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Category Archive: DEPARTMENTS

Excerpt: IN THE NOT QUITE DARK by Dana Johnson

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A glimpse into Dana Johnson’s acclaimed new collection of stories set in the heart of Los Angeles that explore love, class and race in intimate and daring ways.

AFLW September 29, 2016 DEPARTMENTS, Excerpt, Fiction, UNREAL

Fifty Shades of Free by Robin Rinaldi

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“Some people will backpack or scale mountains to remember who they really are. Some dive to the blackest ocean depths or don boxing gloves or parachute into thin air. I found a different way.”

AFLW October 13, 2016 DEPARTMENTS, Excerpt, Non-Fiction, REAL

THE BITCH IS BACK: Q&A With Cathi Hanauer

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THE BITCH IS BACK: OLDER, WISER, AND (GETTING) HAPPIER editor Cathi Hanauer shares an in-depth overview of the BITCH series, insights into powerful essays by 25 prominent women writers, and the joy and method of her rigorous editing process.

AFLW October 13, 2016 DEPARTMENTS, Excerpt, Non-Fiction, REAL

Excerpt: EVERY KIND OF WANTING by Gina Frangello

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An L.A. story in every sense of it, Gina Frangello’s latest, heralded novel also is a portrait of the modern family in America, examining assimilation, the legacy of secrets and the morality of desire, across ethnicities, nationalities and sexualities.

AFLW September 29, 2016 DEPARTMENTS, Excerpt, Fiction, UNREAL

Excerpt: NEW JERSEY ME by Rich Ferguson

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A window into Rich Ferguson’s visceral and poetic debut coming-of-age novel, NEW JERSEY ME, plus excerpts of the audiobook with music and a Q&A with the author about his inspirations and literary L.A.

AFLW September 29, 2016 DEPARTMENTS, Excerpt, Fiction, UNREAL

9/11: The Hole and the Heart by Solvej Schou

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Fifteen years later, we remember 9/11 with a poem written in 2001 in New York by L.A. journalist and musician Solvej Schou, reverberating with the grief, confusion and sadness she felt at the time of the tragedy.

AFLW September 11, 2016 DEPARTMENTS, Poetry

Letter From the Editors

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Welcome to “Life’s Rich Pageant,” a month-long celebration of dazzling, provocative, whimsical, bold and resonating stories. Come on!

AFLW July 14, 2016 DEPARTMENTS, Letter From the Editors, Life's Rich Pageant

There’s No Way to Arrange It by Lisa Mecham

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A selection of poems by Lisa Mecham deftly explores the haze of infidelity, deflections that bring us back to ourselves and the anguish of facing a partner’s mental illness.

AFLW July 14, 2016 DEPARTMENTS, Poetry

Excerpt: GRACE by Natashia Deón

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Read a haunting excerpt from GRACE, the debut novel by Natashia Deón universally hailed as a new, essential slave novel, and a revealing Q&A with the author on how her work delving into our country’s dark past relates to Black Lives Matter, sex and love.

AFLW July 14, 2016 DEPARTMENTS, Excerpt, Fiction, UNREAL

Excerpt: UNDER THE BIG BLACK SUN by John Doe

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In a pulsing excerpt and personal Q&A, John Doe, from X, recreates an unforgettable night at the Whisky a Go Go and reflects on his journey from the early days of punk L.A.

AFLW July 14, 2016 DEPARTMENTS, Excerpt, Non-Fiction, REAL

In Childhood, I Am Black by Ashaki M. Jackson

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A searing series of narrative prose poems by Ashaki M. Jackson offer observations from her childhood and document the painful commonness of devaluing Black lives.

AFLW July 14, 2016 DEPARTMENTS, Poetry

Excerpt: MUSTANG by Deanne Stillman

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An excerpt from Deanne Stillman’s epic MUSTANG, with excerpts from the just-released audio version, narrated by Anjelica Huston, John Densmore, Frances Fisher, Wendie Malick and Richard Portnow.

