Due to a miscommunication, we discussed Matthew Perini’s short story, “Martha’s Rule,” without knowing that it had been published by Summerset Review. We had such a great time discussing this piece, and we think the conversation still has value. With the permission of the author and the Review, we share…
Due to a miscommunication, we discussed Matthew Perini’s short story, “Martha’s Rule,” without knowing that it had been published by Summerset Review. We had such a great time discussing this piece, and we think the conversation still has value. With the permission of the author and the Review, we share that conversation with you on this episode.
Matthew Perini is thrilled to have his story, “Martha’s Rule” featured in PBQ‘s Slush Pile. Perini feels guilty that he writes slowly, but is confident that given a grant of several million dollars and a retreat along the rocky coast of Southern Maine, he might be able to increase his literary output. The five things Perini loves most in this world are farmer’s markets, Raymond Carver stories, Lorrie Moore stories, John Cheever stories, and going to friends’ houses and drinking all their wine. In his “responsible adult life,” he conducts research, develops instructional strategies, and publishes resources for educators. Perini lives in New Jersey with his wife Kristen, daughters Ella and Alison, 2 dogs, 1 cat, and the overwhelming sense that technology is going to get us all.
You can read more of Perini’s stories in Crack the Spine Literary Magazine and The Tower Journal.
“Martha’s Rule” tells the story of an incredibly strained mother-son relationship that leads to questions about morality, good and bad parenting, and the challenges of early adulthood. Everyone at the editorial table agrees that Perini uses a voice that sustains the entire story and engages the reader all the way through with visceral detail and a depiction that rings true. We also take some time to discuss the significance of time and place in the telling of fiction – whether or not the lack thereof can create a void that needs unvoiding; you can help us decide.
Enjoy, and let us know what you think about this week’s episode on our Facebook event page and on Twitter with #HoldTheKetchup!
Happy reading!
Present at the Editorial Table
Kathleen Volk Miller
Tim Fitts
Sharee DeVose
Jason Schneiderman
Engineering Producer
Joseph Zang
Episode 27.5: AWP Bookfair Buzz
Episode 26: Preparation H is Easy on the Mouth
Episode 25: Saved from Bon Joviism
Episode 24: PBQ's Holiday Extravaganza!
Episode 23: The White Episode
Episode 22: Tea Leaves and Tastykake
Episode 21: Alabama Field Holla
Episode 20: Boxed Wine and Slush Piles
Episode 19: The Dinosaur-Robot Episode
Episode 18: Jersey Guernsey, a Frenchman, and 2 Ho's
Episode 17: "Let's Kill the Slush Pile"
Episode 16: Consumption
Episode 15: The Schneiderman Tingle Episode
Episode 14: Martinis are Just Like Testicles
Episode 13: Creature Triple Feature
Episode 12: Who Killed the Cat?
Episode 11: The One with Heart, Brain, and Balls
Episode 10: Mangoes and Monsters
Episode 09: All Abu Dhabi, All the Time
Episode 08: The Brazilian
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