Authors Talk: Steven Faulkner

Steven FaulknerToday we are pleased to feature author Steven Faulkner as our Authors Talk series contributor. Steven’s podcast is a unique treat: he has recorded his nonfiction piece from Issue 14 with guitar accompaniment. Steven’s voice blends with the lull of the guitar to create a truly moving work of art. His essay reflects on the life of his youngest child, Alex, as he grows up. Steven begins by describing Alex’s birth and ends when Alex “is 22 years old” and “[h]is father and mother have little influence,” with many anecdotes to fill the time in between.

Steven Faulkner is the author and reader. John Hogge is the guitarist, and John Holloway is the audio engineer.

As you listen to Steven’s essay, “Photo Album on a Westbound Train,” you can also read along in Issue 14 of Superstition Review.

SR Pod/Vod Series: W. Todd Kaneko

W. Todd KanekoEach Tuesday we feature audio or video of an SR Contributor reading their work. Today we’re proud to feature a podcast by W. Todd Kaneko.

W. Todd Kaneko lives and writes in Grand Rapids, Michigan where he teaches at Grand Valley State University. His stories and poems are forthcoming or have recently appeared in Puerto Del Sol, Portland Review, Fairy Tale Review, The Southeast Review, Blackbird, The Huffington Post, and elsewhere.

You can listen to the podcast on our iTunes Channel.

You can read along with his poem in Issue 6 of Superstition Review.

 

Meet The Interns: Brandy Winchester

Brandy Winchester is a senior at Arizona State University. She plans on graduating in May of 2012 with a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology with a focus on culture. After her graduation she would like to attend a law school in Arizona. Her long term career goals consist of graduating from law school to then go on to practicing in family law; specializing in divorce cases. This is her second semester interning for Superstition Review.

1. What is your position with Superstition Review and what are your responsibilities?

This semester my position is Art Editor which consists of finding and reviewing artists for our upcoming issue 7. After the review process I will be responsible for viewing and rating the art submissions and staying in contact with the artists.

2. Why did you decide to get involved with Superstition Review?

I decided to get involved with Superstition Review last semester as a way of exposing myself to the art of publication. After last semester I grew very fond of the program and decided to return for another issue.

3. How do you like to spend your free time?

I enjoy spending my free time outside as much as possible. I like to hike and experience new places. I’m a dreamer and can easily spend an entire “free” day planning new trips and adventures to conquer.

4. What other position(s) for Superstition Review would you like to try out?

If I were to intern with Superstition Review for a third semester I would like to try out the submissions coordinator position because I think it would be a challenge and in the end I would walk away with a lot of good experience.

5. Describe one of your favorite literary works.

My favorite literary work is Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison. This piece is my favorite because it is a touching story that takes the reader through a trip “to the other side.” The issues presented in the book are raw but also life altering. It is a book for every reader.

6. What are you currently reading?

I am currently reading Mama Might Be Better Off Dead By Laurie Kaye. This novel addresses the health care issues that the United States has by putting it into perspective through an African-American family.

7. Creatively, what are you currently working on?

I am currently working on learning how to play the guitar. I had formal guitar lessons as a child but I never followed through with it. A few days ago I went and purchased a cheap guitar with the intent to pick it back up and this time actually follow through with it.

8. What inspires you?

People inspire me. I have always been a people watcher. I enjoy sitting and observing others. This is what inspires me to write because I strive to capture my visions.

9. What are you most proud of?

I am most proud of myself. I shock myself on a regular basis with the new things I try and that I accomplish. I try to never stop dreaming, and with that I plan to never stop doing.

10. Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

In 10 years I see myself with a B.A. in English Literature, a B.A. in Anthropology, and a J.D. in law. I will be practicing family law, specializing in divorce cases. And I hope that I am still living life to the fullest every day!

Meet The Interns: Jason Wright

Jason Wright is an ASU senior majoring in Creative Writing with a focus on Poetry, and an Arizona native. He has studied under such poets as Sally Ball and Norman Dubie, and is currently examining the effects of poetic form under the guidance of Terry Hummer. Having grown up around computers, he is also very tech and internet savvy, and currently boasts a day-job doing web design and development for a small business in Glendale, AZ.

Superstition Review: What is your position with Superstition Review and what are your responsibilities?

Jason Wright: I am a Poetry Editor and I am responsible for working with my co-editor to solicit poets for publication with the magazine this issue, in addition to researching their work and negotiating with said poets. I will also be responsible for voting for my favorite works to be published within the magazine.

SR: Why did you decide to get involved with Superstition Review?

JW: I decided to get involved with the magazine because I wanted to have a taste of editorship within a magazine–both for experience, and to see if it is something I may be interested in.

SR: Besides interning for Superstition Review, how do you spend your time?

JW: Besides interning for SR, I spend my time teaching myself various web development techniques, studying poetry, writing poetry, writing music, playing guitar, and working for a small business.

SR: What other position(s) for Superstition Review would you like to try out?

JW: I would be willing to try out the photoshop editor and the web design position in upcoming issues.

SR: Describe one of your favorite literary works.

JW: One of my favorite literary works is The Illiad, because I think Homer does a fantastic job weaving the depiction of battle into his epic poetry.

SR: What are you currently reading?

JW: I am currently reading Anthony Burgess’ A Clockwork Orange and Charlaine Harris’ Definitely Dead.

SR: Creatively, what are you currently working on?

JW: Creatively, I’m working on building, from scratch, a linux-based media storage server for my apartment, and am also working on building a story for a contemporary-styled epic poem about Greece’s birth.

SR: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

JW: In 10 years, I will hopefully have written a few books of poetry, will have a steady job involving web development, will have learned Java and will be able to write applications for Android phones, and will have written, produced and released at least one album of music. Or, at the very least, two of these things.