AFLW July 31, 2016 A/V, DEPARTMENTS, Excerpt, Non-Fiction, REAL, SIGHTS/SOUNDS

Excerpt: TOGETHER THROUGH LIFE by Chris Morris

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“Early one mornin’ the sun was shinin’ /
I was layin’ in bed /
Wonderin’ if she’d changed at all /
If her hair was still red.”

A first-look excerpt from Chris Morris’ candid memoir, “Together Through Life: A Personal Journey with the Music of Bob Dylan,” published on Dylan’s 75th birthday.

AFLW May 24, 2016 Excerpt, Non-Fiction, REAL

Excerpt: A Los Angeles Origin Story by a Man Who’s Been Pressed at Gunpoint to Guess by Andrew Dalton

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“Southern California was the perfect place for show business to sink its shallow roots in the era of silent film. Of course, at the time they weren’t actually known as ‘silent films,’ since there was no other kind of film. They were instead called ‘no-talkies.’”

AFLW July 28, 2016 Excerpt, Fiction, Humor, UNREAL

Excerpt: HARLEY AND ME by Bernadette Murphy

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After a traumatic adolescence and seeking shelter in a “safe” life that no longer fit, writer Bernadette Murphy found her way back to her true self through risk taking. In a riveting excerpt and Q&A, she describes crossing paths with her childhood idol character, The Fonz, in a surprising way.

AFLW July 14, 2016 DEPARTMENTS, Excerpt, Non-Fiction, REAL

The Barnett Hall Shuttle by Eileen Cronin

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The temptations against staying clean start the moment Dean gets a ride out of rehab.

AFLW July 31, 2016 DEPARTMENTS, Fiction, UNREAL

Excerpt: POSADA by Xochitl-Julisa Bermejo

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The art of Los Angeles isn’t just in our museums, it’s in our murals, our family’s artifacts and where we take cover, as Xochitl-Julisa Bermejo reveals.

AFLW July 14, 2016 DEPARTMENTS, Poetry

Jacaranda by Lauren Eggert-Crowe

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Lauren Eggert-Crowe disarms us, brings us closer, unveiling heartbreak and beauty.

AFLW July 14, 2016 DEPARTMENTS, Poetry

Excerpt: THE WILD OATS PROJECT by Robin Rinaldi

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Robin Rinaldi’s crafted, riveting and honest memoir, recently released in paperback, follows her self-ascribed, year-long open marriage project she felt compelled to undertake at the apex of midlife. The experience profoundly changed her, as a woman, writer and wife.

AFLW August 2, 2016 DEPARTMENTS, Excerpt, Non-Fiction, REAL

Excerpt: PLUS ONE by Christopher Noxon

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In his acclaimed debut novel just released in paperback, author Christopher Noxon depicts the flawed transition for an ad exec-turned-househusband to a Hollywood powerhouse wife, and the machinations of the L.A. lifestyle.

AFLW July 21, 2016 DEPARTMENTS, Excerpt, Fiction, UNREAL

Who We Say We Are by Marina Muhlfriedel

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Marina Muhlfriedel invites us to shed the past, if just a moment.

AFLW July 31, 2016 DEPARTMENTS, Poetry

A Balanced Diet by Nikki San Pedro

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The voices in Nikki San Pedro’s poems search for soothing in the chaos of L.A.

AFLW July 21, 2016 DEPARTMENTS, Poetry

Excerpt: TONIGHT, WE FUCK THE TRAILER PARK OUT OF EACH OTHER by C. Russell Price

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Three intense, crafted poems, on love for men and words, from C. Russell Price’s acclaimed new debut, TONIGHT, WE FUCK THE TRAILER PARK OUT OF EACH OTHER.

