Small Spiral Notebook – 2004
Volume 1 Issue 1
2004
Therese Samson Wenham
The first issue of Small Spiral Notebook is a promising collection.
The first issue of Small Spiral Notebook is a promising collection. Steve Almond’s “How to Write Sex Scenes: The Twelve Step Program” is front-to-back hilarious. It features such cardinal rules as “Fluid is fun” and “Contrary to popular belief people think during sex.” There is also an enlightening interview with Aimee Bender, who reveals that she prefers to write in the dark. Many of the stories and poems included embrace subjects odd and curious, drawing out their poignancy. Among the strangely affecting pieces were Tara Wray’s “The Not Really Ketchup,” a tale whose characters are condiments, and Tim Bass’ memoir of his parents’ refrigerator. The journal contains a few clunkers and a couple of mildly painful reads, but a first issue deserves plenty of slack. Thankfully, Small Spiral Notebook needs very little. It’s a brave, exciting foray, with plenty of momentum. [Small Spiral Notebook, c/o Felicia C. Sullivan, 248 West 17th Street, Suite 307, New York, NY 10011. E-mail: [email protected]. Single issue $10. http://smallspiralnotebook.com/] – TW
