Kevin Clouther was born in Boston and grew up on Cape Cod and in South Florida. He holds degrees from the University of Virginia and Iowa Writers' Workshop, where he completed his thesis under Marilynne Robinson and won the Richard Yates Fiction Award for best short story. He has worked at The Iowa Review, Meridian and The Virginia Literary Review, where he served as Fiction Editor. He teaches creative writing at Stony Brook University, where he coordinates the Program in Writing Reading Series, and John Hopkins. He has previously taught at Bridgewater College in Virginia, the University of Michigan–Dearborn, and the Iowa Writers' Workshop. He lives in Floral Park, New York with his wife and son.
"Kevin Clouther’s collection of short stories is further evidence
that some of the most interesting literary fiction is coming out of
small presses like Black Balloon Publishing."—BookRiot, Included in
"The Great 2014 Short Fiction Round–Up" by David Abrams
“Clouther’s first collection of stories shows an 'old'
talent—meaning, his sophistication in treatment and technique and
his wise observations of the human condition have the feel of an
author who has the experience of several story collections behind
him.”—Booklist, starred
"Sharply observed."—Toronto Star
"Kevin Clouther's collection of short stories is further evidence
that some of the most interesting literary fiction is coming out of
small presses like Black Balloon Publishing. . .I can confidently
report that this is writing that's unmistakably alive and feral.. .
.Dare I say that I hear Raymond Carver and Ernest Hemingway echoing
in my head?"—David Abrams, The Quivering Pen
"The 10 entries in Clouther’s debut collection all display a
sure–handed grasp of craft. The first and last stories are the
best. In the former, the title story, deft and subtle shifts of
perspective among a group of young women lead to a well–earned
concluding insight. Better still is the emotionally complex final
selection, “Puritan Hotel, Barnstable,” about two brothers, Michael
and Connor, dealing with Connor’s cancer treatment."—Publishers
Weekly
"Kevin Clouther's collection of wry, funny, big–hearted stories is
utterly satisfying and unexpected, like scratching an itch you
didn't know you had."—Rebecca Johns
“Kevin Clouther’s remarkable collection illustrates, page by page,
the unique joys of reading short fiction. By turns subversive and
poignant, darkly humorous and deeply moving, these ten stories show
us the author’s expansive range and the heart that drives his
imagination. Clouther’s beautifully rendered characters will stay
with you long after you’ve finished the book—you’ll see them on the
street, in the office, in your mirror. “—Bret Anthony Johnston
“[These] stories develop an intimate voice and the reader can feel
characters’ hopes and despair. The title story is a particular
standout. A group of airplane passengers are stuck on a layover;
the story is told from their collective perspective ("For no good
reason, we were flying to Chicago," it begins). The first–person
plural point of view is inviting and fresh.”—Kirkus
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