GEORGE SINGLETON ON “LET’S DECONSTRUCT A STORY”

Hi!

I am so happy to share my podcast interview with the esteemed Southern writer George Singleton. We delved into some serious subjects: the legacy of racism in the South, gun control, and substance abuse, but despite all of that we managed to laugh every now and then because he is hilarious!

(And I said the word “interesting” about a gazillion times–Why? Why did I keep saying the same word over and over again as if I was malfunctioning?)

Anyway, George taught me a lot about persevering despite the fact that he (like many of us) gets sick of his own voice. He shared an anecdote about working with C. Michael Curtis of “The Atlantic Monthly” that shocked and delighted me.

We laughed about that too.

Please read his story, “I’m Down Here on the Floor,” before you listen to the podcast on Apple, Spotify, Audible, or wherever you get your podcasts.

My apologies to StorySouth. I forgot to mention where the story was published during the podcast, but this is actually the second story in a row from StorySouth. Check out Jason Ockert’s story “The Peoplemachines” from the September 1st episode as well. Thanks to Dan Wickett of Dzanc for these suggestions!

Also, here’s a link to The Atlantic Monthly story George mentioned called “Show and Tell.” I think the paywall might be down now (?) but I subscribe to that magazine so someone needs to let me know.

*Warning: There is some profanity on this episode, folks.

See you next month when I’ll be talking to Bonnie Jo Campbell about her story, “Boar Taint,” from The Kenyon Review.

Cheers,

Kelly

Bio: George Singleton has published eight collections of stories, two novels, and a book of writing advice. Over 200 of his stories have appeared in magazines such as the Atlantic Monthly, Harper’s, Playboy, the Georgia Review, the Southern Review, the Cincinnati Review, and elsewhere. He is the recipient of a Pushcart Prize, a Guggenheim fellowship, the Hillsdale Award from the Fellowship of Southern Writers, and the Corrington Award for Literary Excellence. He lives in Spartanburg, SC, where he holds the John C. Cobb Chair in Humanities at Wofford College. Please find his books on Bookshop or Amazon.

We are so grateful to sound engineer Elliot Bancel for his work on this episode. If you need help with your podcast, please find his contact information here.

JASON OCKERT ON “LET’S DECONSTRUCT A STORY”

Jason Ockert

Hi Everyone,

I’m happy to welcome Jason Ockert to show! We discussed his story, “The Peoplemachines” in storySouth Spring 2023. It blew me away! Who reminds me of a modern-day Agathocles??…hmmmm….I can’t imagine.

Please read the story (available below) before listening to our discussion. Thank you SO MUCH to storySouth for publishing this thought-provoking dystopian story. It will stay with me.

Thanks also to Dan Wickett of Dzanc Books⁠ for recommending Jason’s work.

⁠The Peoplemachines by Jason Ockert ⁠

Afterward, look for the podcast on Apple, Spotify, Audible, or wherever you get your podcasts. Thanks to ⁠Elliot Bancel⁠, audio engineer extraordinaire for his meticulous work.

***

In other news…

Coming up in the near future: Interviews with Chad B. Anderson and George Singleton.

Also, I was thrilled to visit the podcast Homespun Haints, where I tried hard but didn’t even make it through half of my Irish ghost stories. Saving a few for a later date! Becky and Diana are so fun–if you have any ghost stories, you should definitely contact them here⁠.

One last thing I wanted to mention, Susan Perabo (a past guest and extraordinary writer) is featured on Symphony Space here. This story is not to be missed.

Cheers,

Kelly

PSS: Looking for ways to support LDAS? Send us a one-time or recurring donation. We (meaning me…it’s just me) would really appreciate it!

Bio: Jason Ockert is the author of the novel Wasp Box and three collections of short stories: Shadowselves, Neighbors of Nothing, and Rabbit Punches. His fiction has appeared in Best American Mystery Stories, Granta, Oxford American, One Story, and McSweeney’s. He teaches at Coastal Carolina University.

You can purchase Jason’s books here on my Bookshop.

Your Host: Kelly Fordon’s latest short story collection I Have the Answer (Wayne State University Press, 2020) was chosen as a Midwest Book Award Finalist and an Eric Hoffer Finalist. Her 2016 Michigan Notable Book, Garden for the Blind, (WSUP), was an INDIEFAB Finalist, a Midwest Book Award Finalist, Eric Hoffer Finalist, and an IPPY Awards Bronze Medalist. Her first full-length poetry collection, Goodbye Toothless House, (Kattywompus Press, 2019) was an Eyelands International Prize Finalist and an Eric Hoffer Finalist and was adapted into a play, written by Robin Martin, which was published in The Kenyon Review Online. http://www.kellyfordon.com Find her books here on Bookshop, Amazon, or Audible.

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