Title of Work and its Form: “The Mercies,” creative nonfiction Author: Ann Patchett Date of Work: 2011 Where the Work Can Be Found: The essay was first published in Issue 114 of Granta. (The “Aliens” issue.) The piece was subsequently won a Pushcart Prize and was reprinted in the award’s 2013 anthology. Ooh, and looky … Continue reading »
Title of Work and its Form: Red Letter Media, web site/media production company-type thing Author: Mike Stoklasa Date of Work: Um…for a long time? Where the Work Can Be Found: Swing on over to the Red Letter Media site. It’s over here. Element of Craft We’re Stealing: Mindset Discussion: Red Letter Media is the worst … Continue reading »
Title of Work and its Form: My Teacher Fried My Brains, novel Author: Bruce Coville Date of Work: 1991 Where the Work Can Be Found: The book can be found on Amazon, but why not visit Mr. Coville’s site and purchase the book from him directly if you don’t already have a copy? Element of … Continue reading »
Title of Work and its Form: “A Good Man Is Hard to Find,” short story Author: Flannery O’Connor Date of Work: 1953 Where the Work Can Be Found: The story first appeared in an anthology of new works in 1953, but can easily be found in countless collections. Why not pick up Flannery O’Connor’s Complete … Continue reading »
Title of Work and its Form: “The Long Walk Home,” short story Author: Okla Elliott Date of Work: 2011 Where the Work Can Be Found: The story first appeared in the Press 53 Spotlight Anthology 2011 and was subsequently published in Elliott’s debut short story collection, From the Crooked Timber. Why not purchase the book … Continue reading »
Title of Work and its Form: Heartbreakers Author: Written by Robert Dunn and Paul Guay & Stephen Masur, Directed by David Mirkin Date of Work: 2001 Where the Work Can Be Found: The film has been released on DVD and can also currently be viewed on many video streaming services. You’ll be thrilled to know … Continue reading »
Title of Work and its Form: The Nine: Inside the Secret World of the Supreme Court, nonfiction Author: Jeffrey Toobin Date of Work: 2008 Where the Work Can Be Found: Purchase the book at Powell’s or in your local neighborhood bookstore. Element of Craft We’re Stealing: Narrative Structure Discussion: I’m not quite sure why, but … Continue reading »
The Talented Thief: Nathan Englander Great Example of Literary Theft: The short story “What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank.” The story was originally published in The New Yorker and was included in The Best American Short Stories 2012, edited by Tom Perrotta. The Talented Victim and the Pilfered Work: Raymond Carver and … Continue reading »
Title of Work and its Form: “Writs of Possession,” short story Author: Benjamin Percy Date of Work: 2011 Where the Work Can Be Found: The short story was published in the Spring 2011 issue of the Virginia Quarterly Review. As of this writing, the story can be found here. The piece was also included in … Continue reading »
Title of Work and its Form: “Everyday Use,” short story Author: Alice Walker Date of Work: 1973 Where the Work Can Be Found: The short story has been anthologized in about a million collections. (And with good reason!) Element of Craft We’re Stealing: Voice Discussion: “Everyday Use” is one of my favorite short stories for … Continue reading »