Interview with Thomas Kearnes

Meet NUNUM's Winter 2020 Contributor: Thomas Kearnes

3/15/2021

NUNUM

Blending Flash Fiction & Art

Interview with Thomas Kearnes

A huge part of our satisfaction with the Winter 2020 issue came from being able to get Kindergarten out into the world. Naturally, blending Thomas's words with the wonderfully surreal imagery of Ronald Walker only added to the feeling and gave us the most wonderful cornerstone for the Winter 2020 issue to coalesce around.

Recently we were lucky enough to grab a bit of Thomas's time for a quick sit-down and find out just a touch more about a writer who has become one of our in-house favourites.

Thomas Kearnes

What was the last book you read that made you say damn that was a good book?

This may sound a little strange for a flash site, but I recently finished Hanya Yanagihara's epic queer novel "A Little Life." Such vivid, unforgettable characters. I'm still mourning them.

Ah, not strange at all, well for me, as I'm right there with you on that one. What about contemporary writers Thomas, is there anyone out there who you admire?

Kindergarten words by Thomas Kearnes & art by Ronald Walker

Joyce Carol Oates' prolific output and its unwavering quality is

a continuing source of inspiration to me. She even has a flash collection, "The Assignation." It may be out of print, but it's worth hunting.

I didn't know she had a flash collection, something to check out for sure thank you for that. And speaking of the unknown, a lot of new writers wisely turn to craft books for help when starting out, is there a writing craft book that you would recommend to new writers?

Constance Hale's "Sin and Syntax" gives a thorough run-through of grammar in a lively, readable style. I can't recommend it highly enough.

Kindergarten words by Thomas Kearnes & art by Ronald Walker

Thomas Kearnes lives in Houston and works as an English tutor. His work has appeared in Berkeley Fiction Review, Foglifter, Split Lip Review, Gulf Coast and dozens more. His first story collection, "Texas Crude" (Lethe Press), was nominated for a Literary Lambda Award.