I will call them 10 Hump Day Hangouts:

1. Flash Fiction Chronicles editor Michelle Reale interviews me for “The Slant”:

http://www.everydayfiction.com/flashfictionblog/the-slant-interview-with-robert-vaughan/

2. Poet Cyrus Cassells chats about life, creativity and his forthcoming collection:

http://www.knockoutlit.org/interviews.htm

3. Anna March gets down every Wednesday at The Rumpus with her Aural Fixations: Aural Fixations, The Rumpus Mixtape #9: Chilly Scenes Of Winter – The Rumpus.net

4. My first review from Omega poet/writer Michael Gillian Maxwell’s Your Own Backyard – Writing-Visual Art-Social Commentary

http://michaelgillanmaxwell.com/2012/01/24/new-book-to-recommend-flash-fiction-fridays/

Also, here is the direct link to order Flash Fiction Fridays…

http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/flash-fiction-fridays/18854615

5. Susan Tepper’s Monday chat at Fictionaut with J. Mykell Collinz:

http://blog.fictionaut.com/2012/01/23/monday-chat-with-j-mykell-collinz/

6. Jon Gingerich, editor of O’Dwyer’s Magazine in New York, explains the SOPA debate:

http://www.thenervousbreakdown.com/jgingerich/2012/01/all-quiet-on-the-western-front-media-reacts-to-sopa-debate-with-resounding-silence/

7. Amazing poet and friend, Bill Yarrow has a new book out! Get it now! Support your indie presses!

http ://www.blazevox.org/index.php/Shop/Poetry/pointed-sentences-by bill-yarrow-283/

8. Two magazines that are current MUST READS!!! You simply have to! Fwriction Review Year One Anthology:  http://issuu.com/fwrictionreview/docs/fwr-_year_one

And, Heavy Feather Review’s first issue: http://www.amazon.com/Heavy-Feather-Review-1-1-ebook/dp/B006XF5D1W

9.  Flavorwire Lists Top 10 Online Lit Mags:

http://flavorwire.com/130307/10-online-lit-mags-you-should-be-reading

1)   Moon Milk Review

2)   BLIP

3)   PANK

4)   Kill Author

5)   Bartelby Snopes

6)   McSweeny’s

7)   The Exquisite Corpse

8)   decomP

9)   Twelve Stories

10) anderbo.com

Still hungry? Try these websites too…

Shortlist Press

Failbetter

Annalemma

Opium Magazine

The Collagist

Triple Canopy

10.   Top Five Story Hits from 2011 at In Between Altered States, edited by Aleathia Drehmer: http://inbetweenalteredstates.wordpress.com/. Shocked to see TWO of mine on the list! Thanks, Aleathia!

1. Underfoot-Sherri Collins

2. Say Yes- Robert Vaughan *****

3. Leyla’s Dream- Defne Cizakca

4. Blue Sky Ahead- Robert Vaughan *****

5. Congratualtions You Won- Jay Coral

Thanks for all of you who shared your first impressions of the Flash Fiction Fridays book. It means the world to me.

I’ll end with this photo:

The three anthologies in which my work is included: (From left to right) Flash Fiction Fridays, edited by me: Stripped, An Anonymous Anthology, edited by Nicole Monaghan, and Exquisite Quartet 2011, edited by Meg Tuite.

It’s been a while since I last blogged, and I’ve been really busy. It seems like collaboration has been a key focus lately. So, with that in mind, here are some writing projects that I’ve been focused on.

You might already know that during 2011, I had the honor of co-hosting a monthly radio program called Flash Fiction Fridays with Stephanie Lecci. You can listen to our December 2011 show: WUWM: Lake Effect – Flash Fiction Friday: Media

In fact, all of our shows are archived at the WUWM Lake Effect site. After we wrapped our December show, I was traveling abroad when I gave some serious thought to creating an anthology, devoted to these stories that decorated our show with such depth, and finesse. I wanted to create a book that would have all 34 stories that we’d aired. This would also be my first step into that wonderful world of publishing. And so, here it is:

Flash Fiction Fridays by Robert Vaughan in Literature & Fiction

Do me a favor and help spread the word, perhaps get copies for extended family and friends? That would be so appreciated. I do have two stories in Flash Fiction Fridays, the anthology.

I also have work here: exquisite-quartet-anthology. The Exquisite Quartet is a monthly collective story that Meg Tuite starts, then asks three other writers to add on. It publishes online at Used Furniture Review, and Meg has created a stunning book, with all 13 stories included.

And, I have an anonymous story here: Stripped: Nicole Monaghan, editor. This collection includes some of the best-known names in flash fiction, and the author identities are “stripped” from their stories- can you tell if a man or a woman wrote this or that story? The idea is so intriguing and I am having a blast reading these wonderful gems.

I also have a poem called “Reckless/Abandon” at  Heavy Feather Review. This has 292 pages of some amazing writing! Thanks editors, Nathan and Jason!

Here are some other places where you can read my latest work:

“The Upswing of Falling” is at a semi-permanent spot on the Metazen page! I am really, really grateful for this one- you can see it on the far right side, underneath their “search & hit enter” spot. Thanks, Christopher and Frank!!!

