September 14th, 2011
You know who I think about from time to time? The Underground Literary Alliance. Remember the ULA? If not, here’s what I (and Wikipedia) remember about them. They were a bunch of writers — of, to me, unknown talent — who showed up at various literary events from 2000 to 2006 to make trouble and bring attention to the elitist nature of publishing. They were like a cross between Smashwords and the Westboro Baptist Church. And, of course, they hated Rick Moody.

Today in Plus Ça Change, “Are We All ULA Now?”

lit
plus ça change

PRAISE FOR
WHY THEY CRIED



"... demonstrates real insight into the way we live now."
 –The Rumpus

"Reminiscent of George Saunders and James Thurber, Why They Cried is a great collection of modern tales."
–Hannah Tinti, author of The Good Thief and co-founder of One Story

"Jim Hanas has a remarkable talent for imagining and crafting uncanny little worlds that make me vaguely nervous. And yet I never want to leave."
–Rob Walker, co-founder of Significant Objects

"A tender and smart assembly of fiction about people trying to communicate—with each other, the world—and all the ways they fail. Fail better, fail beautifully."
–Fiona Maazel, author of Last Last Chance

Jim Hanas is the author of the short story collection Why They Cried (Joyland eBooks/ECW Press) and director of audience development at HarperCollins Publishers.

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