Meg Pokrass

Birthday May 28, 2009
Location San Francisco
Occupation writer/editor
Website http://www.megpokrass.com

About Me

Follow me on twitter! http://twitter.com/megpokrass

My chapbook Lost and Found by Bannock St. Books with art by Cooper Renner can be purchased here:
http://www.megpokrass.com/2009_11_01_archive.html#9206612793075599595

I'm a fiction writer and poet living in San Francisco.

I currently run the Fictionaut Five interview series on the Fictionaut blog, asking interview questions of Fictionaut authors. I love doing this series, and feel so lucky to be working with Fictionaut.

"Leaving Hope Ranch" in Storyglossia was selected for Wigleaf ‘s Top 50 List, 2009. Another story, "Lost and Found", in elimae, was selected in May 2009 by Storyglossia for Short Story Month showcase.

Two stories, "What the Doctor Ordered" in Monkeybicycle, and "The Big Dipper" in Annalemma, were nominated for Dzanc Books Best of the Web for 2010.

Michael Kimball Wrote my life story on his postcard life story blog here: http://postcardlifestories.blogspot.com/2009/08/204-meg-pokrass-expresses-herself.html

My short stories and poems have appeared or are forthcoming in Annalemma, Matchbook, Ampersand, Gigantic, Gargoyle, 3AM, The Pedestal, Toronto Quarterly, Mud Luscious, Juked, Pindeldyboz, Smokelong Quarterly, Wigleaf, Elimae, Keyhole, Frigg, Wordriot, The Rose and Thorn, Thieves Jargon, Eclectica, Kitty Snacks, Rumble, and various upcoming anthologies of flash. I am a staff editor for SmokeLong Quarterly, and am mentoring with Dzanc’s Creative Writing Sessions. My blog, with prompts and writing exercises can be found here: http://www.megpokrass.com

I have read many stories on video here on youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/megpokrass1

Why do you write?

sex, death, life, etc. that kind of thing.


Any favorite authors? Books?

Raymond Carver, Tobias Wolff, Susan Minot, Mona Simpson, Barbara Kingsolver, Haruki Murikami, Francine Prose, Louise Erdrich, Wallace Stegner, Harper Lee, J.D Salinger, Dorianne Laux, Sharon Olds, Stanley Kunitz, Donald Hall, Ilya Kaminsky, Louise Gluck, Anton Chekhov, Anthony Lane, Adam Gopnik, Daniel Handler (A Series of Unfortunate Events)

Meg Pokrass's Wall

Jack Swenson, 2 days ago

Well, Meg, I’ve got great teachers. Thanks for the thumbs up for “Quitting.”

George LaCas, 3 days ago

Thanks, Meg, for your review comments about my “Wedding Cake” story.

Foster Trecost, 4 days ago

Hi Meg, thanks for reading Cactus - glad you liked it, but sorry I made you cry…

Sheldon Lee Compton, Mar 06

Thanks for the kind words on “Johnny’s Blue Mosrite Guitar.” I wouldn’t have written it, however, without a fine, fine prompt from you.

Foster Trecost, Mar 05

Hey Meg, I’m glad you liked my chapter flash, and thanks for saying so.

Jack Swenson, Mar 04

Meg, I’m glad I made you chuckle, but I didn’t mean to make you cry!

Rob Walker, Mar 03

Meg, thanks so much for joining the Significant Objects group! We haven’t figured out a great way to display the objects to be made Significant, but the current one is an “egg whisk.”
http://www.flickr.com/photos/significantobjects/sets/72157623155978709/

We might put up a new one soon, trying to decide. Thanks again!

Barry Basden, Feb 28

Thanks for your comments about WINCE, Meg. Made me blush…

Ru Freeman, Feb 27

Thanks for the push, Meg. Truly needed it - today of all days, but really, for a long time!

Jack Swenson, Feb 27

Meg, thanks for your comments on “A Little Peace.” Maybe that’s why I was so taken by your “every other line” exercise. What you take out is still there!

Barry Basden, Feb 26

Hi back at you, Meg. Now I’m gonna get me a glass of Shiraz and read some of your favorites.

Jack Swenson, Feb 26

Meg, your comments on my story “A Little Peace” made my day.

“I feel so much is going on in the spaces between things in your work.”

Nobody has ever given me a better compliment. Thank you very much.

Mark Cecil Stevens, Feb 26

Meg—
Thanks for the invite. I am going to put a piece up soon. Really. I swear. I’m not lazy. Not really.

Brad Nelson, Feb 26

Meg, thanks for the invite. This looks like a great community, and I hope to make the most of it.

Matt Dennison, Feb 19

Thanks for comment on “Sweet Basil.” It’s nice to finally get it pubbed, as I’ve been subbing it off and on for over ten years!

Julie Innis, Feb 19

I heart you, A-Meggers!

Foster Trecost, Feb 18

Hi Meg, thanks for reading and commenting on my story. I’m really glad you liked it. foster.

Jack Swenson, Feb 17

Meg,
I print out every one of your comments on my stories and keep them in a scrapbook. I stop people on the street and show it to them. Thanks!

