Author Archives: R.T. Smith

About R.T. Smith

R. T. Smith has edited Shenandoah since 1995. His newest books are Sherburne: Stories and a collection of poems: The Red Wolf: A Dream of Flannery O’Connor.

All Things in Heaven and Earth

Posted on May 13, 2013 by R.T. Smith

by Sarah Kennedy The supernatural seems to have infected contemporary writing of all kinds.  Many readers were charmed by the notion of the kid-wizards of the Harry Potter books, and before that Anne Rice had tamed vampires to the point … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Spring Syllabus for The Western Novel, Page and Screen

Posted on April 17, 2013 by R.T. Smith

English 295/380. The Western Novel: On the Page and on the Screen   Spr 2013 4cr. MWTrF 1:25-3:25 Tues 1-6 R. T. Smith  rodsmith@wlu.edu  X8908  office hrs. 3:30-5:00 MWF Students in The Western Novel will read the following seven novels of … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Short Shorts, Flash Fiction, Sudden Fiction

Posted on April 12, 2013 by R.T. Smith

Flash, Flesh, Flush, Fish or Cut Bait? Reading my way through the 500+ entries to the Bevel Summers Short Short Story Contest, I’ve been coming to a better understanding of the elements, besides brevity (that “soul of wit”), I respond … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

BEVEL SUMMERS PRIZE CLOSED

Posted on April 1, 2013 by R.T. Smith

The deadline for the Bevel Summers Prize for the Short Short Story has passed.  Since the response was strong (over 500 stories), it will take some time to judge.  The winner will be announced in June.

Posted in Announcements | Leave a comment

The Zuckerberg Seances

Posted on March 24, 2013 by R.T. Smith

In March of 1848 the Foxx sisters of Hydesville, NY convinced their family and neighbors that they had succeeded in discoursing with the dead.  Although the girls later admitted it was all a hoax, they were able to persuade reasonable … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Concussive

Posted on February 6, 2013 by R.T. Smith

Two decades ago, when I was teaching a poetry writing workshop or two every semester, I usually spent a whole class focusing on compression and control, emphasizing how a meticulously designed small poem could, metaphorically, explode once its precise and … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

The New Boy Scouts of America

Posted on January 31, 2013 by R.T. Smith

I hated being a Boy Scout for no reasons related to their recent and applaudable decision not to exclude gay Scouts.  I hope they’ll also promise not to allow bullying or torturing the gay members once they’ve enlisted, and I … Continue reading →

Posted in Announcements, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Jake

Posted on December 18, 2012 by R.T. Smith

How often I’ve heard the phrase “with a heavy heart” as a place-keeper while someone seeks fresher words to express grief and the plea for comfort.  I usually flinch when I hear the phrase, yet right now its drumbeat seems … Continue reading →

Posted in Announcements | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

SHENANDOAH and Literary Community Mourn

Posted on December 17, 2012 by R.T. Smith

Shenandoah and the rest of the American literary community mourn the loss of Jake Adam York, who died Sunday after a massive stroke.  He was 40.  Jake had been a Contributing Editor to this magazine for over a decade and … Continue reading →

Posted in Announcements | Tagged , | 3 Comments

Prairie Schooner, Still One of the Brightest Lights Shining

Posted on October 31, 2012 by R.T. Smith

Call this an endorsement for another member of the publishing community.  I’ve been reading Prairie Schooner for about thirty-five (of their nearly 90) years of publication, and I still open each new issue eagerly, always ready to be instructed and … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment