HILLARY LEFTWICH is the author of Ghosts Are Just Strangers Who Know How to Knock (Civil Coping Mechanisms/The Accomplices, 2019), which was voted one of Entropy’s “Best Fiction Books of 2019.” Her next book, Aura, will be published by Future Tense Books in 2022. She currently teaches writing in Denver, Colorado.
My current favorite author is: …I’m mad crushing on Maryse Meijer and love everything she creates. I’m convinced even her grocery lists are killer. Ai Agowa is one of my favorite authors… as well as Haruki Murakami… and Carol Guess. Sorry, I can’t pick just one.
My current favorite film is: World of Tomorrow by Don Hertzfeldt.
My current favorite television show is: …I’ve always been a huge fan of true crime… since I was a kid. Years ago, I worked as a private investigator and started working on a lot of cases, most involved marijuana (before it was legalized here in Colorado) but one in particular involved a pretty heinous murder. To the point: I love true crime shows like Disappeared (my favorite) and the new Unsolved Mysteries. I could go on and on but I’ll spare you.
My current favorite musician is: Murs.
My current state of mind is: all about my business, Alchemy Author Services.
My current chemical romance involves: …I quit smoking a year ago and alcoholism runs rampant in my family, so I tend to be real careful around substances.
My current favorite quote is: Don’t feel sorry for yourself. Only assholes do that.—Haruki Murakami
My current favorite fast food item is: [an] Arby’s Jamocha shake.
My current regrettable decision involves: not saving more money before a global pandemic hit and I lost my job.
My current hopes and dreams are: to get my writing workshop up and going for Alchemy Writing Workshop. Building a website and organizing everything is so time-consuming. But that’s my goal—to be able to get established writers in to help teach and facilitate workshops and craft lessons to teach people who don’t have access or money to attend an MFA or writing retreat.
My current hobbies include: tarot cards, which is something I’ve done since I was sixteen. I started teaching tarot writing workshops, as well as tarot reading and divination workshops. I love being able to teach and help others with strengthening their divination practices and abilities, especially when you can apply it to your writing.
Hillary Leftwich is online at hillaryleftwich.com.
Brian Alan Ellis runs House of Vlad Press, and is the author of several books, including Sad Laughter (Civil Coping Mechanisms, 2018). His writing has appeared at Juked, Hobart, Fanzine, Monkeybicycle, Electric Literature, Vol. 1 Brooklyn, Funhouse, Heavy Feather Review, and Yes Poetry, among other places. He lives in Florida.
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