Today marks a year since Cut Through the Bone’s release. The book and I have had quite the year. Cut Through the Bone has sold over 1,000 print copies in 10 countries; was longlisted by The Story Prize along with collections by Robin Black, Amelia Gray, Belle Boggs, Nadine Gordimer, Ron Rash, Justin Taylor, Joyce Carol Oates, and more.

I’ve read from Cut Through the Bone at over twenty readings including trips within California and to Seattle, New York, and Ireland. Thanks to this book, I was invited to read at the 2011 Cork International Short Story Festival, at which I shared the stage with many incredible writers and people, including Órfhlaith Foyle, Siobhan Fallon, Mary Costello, Suzanne Rivecca, Alexander MacLeod, Colm Tóibín and Edna O’Brien — the festival was a thrill, honor and the highlight of my year.

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Greetings, readers of Dark Sky, followers with heads in stormy clouds. Our authors are up to good things and this here blog gives us the opportunity to tell you all about them.

1) Ethel Rohan, author of Cut Through the Bone (December, 2011), has a busy weekend in New York City.

* Brooklyn Reading, at Unnameable Books (600 Vanderbilt Ave, between Dean St & St. Marks Ave.)

When: Saturday, October 15, 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Also featuring Kathy Fish and Greg Gerke

* Sunday Salon Reading, at Jimmy’s No. 43

When: Sunday, October 16, 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Also featuring Kathy Fish, Heather Fowler, and Jen Michalski

2) Ryan Ridge, author of Hunters & Gamblers (July, 2011), has some appearances coming up:

Author Series at the University of California Irvine Bookstore.

When: Wednesday, October 19, 5:00 pm

How much: Not a cent. Open to the public.

Also featuring UCI lecturer and poet, Collier Nogues, author of On the Other Side, Blue

Stay tuned for more Ryan Ridge upcoming for the month of November.

I can see a braid in that place we see without eyes. The braid is made up of strands that are the writers of the 12th Annual Cork International Short Story Festival. The braid is enormous and endless. Pulsates with light. Terrifying if it wasn’t so beautiful. This braid can tease and caress and choke. Can hold down, raise up, and hurl any which way. It can sail through air, the jumprope, and bite deep, the whip. Braid can work its way inside you. Fill you up till you’re squirming, gulping, enraptured. Till you’ll never be the same. Braid is velvet. Is barbed wire. Is brave. Braid is a weave of mystery and genius.

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Dark Sky Books is proud to announce that Ethel Rohan’s CUT THROUGH THE BONE has been selected for the Story Prize’s Long List. As you can see below, Ethel keeps fine company. Congratulations to all included and to the three finalists:

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If you’re in the Bay area and also keen to literary persuasion, be sure to check out Ethel Rohan’s reading at Green Apple Books tomorrow night. The shenanigans start at 7 pm. For more information, visit the Green Apple Books Web site. Good luck, Ethel!