The Ballyhoo Stories Blog

UPDATE: Particles and Galaxies Comics

2008-05-25T12:47:00.000-07:00

Ballyhoo Stories is back with four online comics on the theme "Particles and Galaxies": In Maris Wicks "Coping with Death" a young man confronts Death with his fists; Shawn Cheng lets us in on the thoughts of an astronaut before take off in "Countdown"; in Matthew Bernier's "Antoine" a crashed fighter pilot is confronted by both the immense and the miniscule; and Claudia Dávila's "The Grass Seed" reveals the fuel behind the entire universe.

Read what PopMatters calls "an eclectic mix of imagination and talent, with the quirky featured as prominently as the poignant" at ballyhoostories.com.

Event: AWP NYC 2008

2008-01-13T06:13:00.001-08:00

This year's AWP conference (Wednesday, January 30 to Saturday, February 2) is bound to be the biggest and the best. For those of you who don't know, the annual Association of Writers & Writing Programs Conference is where over 7,000 writers, professors, editors, and publishers gather for bookfair, panels and discussions, and more important, after parties. Ballyhoo Stories will be selling their popular comics issue, Sin and Redemption. NOTE THIS: On Saturday, February 2, the general public may attend the book fair. This is a rare opportunity to drop in on the country's largest independent press fair without purchasing a conference badge so don't miss it!

Contributor News: Pushcart Honorable Mention

2008-01-13T06:03:00.001-08:00

Ballyhoo Stories would like to congratulate Amy Gustine. Her story "Golden Medene" from our Crossroads and Weigh Stations Issue received an honorable mention in the latest issue of the 2008 Pushcart Prize anthology.

50 STATES: California

2007-12-02T06:54:00.000-08:00

Ballyhoo Stories is pleased to announce the publication of our newest 50 States story: "California: Animal Past" by Kenneth Calhoun. "Animal Past" is the story about two teenagers in California hunting snakes, one who wishes he could be someone else while the other must pretend he is someone he's not. You can read all the stories we've collected so far at Ballyhoostories.com.

If you're a writer with a piece of fiction or creative nonfiction representing one of our open states, please visit Ballyhoostories.com to review our submission guidelines.

EVENT: Small Press Fair, NYC

2007-09-06T10:01:00.000-07:00

As part of the the Cup and Pen Small Small Press Fair, Ballyhoo Stories joins seven other fine magazines and presses in a celebration of indie publishing. Along with Ballyhoo Stories, the Cup and Pen Small Small Press Fair features readings from Belladonna Books, Litmus Press, Booklyn Artists Alliance, Sona Books, Hotel St. George Press, The Lowbrow Reader, and Heeb Magazine. Don't miss an afternoon of raffles, readings, and exciting literature!

Think Coffee
Saturday, September 8; 2 pm to 6 pm
248 mercer street
(between 3rd and 4th streets)
new york, NY

CONTRIBUTOR NEWS: Writers Revealed

2007-08-21T19:15:00.001-07:00

Crossroads and Weigh Stations contributor Felicia Sullivan has a new Internet radio show, Writers Revealed. Be sure to join Felicia each week and participate in live discussions, book giveaways, and intimate interviews with noteworthy writers. Don't miss the next show this Sunday, August 26. Felicia talks with Alison Weaver about her new memoir, Gone to the Crazies and author of Rules For Saying Goodbye, Katherine Taylor. Show starts at 7 PM EST / 4PM PST.

EVENT: POST LITERARY DEATH MATCH

2007-07-28T14:17:00.000-07:00

On Wednesday night Irina Reyn competed for Ballyhoo Stories in Opium Magazine's sixth Literary Death Match. After some technical delays the fight began with Tony O'Neil squaring off against Maureen Tkacik. Tony emerged the winner of the first round. Irina Reyn faced off against Tao Lin. Irina's story of childhood goofiness triumphed. She then defeated Tony in an haiku-off and emerged the victor!! We at Ballyhoo Stories congratulate Irina on her success.

The Crowd

The Judges

The Competition

Irina wows the Crowd and the Judges

Who would have guessed. . .an actual medal.