Matt Dennison, Feb 15

Glad you enjoyed “Praise,” Meg. As I said, let me know if you ever need a blurb!

;-)

Jack Swenson, Feb 14

Meg,
Wow! What a day it has been. A nice note from D.B., and a thumbs up for my story from you. Valentine’s Day indeed!

T. J. Forrester, Feb 11

Thanks, Meg!

Gloria Mindock, Feb 02

Hi Meg-On Facebook, I went to click on to follow your blog invite and I lost it after I clicked on it. Will you send it to me again? Thanks. Sorry for the inconvenience.

Gloria Mindock, Feb 02

R. A. Allen, Feb 02

Gopnik and Lane? Could you be a TNY subscriber? I’m reading Gopnik’s “Van Gogh’s Ear” now. Like your stories.

Foster Trecost, Feb 02

Hi Meg. Thanks for the read and comments, and for all your help. foster.

Foster Trecost, Feb 02

Hi Meg. Thanks for the read and comments, and for all your help. foster.

Jack Swenson, Jan 30

Kind words, Meg. Thanks. You are the best.

Tiffany R. White, Jan 29

Hey Meg. How would you tighten “Conversation on Thanksgiving”? I don’t know what direction, seeing that I am impartial to all of it. ;)

Summer Robinson, Jan 22

No, my dear, you rock. Reading one of your stories was a big reason I wanted to get on this fictionaut thing!

Jack Swenson, Jan 09

Three cats in SF isn’t bad. We live on the east side of the bay, and we have ten. I figure it’s my job. I think I’ll post a cat story next.

Jack Swenson, Jan 08

You herd cats? Bet you read Jon Carroll in the Chronic, too.

Marcel Inhoff, Dec 27

Thank you again for your comments, and thanks for inviting me.

Julie Innis, Dec 25

Meg - thank you so much for checking out my story. Loved your latest in Prick of the Spindle. Hope you’re having a wonderful Xmas!

Jason Henry McCormick, Dec 16

Thanks Meg!

R.A. Cooper, Dec 13

Hello Meg Pokrass! Thank you so much for doing a video reading of “An Argonaut Ethos.” It’s very cool.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7aqIUKMr1E

Kate Brown, Dec 12

Hi, Meg. Thank you!

Susan Tepper, Dec 08

Meg, this is a great site, I’m having fun and reading some amazing fiction. I haven’t joined any of the other sites. But this is entirely different and feels very “community” in the best sense. Thanks for your good words and support of my work!

Greg Gerke, Dec 03

Thanks Meg!

David Erlewine, Oct 28

Hi Meg, I can’t tell you how nice that is to read, coming from you. Huge thanks for helping me figure out how to push myself and my writing and get into FRiGG.

Christian Bell, Oct 28

Thanks for the hello, Meg!

Brian Mihok, Oct 23

Hi Meg, have you received my email re: your matchbook piece?

Ryan W. Bradley, Oct 15

hi meg! your kindness is much appreciated!

Greg Gerke, Oct 13

Hi Meg. I see all the usual suspects here and more. Looks great.

Annemarie Bogart, Oct 13

Hi Meg! I made it! Now, to figure out the picture thingee!

Hobie Anthony, Oct 13

I feel like I’m cheating on Zoe. But, thanks for the invite Meg! I guess I’ll have to write some new stuff, huh?

R. Jay Slais, Oct 10

Hi Meg and thanks for the nice note. I was already a fan of your writing reading some of your publications here and there and enjoyed reading you here today too. Have a nice weekend!

Smiles!

Dennis Mahagin, Oct 08

Howdy, Meg!

David Erlewine, Oct 06

Hi Meg, thanks so much for your comments on Hurlophobia. Comments like those really, truly keep me going at this thing when I’m exhausted. Best, David

Shya Scanlon, Oct 06

Thanks, Meg. I’ve actually been here a little while, but I haven’t been participating. I read occasionally (there’s great stuff around), but as it seems largely to be a place for flash fiction and the short side of short stories, I’ve decided against posting my own work, which has been running longer lately.

Jia-yi Loo, Oct 06

Thanks for the welcome message! Adore ‘I Capture The Castle’ — wish Dodie Smith’s other novels were in print as well. Haven’t had much luck in secondhand bookstores. :)

Cynthia Reeser, Oct 05

Hey Meg!!

Mel Bosworth, Oct 05

Oh, Meg! You’re such a nicey.

Gary Moshimer, Oct 05

Thanks, Meg! I consider it an honor, coming from you.

Sam Rasnake, Oct 04

Hey to you, Meg. Trying to learn the bells and whistles here.

Marcelle Heath, Oct 04

Thanks Meg for faving Eldorado :)

Alec Niedenthal, Oct 03

hi meg! thank you!

Elizabeth Foley, Oct 03

Thanks, Meg! Looking forward to reading yours as well.

Steve Young, Sep 30

Aha! I knew you’d be on this, Meg. I feel like I’m following you and Erlewine around…

darryl salach, Sep 15

Hello Meg! I just joined this site and noticed your profile. The new issue of TTQ just went live last friday. Take a peek:

http://www.lulu.com/content/paperback-book/the-toronto-quarterly—-issue-four/6919861

Martha Conway, Aug 28

Meg, Thanks for saying hello. I know of Molly — have heard JH speak of her (all good!). I love Susan Minot, too. If I could choose any writer to write like it would be her. Unfortunately, I can’t choose.

