New story in BOMB

Self Pres

Hi Friends:

Happy to report there is a new (to most of you) story up in the phenomenal BOMB Magazine this week: Self-Preservation.

It’s about motherhood and sex and solar panels. Also, plants (sort of).

Big thanks to the folks at BOMB and especially to Raluca Albu for making this publication into being.

A version of this will be in the second story collection which is waiting patiently for me to revise the last story’s ending (yes, again – for the seventh time).

I miss you. Let’s stay in touch better, okay?

XO

The Steer Podcast Episode

What feels like many moons ago, I was interviewed on The Steer podcast, the coolest idea for a show ever: the hosts bring on writers to talk about music, and musicians to talk about books. It’s like a dream come true if you’re a person like me.

The episode we taped that long ago day on March 2nd is now up and live and the final version of the episode is so, so good.

I never listen to interviews I do. It’s just too weird. But because of its conversational format, I really wanted to hear this one, listen to the conversation I had with writers Jeff Alesandrelli and Joshua James Amberson.

As I suspected, it was a fantastic talk about failed projects, giving up, inspiration, not giving up, and the way success can be confusing for a minute. Also, tons of music. Also, I read the beginning of a new story that took me 15 years to write.

When you have an hour, check it out.

https://the-steer.simplecast.com/episodes/margaret-malone-nQ94B4tw

KBOO Short Story All-Stars Roundtable

Deepest thanks to KBOO’s Ken Jones for dreaming up a short story all-star roundtable of writers for his once a month show Mr. Jones’s Neighborhood, where I had the joy of talking for an hour around the mikes with these luminaries of the literature and the short story – KAREN RUSSELL, LIDIA YUKNAVITCH, & KIMBERLY KING PARSONS.

The conversation could have gone on much longer than the hour we had.

It was an absolute privilege to be in the room with these women and to discuss everything we love about my favorite literary genre.

Link to listen to the full taping is here.

Powell’s 25 Books To Read Before You Die…

Somehow, incredibly, Powell’s Books included PEOPLE LIKE YOU in their 2019 list of 25 Books To Read Before You Die.

The title is alongside works by Ursula K. LeGuin, Raymond Carver, Katherine Dunn, Ken Kesey, Charles D’Ambrosio, Lidia Yuknavitch, Barry Lopez, Brian Doyle, Terese Marie Mailhot, Mitchell Jackson, Joe Sacco, Beverly Cleary, Tom Spanbauer, Pete Rock, Ruth Ozeki, Jim Lynch… It’s really quite an incredible honor.

Thanks so much to the booksellers at Powell’s for supporting Northwest writers and for bringing them to the attention of readers everywhere.

Hugo Lit Series Teaser

The Hugo House Literary Series interviewed each writer reading at this month’s event and asked them to write about three things: the work they’ll share with the audience; a single piece of advice that’s kept them going; and what one superpower they would have if they could.

Check it out here: https://hugohouse.org/exclusive-domingo-martinez-terese-marie-mailhot-margaret-malone/

The advice, in particular, is outstanding.

If you’re in Seattle, come on over to Hugo House where I’ll share new work along with National Book Award finalist Domingo Martinez and the gorgeously fierce writing of Terese Marie Mailhot.

Wichita’s KMUW Interview

Big thanks to Beth Golay of Marginalia at KMUW for the chance to hang out in the studio and chat about my Visiting Writer gig for the month of February at Wichita State University, and to pimp my upcoming reading at the Ulrich Museum.

I’ve loved my time in Kansas, except for that thing with the arm. But even still, you’re in my heart, Wichita.

https://www.kmuw.org/post/marginalia-margaret-malone?fbclid=IwAR3kngXJVjmlhEGr1_Vs3tFoulideCMoLav3yjnFMGaGljxssGqI8Z8CoIc

Storytellers Telling Stories – Listen Here!

This is easily one of the coolest things I’ve ever been invited to do. The podcast STORYTELLERS TELLING STORIES, now in its second season, invites writers to read a story which host extraordinaire Jude Brewer then coordinates and foleys with sound and music and pacing to create a wholly original experience for the listener. It’s magic.

If you haven’t heard an episode yet, get ready. You’re going to get hooked.

LISTEN HERE: Storytellers Telling Stories – Season 2 Episode 5

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Portland Book Festival Events

Hi friends:

Not that it’s about me, but since you’re at my website, I’ll give you the lowdown on where I’ll be reading this year, in case you are looking for me.

FRIDAY, November 9 – LitCrawl Portland

6:00 pm – LITERARY BINGO! at The Big Legrowlski at NW 8th & Couch with Why There Are Words PDX. Prizes!! Hilarity!

7:00 pm – Storytellers Telling Stories Live at  Powell’s Employee Union L5 Gallery at NW 9th & Burnside (There will be a live band at this one, playing a coordinated soundtrack with each writer’s story – don’t miss it!)

SATURDAY, November 10 – Portland Book Festival

10:45-11:00 – Why There Are Words PDX Pop Up Reading in the Art Museum
Reading with Brian Benson and Jennifer Perrine.

Come out and say hi, okay?

xo

THE INSTRUCTION is online now at Paper Darts

Here it is.

I promised I’d post it when the link went live. Here it is: THE INSTRUCTION

Paper Darts editor-in-chief Meghan Murphy had this to say when she launched the link today on Twitter:

In my 10 years as the head editor for , no story has meant more to me than “The Instruction” by . Survivors of domestic violence, this one is for us. I am so grateful to the women that make publishing stories like these possible.

Deepest gratitude to Meghan and all the phenomenal people at Paper Darts that make it a beautiful home for such incredible art and literature.

I’m delighted this particular story found a home in this particular place.PD-promo_0016_Instruction.Finalc.png

Illustration by Greta Kotz