AFLW July 31, 2016 DEPARTMENTS, Excerpt, Poetry

Excerpt: DOWN THE DARKEST STREET by Alex Segura

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L.A. noir-inspired drama hits Miami streets in Alex Segura’s mystery series. A peek into the world of a down-and-out journalist turned accidental PI, and a Q&A with the author, ARCHIE MEETS RAMONES comics creator by day, crime writer by night.

AFLW July 14, 2016 DEPARTMENTS, Excerpt, Fiction, UNREAL

Excerpt: HIGH IN THE STREETS by Matthew Binder

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In his brazen debut novel, Matthew Binder evokes the romance and revulsion of the image of the debaucherous, celebrated author, grasping to make life work off page.

AFLW July 21, 2016 DEPARTMENTS, Excerpt, Fiction, UNREAL

Just Couldn’t Build Your White Picket Fences by Andrea Lambert

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“As the Magic 8 Ball says:
‘All signs point to yes’
That you stole my Klonopin
I’m talking evidence not voodoo.”

AFLW July 29, 2016 DEPARTMENTS, Non-Fiction, REAL

A Stupid Letter to My So-Called Fans by Warren Keith

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“When I pictured New York, I must have envisioned something like Wilshire and Fairfax, only with more people walking around, a shootout in progress and some meatball saying ‘fuggedaboutit’ while my wallet was nicked.”

AFLW July 28, 2016 DEPARTMENTS, Fiction, UNREAL

Untethered Starlings in the L.A. Apocalypse by Karen An-hwei Lee

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Karen An-hwei Lee shows us the angels that fly and float through our city. Her assured writing trusts us with the complexities of racism in the judicial system and shows us how far we’ve come and how far we’ll go.

AFLW July 14, 2016 DEPARTMENTS, Poetry

A Dawn of Dry Cereal by Richard King Perkins II

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Poetry by Richard King Perkins II evokes the hardship of poverty, the beauty of pleasure and the emptiness of a couple out of sync.

AFLW July 28, 2016 DEPARTMENTS, Poetry

Un-Named by Lydia K. Valentine

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Lydia K. Valentine’s pantoum takes us to the spaces between the spaces.

AFLW July 28, 2016 DEPARTMENTS, Poetry

Flight Delay by Dallas Woodburn

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“Now here she stood, on a balcony overlooking Adams Boulevard at a party on a warm Thursday night in June. If her flight hadn’t been delayed she would already be halfway around the world.” LAX to India.

AFLW July 28, 2016 DEPARTMENTS, Fiction, UNREAL

Flying by Edward Ahern

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Ed Ahearn on a child’s wish to fly, and a man’s knowledge of being tethered to earth, for now.

AFLW July 31, 2016 DEPARTMENTS, Poetry

Confiscated Hearts by Rachel Toles

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Rachel Toles’ poetry reaches beyond obligations of intimacy.

AFLW July 31, 2016 DEPARTMENTS, Poetry

Arrival Stories by Mike Sonksen

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Mike Sonksen, aka Mike the Poet, tunes into the heartbeat and history of Los Angeles.

AFLW July 14, 2016 DEPARTMENTS, Poetry

Anniversary by Siobhan Phillips

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“Sometimes you don’t have the touch.
Now the best tenderness is whatever you try
when it’s not enough to say how could you have known.”

AFLW July 31, 2016 DEPARTMENTS, Poetry

Searchlight by Ruth Nolan

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Ruth Nolan shows us the layers of our lives and our loves in a roadtrip across the ocean of the desert.

AFLW July 28, 2016 DEPARTMENTS, Poetry

Manual Arts High School Blues by Andy Lara

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The prose poetry of Andy Lara captures the sights and sounds of the City of Angels, from the buoyant energy of schoolkids to the shuffle of homeless street scavengers.

AFLW July 28, 2016 DEPARTMENTS, Poetry

What Contains Us by Joanna Brown

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“When some air’s displaced, other air rushes in. Does one soul’s absence make room for another?”

