December 2013 – Robert Vaughan

Microtones review at Necessary Fiction

Microtones for Necessary Fiction. Nancy and I crossed paths at The University of Iowa in 2010- we were there to attend two different workshops. We walked up to the coffee table that first morning like we had an agenda. And our conversation, easy and intriguing, lead us to side-by-side seats for the main presentation that morning. And that was it! She vanished into her workshop, as did I. But through social media, and the advance of technology, we have maintained contact. I am so grateful for her friendship and support. One of the poems that she mentions in the review, a quieter one that didn’t warrant much attention is “Summer of ’66,” first published in RiverBabble: Robert Vaughan: Summer of ’66. Thanks Leila Rae, editor of River Babble Journal; and Nancy Freund, for your unwavering support and illuminating words. ]]>

"Reckless/ Abandon" at Fictionaut & The Unknown Radio Show

On of my pieces in the new chapbook, Diptychs + Triptychs + Lipsticks + Dipshits, is now available to preview at Fictionaut: “Reckless/ Abandon” by Robert Vaughan — Fictionaut This piece was originally published at Heavy Feather Review, in 2011, in quite a different form. Also, my pal and talented writer, Bud Smith hosted me on his innovative Unknown Show, a radio program in which he talks with writers, editors, and publishers: The Unknown Show w/ Bud Smith 12/17 by theliteraryunderground. In this program, Bud chats with Chuck Howe, Mik Everitt, me and Sam Snoek- Brown. If you are in a time crunch, my portion begins around 48:00 minutes into Bud’s show. Spoiler alert: we drop the F- bomb quite a bit! So, enjoy! Happy Holidays everyone! Any special plans for this season?]]>

Paddle/ Peddle/ Piddle at Luciferous

l u c i f e r o u s: PADDLE/ PEDDLE/ PIDDLE by Robert Vaughan. Craig says this about naming his new magazine: Luciferous – adjective 1. Literally illuminating; providing light. 2. Figuratively illuminating; providing insight.

And I am grateful for his support, especially because he seems to enjoy my more abstract pieces, as is the case here. I’m just back from an overnight to Chicago, where I was able to read in The Waiting 4 the Bus, hosted by David Buddha Hargarten, and Bill Yarrow, and highlighted by Meg Tuite and David Tomaloff are Waiting 4 the Bus + open mic. You can get more information about Meg here: Meg Tuite | The author site of Meg Tuite And also about David here: ; it’s_nervous_out_here” » [d]avid : [t]omaloff And deep gratitude to Bill Yarrow for providing warmth and generous space, and his poetic wisdom: Amazon.com: Bill Yarrow: Books, Biography, Blog. Bill’s new chapbook, which is great, is here: The Lost Bookshelf. ]]>

The Second

Diptychs + Triptychs + Lipsticks + Dipshits! It is published by Deadly Chaps Press, and Joseph Quintela designed the book, and also its stellar covers: There are 30 stories total; some more like poems, and some more like prose. Three of the pieces won awards, and many of them are previously published online, like Hexagon of Life | Metazen, nominated for a Micro Fiction award by Metazen (thanks Frank, Chris, Len and the great editors at Metazen) last year. Here is what has been said about Diptychs so far: “Vaughan compresses human love and behavior with great precision, evoking people and places with language and images full of wonderment and heartbreak. This book is a marvel, with lines so sharp you will find yourself wanting to return to them often.” -Brandon Hobson, author of DEEP ELLUM (Calamari, 2014) “With singular vision and the perfect, skewed geometry of his prose, Robert Vaughan gifts his readers with fiction that reads like the best possible mash-up of David Lynch and Wes Anderson. A smart, profound, risk-taker of a collection not to be missed.” -Kathy Fish, author of WILD LIFE (Matter Press, 2011) and TOGETHER WE CAN BURY IT (Lit Pub Books) You can order your copy here: Diptychs + Triptychs + Lipsticks + Dipshits Also it will be available at Amazon soon! Thanks Joseph (you wizard of creativity!) and everyone, and happy holidays!!! ]]>

Year End Books Lists

100 Notable Books of 2013 – NYTimes.com I’m always interested to see what makes the list. But then I sigh. And frown. No little presses. No indie guys or gals. (Or so obviously few). So, you can imagine how thrilled I am when I see Microtones added to any year end book list! Just to know your work has been read, or appreciated, is of significant value. And also to be included with the likes of Hosseini, Sartre, and George Saunders makes me, well, a little giddy. Thanks, Alex Pruteanu. I enjoyed reading “Gears,” your exceptional collection of short stories ( Gears: A Collection) as well as Short Lean Cuts: A Novella. Both were fascinating reads! And here is Alex’s list of his year end selections: 2013: Yearly Book Round Up | (S)wine: Fiction…Sometimes As Alex mentioned, the ratings (stars) mentioned on Goodreads do help to get attention for one’s book. So, if you have read Microtones, please feel free to give stars, or a review. That would be a wonderful holiday gift from my friends. On behalf of Cervena Barva Press, and Microtones, thanks for making 2013 a stellar year! ]]>

Four Myths at In Between Altered States; Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough at Awkword Paper Cuts

In Between Altered States | Flash Fiction that crosses dimensions Thanks, Aleathia, for publishing some of my most consistently stranger fiction! I truly appreciate the chance to stretch my own boundaries, and experiment fully. Also, at Awkword Paper Cuts, my non-fiction piece, “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough” is included in Michelle Elvy’s Writers On Writing column. I was so happy when Michelle asked me to contribute a piece for the theme: ‘Rhythm, Breath, Dance.’ The multitude of different ways a topic like rhythm might be explored is staggering. I’m also honored to have my work appear with Nuala Ni Chonchuir from Ireland, and Tim Heath from New Zealand: December 2013 – Rhythm, Breath, Dance – by Michelle Elvy – Awkword Paper Cut Thanks Michelle, for your tremendous support, and all the instrumental editing suggestions, and also to Michael Dickes, editor at large of Awkword Paper Cuts for making this happen.]]>