A few things I've written:



My books

Herrin: The Brief History of an Infamous American City - is a narrative nonfiction history of the community where my novel is set. It tells the story of an all-American place that in its time became not just a melting pot but also a cauldron that drew the ire of the entire nation. Includes some 85 archival photos. Available now!

A Democracy of Ghosts - is the title of my novel from Wordcraft of Oregon. It's set in 1922 in the most radical community in America, and it's got it all—torture, murder, love, infidelity, desire, bootlegging, a tripped-out gunman, a whiff of necrophilia, and a communal narrator of transmigrating souls. Check it out!Out now!

Short Stories

The Stork - A story chapbook from Featherproof Books.

“A Few Years After the War” - in Monkeybicycle.

“Transcript of Narrative of World War I Veteran, Nickleton, Kentucky” - in Natural Bridge, which nominated it for the Pushcart Prize.

“Goodbye, Young Man” - in Perigee.

McSweeney’s Internet Tendency

“On Ghosts”

“On Hardheads”

“On Geedunk and Geegaws”

“On Repose”

“On Desire”

“On Tenacity”

“On Introductions”

Inside Higher Ed.

An interview with author Philip Graham10-01-09

An interview with poet Brian Turner11-21-08

“In Praise of Carrots”10-23-07

“Creative Writing in the Academy”02-08-08

An interview with a Special Forces chaplain07-23-07

Other Creative Non-Fiction

“Three Graces” listed in Best American - This essay first appeared in Brevity and has been listed in The Best American Nonrequired Reading, 2009, edited by Dave Eggers.NEW!

“Killing Pirates” - at the Opium Magazine website.NEW!

The Best Creative Nonfiction: Vol. 3 - A piece called "Show, Don't Tell"NEW!

“Microgeographies” - in Ninth Letter.

“Praise to Those Still Coming Through On Song: An Appreciation of John Balaban” (pdf) - in War, Literature & The Arts.

Other

“Seven Things My 3-Year Old Son Wants to Decorate His New Room With, After Agreeing on a Pirate Theme, but then Seeing the NC Wyeth Illustrations for Treasure Island” - in Mountain Man Dance Moves.

“I Didn’t Know” (pdf) - Poem in War, Literature & The Arts.