The poem, “My Bicycle” is up in the January issue of Yes, Poetry. Thanks editor, Joanna!

“Scales” is published at Untoward Magazine. Thanks, Matt!

“Implications” is up at red lightbulbs issue 6! Thanks, Russ and Meghan!

“An Occupy Trifecta” and so many other writer’s amazing poems are up this month at ConnotationPress. Thanks, editors Joani and Caitlin for this honor!

“Nine O Clock Tonight We Die,” a fiction noir piece, up at HOUSEFIRE. Thanks, Robert and Riley!

“Feast” was up at Mad Swirl, and also featured in The Best of Mad Swirl’s Poetry Forum : 01.21.12. Thanks, MH Clay!

And I have work forthcoming at The Lit Pub , an interview/exchange with writer, artist and soul-mate, Meg Tuite, who has just released a way cool chapbook: Disparate Pathos « Monkey Puzzle Press! Watch her: she’s on the move!

Also, two of my stories in multi-talented Jennifer Tomaloff’s project IN THOSE DAYS WE. Also check out her newly released Volume III « bending light into verse.

And forthcoming work at Art Faccia, Lost in Thought, Elimae, Blue Fifth Review, Santa Fe Literary Review, Short Fast & Deadly, and NAP.

Meanwhile, roundtables have started up, heading into our 6th year at Redbird- Redoak Studio. RB-RO Writers to Read at Marathon « RedBird-RedOak Writing. I will be there with so many other talented poets, please come and help support this great local Milwaukee gem!

And did you register for AWP- 2012 Conference yet? I can’t wait, it’s going to be a blast. Readings, parties, meetings, speakers…and more, more, more.

Okay, that’s all for now! Stay warm, keep creating, and spread the love.

The day before I traveled to New York, I had my Friday Roundtable Critique Group at RedBird-RedOak Writing, then jammed out to Avol’s Bookstore in Madison to hear the Fiction/Poetry Contest Reading at the 2011 Wisconsin Book Festival. Hosted by Jason A. Smith, the evening was a blast. Also, I have the honor of being the fiction judge for the 2012 Wisconsin People & Ideas Writing Contests.

Upon arriving home that evening, I discovered that the perfect book had arrived for my morning departure for New York: The Journals of Spalding Gray. I had pre-ordered this book and interpreted it’s timely arrival as a serendipitous sign.

The first weekend I was on Long Island, at my second home in Garden City. My pal David and I took in Jones Beach, the jewels of the north shore like Sunken Meadow State Park with views from Stamford to New Haven across the Long Island Sound, Huntington’s Book Revue, Cold Spring Harbor. We ate a fantastic meal at SriPraPhai Thai Restaurant. Visited the Patchogue Arts Biennial and were both astounded by the quality of artists represented from Manhattan to The Hamptons.

I had two days in Manhattan to ground myself, prepare for the big event at 2A. Hosted by svelte Christine Vines, this monthly event, Fiction Addition, had a theme: Hauntings and Horror Stories. Needless to say, I was more than a little daunted. The other readers were Jamie E. Reich, Alison Espach, and Darin Strauss. I had dinner prior with my best pal, Andrea at 7A Cafe, an old standard which has been there since our East Village stompin days when we’d hang at places like King Tut’s Wah-Wah Hut or Pyramid Club. The reading itself was great. Jamie opened, her story was wonderful, about the imagined passing of a loved one. I read next, four short bits, each of them published already:

Moving to Los Angeles – Pure Slush

THE DAY MY LIFE CHANGED « Danse Macabre du Jour

Cadaver Chris at Girls with Insurance (site is under maintenance)

Borrowed Children at HOUSEFIRE | Robert Vaughan

Alison read from her hilarious, inventive novel, The Adults. Get it, NOW!

Darin read a great short story, and I highly recommend Half a Life: A Memoir.

The next day, I had lunch with an old Rochester friend, Valentin Ortolaza Jr.. It is so amazing to look across a wonderful meal at someone you’ve known longer at this point in our lives than how old we were when we met. What an honest and reliable friend Val is. And our lunch at Little Basil was fantastic.

Wednesday evening was the reading at legendary KGB Bar. I used to attend readings here when I lived in same neighborhood in the 1990s. FIZZ, hosted by incredible Susan Tepper is a literary Fictionaut event. The stellar readers for this evening were Meg Tuite, Danny Goodman, Christine Vines (her first reading ever!), and moi. I was more nervous for KGB Bar because I had invited everyone I knew, and some last minute waiters and drifters, too. When worlds collide, potentially great prospects occur. Needless to say, our audience was packed. Meg read two fantastic short pieces and an amazing excerpt from her novel, Domestic Apparition. Danny read a wonderful excerpt from his novella, Somehow There Was More Here. Christine Vines read a witty story about a self-professed genius that had us in stitches. And I read these four shorts:

The Cat’s Pajamas at http://www.connotationpress.com

In It to Win It

Bacon & Eggs, 1977 at elimae

Temporary at The Brooklyner Web and Literary

The remainder of my trip seemed like a blur. Went way too fast, and only slowed when a major snowstorm hit the metro area, the morning I was scheduled to depart. Not so fast, mother nature warns: Surprise snowfall hits Northeast. I spent a good portion of the day at the LaGuardia airport lounge, drowning travel sorrows in my Spaulding Gray novel and beer nuts. The snow added a layer of melancholy, making an already difficult departure even moreso.