EVENT: LITERARY DEATH MATCH

2007-07-22T14:16:00.000-07:00

On Wednesday, July 25th Ballyhoo Stories will be competing in Opium's Literary Death Match. This blood bath of fiction readings takes place at 6:30 in New York City's Washington Square Park. Battling for Ballyhoo Stories is the mighty Irina Reyn, whose story "Baba Yaga"appears in our "Crossroads and Weigh Stations Issue" . She'll be competing against Tony O'Neill for 3:AM, Maureen Tkacik for The Crier and He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named for Opium. We hope you'll join us as we cheer on Irina as she bludgeons the competition with her deadly prose.

EVENT: POST-MoCCA

2007-06-27T19:36:00.000-07:00

This past weekend Ballyhoo Stories founders/editors/publishers Mandelbaum and Pettypiece had the pleasure of finally meeting comics editor Joel Priddy, who was terribly upset by the sudden lack of whitefish in New York City. The whole lot of us were at the MoCCA Art Festival talking up Ballyhoo to any comic fan, artist, or plantain monster that was willing to listen. Joining us at the Ballyhoo table selling mini comics was contributor Corrine Mucha. We discovered contributor Andy Hartzell at the Top Shelf Comics booth promoting his new book Fox Bunny Funny. Contributor JP Coovert was busy selling the goods produced by his own independent publishing venture One Percent Press. Although we had to stand in a long line just to say hello, it was nice to talk to cover artist Paul Pope, who was there promoting his new book Pulphope. The work of all these fine artists can be found in the "Sin and Redemption" issue of Ballyhoo Stories, which you can buy here.

It was an excellent time all around and we left with quite a few comics and long list of potential future contributors. But by far the most intriguing thing about MoCCA was the absolutely awesome weirdness of our neighboring table. After two days of Kaiju Big Battle things will never be the same again.

EVENT: MoCCA

2007-06-19T16:52:00.001-07:00

If you love indie publishing, handmade books, beautiful art and writing, then stop by MoCCA this weekend. It's an event not to be missed by any booklover. We'll be there selling copies of our latest issue, "Sin and Redemption." Hope to see you there!

SUBMISSIONS: Particles and Galaxies

2007-06-04T16:13:00.000-07:00

We've extended the deadline for fiction, creative nonfiction, and comic submissions for the 2008 issue of Ballyhoo Stories. If you have a story that fits our theme (think all things large and small—we look for CREATIVE takes on our theme), check out our submission guidelines and submit! Note that we're always looking for excellent creative nonfiction pieces.

PRINT | Particles and Galaxies
Submit unpublished fiction or nonfiction stories for Number 5 on the theme of "Particles and Galaxies" to the address below. Think metaphorically (e.g., all things large and small.) Note we only accept submissions via e-mail for the 50 States Project. Stories must be 7,000 words or less. Please include your name and address on your cover letter, along with the title of your story. Submissions will not be returned. Please include e-mail address for response (no SASE required). Simultaneous submissions are accepted provided you notify us immediately, either in writing or by e-mail, if your work is accepted elsewhere. Deadline is October 31, 2007. For work published in the print magazine, we offer authors two copies of the issue in which their work appears. We acquire first North American serial rights, non-exclusive, one-time anthology rights, and online rights (to post a portion of the story). Please wait to hear from us before sending another submission.

*BALLYHOO STORIES*
P.O. Box 170
Prince Street Station
New York, NY 10012

ONLINE | 50 States Project
BALLYHOO STORIES is also accepting story submissions for all states except California, New York, Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Connecticut, Ohio, and Indiana. Stories should show a strong representation of the people and culture of the particular state. Stories will be published online as part of our 50 States Project. Unpublished stories of 5,000 words or less should be sent as an attachment (.doc or.txt) to fiftystates@ballyhoostories.com. Do not paste in body of the e-mail. Sorry, no snail-mail submissions. Specify the state for which you are submitting in the subject line of your e-mail. Deadline is October 31, 2007. Please wait to hear from us before sending another story.

For updates, please visit us at Ballyhoo Stories: The Blog.

CONTRIBUTOR NEWS: Books and Radio Shows

2007-05-21T19:06:00.000-07:00

Author of A Thousand and One Nights (Harcourt), Lara Tupper ("Belly Dancing" from the Songs and Cacophony Issue), will be on the Joey Reynolds Radio Show LIVE this Tuesday night/Wednesday morning. Tune into WOR New York 710 from 2:00 AM to 3:00 AM (May 22/23)! And call in with questions: 1-800-321-0710 !

