CURRENTS, an Interview Series with Brian Alan Ellis (Episode 85: Ravi Mangla)

Ravi Mangla

RAVI MANGLA is the author of the novels The Observant (Spuyten Duyvil) and Understudies (Outpost19). He lives in Rochester, NY.

My current favorite thing to read is: the novels of Fernanda Melchor. They’re gruesome books, tough to swallow at times, but the writing is electric.

My current favorite thing to watch is: Hirokazu Kore-eda’s films. I recommend After Life and Shoplifters.

My current favorite thing to listen to is: the Teddy Geiger remix of Laurel’s “Scream Drive Faster.” I tend to get fixated on a few songs and listen on repeat until I wear them out.

 My current state of mind is: pessimistic—against my best efforts to feel something other than utter gloom.

My current chemical romance involves: chewing entire packs of Extra-brand watermelon gum in a matter of hours.

My current words of wisdom are: …you can’t keep the view by taking the window with you (paraphrased from poet James Richardson).

My current mode of transportation involves: a green Honda CRV with 140,000 miles on it but still going strong.

My current favorite fast food item is: a burrito bowl from Chipotle or Wendy’s chicken sandwich. Discovering Taco Bell’s breakfast steak burrito recently was a real game-changer.

My current workout routine consists of: walking aimlessly around drugstores.

My current regrettable decision involves: doing my own book publicity.

My current hopes and dreams are: for world peace. Or if that’s not in the cards, then simply a habitable world.

My current hobbies include: reading the menus at acclaimed restaurants I can’t afford.

 

Ravi Mangla is online at ravimangla.com. You can read an excerpt from his new novel here.

Brian Alan Ellis runs House of Vlad Press, and is the author of several books, including Sad Laughter (Civil Coping Mechanisms, 2018) and Hobbies You Enjoy (serialized daily on Instagram: @hobbiesyouenjoy). His writing has appeared at Juked, Hobart, Fanzine, Monkeybicycle, Electric Literature, Vol. 1 Brooklyn, X-R-A-Y, Heavy Feather Review, and Yes Poetry, among other places. He lives in Florida.

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