Synopses & Reviews
Politically Inspired is an anthology of previously unpublished fiction inspired by the political events of our time. In addition to new fiction by twenty-five of the best new and established writers, the anthology includes comic stories by Keith Knight and an illustrated children's story by Brian Gage. Royalties will go to humanitarian aid in Iraq. Contributors Include: Tom Barbash, author of On Top of the World: Cantor Fitzgerald and the 9/11 Tragedy; Charlie Baxter, author of The Feast of Lore; Kola Boof, Sudaneseborn author of Long Train to the Redeeming Sin; Paul LaFarge, author of Hausmann, Or the Distinction; ZZ Packer, author of Drinking Coffee Elsewhere; Anthony Swofford, author of Jarhead; and Elizabeth Tallent, author of Honey. From the Author There was a time when I could separate politics from writing, or rather, separate my political writing from my fiction. Political writing was something I did when the urge hit me, a special project. Unlike many writers, I make my living writing fiction and occasionally dabble in nonfiction. My fiction has been where I explore deep personal issues, my nonfiction where I connect with the world. September 11th changed that. Our buildings were collapsing, and with them our freedom. People who questioned the government were being labeled traitors. American citizens were being held indefinitely without due cause. Our civil liberties were eroding. In the days that followed, I felt the way everyone else felt, dazed. I was unable to write anything. In October of 2001 the Patriot Act went into effect. Plans were mounting for an attack on Afghanistan. I wasn't sure how I felt about all of it, but I couldn't think of anything else. I began to feelthat fiction was irrelevant. Of course, fiction is always relevant. Fiction can illuminate and explore in ways that nonfiction can't. Because fiction can zoom in on individual fears and desires, illustrate different perspectives. Fiction can teach. I thought there was a movement here. I knew if I was obsessing over the issues of our time, then other fiction writers were too. I thought we could do this and it would matter and fiction would be relevant and we would raise money for a good cause. The result is a book of new fiction from a diverse group of new and established writers from as far away as Sudan, Paris, Lebanon, China. We hope you enjoy reading the book as much as we enjoyed putting it together.
Synopsis
Politically Inspired, is an anthology of original short fiction inspired by the news and reflects the different sides of the confusing issues surrounding us.
Stephen Elliott felt what he was writing wasn't relevant in a time of war and so he began to write fiction based on the world's current events. He realized other authors were having the same dilemma. He acted upon this and put together this anthology after receiving overwhelming response from his writing peers.
Politically Inspired is all-original, never before published fiction inspired by current events.
Contributors include
Anthony Swofford: Author of Jarhead
David Rees: Author of Get Your War On
Michelle Tea: Author of Valencia and Chelsea Whistle. Winner of the Lambda award for Best Lesbian Fiction.
Elizabeth Tallent: Author of Honey and Museum Pieces. Included twice in the Best American Short Stories anthology.
Tom Barbash: Author of The Last Good Chance and the nonfiction book On Top Of The World, Cantor Fitzgerald And The 9/11 Tragedy
Paul LaFarge: Author of Artist Of The Missing and Hausmann Or The Distinction
Zoe Trope: Author of Don't Kill The Freshman
Kola Boof: Sudanese born author of Long Train to the Redeeming Sin
Etel Adnan: Author of Paris When It's Naked, Cities and Women, and Sitte Marie Rose, which has been translated into over ten languages and is considered a classic of Middle Eastern literature.