Irina Reyn's ("Baba Yaga" from the Crossroads and Weigh Station Issue) first novel, What Happened to Anna K. is forthcoming from Touchstone/Simon & Schuster.

Tom Whalen's ("Southern Childhood" from the Portraits and Snapshots Issue) new book, An Exchange of Letters, is now available from Parsifal Press. Be sure to pick up a copy!

Sue O'Doherty's ("New York: Passing" from the 50 States Project) new book, Getting Unstuck Without Coming Unglued: Outsmarting Obstacles to Living a Creative Life: A Woman's Guide (Perseus/Seal Press), is now available!

ANNOUNCEMENT: Sin and Redemption

2007-05-19T12:33:00.000-07:00

The fourth issue of Ballyhoo Stories will be arriving at the home office in days. "Sin and Redemption" features seven fantastic stories and six outstanding comics.

In the issue you'll find:

Love Falling by Susan Woodring
The King and the Beast by Ray Fenwick
Goatsuckers by Stephanie Dickinson
Please Forgive Me by Corrine Mucha
Cuff by David Barringer
A Fall Apart by JP Coovert
The Landlord and Jeanne Hebuterne by Charles Antin
May the Bones You Have Crushed Rejoice by Joseph Holsapple
The Regular by Charles Haverty
The Rise and Fall of Yip the Wonder Dog by Andy Hartzell
The Dream by Mary Grabar
The Carrot and the Sausage by Simone Lia
Bunker's Chirstmas by Will Nixon

The issue also features front and back cover art by Paul Pope.

We'll be debuting this issue at MoCCA 2007 in New York City and hope those in the area can attend. For those of you who can't make it to MoCCA be sure to order a copy at the Ballyhoo Store for only $8.

We are currently accepting submissions for "Particles and Galaxies."

ANNOUNCEMENT: The 50 States Project

2007-05-19T10:55:00.000-07:00

Ballyhoo Stories is pleased to announce that Kenneth Calhoun's story, "Animal Past," has been chosen as the California story for our online 50 States Project. His story will be added to our site this summer.

Currently we are accepting submissions for all states except California, New York, Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Connecticut, Ohio, and Indiana. Stories should be no more than 5,000 words and have the state as either the subject or the setting. Please be sure to read one or two of our current stories for an idea of what we are looking for. Stories can be e-mailed to fifty states at ballyhoo stories dot com. Please put the state you are submitting for in the subject line.

EVENT: Conversations and Connections

2007-05-13T15:12:00.000-07:00

On May 5 Ballyhoo Stories ventured outside of Brooklyn to our nation's capital for the Conversations and Connections at the Writer's Center in Bethesda. We had a great time talking to writers and participated in a lively panel about publishing on the Web. After the conference we attended the launch for Issue Four of Barrelhouse. We'd like to thank Dave Housley of Barrelhouse for getting us involved in Conversations and Connections. Dave's story "Thorn" is the Pennsylvania story for our 50 States Project.

Ballyhoo's Suzanne Pettypiece checks out the competition.
Ballyhoo's Joshua Mandelbaum suffers from content envy The good people from Columbia Journal and Barrelhouse model the Columbia schwag

EVENT: Post-AWP

2007-03-11T14:41:00.000-07:00

We teamed up with the fine people of Quick Fiction at the AWP Conference in Atlanta and had a good time talking to readers, writers, and various other literary types. In addition to the usual conference going-ons , we all collaborated on an on-site project. Since we are putting together the 50 States Project and Quick Fiction focuses on the short-short, we asked the attendees of the conference to write stories about each state on a Post-It note, which we then placed on the map pictured to the left. Here's some of what we received:

Montana, Sarah Miles
"Well maybe we can't live together," he retorted as he maneuvered our pick up down the Route 90 exit ramp just outside of Missoula. I thought of our tiny home beside the Blackfoot River, my long fights with out wood-stove, the snow clinging to the ridge that shaded our house from the sun for three months, and I knew he was right.

