Author Archives: admin

Kartika and Sulu

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1) The latest issue of Kartika Review features a special section called “Meditations of Home,” and you can read my own personal view on this subject.  Fine writers such as Alexander Chee, Don Lee, Min Jin Lee, Yiyun Li, and Ed Lin also participated in the project, so it’s really an issue worth reading.  You can get the journal  in PDF, or better yet, you can have Lulu crank out a paper copy.

2) Speaking of Ed, I had an absolute blast at the The Sulu Series last night!  We were there to celebrate his latest novel Snakes Can’t Run, and there was poetry and fiction and songs, too, and even a short film at the end.  I’m not used to being out in the city so late on a school night, but wow, was it ever worth it.

Matt Blesse

Cynthia Lin

Catzie Vilayphonh

Ed Lin

Ed Lin

Many more pictures here.  I read from a short story titled “Faith,” something I had completed a week ago.  I’m not entirely happy with the story as it stands, so most likely it’ll change, but for those who want to know how it ends (at least for now), you can read it here (now published here);  search for “END OF SULU READING” to find the exact spot where I stopped reading.

By the way, I should mention that I was inspired to write this story after reading Rhian Ellis‘ novel After Life; in fact, the premise is identical.  I can only dream of writing with Ellis’ prosaic precision, so there is no comparison — everyone should read her fabulous novel.

“The Sulu Series” This Sunday

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As a lifelong trekkie, how can I not partake in an event called “The Sulu Series“?  I’m not exactly sure what I’ll be reading, but I’m also there to support my good friend and excellent writer Ed Lin, who’s got a new book out, Snakes Can’t Run!

Sulu Series
Sunday April 18, 8:00 pm
reading with Matt Blesse, Cynthia Lin, Catzie Vilayphonh, and Ed Lin
Bowery Poetry Club
308 Bowery (at First Street)
New York City
(212) 614-0505

Complaints About the Complaint Box

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After a Complaint Box essay, the good folks at the Times follow up with various reader reactions.  As of now, there are 151 comments from the readers on the web, and I think these two might be my favorite:

1. Better loud and occupied than silent and empty or worse yet, visited only by cranky Sung J Woo.

2. I’m dismayed see you lead off with yet another hackneyed stereotype of librarians: “…and the occasional shush — delivered with an index finger crossing the lips of a bespectacled, cardigan-wearing librarian.” Get with it, Mr. Woo. I’m a librarian, and I shop at Express.

Way to put me and my best Andy Rooney impression in my place!  I love it.  As a writer, it’s a rare gift to see so many direct opinions from readers.  Thank you to all who have contributed — keep them coming!

The Lost ‘Library Voice’

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The Lost ‘Library Voice’

The library of my youth, in Ocean Township, N.J., was a tomb of peace, where the only sounds were shuffles, whispers and the occasional shush — delivered with an index finger crossing the lips of a bespectacled, cardigan-wearing librarian.

These days, at my local branch in Washington Township, N.J., I have to play an MP3 file in a loop — a sound bite of a hair dryer blasting between my ears — because without the white noise, I would not be able to think straight.

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A “Complaint Box” essay I wrote for the Times.

What’s Your Exit? A Literary Detour Through New Jersey

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In a little more than a month, What’s Your Exit? A Literary Detour Through New Jersey will be out and about, and I’ll be reading my essay at the following venues:

Saturday, May 15, 7pm: What’s Your Exit? Book Launch [Jersey City, NJ]

Thursday, May 27, 5pm: What’s Your Exit? NYU Alumni Reading [Lillian Vernon Creative Writers House @ NYC]

Saturday, June 26, 8pm: What’s Your Exit? Reading at The Raconteur [Metuchen, NJ]

You can pick up a pre-order of the book through various bookstores, online and local:

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