Attention: My Novel STILL ALIVE to make its Zoom Reading debut, Wednesday, March 22, at 7:30pm CT

A group of Malarkey authors is called a Murder. Like crows.

You’re invited to join us, Wednesday, March 22, at 7:30pm CT for an evening of great literature and general authorial mayhem. (Double check the time-zone so you don’t miss out!!!)

RSVP here and you’ll receive a Zoom invite the day of the event.

I’ll be reading from my forthcoming novel STILL ALIVE (2024) and possibly wearing sequins. Possibly. The other authors in the line-up will be reading from their amazing books. It’s going to be thrilling! Only five minutes each! Truly a smorgasbord of literature.

See you soon!!

My story ‘Motion Sickness,’ previously only available in a SOLD OUT print run of the Northwest Review, is NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE.

This story might be one of my favorites I’ve ever written. Came out of me during the pandemic when I was sitting with big thoughts about the future and reading W.G. Sebald and my spouse and I would pass the time taking long drives down to the port and back home.

Los Angeles is known for its film studios and Hollywood glamour and media production, but one of the largest drivers of the economy is actually the Port of Los Angeles, which straddles San Pedro and Long Beach, and is the largest port in North America. It has 25 cargo terminals spread across 7,500 acres and handles over $270 billion in cargo a year. It is also a port of call for multiple cruise ships.

This story is partially about my fascination with the port, partially about my frustration with what I have seen some peers do to fit in, beat back loneliness, and lose a part of themselves along the way.

Read ‘Motion Sickness’ here.

Oh hey, I was on NPR Illinois today.

Wild to have grown up listening to NPR, and then today I got to turn on the radio and hear my voice right after NPR News from Washington!!

It was a pleasure to join Community Voices, a show produced by NPR Illinois WUIS 91.9FM out of Springfield, to talk about the work I do for the Kirkland Fine Arts Center, the College of Fine Arts at Millikin University, my upcoming book (STILL ALIVE, Feb 2024) from Malarkey Books, and how much I love living in Decatur. I even wedged in a mention of Frank’s, purveyors of the best Italian Beef in Central Illinois.

You can listen to the whole conversation right here.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!! Now read THANATOS, my creepy short story at Malarkey Books.

Malarkey Books published Hellarkey, just in time for Halloween (as a fundraiser for the press), and it sold out in mere hours. But even if you missed the chance to get your own copy, you can now read my story online!!!

Read Thanatos here.

A happy samhain to you and yours,

LJ

New Short Story: Jesus Melted Before I Could Say I’m Sorry at FREAKING BAFFLER MAGAZINE

It is with no amount of calm that I announce my latest story is live and kicking today at BAFFLER MAGAZINE.

It’s my first Southern story in nearly 12 years, tbh, and the only thing that I let guide me while writing it was my sense of delight. This compass, of course, led me to the sinner-est and yet, in some ways, the holiest places.

So if an AA meeting is your church and the realm of kitsch is your sanctuary, settle in because this tale’s for you: “Jesus Melted Before I Could Say I’m Sorry.”

Hollatchagurl.

With big love and the comforting hum of cicadas,

LJ

STILL ALIVE, my debut novel, to be published by MALARKEY BOOKS in February 2024

!!!!! I am thrilled to share that STILL ALIVE (formerly STARBOI), which was long listed by [PANK] for their book contest in 2020, will be published by MALARKEY BOOKS in February 2024 !!!!!!!!

An excerpt of the novel already appeared as a preview on MALARKEY’S website and you can read it here: STILL ALIVE (Excerpt) by LJ Pemberton.

Another excerpt is forthcoming from Cosmonauts Avenue, and I will of course share that when it goes live.

Here’s the neato graphic announcement that MALARKEY made to share the news:

If you're excited about my book, and you love good writing, I highly recommend joining the MALARKEY BOOK CLUB at their Patreon. For $20 a month, you'll get one outstanding book of fiction or non-fiction or poetry EVERY MONTH (12 a year!) from this doing-the-good-work indie press. Proceeds directly support the operations of the press AND THE AUTHORS THEMSELVES. Which, as you know, I really believe in. 

No doubt there will be more to share in the future, but I wanted you to know what’s up. I’m 100% nervous and excited to share this book I’ve been working on for literal years of my life. It’s a doozy.

sending big love,

LJ