New Mexico, Paulette Licitra
Hacienda on the turquoise trail where meteors showered at midnight. We each took a bench in the backyard next to the railroad tracks and stretched out on our backs to catch stars in our eyes, until the hacienda man came to tell us stories about sleeping with his guests. So we went inside, locking the door to sleep in our room in the dark.

California, Penny
California sends sunshine to the rest of America. Earthquakes and fires plague. Mountains, rivers and clouds play in tune with smiles. Come visit but return to your homes.

Colorado, Leslee Becker
Yes, there's a green sign on I-25 outside of Colorado Springs announcing the presence of The Center for Family Values. Beyond this is the Motorcycle Hall of Fame. I don't stop for nothing, but I slowed down outside of Colorado Springs.

Wyoming, Victoria Hudson
Day Two: Woke early, lukewarm breakfast then back on the road. Highway 80 seems forever and not even halfway. Dreamy gray sky, fog, fucking cold. Why aren't I warm, home, my own bed? What was I thinking driving alone cross country. Great, snow, hail, big as my fist. Cripes! No radio here in oblivion podunk nowhere. My God! So majestic, so massive! I've never seen an elk so close! Wow, so wonderful here.

Utah, Anonymous
On the first day at my new Utah junior high school, my shirt too tight, my shorts too short. the boys stared and brushed past me too close, the girls, bleached blonds with coordinating socks acted like I wasn't even there. Somehow during those first few months I forgot how to do math

Nevada, Christopher Arigo
He stares off into the desert glittering with broken bottles and empty rifle casings. Dust devils rise spontaneously with a sound like the snap of a wet towel, making him start every time. Except for his presence the desert trembles almost noticeably with life: ants and wasps swarm a dead lizard mummified by the sun. He can smell the heat as it singes his nostrils: it smells like dust and flame, his eyes feel like dust--he can taste the dust, tainted with iron, tasting of blood.

Arizona, Amelia Gray
When Jim brought the potted cactus home, it was so complimented that Jim said he would bring it with him everywhere. It was a barrel cactus, about a foot tall in its pot, and we laughed, but he built a special harness that allowed him to strap it to his chest. We saw him with the cactus at the theater. The cactus had its own seat.

Alaska, Brian Evans
They sleep at night here. Elves in the snow. Penguins on roaring vivid snowmobiles. In summer the ice cracks and oil gushes out black and viscous over the white snowscape.

Alaska, Sherry Simpson and Jo-Ann Mapson
Sevent Truths About Alaska: There are no penguins in Alaska. There are no elves. Soon there will be no snow. Night is just a good idea. Snow is only white until November. Then the dogs have peed all over it. Oil gushes from all the broken down trucks. Everything else we just make up.

Kansas, Colin Raffgris
You know what? We hate "The Wizard of Oz." We hate the wizard, we hate Oz, we hate the Cowardly Lion. We really hate "Over the Rainbow," which is essentially a song about wishing how you weren't in Kansas. And don't even say to us "You're not in Kansas anymore." We're a state with low self-esteem and tons of insecurities, and it shows.

Wisconsin, J. Russ
To be one with the cows, the zen of grass, the mantra of milking, wearing cheese, and the beer, oh the beers. When you step into the grassy morning, sing the song of the viaducts. Here is where my heart still lives among Cream City bricks.

Wisconsin, Michelle Menting
After college--all six years a the University of Wisconsin--Elsie got on her Trek 14 speed, packed her worn, gravy-hued backpack with granola, a map, matches, and sweater, and set off to follow the Wisconsin River to the Northwoods. Her only plan was to reach the Minnesota-Wisconsin state line before the first surge of summer tourists. A week into her ride (she was lucky; the weather was clear and more like that of Colorado than Wisconsin), she stopped off at the Point Brewery, took the tour, and that same day, took a job as a tour guide (having been so impressed with the hops). She's still there. She's busiest during the cusp of summer, when the surge of tourists head north.

Iowa, Anonymous
Something inside him had died and been reborn. Under the flat winter clouds he lay on the snow and felt the cold bite his bones. He thought this was the closest he'd been to being alive. The second time had been at the late hour of a Tuesday night when he heard the ghost of his little brother, Jonas, playing with his toys.

Oklahoma, Nicole Hefner
In the street the little boy told the rain to go away. In the street the little girl was the rain. This is what you don't remember seeing: the bird in the tree, someone's mother pulling her skirt over her head. If you're quiet enough the clouds will move out before you even notice. If you're quiet enough the rain might sing you a birthday song. Hush, mama said, the storm's already passed.