Jamey Genna, Aug 03

Meg, Thanks for turning me on to this site. It is so cool. It’s really nice to get comments on my work and everyone’s writing is so professional.

Andreas Trolf, Jun 27

Meg, I’ve enjoyed reading your stories. Your attention to small, telling details and your incredible brevity are entirely engaging.

Steven Seighman, Jun 26

Hi Meg! This place is pretty crazy. I haven’t had a chance to really dive into it yet, but I’m really looking forward to it!

deleted, Jun 14

Glad to be here! Thanks!!

Tara Laskowski, May 22

Hi Meg! I love your writing prompts. I’m totally going to use them. I love writing ‘challenges.’ They make me happy. :-)

Laura Ellen Scott, Apr 19

wow, thanks for the comments on ‘spirit play’ or whatever the heck it is. haven’t been on here in a while so i almost missed it.

Ethel Rohan, Apr 16

Thanks so much, Meg, for your comments on “Dinner With The Lydia”—heh heh.

Marcelle Heath, Apr 15

Hi Meg,
Thanks so much for the warm welcome and kind words!

Ethel Rohan, Apr 05

Hi Meg, thank you so much for your kind comments on “Cracking Open.” I’ll take that as high praise indeed coming from you.

Alan Rossi, Apr 02

hey Meg, glad to make the comments. it’s a strong story. can’t wait to read more. i think i said this somewhere, but i’m a big fan of your blog, too.

C.J.F, Apr 02

Hi Meg, good to meet you too. Damn Sure Right is an inspiring piece of work, an easy favourite for me. And no, I’m not on zoetrope. I’ve had a look round before but it seemed a bit complicated…

Ethel Rohan, Apr 01

Meg, thank you so much for your comments on “The Change.” I know you have a lot going on right now, and I really appreciate you taking the time to read my story and comment.

David Erlewine, Mar 30

Hi Meg, thanks so much for your comment on Marionettes. I’m thrilled you like it. David

David Aichenbaum, Mar 28

thanks meg! your writing rocks double. if i wasn’t keeping it at shhh! level, I’m sure my mother would forward you an enthusiastic hello.

Lauren Becker, Mar 26

if it takes letting you sit on my lap to get you to the next awp, so be it. i’ll drag your butt to sfo and make you get on the plane so everyone else can meet the fabulous meg p.!

Ethel Rohan, Mar 25

Hi Meg,

Thanks for the warm welcome. I’m delighted to be here.

Gail Siegel, Mar 17

Okay, finally dug out that old telemarketer piece. It’s a bit long for this site, but still…

Gail Siegel, Feb 26

Yep. I think we do have the same dog. Did you miss him when I took him for a walk this morning?

I have to figure out how to put a link to your blog on mine. I forget each time…

Dave Clapper, Jan 30

Thanks for the comments on “The Cougar,” Meg. And for favoriting it!

Lauren Becker, Jan 20

thanks re: erase, meg. you’re such a kind reader and your fb posts make me laugh.

(e-mail me at ljb921@gmail.com to set up our coffee adventure!)

Meg Pokrass, Jan 17

Lauren - thank you for the kind words. I’d love to have coffee in the city!

Lauren Becker, Jan 17

hey meg — thanks for the comment on “laughter.” i love your stuff though i can’t keep up with you! coffee in san francisco one day?

Jeanne Holtzman, Jan 07

Thanks for the comments and fav for my story, Meg! Still trying to understand the best way to respond - my wall, your wall, message? It sure reads better to respond on your own wall, but will the poster see it?

Meakin Armstrong, Nov 19

Meg, thanks for your comment on my story a while back. I’ve been enjoying YOUR stuff a lot.

Corey Zeller, Nov 15

Hi Meg, thanks for the fav for my story. I am glad you liked it,

I would like to read more stories of yours. I really loved the one I made a comment on. I was thinking of it while I was driving today.

Russell Brakefield, Nov 10

Thanks!

Meg Pokrass, Nov 07

Thanks, Barry! You really can’t go wrong with Three Musketeers…

barry graham, Nov 07

meg! great stuff on wigleaf. the three musketeers bit was a good touch.

Meg Pokrass, Sep 29

Thanks Barry!

barry graham, Sep 29

read the new piece in pboz. great stuff

Matt Baker, Sep 28

Thanks for writing on my wall and inquiring about cotton candy options.

Doug Bond, Sep 26

Hey - thanks for suggesting this. Good stuff.

Cheryl Chambers, Sep 26

Hi, Meg! Good to be here. I’ll have to poke around here this weekend, see what it’s all about.

barry graham, Sep 01

its not called wall masturbation unless you post photos. otherwise graffiti will do.

Meg Pokrass, Sep 01

I never thought of writing on my own wall until Scott Garson did it on his. Some may call this “wall masturbation”, some may not. I choose to call it “personal graffiti”

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