Media
Studio A
During this live broadcast of Studio A from New York City, host Danielle Smith sits down with writers Stephen Cicirelli and Matthew Di Paoli for a conversation about their fiction writing. Stephen reads from his novel in progress and, along with Matthew, discusses topics such as inspiration, character development, point of view, and the tactical differences between novels and short stories.
Short Story Today
On episode 68 of the Short Story Today podcast, Stephen talks with host Jon DiSavino:
"New Jersey author Stephen Cicirelli has a penchant for philosophy--and it shows up in his stories in surprising ways. But there's nothing academic about them. They vibrate with energy, often weaving sorrow with humor. We read his story 'Quitting,' about an experiment in free will that goes awry."
The Latest
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For my 40th birthday, my wife got me classes at @horologicalsocietyofny. This morning and afternoon I took Horology 101-103 with about 8 other students. We took apart and put back together an ETA 6497, the mechanical movement on which most watchmakers begin their training. The classes only grew my horophilia. I don't think I have the hand-eye coordination to go beyond 103 or 104. But I learned a lot, and I recommend the classes to anyone who likes watches. Our teachers were great! I now know what exactly jewels do in a movement, what an escape wheel is, why vibrational frequency matters. I learned that watchmaking school is free (subsidized by the industry), that watchmakers are in high demand, but that attrition rates at these schools are upward of 60% bc watchmaking is hard, precise work. I have a newfound admiration for the artists and craftsmen who build the tiny timekeeping machines on our wrists. So grateful that my wife gave me this gift!
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I hadn't read Goldstein before, but after reading this (published in 1983), I went and bought ALL of her fiction. This may be the best novel I've read in a decade! She's funny and erudite, and her characters are so complex. She's been compared to Richard Powers, who also writes what might be called Literature of Ideas. But I think Goldstein has a better sense of humor and, for me at least, was more enjoyable to read. If you're in the mood for a compelling and complicated narrator, I highly recommend Goldstein's debut novel.