14 November 2019, Woodruff Arts Center, Atlanta, Georgia.
Category: Stories
Losing It
Above, 2009 Decatur Beer Fest, somewhere in the neighborhood of three hundred fifteen pounds (photographer unknown). My weight has been a consistent concern for most of my life. I have a rather large bone structure and what can probably be described as a barrel chest, so I’ve always been able to get away with carrying … Continue reading Losing It
Woman of God, Avis
Mother Avis Collins stands before a packed sanctuary at her church and welcomes the faithful. “Good morning!” she says and is greeted by a chorus of replies. “Today is the day the Lord has made. I welcome you all to fellowship with us. I’d like to ask all the home folk to rise and visitors … Continue reading Woman of God, Avis
Worthy, The Gallery
Rhiannon Worthy pauses outside the waterfront building with the words, “Seattle Art Institute” in raised letters on its outside wall. Rosie, what’s this all about? She goes to the glass doors, takes a deep breath, and enters. Inside is a wide-open lobby, the walls of which are lined with artwork. A directory guides visitors to … Continue reading Worthy, The Gallery
Words, Words, Words Cover
I'm collecting all my essays and non-universe stories into a single collection, due out the first of next year. Here's my current cover conception.
Fables of the New South Cover
The redesigned cover of Atlanta Stories: Fables of the New South, soon to be in its third paperback and first hardcover editions. Should be available by the holidays.
Morning Star
Chénxīng can no longer distinguish between that which she knows to be true about her past and that which she wishes to be so. The only reliable memories she has are from the orphanage. Those are true whether she wants them to be or not. Chénxīng knows very little about her mother and most of … Continue reading Morning Star
Rain Maker: Leah & Paxton
On Wednesday evening, Leah receives a summons to appear at her father’s condo in Buckhead on Friday, something she was expecting, though not as soon as it came. The announcement of her funding won’t be in the news until the following week, but Paxton has enough contacts in the business community that very little occurs … Continue reading Rain Maker: Leah & Paxton
Events of 1985: Avis
Avis Collins sets a stack of plates at the end of the food table her mother and others from the church have set up and reaches into the bag for a box of plastic utensils. She took on the task of helping get everything ready for their picnic after her brother and sister, Alfred and … Continue reading Events of 1985: Avis
Rain Maker, Leah and Tracey
On Wednesday, Leah heads to Midtown to meet Tracey McIntosh, who she finds seated outside at the Starbucks at Colony Square. Leah’s planning on viewing office space, and Tracey offered her assistance in their conversation the afternoon before. “I appreciate you meeting with me on your day off,” Leah says as she sits at Tracey’s … Continue reading Rain Maker, Leah and Tracey
