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A Requiem for Freddy
His liver destroyed by Hepatitis C, Robert Hagenson didn’t receive a transplant, but a type of early parole—in a body bag. His sudden deterioration and death hit many of… More
The Novelist and the Curious Cabbie
I was standing on the curb, uptown, my hand raised for a cab. It was evening, and the sky was clear and the air cool. I had plenty of… More
Acceptance Speech by Philip Roth for the Saul Bellow Award
The backbone of 20th-century American literature has been provided by two novelists—William Faulkner and Saul Bellow. Together they are the Melville, Hawthorne, and Mark Twain of the 20th century.… More
PEN Condemns New Arrests in Iran
PEN American Center has expressed alarm over the arrests of two prominent international scholars in Tehran. More
Life and Times of Melvin Billy Joe Vogt
I was born to Ruth and Melvin Vogt on the cold 31 ½ degrees morning of December 18th, 1941. At 12:44:07 a.m. in Baltimore City Hospital, Baltimore City, Maryland.… More
Summer Snow
*The following is a true account. Everything actually took place at the end of summer of 1982.On July 8, 1982, I turned fourteen years old. It was the middle… More
Amos Fuller Doesn’t Speak
Amos Fuller Doesn't SpeakAmos Fuller doesn’t speak.He sometimes sits with us when there is room,His stark dinner tray occupying his privatequarter of the table.His khakis are always neat and… More
Sidney Offit on Kurt Vonnegut
When Roger Straus introduced me to Kurt Vonnegut at a PEN seminar circa 1970, the publisher of so many Nobel Laureates it was rumored he had an apartment in… More
Horizon’s Edge
CHARACTERSTHE PRESENT:JOHN: The Dungeon Master, wears prisoner whites.OFFICER: The Prison Guard, wears confederate gray uniform.CHARLIE: Dungeons & Dragons Player, wears prisoner whites.JIM: Dungeons & Dragons Player, wears prisoner whites.DAVID: Dungeons &… More
Confessions of a Jack-Off Artist
Confessions of a Jack-Off Artist2007 First Place FictionI had to get a feel for it at first. To others it’s second nature: some used to have a freaky old… More
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