Screen Door Review is an online literary magazine that publishes poetry and flash fiction authored by individuals belonging to the southern queer (lgbtq+) community of the United States. Our editors are based in and around Birmingham, AL and our central purpose is to provide a platform of expression for queer southerners to explore and celebrate the complicated relationship that exists between person and place—specifically, queer person and the South.

Through publication of works, we aim to encourage, empower, and celebrate the voices of queer southerners that are oftentimes overlooked, undermined, condemned, or silenced.

The idea for the magazine came together in 2017 through a series of conversations with a good friend and former editor, Hannah Conner. We were talking about our time living in Montevallo and how we saw queerness and “southernness” interwoven in such beautiful ways there and how that, in turn, helped us visualize ourselves and queer southerners from all parts of the south in more dynamic ways. I was an English department adjunct at the time, and she was a librarian, so naturally, the conversations turned toward the role literature plays in the authentic representation of the queer southern community. After a few hours, we both felt strongly that it’d probably be really beneficial to have a publication specifically by, and for, this community; so, we started figuring out how to make it a reality. 

I sent out a call for editors and went from there. I really had no idea what kind of interest there would be or if anyone would respond. Encouragingly, we had a high volume of people wanting to be involved. We started off with a team of editors from a few different southern states, but our editors now are all located in and around Birmingham. And certainly, the magazine would have failed a million times over if it weren’t for the phenomenal editors—both past and present. 

All the past editors brought such a unique perspective, experience, and level of professionalism that really gave the magazine a solid foundation. My current co-editors, Rachel Nix and Emma Bolden, are miraculous human beings who have kept the magazine afloat through all the challenges of the pandemic. Their dedication to the project, kindness, and poetic brilliance are truly responsible for holding SDR together over the past few years. There have also been so many generous donations from friends and strangers along the way, including a friend who offered to host our website for free, which has been instrumental to the sustainability of the magazine. 

One of the most important things that I hope to accomplish, and honestly have already seen many examples of, is that our contributors will feel celebrated for being exactly who they are. The relationship between “southernness” and queerness is complicated and dynamic and there truly is no one way to be southern and/or queer. These layered and multitudinous voices deserve empowerment and celebration and that’s what I hope to continue at SDR for as long as possible.

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Alesha Dawson prefers chilly weather and hot tea and is arguably a better writer when both of those are involved. She holds English degrees from the University of Montevallo and the University of Edinburgh. Currently, she is happily settled in Birmingham, Alabama where she teaches high school English and lives with her partner and three cats. Alesha is the founding editor of Screen Door Review.

A great writer / editor relationship is like a marriage—it needs to be honest, supportive, trusting, and lovingly tough. A good editor is one who wants what’s best for a writer but who resists the urge to impose their desires on the writer’s creative works. Good editors help writers achieve their highest potential with a given work.

This is my approach at Creative Editing Services where I offer developmental, line, and copy editing, and author coaching services. Every writer has unique talent, ambition, and publishing aspirations. These variables as well as the writer’s personality heavily influence how each writer relationship is approached.

For example, I recently copyedited an artist’s legacy memoir. From a technical standpoint, the copyedits were loose. This was deliberate so the prose would match the art included in the book. It’s very important that an editor actually “get” the author’s intentions for their work. A technical copyedit, while not wrong, would have been overstepping; though, technical edits are certainly something that I do.

Another service that’s gained traction is developmental editing and author coaching. Developmental editing involves working with a writer at the conceptual stages and hammering out big issues like structure, theme, plot, character, etc. before the writing gets underway or taking a work in progress and jamming out big-picture kinks to ensure the best possible story manifests. Author coaching is similar but more hands-on; I serve as an editor, a project manager, and a sounding board as we collaboratively progress through the process.

Regardless of the editorial service chosen, the goal is the same: a finished written work. Of course, I also want to see writers emerging more informed about publishing or storytelling. A lot of the knowledge imparted during the editorial process stems from my ongoing education.