Michigan, Georgia A. Banks-Martin
Beneath the house below my room is something trying to pick its way inside. Tick, tick,then clang. It has help. Troll maybe. Mass murderer more likely. Its midnight and he must take one before morning. If I cover my head with my freshly washed sheet he will not see me, but I yell "mother" instead, who says its only the noise of the salt miners.

Texas, Sam Snoek-Brown
At 10:30 I crave dipcones, and I drive to the outskirts of Denton, the old Dairy Queen there brittle with florescents and linoleum. Through the plate glass, I spot a small girl cavorting in a red dress like the chihuahua the lives next door. The girls mother beats time on the red table top, unaware that outside my engine rattles a counterbeat, and the girl is dancing in step, instead, with me.

Louisiana, Emilie Staat
I caught my first fish in the biggest man-made lake near Zoelle, LA. I named him Jethro and tossed him back. It was my favorite moment in a hellacious first visit. I now live in Baton Rouge and enjoy every minute.

Missouri, Erin Tobias
Southern Missouri: The highways cut through the lime-stone bluffs here, as they follow the rolling hills up and down, up and down, more than anywhere else in the state. I like the train better.

South Dakota, Leslie
Willa pushed more than pulled the door closed behind her as she entered the church. She had stopped on her way west, not for confession or blessing, but to find a clean bathroom. From her place in the front of the heavy red doors, Willa stood directly opposite Christ, painted on the sanctuary wall behind the alter. This portrait she had not seen before; blood ran over the dark skin and folded eyes of a Lakota Christ. Not until after she had merged back onto the interstate and driven within a half-hour of her grandmother's house did she think about her grandmother's people, the Germans who had moved the rocks to uncover the fertile earth--had burned dung because they didn't have trees to burn. Where was their God?

North Dakota, Anonymous
Young and Kathy got into their 1974 Plymouth Fury and took off down the highway out of Grand Forks. It was January, there were white out conditions. Kathy, in her bedazzled jacket, screamed as Young, who was driving, bent down to pick up the cigarette he had dropped. They both screamed as the car flipped.

To read stories from other states head on over to Quick Fiction.

EVENT: AWP

2007-02-25T06:56:00.000-08:00

Ballyhoo will be sharing a booth with our friends Quick Fiction at the AWP Conference in Atlanta. If you're planning on attending, be sure to stop by to add a story to our 50 States Project Meets Quick Fiction map: Write a piece about one of the 50 states Quick Fiction–style. We'll also be offering special discounts on back issues and our newest issue, featuring fiction, creative nonfiction, and comics about Sin and Redemption. See you there!

ANNOUNCEMENT: Paul Pope Creates the Covers for Sin and Redemption

2007-02-19T16:01:00.000-08:00

Art by comics superstar Paul Pope will be featured on the front and back covers of the "Sin and Redemption" issue of Ballyhoo Stories. Paul Pope's work includes his groundbreaking self-published THB, which debuted in 1995. Since then, he’s produced work for DC and Vertigo (Batman: Year 100, Heavy Liquid, 100%), Dark Horse (One-Trick Ripoff) and manga publisher, Kodansha (Supertrouble).

Don't miss seven great pieces of fiction and six amazing comics. Order now and get THREE issues of Ballyhoo Stories for the price of two: Sin and Redemption (SPRING 2007 No. 4), Particles and Galaxies (SPRING 2008 No. 5), and Portraits and Snapshots (SPRING 2005 No. 1) for just $16.

The "Sin and Redemption" contributors include: Charles H. Antin, David Barringer, JP Coovert, Stephanie Dickinson, Ray Fenwick, Mary Grabar, Andy Hartzell, Charles Haverty, Joseph Holsapple, Simone Lia, Corinne Mucha, Will Nixon, Susan Woodring

Preorder the "Sin and Redemption" issue here

EVENT: Ballyhoo at Think, Part II

2007-02-19T12:32:00.000-08:00

If you’re in the New York City area join us this Wednesday for part two of the Ballyhoo Stories readings at Think Coffee. Wednesday will feature Charles Antin, Kate Daloz, Stephanie Dickinson, and Lara Tupper, author of A Thousand and One Nights (Harcourt, 2007). Come out and enjoy a night of contemporary fiction with a cup of organic, free-trade coffee or tea. Think Coffee, 248 Mercer Street (between 3rd and 4th Streets). February 21 at 8 PM.

