkai on Writing in the Airport

Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award Finalist writer Rebecca Makkai joins us to conclude Season 2 of “Stories, But Shorter.” This Chicago-based writer shares “Everything We Know About the Bomber” from her short story collection, Music For Wartime. In the talkback, Cassi, Jeremy and Rebecca discuss character development and the difference between writing short fiction vs a novel. Rebecca Makkai is also the author of the novels The Great Believers, The Hundred-Year House, and The Borrower. Makkai is on the MFA faculties of Sierra Nevada College and Northwestern University, and she is Artistic Director of StoryStudio Chicago. http://rebeccamakkai.com [http://rebeccamakkai.com] https://twitter.com/rebeccamakkai [https://twitter.com/rebeccamakkai]

Adam McOmber on Queer Historical Fiction

Writer Adam McOmber joins us to read “Petit Trianon,” a short story from his book My House Gathers Desires. "Petit Trianon" was inspired by a real queer historical paranormal event! Adam shares how he combines his love of the paranormal and exploring different time periods through a queer lens. He even indulges us with a real paranormal experience he and his boyfriend had at a San Francisco hotel. Adam McOmber is the author of My House Gathers Desires, The White Forest and This New & Poisonous Air. Look out for his book Jesus and John coming out in June 2020! Pre-order Jesus and John [https://www.lethepressbooks.com/store/p597/Jesus_and_John.html#/]

Misa Sugiura on Young Adult Fiction

Misa Sugiura reads two amazing short stories, “Hanging Gardens” and “Not What I Meant.” Both stories share the theme of young love. “Hanging Garden” explores young love through magical realism, while “Not What I Meant” explores it through the grounded, dreaded reality of high school. Misa is the author of the award-winning novels, It's Not Like It's A Secret and This Time Will Be Different. Misa shares what it’s like to become a writer after a career in teaching high school English and how she’s able to tap so well into writing young adult fiction. She sends a great message of it’s never too late to become a writer. Please enjoy! http://www.misasugiura.com [http://www.misasugiura.com]

Christine Sneed on Being a Monkey's Uncle

Author Christine Sneed joins Stories, But Shorter to read her wonderful short story, “The Monkey’s Uncle Louis.” Christine Sneed is the author of the novels Paris, He Said and Little Known Facts, and the story collections Portraits of a Few of the People I've Made Cry and The Virginity of Famous Men. She has received the Grace Paley Prize for Short Fiction, the 21st Century Award from the Chicago Public Library Foundation, and the Chicago Writers’ Association Book of the Year Award twice. She has also been a finalist for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize. She teaches for the graduate creative writing programs at Northwestern University and Regis University. https://www.christinesneed.com [https://www.christinesneed.com/] https://twitter.com/christinesneed [https://twitter.com/christinesneed] https://smile.amazon.com/Am-Not-Your-Enemy-Transform/dp/1513805932/ [https://smile.amazon.com/Am-Not-Your-Enemy-Transform/dp/1513805932/]

Stories, But Shorter on "A Visit From St. Nicolas"

A special “Stories, But Shorter” holiday episode! We bring you the classic short “A Visit From St. Nicolas,” more commonly known as “Twas’ The Night Before Christmas” read by 28 people. This poem was first published anonymously in 1823 and later attributed to Clement Clarke Moore in 1837. Supposedly Moore composed this piece on a snowy winter’s day during a shopping trip on a sleigh. This poem is argued to be one of the “best-known verses written by an American.” “A Visit From St. Nicolas” is also widely regarded as the story that gave popularity to the Santa Claus character we know today and had a massive impact on Americans’ tradition of gift-giving. However you celebrate your winter days, we hope it is filled with love and you enjoy this classic tale. Enjoy! Our “Stories, But Shorter” readers in order: Cassi Jerkins, Amalia Aquino, Rian Kountz, Quinn Boyes, Joey DeMers, Karen Baughn, Cory P Willis, Katelyn Hempstead, Cara Meyers, Tim Neumann, Wayne Schmidt, Bryan Rainstein, Michael Rosenbaum, Leonard Jr. Smith, Lorraine DeGraffenreidt, Rachel Van Nes, Vic Michaelis, Max Sosna Spear, Joliene Bratton, Deborah Schmidt, Olivia Bratton, Jaclyn Chavira, Melia Mills, Feodor Chin, Clark Canez, Jen Curcio, Joey Clift, Rosie Leisure, Will Choi