News

One of my best experiences as a writer happened when I was a fellow at the Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference in 2010. There, I read at the Little Theater for one of the toughest yet most appreciative audiences that one can imagine: a roomful of fellow writers. Thank you to New England Review for spotlighting the first 10 minutes of that reading as their current audio highlight on their new site. To listen to me reading the first section of “Talking Fowl with My Father” at the Little Theater, go here.

“All Boy” seems to have a life of its own. Most recently, it was reprinted in the UK’s Port magazine, which I am thrilled about. I am waiting patiently for my copy to arrive, but here’s a great blog post about the magazine, and there is even a photo of my title page.

Another piece appeared in The Iowa Review. This was a short story entitled “The Lent Boy,” and though I wrote it as a short story, I also wrote it as a study of sorts to help me figure out my main character at a certain age. It cannot be read online (though it can be ordered from The Iowa Review. It’s volume 41, #2).

This summer, I also was pleased to have one of my novel chapters in Nashville Review. I’m working away on my novel, After the Parade, and it was nice to have this affirmation. I find novel-writing a lonely activity. Here’s the link.

This summer, I wrote my first flash fiction piece, a 300-word, commissioned story about Oklahoma for the series ‘Imaginary Oklahoma,’ included in THIS LAND PRESS. The series solicits fiction from non-Oklahomans, who are given the task of writing about Oklahoma from the outside. My story, “Of All Places,” can be read here. If you’d prefer to listen to me read it to you, the audio link is here.

Also, I love the great artwork that accompanies the piece by the artist Derrick Dent. Check out his website here while you’re at it.

I’ve fallen behind with updating my news. First, a great review of the 2011 PEN/O. Henry Prize Stories appeared in Pop Matters in April. The reviewer had this to say: ‘Lori Ostlund’s “Bed Death” is a small masterpiece of characterization.’ I attended the book launching in New York at the end of April and had a great time. For the full review, go here.

Interesting review-cum-literary analysis by J.T. Bushnell on Fiction Writers Review. Mr. Bushnell applies Flannery O’Connor’s craft essays on ‘manners and mystery’ to my stories, concluding that O’Connor would actually have approved of them. Review here.

I really enjoyed Pamela Miller’s review of The Bigness of the World in the Star Tribune last Sunday, December 12.  This about sums it up: “Minnesota author Ostlund’s stories are not pretty or predictable, but they are excellent.”  Here is the entire review.

On December 5, on ALL THINGS CONSIDERED, Richard Russo discussed four of the stories that he had chosen for Best American Short Stories 2010, among them “All Boy,” for a story called Short Takes.  Each of the writers read an excerpt, which NPR decided to jazz up with some unusual sound effects. Here is the transcript, without the readings, as well as the link to listen, sound effects and all.

Despite ending up at the wrong place initially and missing the beginning of my interview,I very much enjoyed this hour-long talk with Audrey and Paul on Carrboro Book Beat on November 22, 2010.