Robert James Russell

The incredibly talented Lorna Suzuki was kind enough to interview me for her blog All Kinds of Writing. Check it out.

We’re trying out our very first theme issue…Nostalgia. Submissions are now open for this special issue (Issue 7, Fall 2012), and we’re looking for stories and poetry that directly or indirectly reference this idea.

More details on the Midwestern Gothic site.

I’m thrilled to announce that I’ll be reading at Heavy Feather Review‘s event “Big Smoke” on July 25 at 7 PM in Detroit.

The event has a wicked line-up (see: awesome graphic below), and a fantastic setting (Leopold’s Books), so if you live within driving distance, you should definitely stop by. Should be a great night.

More details on the Facebook event page, and on the Heavy Feather Review site.

Marc Nash, one of the book reviewers at the wonderful site Booksquawk, reviewed Sea of Trees:

“A quite eloquent book to luxuriate in and be swept away into an ever receding sea of trees.”

Thanks, Marc!

Easily one of my favorite covers we’ve done. Easily one of the best issues we’ve put out.

Print | $12
eBook | $3

Subscriptions starting at $10 / yr

Get a copy.

Author, interviewer, and all-around great guy Steven Luna was kind enough to ask me some questions about Sea of Trees, my writing process, as well as my inspirations. Check it out.

In my humble opinion, Ann Arbor is one of the best food cities in the country. No joke. It may not be as big as Chicago or New York (or even nearby Detroit), but the sheer volume of quality—seriously quality—restaurants is staggering. And the best part? I often find myself stumbling upon hidden little gems that blow my mind.

Case in point: Big City, Small World Bakery.

Seriously good eats. Best scones I’ve had outside of England. And the coffee? Not bad at all.

Moral of this story: Eat more scones.

That is all.

Brian Oliu, author of the extraordinary Level End, was kind to send some praise along for my novel, Sea of Trees:

“What is it about trees that terrify us so—there’s a frightening and twisted stillness to them, but yet they are like us: vertical, yet reaching. Perhaps we think of Dante—the trees in the Inferno are actually people who have taken their own lives and forced to suffer in their frozen bodies. The image of the couple in Sea of Trees traversing through a dense forest searching for answers concerning the suicide of Junko’s sister is haunting and suffocating at times—the shadows hiding bodies of those who suffered the same fate. As they walk, the trees seem to whisper their stories of where they have been, what they have seen.”

Thanks, Brian!

Pretty much all my teeth are of the sweet variety. So last night I quested for something, anything, to sate the pangs and finally decided on Frita Batidos—one of my favorite eateries in all of Ann Arbor—for their orange and nutmeg scented, cinnamon-sugar coated churros (with Spanish chocolate for dipping). Do. Not. Disappoint.

And the décor of the place is, as always, a reason to check Frita’s out.

So, went down to Atlanta last weekend for a wedding, and came back with the same conclusion I’ve had after my previous visits: this city is awesome. Love the food, love the neighborhoods, and everyone says “y’all” all the time. Perfection.