I’m a huge craft nerd and take classes throughout the year offered by the Editorial Freelancers Association, Jane Friedman, and others. I just finished a developmental editing workshop series with Allison Williams and did a class on midpoints with James Scott Bell, and I’m reading John Truby’s The Anatomy of Story. Ongoing education is vital for editors to stay relevant to writers; relationships, such as those made through organizational memberships, are important, too. If I meet a writer who isn’t a good fit for me, because of those connections, I often know someone who can help.

I work with memoir, upmarket or literary fiction, mystery, psychological thrillers, and romance, so science fiction and fantasy authors—while enthralling, are those who I’ll direct to editors more seasoned in those genres. As a writer, I do a lot of creative nonfiction and memoir—that was the focal point of my MA studies at USA—but I also write contemporary fiction; I have a character-driven work in progress inspired by my experience as a young widow.

If you’re interested in working with a writing coach or having your book edited, contact Amy Delcambre at Creative Editing Services at amy@creativeeditingservices.com or call 251-285-8992.

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Amy Delcambre is a writer and editor located in Mobile, AL. She is currently president of the Mobile Writers Guild, is a member of the Editorial Freelancers Association, the American Copy Editors Society, the Author’s Guild, and other organizations. Amy has an MA in creative writing from the University of South Alabama and an MPS in publishing from the George Washington University.

In our new quarterly series “Successes Around the State,” we seek to highlight the recently published short work of our members. Here is where we celebrate new stories, poems, and essays. Congratulations to our members for the successes listed below. We celebrate with you!

Chris Jones had a fiction article, "Clarity at the High End," appear in the January 2022 issue of The Bridge Bulletin, which is the magazine of the American Contract Bridge League. This is a rollicking tale of a couple of guys trying to find shortcuts to mastering the game of bridge.

Bradley Sides had an apocalyptic, gameplay short story titled “To Take, To Leave” published in the winter issue of Psychopomp.

T.K. Thorne’s latest nonfiction book—Behind the Magic Curtain: Secrets, Spies, and Unsung White Allies of Birmingham’s Civil Rights Days, the last novel in her trilogy about a Birmingham police witch—has hit the shelves. The long awaited House of Iron completes the trilogy that began with House of Rose and House of Stone. Also, her short story “The Old Lady” appears in two anthologies, Work in Progress and To Serve, Protect, and Write.

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If you are a member of the AWC and have a recent short work you would like to include in our next roundup, please email Bradley Sides (bradleynsides@gmail.com).

“Sunflower Fantasia” (Boris Datnow)

"Where do your ideas come from?” That is a question I am asked most frequently as a writer. One suggestion for sparking inspiration is to dip into a new genre—one you rarely choose to read. On my blog, “The Emerging Genre of Climate Change,” I’ve compiled a list of book recommendations to choose from.

Poetry can also be a profound way to crystalize your themes. I recommend Alina Stefanescu’s blog for poetry.

Another suggestion is to attend conferences which matches your interests and needs. I recently attended the Alabama Environmental Education Association Conference 2022 in Gulf Shores. I was honored to be part of a panel discussion on climate change, which you can view here.

I’ve been begun browsing fantasy which I rarely read—the most recent, Neverwhere, by the the award-winning author, Neil Gaiman. Concurrently, I am reading Hurricane Lizards and Plastic Squid by Thor Hanson, a nonfiction work on the Biology of Climate Change, which is in a genre I enjoy for background research to the Eco Mysteries and Climate Fiction books I write. In this way, I cross-fertilize my brain with science and literature, which for me, is the best one to weave stories with environmental themes.

As you read, make a note of a phrase, a word, or an idea that lights a spark for you.

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Claire Datnow was born and raised in Johannesburg, South Africa, which ignited her love for the natural world and for diverse indigenous cultures around the globe. Claire taught creative writing to gifted and talented students in the Birmingham, Alabama Public Schools System. Her published works include a middle grade Eco mystery series, The Adventures of The Sizzling Six. She received numerous scholarships and awards, including, The Blanche Dean Award for Outstanding Nature Educator, the Alabama Writers Cooperative Middle Grade Award, and Monarch Mysteries (Book 6 eco mystery series) long listed for the Green Books Award. During her tenure as a teacher, Claire and her students developed a nature trail, recently named in her honor as the Alabama Audubon-Datnow Forest Preserve.

