Chapbook Month

Dan Wickett of Dzanc Books has proposed that March be chapbook month. These three can't be read yet--they're on pre-order--but they must be propped.

1. Chad Simpson's Phantoms.

I read an advance of this and was happy to contribute praise. In addition to those words, I can give these: the collection is so solid. You may read it quickly, but in retrospect, the very short fictions in Phantoms might take on more breadth and solidity than do many of the novels you've read.


2. Nicolle Elizabeth's Threadbare Von Barren, a collection of very short fictions and prose poems.

I published one of Nicolle's early stories in Wigleaf (and have since snagged two more of hers). I remember titling a blog entry about that first one "Nicolle Elizabeth for Prestidigident," and that seems apt. She's an original, a conjurer. Her stories are marvels of life and craft.


3. Matt Bell's Wolf Parts

Matt does as much as anyone does for independent publishing, and his own writing is one of independent publishing's triumphs. I've read his two previous mini-books--How the Broken Lead the Blind, and The Collectors--with admiration, appreciation and real delight. I couldn't be more excited to read his forthcoming full-length collection, How They Were Found, which includes some of the best and most memorable stories I've read in a long time. It's a good bet that Wolf Parts--which is available only for a limited time thru pre-order--is going to deliver.