Back to David’s in Garden City where I was to burrow for the next TWO DAYS. I am so fortunate to have “family” close by, willing to bail me out at last minute.

Lots has happened since I last blogged, way back in August! Here are the latest links where you can find my writing, and activities like Flash Fiction Friday:

Hydrogen is Number One at Tell me that old story again… « fiftytwo

And the Band Played On at Subliminal Interiors

Royal Flush at In Between Altered States

Laguna Love, So Many Clowns, So Little Time and Give Me Moor at Nailpolish Stories on 9/13.

Bacon & Eggs, 1977 at elimae

“Stone Wall” by Robert Vaughan → Fictionaut

“Bombs Keep Falling” by Robert Vaughan → Fictionaut

“Spin-the-bottle” by Robert Vaughan → Fictionaut

“Turkey Town” by Robert Vaughan → Fictionaut

“Wrestling with Genetics” by Robert Vaughan → Fictionaut

To commemorate the 9/11 anniversary, WUWM’s Lake Effect weekend program aired three poems of mine. You can hear me read them: WUWM: Lake Effect – Three Poems Inspired by Sept. 11th.

In addition, September and October’s Flash Fiction Friday programs are archived, in case you missed them: WUWM: Lake Effect – Flash Fiction Friday: Displacement. September’s show includes local writer, Michael Seidel and national writer, Joani Reese  whose piece, “The Lost Boys” is included in The Lost Children: A Charity Anthology.

WUWM: Lake Effect – Flash Fiction Friday: The Voyeur includes local author and friend, Maura Fitzgerald, and national revered author, ex-pat Christopher Allen who lives in Munich, Germany.

My last wish is that you check out our latest offering from Thunderclap! Magazine – Issue Seven by thunderclappress in Poetry!!! Boss Extra-ordinaire, Amanda Deo has done it again! And a great cover by our man, Ryan W. Bradley. This is a special music-inspired issue. Includes writers like Tepper, Tuite, Tomaloff, Tettleton and some others whose last names don’t start with T. Don’t wait, get one now!

I completed the Spaulding Gray novel. He’s one of my mentors.

And that, my friends, is a blog that took way too much time to write.

You see, I just spent a week at the very same place: Omega Institute! The workshop in which I participated, along with 92 other poets, yes, 92!!!:

A Celebration of Poetry with Billy Collins, Mark Doty, Marie Howe, and Patricia Smith

And here are a few things I learned, of the multitude of information, inspiration, and hope I consistently feel about this experience: Monday morning began with a room re-set. Marie Howe, who was our den mother, our morning star, our assimilator, and watchdog. Marie guided us, ever so wisely and gently to consider the negative, contradiction and surprises in poems. We also spoke about rapture, and read D. H. Lawrence’s “Song of a Man Who Has Come Through,” and John Berger, Rilke’s “Archaic Torso of Apollo,” and “A Green Crab’s Shell” by Mark Doty.

Tuesday arrived, rainy and dark. Patricia Smith was late, driving up from New York City in the rain, so Marie read several of her amazing poems, including The Boy, The Gate, After the Movie, Practicing and Sixth Grade. I was stunned, riveted, still am!

Patricia Smith – Wordwoman – Teacher, Poet, Writer, Performer extra-ordinaire, was a persona, writer to behold. She read a poem about her son, and another about her mother called “An All Purpose Product,” and a baking poem, memorized, about her father (I’ll never forget), and she spoke of writing as “process,” while she guided us, first in writing a limerick, and then through an exercise called PUSHING THROUGH THE WALL…this was one of the most terrifying, and difficult I have ever taken on in writing. They say poetry is about that which we cannot speak in words. Truly.

Tuesday afternoon, Marie led us through a non-dominant hand exercise, and a new way of accessing our work. That evening, I devoured her collection, What the Living Do, as thunder crashed outdoors. Her presence in the poems is, like the storm, electrically infused.

Mark Doty, one of my mentors, arrived Wednesday as the foul weather broke. His blue eyes acknowledged newness of work, as he read from a forthcoming collection, “Deep Lane.” He also read some poems from Fire to Fire like his “Theory of Marriage,” which I love. He spoke of the “Foray into the Unsayable!” Then encouraged us to create a list of word associations, and from this, craft a present tense poem, then when we’d completed a draft, to change the point of view in the poem (from first person to third, for example). Mark believes that poets quit too soon. Urged us to continue to walk around our material. We read a poem by Lynda Hull called “Shore Leave” that was an amazing example of musicality and diction, as well as polarities in writing. Lynda Hull