Charles Antin: Charles H. Antin was raised in Boston, MA, but currently lives in Brooklyn, NY. He has stories published or forthcoming in Alimentum Journal, Rosebud, and Glimmer Train, where he won the Winter 05/06 Award for Very Short Fiction for “Fat Cooling,” now being adapted for the screen. He was a finalist in the 2006 University of Louisville Italo Calvino Competition for Fabulist Short Fiction. His story “The Landlord and Jeanne Hébuterne” can be found in the upcoming “Sin & Redemption” issue of Ballyhoo Stories.

Kate Daloz: Kate Daloz was born in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom. Her work has appeared in Bust Magazine and the online journal Salt. She teaches adult literacy classes in Queens and lives in Brooklyn. Her story “The Price in the Picture” can be found in Issue 1: “Portraits & Snapshots” of Ballyhoo Stories.

STEPHANIE DICKINSON is a native Iowan who now lives in New York City. Her fiction has appeared in Water~Stone Review, Mudfish, Portland Review, Green Mountains Review, New York Stories, Columbia Review, Chelsea, Ontario Review, Feminist Studies, among others. Along with Rob Cook she coedits the literary journal Skidrow Penthouse. Half Girl, her first novel, will be published this year by Spuyten Duyvil. She received a 2006 fellowship in fiction from the New York Foundation for the Arts. Her story “Goatsuckers” can be found in the upcoming “Sin & Redemption” issue of Ballyhoo Stories.

Lara Tupper: Lara Tupper, a former lounge singer, has performed in Thailand, Japan, China, and the United Arab Emirates. She currently teaches writing at Rutgers University and curates the Apocalypse NOW Reading Series in New York City. Her fiction and nonfiction can be read in nidus and the Believer. Her first novel A Thousand and One Nights will be published by Harcourt on February 5, 2007 Her story “Belly Dancing” can be found in Issue 2: “Songs & Cacophony” of Ballyhoo Stories.

SUBMISSIONS: 50 STATES

2007-02-19T12:09:00.000-08:00

We're currently reading for the following states as part of the online 50 States Project: California, Delaware, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. We aim to have decisions made by the end of March.

To read our current states, visit Ballyhoo Stories.

EVENT: Ballyhoo at Think, Part 1

2007-02-10T09:46:00.000-08:00

On February 7th we curated our first night of readings at Think Coffee in Manhanttan to a wonderful audience.

Co-editor Joshua Mandelbaum stumbles over his introduction.

The crowd, both attentive and sleepy.

"Songs and Cacophany" contributor Bill Cheng starts the evening with an excerpt from his story "Buffalo."

"Crossroads and Weigh Stations" contributor, Felicia Sullivan, awes the crowd with an excerpt from her forthcoming memoir The Sky Isn’t Visible From Here.

"Portraits and Snapshots" contributor, Amy Brill, provides a bit of maritime histiory from her novel-in-progress.

Sue O'Doherty reads from her story "Passing," the New York story in our online 50 States Project.

We'll be currating a second night of readings at Think Coffee on February 27th from 8 to 10. Our readers will be Charles Antin, Kate Daloz, Stephanie Dickinson, and Lara Tupper.

EVENT: Ballyhoo at Think

2007-01-18T16:04:00.000-08:00

We're curating two nights of readings at Think Coffee on February 7 and February 21.

The readers for February 7th:

Amy Brill: Amy Brill’s articles and essays have appeared in Salon, Time Out New York, Premiere, and the anthology Before and After: Stories From New York, among others. She has been awarded fiction fellowships by the Edward Albee Foundation, the Millay Colony, and Jentel, as well as a 2005 Visiting Artist Fellowship by the American Antiquarian Society. Her story “The Pursuit of Joe Kahn” can be found in Issue 1: “Portraits & Snapshots” of Ballyhoo Stories.

