January 9, 2012 – Peace Corps Worldwide

Jeff Fearnside (Kazakhstan 2002-04) in Press and in the News

Jan 09 2012

“The Right Road,” an excerpt from his novel-in-progress set in Kazakhstan, won 2nd Place in the 2010 Long Story Contest, International (judged by Allison Alsup). Run by White Eagle Coffee Store Press and now in its 18th year, this contest is widely considered the premier competition for long stories (8,000-14,000 words). Three short stories accepted for publication, one by Little Patuxent Review for their Winter 2012 Social Justice issue and two (including one set in Kazakhstan) by Fjords Review for their Spring 2012 issue. His essay “Place as Self” has been accepted for publication by ISLE: Interdisciplinary Studies in Literature and Environment, the official journal of the Association for the Study of Literature and Environment, for an issue TBD. Another essay “Itam,” a portrait of his host father in Kazakhstan, will be reprinted in a new anthology, The Chalk Circle: Intercultural Prizewinning Essays, to be published in late spring 2012 . . .

Review of Michael S. Gerber's Sweet Teeth and Loose Bowels

Jan 09 2012

Sweet Teeth and Loose Bowels: The Adventures of an International Aid Worker by Michael S. Gerber (Philippines 1970–73) Troubador Publishing 296 pages $18.95 (paperback) 2007 Reviewed by Robert E. Hamilton (Ethiopia 1965–67) UNDERSTANDABLY, ONE DOESN’T INFORM the family gathered around the Thanksgiving table, “Hey, I’m reading an informative book on international aid with the interesting title of . . ..” One alternative: “Read Chapter 34 of Book Two of Dr. Michael Gerber’s 2007 publication.” There the title is explained. A better title might have derived from a comment by a fellow Non-Government Organization (NGO) colleague: “It is the poor and the suffering who create jobs for us.” (Page 252) Or, as his youngest son, then 11, remarked, following Gerber’s description of what an NGO director does: “Now I understand your job. I can just tell my friends you are a ‘professional beggar.’” Michael Gerber (BA, MA, Ph.D.) worked in Asia and . . .

Archive - January 9, 2012