It was a treat to be able to talk with Hallie Christensen about her new book, Enchanted Misadventures with Great-Aunt Poppy. In our conversation, we discuss, among other topics, the book’s origin, the joys of writing for children, and what it’s like to spend time with young readers:

Bradley Sides: Thank you, Hallie, for taking the time to talk with me about your book Enchanted Misadventures with Great-Aunt Poppy. Before we get started, I want to say congratulations on your award, being an Indies Today 2021 Finalist. That’s really great!

For those readers who haven’t heard about your book yet, do you mind sharing what it’s about?

Hallie Christensen: Hi, Bradley! Thank you so much!! My middle grade fantasy novel was published last October 2021 by Sweetwater Books – Enchanted Misadventures with Great-Aunt Poppy.

Over the Christmas break, Ava, Nolan, and Charlotte Alexander are sent to stay with their most feared relative - Great-Aunt Poppy. Of course, the siblings are terrified. Who wouldn’t be? Poppy is a witch! If the haunted house, crazy cats, and deadly spells aren’t bad enough, frightening howls grow ever closer. It will take all their bravery and wit to survive. But things aren't always what they seem! The greatest adventure might be hiding in the most unlikely place imagined!

Great for ages 8-12 who love adventure, magic, fun, and getting spooked.

BS: And this is the first book in a larger series, right?

HC: Yes, this is the first book and was written as a standalone (I’m not a fan of cliffhangers, lol), but there is definitely potential for many more adventures with the Alexander children. 

BS: How did the book come together? What sparked the idea?

HC: Well, I have found that one of the best ways to perfect your writing skills is by writing! (Who would have thought?) I joined an online writing community and one month they held a novella contest. There were 40 different prompts that you could choose from, and I chose one that sounded like this (paraphrasing): Three siblings must visit a relative over a holiday, but they don’t want to go. That one resonated with me because I’m the youngest of three siblings, and every holiday we would visit relatives. As a child, I would sometimes dread this, especially when the relatives were old, and they would talk non-stop the entire time. But I considered this and knew that wouldn’t be enough to keep a child’s interest. So, I made the relative a witch!

Once I started writing the story, the words just came to me. I probably will never again find a story so relaxing to write! It was very enjoyable!

BS: What’s been the most exciting part of getting this book out into the world?

HC: Being traditionally published was super exciting! Like most authors, the road to publication is fraught with many “no, thank yous.” I had about moved on to another project when the editor from my current publisher reached out to me about my query. They loved my story and wanted to publish it! I knew I had found the right home because they cared as much about my manuscript as I did.

Support from the community has been amazing. I smile every time someone tells me they loved my book! I have really enjoyed doing author visits at schools and attending other speaking engagements. I am always honored to be asked and humbled that people enjoy my story.

BS: You write largely for children and middle-grade audiences. What draws you to this genre?

HC: I’m a kid at heart! Their dialogue and language, their thoughts and fears, I remember well! Also, MG and kids lit is just so much fun. You get to go on adventures and laugh along the way. It’s an enjoyable escape.

BS: I imagine it’s really wonderful to be able to spend time with young readers (and future writers). What are some of the things about your book that children seem to enjoy the most?

HC: The future writers that I have met are incredible. And so talented too! A lot of them are fantastic artists and I know will create some amazing graphic novels.

The students’ loved the adventure and scary moments in my story. They also liked the humor and snark from some of my characters. Kids really seem to connect with sarcastic cats, lol. Merlin, the cat in my book, was one of their favorite characters. I thought he might be, so I made him a sticker that I pass out to students at my author visits.

I made sure to have distinct personalities amongst all my characters so that my readers could connect with the ones they felt were most like them. But I also made sure that my characters had inhibitions and things to learn and overcome so they could grow.

BS: Before I let you go, I’m curious to know what you are currently working on. Is the sequel to Enchanted Misadventures with Great-Aunt Poppy coming soon?