Bill Cheng: Bill Cheng is 23 years old. He is currently an MFA candidate living in New York City. His short fiction has been published in Ballyhoo Stories, the Global City Review, and Xelas Magazine. Bill Cheng’s short story “Buffalo” can be found in Issue 2: “Songs & Cacophony” of Ballyhoo Stories.

Sue O'Doherty: Sue O'Doherty is the author of Getting Unstuck Without Coming Unglued: Outsmarting Obstacles to Living a Creative Life: A Woman's Guide, to be published by Perseus/Seal Press, spring, 2007. Her popular advice column for writers, “The Doctor Is In,” appears every Friday on MJ Rose’s publishing blog, Buzz, Balls, & Hype. Susan’s stories, poems, and essays have appeared in Eureka Literary Magazine, Northwest Review, Apalachee Review, Eclectica, Literary Mama, Reflection’s Edge, VerbSap, Carve, Word Riot, Style & Sense, Phoebe, and the anthologies About What Was Lost: Twenty Writers on Miscarriage, Healing, and Hope (Penguin, 2007), It’s a Boy! (Seal Press, 2005), The Best of Carve, Volume VI, and Familiar (The People's Press, 2005). A new story is scheduled to appear in Sex for America, edited by Stephen Elliott. Her story “New York: Passing” is part of the 50 States Project and can be read on ballyhoostories.com.

Felicia Sullivan: Felicia C. Sullivan is a New York–based writer with an MFA from Columbia University. Her work has been published in Swink, Post Road, Mississippi Review, Pindeldyboz, Publisher’s Weekly, the anthology, Homewrecker—An Atlas of Illicit Loves (Soft Skull Press, 2005), among other publications. Work is forthcoming in the anthology, Money Changes Everything (Doubleday, January 2007). Recently, an excerpt from her memoir was a notable essay in The Best American Essays 2006 collection. Algonquin Books will publish her memoir, The Sky Isn’t Visible From Here, in August 2007. She is the founder of the literary journal, Small Spiral Notebook. Felicia’s story “The First Abandon” can be found in Issue 3: “Crossroads & Weigh Stations.”

The readers for February 21:

Come out and enjoy a night of contemporary fiction with a cup of organic, free trade coffee or tea. Think Coffee, 248 Mercer Street (between 3rd and 4th Streets). FREE

ANNOUCEMENT: Comics Editor Joel Priddy in Best American Comics 2006

2007-01-13T10:20:00.000-08:00

We'd like to congratulate Joel Priddy, Comics Editor, on the inclusion of "The Amazing Life of Onion Jack" in Best American Comics 2006. The 2006 edition is guest edited by Harvey Pekar and is the first in the newest series from Best American. The book is a great read from start to finish and an excellent way for those new to comics to get an idea of the scope of the form. Joel's piece is a definite highlight and we encourage you all to go out and buy it as soon as possible. We also think you should subscribe to Ballyhoo Stories so you can read six great comics in our upcoming "Sin and Redemption" issue.

SUBMISSIONS: Particles and Galaxies

2007-01-13T00:00:00.000-08:00

Ballyhoo Stories is looking for submissions for our 2008 issue "Particles and Galaxies." We are looking for both literal and imaginative interpretations on the theme. Stories do not have to be based in the sciences, although we are happy to read fiction and creative nonfiction that is rooted in the sciences. Those wishing to submit sci-fi please be warned that it should go beyond the usual confines of the genre. Those interested in submitting comics please see our guidelines and query Joel Priddy, Comics Editor, at comics at ballyhoostories dot com

Our full submissions guidelines are available at here. Sample issues and subscriptions can be purchased at our store. Those in the New York who are interested in submitting either prose or comics can get a good idea of what we look for by attending the event at Think Coffee on February 1st and February 21st.

EVENT: Two Nights Of Ballyhoo at Think

2007-01-04T16:54:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!

Ballyhoo Stories will be curating two nights at Think Coffee in New York City on February 7 and February 21 from 8 to 10 pm. We'll be showcasing authors from our first three issues, our upcoming "Sin and Redemption" issue, as well as our 50 States Project. We'll also be presenting some of the comics that will be printed in "Sin and Redemption" It should be a reading unlike any other, so mark your calendars. We'll be posting the full schedule on this blog as soon as it is finalized.

2007 promises to be an exciting year for Ballyhoo so be sure to check back frequently.