On Thursday morning, we had the honor of being lead by billy collins, poet celeb and gentle soul. We read Ruth L. Schwartz’s “Swan at Edgewater Park,” (a great poem about two topics simultaneously) and Michael Donaghy’s “The Break,” (a poem in which the author takes a simile and goes inside it). We spoke about the beginnings of poems and their importance to a reader, and also poems that have, in Billy’s words, a “visible game.” (an example, Robert Frost’s “The Woods”). We read poems by Richard Jones, Bukowski and George Bilgere. Billy says “The Flea” by John Donne was the first poem he was jealous of and wanted us to consider what poems made us jealous that we were not the ones who crafted them. We spoke about how poetry has to orient us first, then disorient- transport, as well as transform. Billy lead us through a stimulation exercise, in which we all created our own lists of “Twenty things I did yesterday” in random order. From my list:

I swam in Long Pond Lake (my blog header photo), skipped lunch, wanted to touch your face, had a conversation with Mark about breaking decorum in the Omega Cafe.

On Thursday afternoon, Marie Howe helped us all create a list of Political writers, as this topic had prefaced in questions. We spoke about how “political” has multiple meanings. Some of the writers mentioned were: Adrian Rich, Sharon Olds, Elizabeth Bishop, Lucille Clifton, Grace Paley, Martin Espade, CD Wright, Gary Snyder, Jack Hirschman, Ken Prufer, Carolyn Forche, Brenda Hillman, and Kamiko Hahn, and Eve Ensler.

We then chose a thread of a story/image that we personally carry in our heart. Throw one and then one more ball into the story: juggling! Let myself become enchanted!!!

The last exercise of the day was 5 line stanzas in which we did the same thing in small groups of four. Then we passed our notebooks and the person on our right continued the story. This was an exercise I was familiar with, having done something similar with our summer kids writing camps.

Thursday evening was a poetry reading in which James Navé, fellow writer and traveller, hosted. Allotted 4 minutes, I managed to fit in Bed, Cucumber and Miniature Golf (Blue Lotus Review), Cowboys & Indians at Clutching at Straws, and amphibi.us » Shades of Gray.

Friday morning arrived and everyone was exhausted! Marie read her latest poem, “Magdalene and the Seven Devils,” published in July/Aug American Poetry Review. We spoke of negation in poetry, it’s not this! We cannot know this…let the NOT be a pivot! We spoke of the investigative role, there are not any answers, no corrections, no erasing. The going is the poem, looking for the poem is the poem. We spoke about Rilke’s “The Annunciation” (from The Unknown Rilke, trans. by Franz Wright, one of Marie’s most important books). We spoke of the notion of delay, in poetry. We read Alan Dugan’s “Closing Time at the 2nd Avenue Deli.” (The last poem in his last book). About it’s refusal to be romantic, and the gorgeous syntax. The use of repetition in ‘Shall I? no! Shall I? No!’ “This” opens and closes the poem. We read W.S. Merwin’s “For The Anniversary of My Death.” Also Tony Hoagland’s “Disappointment.” and Jack Gilberg’s “Falling and Flying.”

Our last writing exercise, Marie suggested we begin a 14 line poem with I don’t know, It isn’t just that, Everyone forgets, or Shall I say this? No!  We then got into groups of four, and read them aloud to one another.

In the words of the illustrious Marie Howe: “Creativity is when I don’t know what I’m doing!”

Here is the work I’ve published since my last blog:

The Message from Ruben | The Whistling Fire

50 to 1: The Wife by Robert Vaughan

“Bacon and Eggs, 1977″ by Robert Vaughan → Fictionaut

Midwestern Gothic – A Literary Journal » Blog Archive » Contributor Spotlight: Robert Vaughan

HOUSEFIRE | Robert Vaughan | HOUSEFIRE

WUWM: Lake Effect – Flash Fiction Friday: Strangers with local author Mary Jo Thome and national author, Susan Tepper’s piece, “Tool.”

Temporary | | The Brooklyner Web and Literary You can also hear me read this story at their amazing site…thanks for listening!

Gratitude again, master teachers and poets: Howe, Smith, Doty and Collins. Oh what a lucky man I am.

Sort of like the internet in that way…

Here are some of the places you can read my latest published works:

“I was Don Ho’s Ho” is up at the other room. Thanks editor, Timothy Raymond.

“No Soul” by Robert Vaughan is up at Feature Mag, thanks editor Patrick Trotti.

WUWM: Lake Effect – Flash Fiction Friday: Celebrations aired in June with local authors Beth Huwiler and Nancy Bauer King and honoring the work of national author Sam Rasnake, sam of the ten thousand things.

10,000 Dollar Pyramid | Jeanette Cheezum’s cavalcadeofstars The lovely Jeanette showcases authors at her blog and my piece was there for the holiday week of July 4th. Thanks, Jeanette!

As most of you know, I am a fiction editor for two magazines and both have produced our latest issues:

Thunderclap! Magazine, Issue 6 Takes It’s Throne « Amanda Deo, editor in charge has done it again with a fantastic issue of fiction, poetry and art. Order now!

jmww.summer.2011 Jen Michalski, editor in chief has amassed a wonderful summer issue, including my review of Frank Hinton’s chapbook, I Don’t Respect Female Expression!