HC: While finishing the final edits for EMwGAP, I started working on another MG manuscript not related to Great-Aunt Poppy. It’s inspired by a local folk legend. No one knows the origin, so I decided to write a background story. It’s a bit spookier than my first novel and falls under the horror genre. (Think spooky and suspenseful like Goosebumps). I also drew inspiration from the old Bryce Hospital in Tuscaloosa, AL. I’m in the final editing stages now and hope to have some good news to share with everyone soon about that manuscript! :D

BS: Thank you again, Hallie, for talking with me. I wish you and your writing the absolute best.

HC: Thank you so much!! It’s been a pleasure!

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Hallie Christensen grew up in a small town in Alabama surrounded by professional storytellers - her family. She received her BA in English with a minor in Italian while attending The University of Alabama and her MA in Teaching English from Faulkner University.

Her life’s background helped to influence her writing and creativity. While growing up she attended Young Authors conferences, played in a marching band, tried her luck as a magician, became a Junior Ranger for quite a few National Parks, and for a brief moment was a disc jockey with an eclectic taste of music spanning from The Monkees to N’SYNC.

When she isn’t writing or editing, she enjoys hiking, attending rock concerts from musicians her parents’ age, staying at B&B’s, and of course, reading with preferences in fantasy, contemporary, and the classics. Hallie currently resides in northern Alabama with her husband and a couple of cats.

Visit authorhalliechristensen.com to learn more about Hallie's work and sign up for her e-newsletter.

It was my pleasure to be able to talk with author Laura Secord about her new book, An Art, a Craft, a Mystery. In our conversation, we discuss, among other topics, the book’s form, the role of research in writing, and Laura’s writing journey:

Bradley Sides: First of all, thank you for taking the time to talk with me about your book An Art, a Craft, a Mystery. For those who haven’t heard about it yet, do you mind sharing what it’s about?

Laura Secord:  Thank you Bradley and AWC for asking.

An Art, a Craft, a Mystery is an historical novel-in-verse, a family saga told in a series of short poems. It’s a hybrid of poetry and historical fiction telling the stories of two real women, my ancestors, Lydea Gilbert and Katherine (Kate) Harrison, who settled on the frontier along the Connecticut River in the mid 1600s.   

After indenturing themselves in exchange for passage to the colonies, they served in the home of Ann Hutchinson, who was banished from Massachusetts Bay Colony for heresy.  Later, both Lydea and Kate became healers, midwives, and farmers, who faced the struggles and joys of life in a wild new land. They were women in a puritan culture, women of intuitive genius and healing powers, who lived through times where feminine power and the value of women’s lives were suspect and condemned.

BS: With a work that draws on the lives of historical women, how much time did you spend researching? How did you balance your research and writing time as you worked through your project?

LS: I first began this project after my husband, an historian and genealogist, discovered my great-great-great-great-great was found guilty of witchcraft in Connecticut in the 1600s. Of course, I felt I must write this story, but was not excited about the puritan culture. Thanks to my life partner, I began reading about the unknown, untaught aspects of life in the colonies, especially the undocumented lives of women.

Through my extensive reading, I became interested in visiting the places where these stories happened. I got a fellowship at poet Marilyn Nelson’s Soul Mountain Retreat, and was able to spend a few weeks visiting Windsor and Wethersfield, as well as the archeological re-creations of the Plymouth plantation and the Mayflower. The poems really blossomed after experiencing these worlds and absorbing the sensory details of their lives.

This project took many years to come to fruition: first extensive research, always writing along the way, followed by the process of creating a powerful story using imagination.

I put the book down for a few years as I completed a creative writing MFA.  I returned to it in 2017, after the previous election made me extremely worried about the fate of women in this country. As I saw the restrictions of puritanism re-emerge in society and law, I felt compelled to complete this book. I spent a couple of years deepening the story, clarifying the voices of the characters, and working to hone the quality of the poetry itself.

BS: Your book takes the form of being a novel in verse. Did you know going into the project that this was going to be its shape?

LS: From the beginning I knew it would be a novel-in-verse. This is the kind of work I love to do. I didn't know how extensive the story would become, but I knew the trajectory of these women’s lives from the few pieces of documentation that existed.

I’m a writer who does better when I know the plot, and I love telling a story in poetry. I followed the examples of some great modern poets who write history, including Marilyn Nelson, Frank X Walker, and Patricia Smith.

