CHARLES YU SPECIALIZES in ferreting out that peculiar angle, that spark of the unexpected, that re-illumination of an otherwise age-old narrative, and then taking that fantastical story element and spreading it horizontally until it coats the entirety of his writing’s universe. In other words, he writes in conceit… [READ MORE at Los Angeles Review of… Continue reading “All the World’s a Stage” – Book Review of Charles Yu’s INTERIOR CHINATOWN in Los Angeles Review of Books

My short story, “The Donkey is Definitely Asian” is in the debut anthology for the “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere” reading series, hosted by Julia Ingalls. The series is held regularly at the Mandrake Bar in Culver City, and has been one of my favorite local events. It was a blast to read there last year,… Continue reading “The Donkey is Definitely Asian” – New Story in the Best Of It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere: Volume One

“Korean Jesus” is out now in The Bare Life Review! “Korean Jesus” is about one man’s encounter with the magnetic Korean Jesus. Is Korean Jesus a con man? Or is Korean Jesus the Lord God incarnate? Or is He both? This wonderful journal is published  by Nyuol Lueth Tong and his team to champion immigrant… Continue reading “Korean Jesus” – New Story in The Bare Life Review

My new short story “Chengdu” is out now in Two Hawks Quarterly. Jimmy Chiang drives west on the 10 freeway, over the 405. His stepdaughter is in the backseat. She is seven years old. Her name is Scharlene. Scharlene says: Where’s daddy? Jimmy doesn’t want to tell her where her father really is. But Jimmy… Continue reading “Chengdu” – New Story in Two Hawks Quarterly

Excerpt & Q&A: THE LAGER QUEEN OF MINNESOTA by J. Ryan Stradal THE LAGER QUEEN OF MINNESOTA is J. Ryan Stradal’s anticipated follow-up to his bestselling debut novel, KITCHENS OF THE GREAT MIDWEST. With his signature warmth, detail and exquisitely fine storytelling, Stradal once again delivers a novel worthy of falling in love with. An… Continue reading AFLW: Excerpt + Q&A with J. Ryan Stradal

Excerpt & Q&A: YOUR HOUSE WILL PAY by Steph Cha In her new novel, YOUR HOUSE WILL PAY, Steph Cha brings her crime-writing prowess to the aftermath of racially charged 90s’ Los Angeles. The result is a page-turning thriller driven by honesty, tension and an unyielding willingness to speak the emotional experience of its characters.… Continue reading AFLW: Excerpt + Q&A with Steph Cha

Chris L. Terry’s new, acclaimed novel, BLACK CARD, presents a stirring examination of racial identity in America as its unnamed narrator is a young, mixed-race man who longs to earn his “black card,” but soon finds it comes with an acute and systemic vulnerability to racism. An excerpt, followed by a Q&A between the author and… Continue reading AFLW: EXCERPT + Q&A WITH CHRIS TERRY

Angels Flight * literary west is featuring an excerpt from Maria Hummel‘s new novel STILL LIVES. Hummel’s thriller delves into L.A.’s art world, a sordid place of vice, provocation, violence and, yes, mystery. When the provocateur/artist disappears into the night, a journey begins into the scene’s seedy underbelly, a place where violence is fetishized and secrets remain… Continue reading AFLW: Excerpt from Maria Hummel’s STILL LIVES

Angels Flight * literary west is featuring an excerpt from Lilliam Rivera’s latest, acclaimed YA novel, DEALING IN DREAMS (Simon & Schuster). Rivera creates an intricate dystopian world, where fierce Latina girl gangs rule in order to survive. CHAPTER 8 QUEENS OF THE UNDERGROUND The streets are eerily quiet, which causes me to tighten my guard. We left… Continue reading AFLW: Excerpt from Lilliam Rivera’s DEALING IN DREAMS