“Passers-by” is in Midwestern Gothic – ISSUE 2 (SUMMER 2011) ! Thanks editors Robert James Russell and Jeff Pfaller. This is a gorgeous new zine so order one and help support it!

Yes, Poetry » Volume 2, Issue 7: July 2011 has my “No More I Love You’s” included. Thanks editor, Joanne Valente!

Prayer, Protest, Peace | Flash Fiction Musings for The Literary Minded is up at Apocrypha & Abstractions. Thanks editor, Cheryl Anne Gardner!

And, you know how I adore the writing community at Fictionaut. Here are my latest:

“3 Short Shorts” by Robert Vaughan → Fictionaut

“Temporary” by Robert Vaughan → Fictionaut

“Whipped Cream” by Robert Vaughan → Fictionaut

And last, but not least, I have finally hit the pages of Metazen | with “That’s The Way The Ball Bounces.” As many of you know, head editor Frank Hinton is Canadian. (Hearty thanks, Frank!)  And so, that brings me full circle.

Thanks, everyone, for supporting my work. And happy reading!

It is an honor to see that my writing is included among two “best of” lists, one that I mentioned at Gay Degani’s fantastic site called Flash Fiction Chronicles 100 Story Links in Honor of Short Story Month 2011 (4). Compiled by writers who suggested links to their favorite stories of 2010, my story, “10,000 Dollar Pyramid” , included at #66, was recommended by great friend and talented writer Meg Tuite. Thanks Meg, Gay and folks at FFC for compiling such a wondrous list.

Then I was shocked, and elated to see the same story appear at Sam Rasnake’s blog on his list 10,000′s favorite short fictions & verse: a would-be/should-be anthology « sam of the ten thousand things. Wowsah, thanks, Sam, and what a great list!

Meanwhile, we taped and aired our May Flash Fiction Friday program at WUWM: Lake Effect – Flash Fiction Friday: Writing & Reassurance. This month’s line-up was stellar with Wisconsin writers, bl pawelek and, Jack Douthitt and national writer Julie Innis. Thanks to all the talent, and co-host Stephanie Lecci!

Other writing published since I last blogged:

Blue Sky Ahead by Robert Vaughan « In Between Altered States (thanks Aleathia!)

Simo Freeshow – Pure Slush (theme was queer, thanks editor Matt Potter!)

“No Soul” by Robert Vaughan → Fictionaut

fwriction : review (this is a collaboration of work called “Fictionaut Six” by editor Danny Goodman, including, Ana Verse, Len Kuntz (People You Know By Heart), Meg Pokrass, Sam Rasnake (sam of the ten thousand things), Susan Tepper and me. What an honor to have my work included in the great issue and zine. Thanks, Danny!

My micro-fiction “Rejection,” is up at 50 to 1. Thanks editor Paul!

And this just in: a new home page at 52|250 A Year of Flash!!! The project is morphing into Baker’s Dozen, more forthcoming from editor Michelle Elvy (Glow Worm), who also selected my story “Breath” to be included in her “Language and Place at the Edge” for Edition #6 of Language and Place Blog Carnival. Thanks, Michelle!

I have work forthcoming at Metazen, Housefire, Yes, Poetry, Connotation Press, Midwestern Gothic, Eunoia Review, MiCrow, among others.

This morning I am listening to Nicki Minaj…thanks to Char for turning me on to Nicki last week. Her song “Moment 4 Life” is infectious!

What are you listening to? Any favorites? What are you reading? Standouts?

Welcome to my world.

Life is moving in all directions at a pace that seems faster than the Datona 500, and I am not even sure how fast that is as I am not into race cars.

I just know that sometimes it feels like I can’t keep up. I don’t know where the exit sign is, or if there is an exit, for that matter.

Since I last blogged lots has happened. First of all, many of you know I live surrounded by old growth woods. We have a rich diversity of winged animals, and recently one of our largest and most magnificent, a red-tailed female hawk, perished. How did I know…one might not notice? She was lying directly beside our driveway one day. I stopped, got out of my car, was horrified and curious- no blood, not lying directly under any tree. Did she simply die of old age? Regardless, it haunted me throughout that weekend. That day, when I’d returned  home, I moved her position to an old oak tree stump, the very one from which I watched her devour many of her prey over the years.

Then, as life would have it, and later this cold and wet spring than ever before, the robins are building their nest in the lilac bush. And so, with a death comes creation, and soon, babies.

I had the good fortune of attending yet another kick-off of mentor and teacher Judy Bridges | Shut Up & Write!. She and her troup, Amy Lou Jenkins, Sara Rattan, and Maura Fitzgerald all read and entertained the troops at one of the finest gems of all bookstores in Milwaukee: Woodland Pattern Book Center. If you have never been to this sacred spot, what are you waiting for?

Then, last Saturday, I led the second “Flash in the Pan” workshop last for RedBird-RedOak Writing. We had 12 participants and the wrap-up from my exceptional boss, Kim Suhr is here: Flash a Blast! Thanks to everyone for their interest in this genre that continues to fascinate and intrigue me.