BS: One thing I’m always fascinated by is the title of a book. How did you arrive at An Art, a Craft, a Mystery?

LS: The title is taken from historian, Laurel Thatcher Ulrich’s book Goodwives: Image and Reality in the Lives of Women in Northern New England, 1650-1750. Her work describes the lives of women in the colonies and deepens our knowledge of women’s undocumented experiences.  

Her work explored the essential things needed to live in a wild and unknown world: fire for heat and bread to eat. “Women's work” it's called, but without it, none could survive— fire and bread—living things, hot coal and yeast scraps nurtured to carry into another day. Ulrich called this work an art, a craft, and a mystery. That’s how the title was born.

BS: What’s been the most exciting part of your writing journey so far?

LS: Publication is definitely the most exciting part of my writer's journey. I’m thrilled with the responses I’m getting from readers for this book. It’s been a part of my life for over a decade, and now it’s finally being shared. I love hearing about the joy of reading it, as well as the deep emotion readers experience through the voices of Lydea and Kate.

BS: In addition to writing a novel in verse, you are also a spoken word artist and the Director of Community Engagement for The Magic City Poetry Festival, so poetry is clearly a huge part of your life. I’m curious who and/or what influences your craft the most?

LS: What influences my craft the most? After a long career as a nurse practitioner and my involvement in the poetry scene since the mid 90s, I have been lucky to listen to many people’s stories. I have been lucky to hear tales of happiness and suffering. I am inspired by putting myself in the shoes of another, until their voice finds a way through me and onto the page.

BS: Thank you again, Laura, for talking with me. Congratulations on the release of your book! I wish you and your writing the absolute best.

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To order your copy of An Art, a Craft, a Mystery, check out Livingston Press, Thank You Books, or Amazon.

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Laura Secord is a poet, writer and teaching artist. She earned her MFA in Creative writing from Sierra Nevada University. She has worked as a printer, union organizer, health care activist, teacher, sex-educator and nurse practitioner in community health and HIV care. Her verse novel, AN ART, A CRAFT, A MYSTERY is forthcoming from Livingston Press (February 2022). A Pushcart nominee, her poems appear in Poetry, Hobo Camp Review, Shift, Simple Machines, Cahoodleloodling, Finishing Line Press, Burning House Press, Voices of Resistance, Snapdragon, Indolent Books, Passager, PoemMemoirStory, The Southern Women’s Review, The Birmingham Weekly and Arts and Understanding. She serves on the board of The Magic City Poetry Festival, and has a lifetime commitment to women and lost or unvoiced stories.

We love virtual readings here at the AWC and wanted to share the news that Kimberly Casey will be hosting “All Over Alabama” this upcoming Sunday (March 6th). This reading is being put together by Magic City Poetry and will feature Josh Baker, Jahman Hill, and Jerri Hardesty.

To register and to get full information about the featured poets and host, please click here.

We know it’ll be a good time for all who are able to attend!

We are always excited about good news, and we have some to share: Anne Markham Bailey and Katherine Queen, two members of the AWC, have new books out in the world. We are thrilled for both writers and are happy to share their recent successes:

Congratulations to Anne Markham Bailey on the publication of her latest book, The Practice of Being: The Power of Creative Awareness.

Here’s a summary: “In her new practice manual, teacher and writer Anne Markham Bailey offers a guide to Creative Awareness, the simple and accessible practice of moving away from the tyranny of the thinking mind and into the discovery of the power and freedom of being.”

Bio: I am a poet, podcaster, and educator based in Birmingham, Alabama. A graduate of Barnard College at Columbia University, I majored in East Asian Studies with a concentration in Chinese language and literature. I hold an M.F.A. in Book Arts, and an M.A. in English, Creative Writing. My dharma training includes Tibetan Vajrayana, somatic awareness, and shamanic healing practices. I am a meditation guide, body awareness and yoga teacher, and labyrinth practice facilitator. My call is to explore both ideas and form, to feel into the vast detail of being.

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Congratulations to Katherine Queen on the publication of her book Genesis, Lilith’s Tale.