AFLW July 31, 2016 DEPARTMENTS, Poetry

Excerpt: GIRLS OF THE MOON by Constanze Frei

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“‘Stanzi. You should know who you are,’ he said.

I shook my head, though he was right. But who was I? I held out my hands and pleaded with my eyes.”

AFLW July 31, 2016 DEPARTMENTS, Excerpt, Non-Fiction, REAL

3 AM, the Night of the Cast Party, and I Wonder Where You Are by Brad Rose

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Brad Rose shows us to the dark of night and dark of soul in the corners and outskirts of our city. His audio recordings of his readings lend a gritty, raw intimacy to his words.

AFLW July 21, 2016 A/V, DEPARTMENTS, Poetry, SIGHTS/SOUNDS

Reclaiming Los Angeles by Joyce Hayden

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“Dearest L.A., with your light and your wings, shadow-love of my life. I’ll always be back, Los Angeles. Because now I know: ‘You like me, you really like me!'”

AFLW July 21, 2016 DEPARTMENTS, Non-Fiction, REAL

The East Coast–West Coast Conundrum by Sarah duRivage-Jacobs

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“Someday, I’ll return to the land of hiking and green juice, but until then it will remain the ex-lover I left because of bad timing.”

AFLW July 21, 2016 DEPARTMENTS, Letter to L.A., Non-Fiction, REAL

The Extraordinary Ordinary Death by Rebecca Chamaa

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“I would like to light a lantern and watch it float off into the night sky — leading the spirits safely to their homes. I would like to see the ceremonial dance.”

AFLW July 22, 2016 DEPARTMENTS, Non-Fiction, REAL

Fish Tank, Migraine, Lipstick by Lillian Ann Slugocki

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“I get impatient for the pill to kick in, because this bitch is growing, it’s blossoming. Xanax is next. Two hours later, I pop another. It’s time for ER. And not the one on TV. My brain is about to explode.”

AFLW July 14, 2016 DEPARTMENTS, Non-Fiction, REAL

Summer by Alexis Donkin

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“Cells beget cells
extending into light
drinking photons with the rest
as sugars accumulate
at the ends of buds
ideas rolling into acts
full fruition”

AFLW June 20, 2016 DEPARTMENTS, Poetry

black-eyed susan by Eleanor Stanton

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“I’m a hot flash, molten gold
drawing your eye up
from poor and rocky soil
to my perky chocolate brown cones

call me gloriosa daisy
but don’t compare me to
that pale cousin of mine
prey of ambivalent lovers”

AFLW April 11, 2016 Poetry

Summer Solstice by Sherilyn Lee

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“The full moon will slip off my shoes.
The longest day of the year will give way.
You nuzzle my nape under luminescence.
You ran your finger along my forehead,
tucked my bangs behind my ear.
Gravity is a force that draws two bodies.
The axis is about to shift.”

AFLW June 20, 2016 DEPARTMENTS, Poetry

The Personal Assistant Speaks by Sherilyn Lee

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“Los Angeles doesn’t demand your love.
If you don’t understand her, she’ll bow her
head, say ‘Namaste,’ and she’ll rise above.
Not everyone gets her, she’s not bitter.”

AFLW June 17, 2016 DEPARTMENTS, Poetry

For Angels on Motorbikes by Marina Muhlfriedel

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“Couple of mothers, aren’t we?
Just look at us,
still breathing strong,
when we swore there wasn’t a chance.”

AFLW March 27, 2016 Poetry

Excerpt: HOLLYWOOD NOTEBOOK by Wendy C. Ortiz

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Author Wendy C. Ortiz gives a visceral exploration of love, loss and transformation in the hills and streets of L.A. in an excerpt of “Hollywood Notebook,” a memoir of her 20s and 30s coming-of-age in Los Angeles.

AFLW February 14, 2016 DEPARTMENTS, Excerpt, ISSUES, love/hate, Non-Fiction, REAL

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