Here are the links to some new pieces:

Implications by Robert Vaughan | 52|250 A Year of Flash for week #51: unintended consequences.

Buried by Robert Vaughan | 52|250 A Year of Flash for week #52: threesome.

Also, thirtynine contains the third “quarter” collection from 52/250 and my piece, Elements of K, is included. This is an elegiac tribute to my mother, Kay.

This project, 52/250, was one of the most ambitious and gratifying projects that I was involved with for the 2010-2011 writing year. I am eternally grateful to Michelle Elvy, Walter Bjorkman and John Wentworth Chapin, friends and extra-ordinary writers indeed.

Two different writing experiences, both involve reflecting on my own writing. Gay Degani, Words in Place, asked me to ponder my flash piece in “On Writing “Recollection” and Flash Fiction. This was no easy task, to write more words about a micro-fiction than it contains itself! 229 Yet, I felt up for the challenge, and so, thanks to Gay at Flash Fiction Chronicles (and to Ana Carrete at New Wave Vomit for publishing “Recollection.”)

Speaking of Flash Fiction Chronicles, I was thrilled to see that they are amassing a list of 100 Story Links in Honor of Short Story Month 2011. Then, I was ecstatic to see my short piece, “10,000 Dollar Pyramid” added to the list (#66! Good omen!) Thanks to the editors and to dear pal, and writer fantastique, Meg Tuite. What would I do without you?

My poem, “Fragments” is up at Fictionaut, originally at phantom kangaroo. Thanks Claudia for creating my favorite new (haunting) poetry site.

Party Like an Animal, is up at HOUSEFIRE! Thanks Riley Michael Parker, cowboy killer.

And just today, Susan Tepper engages me in her Monday Chat with Robert Vaughan – Fictionaut Blog. Such fun!

So, see what I mean? Life is busy, busy, busy. I have work forthcoming in Connotation Press, Other Room Journal, Pure Slush, Eunoia Review, among several other journals.

And finally the sun is out. Pouring into my office. Aaahhh.

That makes me very happy.

Point is, it doesn’t matter. Life is far more stranger than fiction, exemplified this past week on a massive scale.

Some writing features since I last blogged:

We taped our April Flash Fiction Friday show at WUWM’s Lake Effect. This month, local writers Laurel Landis (“Carousel”) and Timmothy Merath (“Juggernaut”) read their flash pieces, and I had the privilege of reading Meg Tuite’s “Distracted.” We’ve had lots of great feedback and the show would not be possible without the efforts of my delightful co-host, Stephanie Lecci and the Lake Effect staff. WUWM: Lake Effect – Flash Fiction Friday: Choices in Gender   Listen for submission opportunities.

My piece, “The Outlaw” is included in the May elimae! This is one of my favorite online magazines, so it’s fantastic to be included among such talent. I re-posted the piece at Fictionaut. (It appeared originally at 52/250 in January). “The Outlaw” by Robert Vaughan → Fictionaut Thanks editor Brandon Hobson!

And speaking of 52/250, it’s hard to believe this incredibly  fun, generous, and gracious community will be writing it’s last segment this week, with the theme for the 52nd week: “Threesome.” For what’s to come with 52/250,  read What’s Next? | 52|250 A Year of Flash Thanks editors Michelle, John & Walter!

And my latest When He Calls by Robert Vaughan | 52|250 A Year of Flash

Cold Front by Robert Vaughan | 52|250 A Year of Flash

Matron by Robert Vaughan | 52|250 A Year of Flash

I have a collection of three micro-fiction at Blue Lotus Review. Thanks editor Amy Willoughby Burle.

“Liminal” is included in a great May line-up at Negative Suck. Thanks editor Jeffrey Callico .Wordprompt 5 – NEGATIVE SUCK

“Loneliness” is up at Magnolia’s Press. Thanks editor Will Clingan “Loneliness,” Robert Vaughan « MP

Happy One Year Anniversary to Russell at The Camel Saloon! Check out the great line-up of writers, including buddy Len Kuntz with his poem, “The Truth About Snow”: The Camel Saloon Thanks Russell, for all of your ongoing support.

I have work forthcoming at 52/250, “Nowhere in Sight” at Pure Slush (check out this site for the Queer theme all May). About – Pure Slush

Also a non-fiction article called “On Writing Recollection and Flash Fiction” is forthcoming at Flash Fiction Chronicles (thanks Gay Degani). Flash Fiction Chronicles I’ve work coming out at Frwiction, Used Furniture Review, Rufous City Review, Cavalcade of Stars, Thirty-Nine, The Scream, amphibi.us and more.

During the month of April, Thunderclap Press supported poets and Poetry Month by publishing a poem per day on our blog. Check it out! A chapbook is forthcoming, as well as discounts on Thunderclap 5! Get it NOW!  http://thunderclappress.com/

Please join us for our next Redbird-Redoak on the road! A Cafe Fixx Showcase in May 5th, more information here: RedBird-RedOak Writing

Also, I will be teaching FLASH IN THE PAN on May 14th. Register today, before its too late! “Flash in the Pan” with Robert Vaughan « RedBird-RedOak Writing

Happy trails my friends, until next installment!

