Allison McCabe closes the door on the Fall 2011 issue with her haunting look at the San Fernando Valley in A String of Lights.
I love how unabashedly nostalgic this piece feels, but without pulling any of its punches, the way talk of the past often does.
Junk is proud to present, Allison McCabe, my friends.
Higher Ground, the new work for October, is an amazing piece.
Most people consider addiction a disease. But if it is a disease, the stories we read about addiction are unlike any ever told about, say, cancer or autism. With addiction, there is usually some element of contrition. Not that there shouldn’t be. After all, if it is a disease, it’s a disease like no other.
But when you come across a story that does something different, as Higher Ground does, it’s really quite amazing. Not an ounce of contrition. But it’s not a romantic story about the old days, either. And there is something spiritual here. Some sort of natural commune with nature.
Check it out. See if you agree.
Junk was stomping around San Francisco for LITQUAKE. Tim appeared on an author panel that was reviewed favorably in the Bay area press with such notable writers as Bucky Sinister, Alan Kaufman, Cary Tennis, Ali Liebegott, and Wendy Merrill.
But it wasn’t all work. Time was made for goofing off.
We saw the lights.
Left our mark on the hallowed walls.
Were toyed with by the locals at the sights.
But when we came upon Turk and Taylor, we knew well to turn and head the other way. No need to tempt the fates!
Watch Junk for a new story next week from an anonymous but inspired author. We think you’ll like the “high” he has to offer.
Come follow us on Twitter: @junklit. We’re finding lots of litfriends there. Why did we wait so long?
A cartoon by the talented Kevan Atteberry.
Kevan’s work has appeared in Microsoft Office, among other fine publications. He is the illustrator of many books for children
Brock Kingsley’s story, All Filler, kicks off a new Fall season on Junk!
All Filler captures the capricious nature of addiction, the mystery of how some people fall, while others narrowly miss disaster. It’s a mesmerizing story.
In the comments section, Gary Presley, author of Seven Wheelchairs: A Life beyond Polio, notes how subtly Kingsley ratchets up the tension, even as the story’s opening line reveals the ending. Until Gary mentioned it, I hadn’t noticed that aspect of the story. Part of the joy of sharing these stories is when someone points out something I might have otherwise never noticed. I love these conversations!
Upcoming Fall issue contributors include Joe Whalen and Allison McCabe. We couldn’t be more pleased with the wonderful stories we’ve been so fortunate to receive at Junk.
Recently published @ Junk, a literary fix
Tim Elhajj
Editors
The Editors
Holly Huckeba
