Fiction Is First
Fiction Is First
Ben Forstenzer
Fiction, Non-Fiction, Poetry and Interviews.
The Second Fiction Is First House Show (Finally)
Recorded as the winter slowly, angrily, just barely came to an end, here now is the Second Fiction is First House Show. Present in this compact package are songs from Michael Patrick Flanagan Smith, non-fiction by Michelle Dwyer, and fiction by Elizabeth Evitts Dickinson and Ben Forstenzer. I mean, come on, this is everything you could want and more. Please share if you enjoy. Podcast: Download  
Oct 25, 2016
A Storyview: Arizona in the Summertime by Michelle Dwyer
What do sandwiches, naps and a series of very small shampoo and perfume containers have in common? Hint: pretty boys, Clint Eastwood and wheezing in the other room. Take a visit with Michelle Dwyer on her trip to Arizona to see her dad. We have some conversation about life and death. We hope you enjoy it. Podcast: Download  
Feb 10, 2016
39 min
A Storyview: Love on the Block, by Rachel Anne Warren
Some people run away and join the circus. Some people become magical erotic creatures named Heather. For the rest of us, we get to listen to Rachel Anne Warren read her essay Love on the Block and have a conversation about her night as a shooter girl in a strip club in Baltimore. We hope you enjoy the story and the conversation.
Jul 16, 2015
34 min
A Storyview: Notes From A Suicide, by Elizabeth Evitts Dickinson
The mystery of life and the mystery of death are close relatives. Maybe they are mothers and sons, maybe grandmothers and granddaughters. The only way to know is to look deeply. Elizabeth Evitts Dickinson looks deeply and reads her essay “Notes From A Suicide.” Ben Forstenzer asks questions. A discussion ensues. We hope you enjoy it. Podcast: Download  
Jun 11, 2015
31 min
A Storyview: Dead Bird Stories for Non-believers, by Alis Sandosharaj
Birds, food and death, and of course the word YES. Dead Bird Stories for Non-believers is about family, loss and the strange connections we cannot shake, even if we don’t believe. Alis Sandosharaj shares her essay. Ben Forstenzer asks some questions. A good time was had by all. Podcast: Download  
May 27, 2015
27 min
Gladys and the Geek
The south has alligators, murder and Amish people. But don’t we all? No? Gladys and the Geek will get to the bottom of strange things in the endless and fruitless effort to make the world a little more fair. Be careful who you love and how you show it. Someone could get killed. Podcast: Download  
May 9, 2015
48 min
Julie’s Story: The First “Storyview” from Fiction Is First
Cancer, fear, loathing and children. This is a small piece of my sister’s life and how she came to have a family. Part story, part interview, all the hard parts and a big dose of the good stuff.   Podcast:Download
Feb 9, 2015
59 min
The In-Betweens
Hello Fiction is First, this is Fiction is First, I missed you. Please find below Ben Forstenzer reading his poem/ode/freak out “The In-Betweens.” The “In-Betweens” was inspired by Kristen Toedtman and written for her show at the Creative Alliance at the Patterson on June 27th. It was very fun. Check her out, she rules: www.kristentoedtman.com New  fiction and non-fiction are coming soon. We never said there wouldn’t be poetry. Thanks and love. Podcast: Download
Aug 12, 2014
5 min
Guest Reader: Michael Patrick Flanagan Smith Reads an excerpt from “The Book of Lou.”
Fictionisfirst is super excited to post another story by MPFS. Mr.Smith is a writer, musician and factotum. Currently, he is writing a book about his experience working as a field hand in the North Dakota oil boom. Check out more about that project at: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/north-dakota-oil-boom-book   Podcast: Download Podcast: Download
Jul 3, 2014
Guest Post: Michael Patrick Flanagan Smith Reads “Scrambled Eggs.”
Fiction is First is extremely excited to present Michael Patrick Flanagan Smith reading his story “Scrambled Eggs.” Mr.Smith is a writer, musician and factotum. Currently, he is writing a book about his experience working as a field hand in the North Dakota oil boom. Podcast: Download
Apr 25, 2014
11 min
Load more