BackStory: Five Questions with Sarah Arantza Amador Author of In Dead Waters What inspired you to write this ‘In Dead Waters’? My parents were preparing for a trip to Marseille and Provence earlier this year, and I happened to read…
In Dead Waters
In Dead Waters by Sarah Arantza Amador You think we stayed safe while you discovered the New World. The calendar marches forward but seasons come in cycles. Spring brought pirates at rosy dawn and we were under attack. We held our…
BackStory: Five Questions with Susmita Bhattacharya
BackStory: Five Questions with Susmita Bhattacharya Author of The Partitioning of Dreams What inspired you to write ‘The Partitioning of Dreams’? Growing up in India, we always celebrated Independence Day on the 15th of August with such a sense of…
The Partitioning of Dreams
The Partitioning of Dreams by Susmita Bhattacharya She kept walking. Though her feet were raw and bleeding she kept walking. Though her tongue was swollen with thirst and her eyes crusted with tears, she kept walking. She lost a slipper…
BackStory: Six Questions with Tia Ja’Nae
BackStory: Six Questions with Tia Ja’Nae Author of Once Upon A Time In Philadelphia What inspired you to write this piece? The MOVE Bombing happened in my lifetime. This could have easily been my neighbourhood. Anyone’s neighbourhood, really. But…
Once Upon A Time In Philadelphia
Once Upon A Time In Philadelphia by Tia Ja’Nae Steel melts at 2500°F. Pigs made sure it’s hotter than that so our dark, meaty flesh roasts to a crisp at the police barbeque. Feels like I’m melting. Can’t barely…
BackStory: Five Questions with Guy Biederman
BackStory: Five Questions with Guy Biederman Author of How Monday was Made What inspired you to write this ‘How Monday was Made’? I grew up with a basset hound so I completely understand why God might want one as a…
How Monday was Made
How Monday was Made Guy Biederman It’s been a rough day. Ice Age in the morning, Vesuvius after lunch, and the loss of God’s favorite trattoria in Pompeii…. God rolls a joint, invents the match, and fires up around 5:00,…
BackStory: Four Questions with Sarah Peploe
BackStory: Four Questions with Sarah Peploe Author of Footsized What inspired you to write ‘Footsized’? I read this article a few years ago: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jun/21/scan-mummified-body-swedish-bishop-reveals-baby This happened in Sweden, but the comments suggested people were aware of similar practices going on in…
Footsized
Footsized by Sarah Peploe Her breasts hurt with milk, still. They’re heavy. They leak sometimes, dark and obvious through her dress. She is behind with the washing. Her big girl who is nearly seven has been helping, and her sister…