There have been more than just a couple writing collaborations that I have been working on. Two of them are in the finishing stages. First, my great pal, Meg Tuite runs a column called Exquisite Quartet at Used Furniture Review. Here is last month’s story: Exquisite Quartet « Used Furniture Review. David Cotrone is the editor at UFR and he does an excellent job with content there. He accepted one of my short stories, “In it to Win It” which is forthcoming.

For the Quartet, Meg asks three writers to contribute to an ongoing story that she starts. I was originally asked to be the last one, 4th, and my heart sank. Endings are not my forte, at least not in my mind. Meg assured me, like a good captain; still, when it worked out that I was to be third, I was psyched. Our story is tentatively called “The One-Step Program” and will publish at UFR on Saturday. This was so much fun, and thanks for asking me, Meg.

Then, I had a micro-flash, “Recollection” published at New Wave Vomit, thanks editor Ana Carrete. 229 Her site is super-cool, fly, fast and furious! When I re-posted the story to my Facebook page, Gay Degani who is another supportive writer and friend, commented: ‘that’s no micro! There’s so much more to this.’ She asked me if I would be interested to write about how I came up with this piece for a collaborative site called Flash Fiction Chronicles. Flash Fiction Chronicles

Of course, I was nervous. I am a fiction writer, after all. I don’t write essays or memoir, let alone try to write about my own creative process. But here is my new mantra: anything that increases my heart rate thinking about it is probably something I want to write about. I did, and Gay was thrilled. She will publish it on May 9th at the website I listed above.

The other collaborations:

Nicole Monaghan (another writer friend) is creating a book that has to do with “authorial gender in flash fiction and all the implications of how a writer’s gender manifests itself, or doesn’t…” I was so jazzed when she asked me to submit because gender is one aspect of my writing which is fun to experiment with. I write equally from a male protagonist point-of-view as female. And so, I’ll see which pieces might be a good fit. Maybe some new material?

And, last but not least, there is a new project brewing called Eleven. My dear friend Helen Vitoria, a fabulous poet and writer, provided a link. I wrote to Holly Edwards, the originator of the project. Lots of talented writers have signed on: Jesse Bradley, Robert Kloss, Mel Bosworth and many more. I’ll let you know if I made the cut. Here is more information:

eleven: a free digital literary magazine by hollye — Kickstarter

And, there are more stories that I have had published since I last blogged:

“Loneliness” by Robert Vaughan → Fictionaut (originally at 52/250)

“Watching Them” by Robert Vaughan → Fictionaut (originally at 52/250)

Also, Thunderclap Press is hosting a poem a day for April being National Poetry month! So, here is my contribution, Dementia: Poem a Day/ April 9th, 2011 – Robert Vaughan « Thanks editor, Amanda Deo! Lots of other great poets have contributed also: Howie Good, Parker Tettleton, Eryk Wenziak and many more.

And, Wilderness House Literary Review has published their twenty first issue (Volume 6, no 1) and I have two flash fiction pieces in this magazine:

Betrayal http://www.whlreview.com/no-6.1/fiction/RobertVaughan.pdf and Planes, Trains and Automobiles: http://www.whlreview.com/no-6.1/fiction/RobertVaughan2.pdf Thanks heartily, editor and good buddy, Susan Tepper!

Thunderclap Press also published our Spring 2011 issue which has amazing writers, great fiction and poetry abounds! Here is the link to purchase, or e-book, or PDF free download. Thunderclap! Magazine Issue Five by thunderclappress in Poetry

We’ll be taping our April Flash Fiction Friday segment for WUWM’s Lake Effect this week. Thanks for your submissions, and please, keep them coming. Here is the submission manager: WUWM: Flash Fiction Friday.

I am a voracious reader, as many of you already know. And it is rare for me to read a book, especially memoir, that just stopped my heart. Made me cry more than once or twice. Left me devastated in only the best ways. The writing is superb! I am talking about The Chronology of Water by Lidia Yuknavitch. OMG, if you don’t run out and buy it immediately there is something wrong with you! How’s this for a hint: she’s in Chuck Palahniuk’s writing group. GO!

Amazon.com: The Chronology of Water: A Memoir (9780979018831): Lidia Yuknavitch, Chelsea Cain: Books

Yesterday it was 80 degrees out. Unheard of for this time of year. Any complaints? Not this boy! Windows were wide open, the house jumped 15 degrees. Birds are chirping, the first flowers are poking through in their fierce determination.

What are you noticing around you? Any collaboration going on in your lives? How is it affecting you?

Thanks for reading and I’ll be actively writing and posting in the meantime.

