Darrin Doyle's Blog

Superstition Review!

darrindoyle — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 19:38:39 +0000

The new issue of Superstition Review has just launched, and I’m pleased that they wanted to include an interview with me in their issue. Their editor Christina Arregoces asked me some really interesting, perceptive questions about stylistic choices in my stories and things of that nature. I hope you will check it out, as well as checking out the rest of the stories, poems, nonfiction, art and interviews in this fantastic journal.

You can find the latest issue of Superstition Review HERE.

You can go directly to my interview HERE.

How did I become a writer?

darrindoyle — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 04:51:26 +0000

If you’ve been dying to know the answer to this question (as I have), then please read this interview with yours truly HERE

Thanks to the wonderful fictionist and wonderful human being Kelcey Parker for including me in her series of interviews. You all should go buy her excellent story collection, For Sale By Owner! You’ll be amazed and entertained, truly.

Uncomfortable hat

darrindoyle — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 05:19:27 +0000

I was tired of looking at my recent posts and wanted something new. So here’s a photo that appears when you do a Google Image search for “uncomfortable hat”:

U.P. Book Tour!

darrindoyle — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 21:09:49 +0000

As usual, I’m tardy on my posts. Not that anyone really cares. It’s just another way that I make myself feel like a slacker. Anyway, I wanted to report on my humble portion of the mighty U.P. (Upper Peninsula, for those from out-of-state) BOOK TOUR, which recently wrapped-up after a solid month of readings, panels, book signings, and workshops.

I gave a reading at the Negaunee Public Library and participated in a panel discussion at the Peter White Public Library in Marquette, Michigan. My thanks to everyone who came out to these events, as well as to the librarians for their generous hosting. It was really a great experience meeting and reading with the many Michigan authors, and it made me proud (prouder — I was already proud) of this great state. Poets and fictionists Jennifer Burd, Saleem Peeradina, Matthew Gavin Frank, Linda Nemec Foster, Eric Torgesen, Phillip Sterling, and Patrick McGinnity were all there and all gave sparkling readings. Tyler Tichelaar was an outstanding moderator at the panel, and of course author Ron Riekki — tireless inspiring (and inspired) Ron Riekki — made it all go off without a hitch.

It was a great pleasure to be involved in this project, and I look forward to many more years of the UP Book Tour!

Join My Workshop!

darrindoyle — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 16:09:52 +0000

This week I’ll be participating in some of the events of the U.P. Book Tour, which is an amazing and ambitious series of readings, book signings, panels, and workshops by Michigan authors. This was all put together by writer Ron Riekki, and you can see a list of all the upcoming events HERE.

Personally, I’ll be doing a reading on Tuesday July 12th at 5PM at the Negaunee Public Library, which is near Marquette, MI. The next day, Wednesday July 13th, I’ll be hosting a writing workshop from 4-6PM at the Vista Theater in Negaunee. It’ll only set you back $25. We’ll be writing some original fiction in class, creating original characters, and talking about the fundamentals of storytelling — or whatever folks would like to talk about! It’ll be a laid-back atmosphere, so don’t worry if you’ve got little or no experience with fiction writing.

If you’re interested in signing up or just want to learn more about the workshop, please contact me at darrin dot doyle at cmich dot edu (spelled out to discourage spambots) or post a message here and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.

Give Yourself a “Hand”

darrindoyle — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 19:07:48 +0000

Hey! The Spring issue of Blackbird is out, and it includes my story, “Hand.” Please check it out! It’s a stellar journal, and I’m really excited to be included among all the fine writers they’ve published. You can go directly to my story HERE.

Horizon Books Invasion!

darrindoyle — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 06:29:47 +0000

Recently returned from a reading at Horizon Books in Traverse City. I was fortunate to read with my good friends and outstanding poets Robert Fanning and Jeffrey Bean, and we had the added pleasure of the company of a large group of Central Michigan University students, who made the 2-hour trip to hear us read. Wow! That was a really nice surprise, and very touching that these folks came all this way. Just shows how lucky we are to have such great students. And Horizon Books was a fantastic place, too — such an active, thriving independent bookstore is great to see! Thanks to Jill and the rest of the staff, who made us feel welcome and provided a terrific venue.

darrindoyle — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 19:04:54 +0000

What a fantastic turnout for the Cherry Bomb 4.4 CRUELTY reading — thanks to everyone who came out! It was a large and lively and good-natured crowd. There was a wonderful reading by poet Todd Kaneko, followed by a raucous and funny performance of Randy Wyatt’s short play, “Depart Mental.”

You can see some nice photos of the event HERE.

Thanks to Elena and Christina for being such welcoming and cool hosts, and thanks to the folks at Bar Divani for providing such a great space. This really is a special reading series, and I look forward to their June offering (which I hope won’t be their last!).

West Liberty University = Cool

darrindoyle — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 05:32:11 +0000

I just returned from a great experience at West Liberty U (in West Virginia), where I was fortunate enough to be the Hughes Lecturer. At an informal luncheon, I ate hot dogs (with sauerkraut, naturally) and did a reading for students and faculty. Then I visited a prose workshop and chatted with students about the current state of publishing and assorted topics. Lastly, I gave an evening reading and talked about “likable” characters and, more specifically, my affection for “unlikable” characters.

At every event, students asked excellent questions and really made me feel welcome. Thanks to everyone who came out to the events. I was impressed by the hospitality and level of engagement by students like Kenny, Roy, Tiffany, Megan, and Anna, and the faculty members Peter, Kristy, Jeremy, and of course my former grad-school pal Steve Criniti. Good company all!