Here’s a summary: “What if all the stories ever told truly happened? The tales whispered to the authors by the ones who lived them. Multiple realities and worlds all right at our fingertips, thanks to someone willing to write it all down.Come along with me as I tell you our story; the one whispered to me. Hear the tale of Lilith, Queen of the demons, from her own lips. Listen to her struggles with this and other realities. Read of her loves lost and new ones found. Feel her pain, joy, and sorrow. Journey with her as she finds not only herself, but her other selves as well.All stories deserve to be told. This is hers.”

Bio: Raised in the woods, taken by the Fae as a child, and shown how to access my true self and listen for the voices of the others; I am an author of worlds whispered to me by the ones who wish their stories to be told. I've written countless books and never had the courage to just finish them and share them with the world, but that changed when I wrote Genesis. The tale of Lilith, of how she became Lilith, of what she was before and all that she will become, was a tale that simply needed to be heard. When I am not writing, I love to read the works of others, and spend as much time outdoors as possible.

Everyone's story is their own, but we're all connected in this glorious universe.

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If you are a current member of the AWC and have a recent success you would like to share, please contact Bradley Sides (bradleynsides@gmail.com).

The start of a new year brings excitement as many of us try to put together a set of goals to accomplish in the coming 365 days. For many of us AWC members, we likely have completing a new literary work as one of our top priorities.

To help get our creative ideas flowing, Claire Datnow is offering a blog series about her own writing process, with the hope that it will help many other authors find their own ideas and inspiration.

Here is more information from Claire about her project:

ACW members are invited to follow my my blog, “Eco Adventures: A Writer’s Journey.” This blog will provide a behind-the-scenes peek into my creative process as I write A Whale’s Lament, the second novel in my Climate Change trilogy: Fire, Water, and Air. The trilogy is inspired by the ancient Greeks who believed there were four elements, earth, water, air, and fire. The first published book of the trilogy, Red Flag Warning: An Eco Adventure, focuses on the element fire. The second book, which I am currently writing, will focus on water. The third book will concentrate on the theme of air.

I hope my blog will spark ideas for your own writing and illustrate techniques for seamlessly weaving science facts together with story telling. Your questions are always welcome at: cldatnow@me.com

To begin reading my blog: visit mediamint.net and SUBSCRIBE for free. I will then add you to my mailing list so that you can read each episode that tracks my writing progress.

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Claire Datnow was born and raised in Johannesburg, South Africa, which ignited her love for the natural world and for diverse indigenous cultures around the globe. Claire taught creative writing to gifted and talented students in the Birmingham, Alabama Public Schools System. Her published works include a middle grade Eco mystery series, The Adventures of The Sizzling Six. She received numerous scholarships and awards, including, The Blanche Dean Award for Outstanding Nature Educator, the Alabama Writers Cooperative Middle Grade Award, and Monarch Mysteries (Book 6 eco mystery series) long listed for the Green Books Award. During her tenure as a teacher, Claire and her students developed a nature trail, recently named in her honor as the Alabama Audubon-Datnow Forest Preserve.

Alabama writer Bradley Sides is set to have an exciting end to the year. His debut collection, Those Fantastic Lives: And Other Strange Stories, releases this October and has already earned some kind early notice, with Shaun Hamill, author of A Cosmology of Monsters, comparing Sides’ stories to “the best of Joe Hill and Ray Bradbury.”

Sides’ collection, containing monsters, ghosts, and aliens, is the ideal kind of book for readers to explore as they prepare for Halloween. I was recently able to ask Bradley about his interest in magical realism, his work as a fiction editor at a literary magazine, and, of course, his upcoming release of Those Fantastic Lives.

Alina Stefanescu: Those Fantastic Lives: And Other Strange Stories is full of magical realism and weird fiction stories. What draws you to the fantastic?

Bradley Sides: As strange as it sounds, I think it’s because of my childhood on a farm. I grew up surrounded by animals and quietness and the stars. I can remember being in my bedroom at night, and I’d, from the total silence, begin to hear bullfrogs warbling from the pond. When my father sold cows or separated the mother from her calves, there would be nights of crying. There’s a lot of room for an imagination to run wild with these kinds of happenings surrounding you, especially as you look up from your bed and see the clear, dark, sparkling sky and think about what else is out there—what else might be waiting to haunt you.

AS: As an early writer, did you already know this would be your space?

BS: Sometimes I wish I would’ve known earlier, but I didn’t. I spent some time working on southern stories and YA novels, but they never felt real to me. (I needed magic and the fantastic to find truth.) I’m grateful, though, that I was writing. I learned a lot from my early drafts; I realized what worked and what didn’t.

I was in my mid-twenties before I started really getting into magical realism short fiction—both as a reader and as I writer. When I finished my first magical realism piece (“Restored” at the end of 2013), I knew I’d found where I was supposed to be.  All of the weirdness made me feel at home. It made me feel found.

AS: Title origins are interesting. How did you arrive at Those Fantastic Lives? 

BS: Someone once asked me what I’m worst at in writing. My answer was simple: titles. I can’t begin to even guess how much time I spend on the titles I give my stories.

But back to your question. I had no idea what my collection was going to be called. Seriously. I was nearing the end of the collection’s cycle, so I knew I needed something. I was working on a story about a boy who wants to be a psychic like his grandmother, and I wrote a line near the end that I was really proud of. The titular phrase was in that sentence, so I titled that story “Those Fantastic Lives.” Even after I sat with it for a few weeks, it still felt right.

After the story came out, I realized that there are a lot of fantastic, magical lives in the other stories I had, so I went with it. I think it fits perfectly, and it’s the best title, I think, that I’ve ever come up with.

AS: Do you have a favorite story in the collection? 

BS: “The Mooneaters” is the first story I wrote that made me feel like I could really write. I don’t know if it’s my favorite, but it was my first love. It’s special to me.

AS: For readers, what themes can they expect to see explored as they dive into your book?

BS: I’m a very large guy. I’m as introverted, though, as I am large. I oftentimes want to hide, but my body won’t allow it. I think this makes me naturally feel like a bit of an outsider. Like I don’t belong or something. I’m drawn to the idea of what it means to be different—to be different and to search for comfort that you’ll never find. So, that’s a natural pull for me. Growing up on a farm with lots of animals makes one reflect on loss, so that’s definitely in the book, too. I think, also, I’m interested in the idea of transformation. Flight. Escape. There are a lot of birds and wings in these stories.

AS: Here’s a tough question, but I’ll ask it anyway: Why do you write?

BS: I write because it’s the only tool I have to help me understand myself.

AS: I know you currently serve as Fiction Editor of Qu, which is the literary magazine put out by the MFA program at Queens University of Charlotte. What has that experience taught you?

BS: This experience, along with previously being an editorial assistant at Qu, has taught me more than I would’ve ever thought was possible. When I read through submissions, I see what works and what doesn’t. I see how important the beginning of a piece is. The whole experience makes me closely—very, very closely—observe my own writing. I look at my own stories now as not only a writer, but I also have the additional knowledge of reading like an editor. I would strongly encourage writers to read for a magazine if they can. What I’ve taken away is truly invaluable.

AS: I always love reading recommendations. What are some recent books you’ve enjoyed?

BS: My favorite books of the year are Kazuo Ishiguro’s Klara and the Sun, Andrew Siegrist’s We Imagined It Was Rain, and Becky Hagenston’s The Age of Discovery. Each one has a balanced and beautiful weirdness.

For books outside of my usual, two others I’ve enjoyed a lot are Cliff Garstang’s Oliver’s Travels, which is a humorous novel that looks deeply at memory and philosophy, and Margaret Renkl’s Graceland, At Last, which is a collection of deeply-felt essays about the complex and complicated South.

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Bradley Sides' writing appears at Chapter 16, Chicago Review of Books, Electric Literature, Los Angeles Review of Books, The Millions, The Rumpus, and Southern Review of Books. He holds an MA from the University of North Alabama and is an MFA candidate at Queens University of Charlotte, where he serves as Fiction Editor of Qu. He lives in Florence, Alabama, with his wife, and he can be found on most days teaching creative writing and English in southern Tennessee. Those Fantastic Lives is his debut.