Lots has happened since I last blogged, nearly seven weeks ago. I’ve been writing like a mad person! This kind of binge feels great, it’s when I’m at the other end of the creative spectrum that I feel like I have no idea what I am doing as a writer. I’ve had some success with publishing, so here’s links where you can find some recent pieces of mine floating in cyberland:

Fictionaut (I love this community and the diversity, richness of work):

“Bed” by Robert Vaughan → Fictionaut

“Triptych: Glass, Miasma, Pernicious” by Robert Vaughan → Fictionaut

“My Father, Your Mother, Our Breakfast, The Ghost” at HOUSEFIRE:

HOUSEFIRE | NEW FICTION from Robert Vaughan

Housefire is a recent division of Metazen, and run by the zany editor Riley Michael Parker. Becoming involved with this writing collective prompted me to add yet another dimension to my ever-growing arsenal- TUMBLER: One Writer’s Life (I used the same name as my current writing blog) and the story up at my site is “The Passenger,” which was originally published at TrainWrite by Karen Eileen Sikola: TrainWrite

I am also now on Twitter…add me @rgvaughan. I have no idea what I’m doing there. (If you thought you were confused, imagine what it’s like trying to keep organized in my mind!) Ha…

I’ve been so fortunate to be a part of the 52/250: A Year of Flash community. The editors Michelle Elvy, Walter Bjorkman, and John Wentworth Chapin are fantastic. We have a weekly theme, and the pieces are all 250 words or less. Here are my latest:

Movie Night by Robert Vaughan | 52|250 A Year of Flash

Password Profile Users: God, Love, Lust, Money and Private by Robert Vaughan 52|250 A Year of Flash (this piece will also be published by Fwriction, edited by Danny Goodman in June)

The Capitalist by Robert Vaughan | 52|250 A Year of Flash

No More I Love You’s by Robert Vaughan | 52|250 A Year of Flash

The Avoidance by Robert Vaughan | 52|250 A Year of Flash

Moving to Los Angeles by Robert Vaughan | 52|250 A Year of Flash (this will also be published in April at Pure Slush, edited by Matt Potter)

Dew Drop Inn by Robert Vaughan | 52|250 A Year of Flash

New Pets by Robert Vaughan | 52|250 A Year of Flash

At 52/250, we are currently at week 46, the theme is “Another World.” If you like the work, enjoy the new stories, posted every Friday. And it’s never too late to submit…I joined exactly halfway into this fantastic project. I will also have a piece, “Elements of K” in the upcoming 52/250 quarterly: Thirty Nine.

My poem, “Tami Miami” is up at The Camel Saloon. Thanks Russell! The Camel Saloon: Tami Miami

“Rude” is up at 50 to 1, thanks new editor Paul Mullin! 50 to 1: Rude by Robert Vaughan

“Anything But Red,” is up at Orion headless, thanks editor Sara Comito! Anything but Red | Orion headless

Also, I reviewed Howie Good’s poetry book, Heart with a Dirty Windshield and the recent issue of Prick of the Spindle published it here: Prick of the Spindle: Reviews: Vaughan: Heart with a Dirty Windshield by Howie Good. Thanks to Cynthia Reeser, editor. This was a fun stretch, and I hope to review some other 2011 collections for Thunderclap and JMWW, the magazines that I help edit (they both published this review previously).

I have work forth-coming (accepted) in Blink-Ink, Used Furniture Review, Wilderness House Literary Review, Tryst, Negative Suck, The Other Room Journal and Rufous City Review.

I’ve been reading voraciously the past two months, and here are some note-worthy books:

xTx Normally Special- A fantastic collection of published work from Tiny Hardcore Press (Roxane Gay)! Just simply amazing work.

Alissa Nutting- Unclean Jobs for Women and Girls from Starcharone Books- wow! Get it immediately.

Timothy Gager- Treating a Sick Animal- as bizarre and kooky as it is wonderful.

Meg Pokrass- Damn Sure Right- no better flasher exists.

Mike Young- Look! Look! Feathers- exotic, wierd and right up my alley.

Judy Bridges- Shut Up & Write- the best book on writing bar none. Please join us this Sunday at Avol’s in Madison for the next installment of Judy and her traveling authors on the road! Judy Bridges | Shut Up & Write! | Redbird Studio | Writing Classes and Retreats | Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Be there or be square!

I recently watched the entire “Classics of American Literature,” a series produced by The Great Courses, taught by Arnold Weinstein, professor at Brown University. It was really incredible, brought back so many memories from high school and college, books that I relished (Red Badge of Courage), or had difficulty muddling through (As I Lay Dying). Classics of American Literature

Last, but most certainly not least, we are still producing the Flash Fiction Fridays on WUWM’s Lake Effect. Here are links to our January, February and March shows, a huge thanks to my co-host Stephanie Lecci:

WUWM: Lake Effect – Flash Fiction Friday Returns! (January, 2011)

WUWM: Lake Effect – Flash Fiction Friday: Families & Tension (February)

WUWM: Lake Effect – Flash Fiction Friday: Danger & Endings (March)

If you are writing stories of 500 words or less, please feel free to use our submission manager: WUWM: Flash Fiction Friday. All of the rules are listed there.

I’ve watched some episodes of the new NBC show, “Do You Know Who You Are?” It asks deep, probing questions as actors like Rosie O’Donnell or Steve Buscemi delve into their genetic ancestry. So…

Do you know who you are?

Do I?

A writing prompt perhaps! Enjoy.