Let's Deconstruct a Story
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Episodes
The Art of What’s Left Unsaid | POV, Structure, and Character in “The Queen of Bad Influences” with Jim Shepard
01 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Hi Everyone,In this episode, I sit down with Jim Shepard to deconstruct his short story “The Queen of Bad Influences.” If you haven’t read t...
Let's Deconstruct a Story featuring 'Pemi Aguda
01 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Hi Everyone, I’m so happy to share ‘Pemi Aguda’s short story, “Manifest,” with you. Please read the story before you listen to the podcast, ...
Let's Deconstruct a Story featuring Toni Ann Johnson
01 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to Let’s Deconstruct a Story!How this works:Read the story carefully. This is important because the interview will contain spoilers.During t...
Let's Deconstruct a Story featuring Shastri Akella
01 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Hi Everyone, During this episode, Shastri Akella discusses his Best American Short Story, “The Magic Bangle.” The podcast episode is also availabl...
Let's Deconstruct a Story featuring Maura Stanton
01 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Happy New Year!Maura Stanton and I had so much fun discussing “School for Robots.” Please be sure to read the story first before watching this vid...
Let's Deconstruct a Story featuring Susan Shepherd
01 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Hi Everyone,I hope you enjoy this episode, which features Susan Shepherd discussing her Best American Short Story, “Baboons, “ first published in ...
Katherine Damm discusses her Best American Short Story: "The Happiest Day of Your Life."
29 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Katherine Damm talks about her story, "The Happiest Day of Your Life." First, be sure to read the story from The Iowa Review. There will be spoilers! ...
Let's Deconstruct a Story with Deb Olin Unferth
01 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Deb Olin Unferth discusses her short story, "Wait Till You See Me Dance" with Kelly Fordon This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this wit...
Let's Deconstruct a Story with Ananda Lima
01 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
I spoke with Ananda Lima about her story, Antropófaga! Make sure you read it before you listen. Enjoy the rest of your summer, and happy listening!Ke...
Eli Sparkman talks FLASH!
24 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
* Here is Eli in a half-trench coat Sheila Heti gave him :)Hi Everyone,Well, the world might be a s%$# show, but at least we still have our stories. T...
Erika Krouse, Caitlin Horrocks and Kelly Fordon discuss two stories...
15 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Hi Everyone!In this episode of the podcast, Caitlin Horrocks and I interview Erika Krouse about “Jude” from her new collection, Save Me, Stranger....
"Let's Deconstruct a Story" featuring Christie Hodgen
01 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Before listening to my interview with Christie Hodgen, please read her story, “Rich Strike,” because the interview is full of spoilers! The story ...
"Let's Deconstruct a Story" featuring Desiree Cooper
03 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
My guest today is Desiree Cooper, the 2015 Kresge Artist Fellow. Cooper is a former attorney. She is also a Pulitzer Prize-nominated journalist and mu...
"Let's Deconstruct a Story" featuring Cleo Qian
15 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Hi Everyone,I had so much fun discussing “Monitor World” with Cleo Qian. In case you missed my earlier posts, “Monitor World” was first publis...
"Let's Deconstruct a Story" featuring David Means
22 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Hi Everyone,“The Depletion Prompts” was first published in The New Yorker on October 25, 2021, and is available here.Here’s a link to two ...
"Let's Deconstruct a Story" featuring Brad Felver
15 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Kelly Fordon talks to Brad Felver about his story "Orphans" which was first published in Subtropics and later chosen for The Best Short Stories 2024: ...
Let's Talk about Brad Felver's story "Orphans."
25 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Hi Everyone, This post is a video recording of my preparation for the interview with Brad next Wednesday. If you enjoy deconstructing stories, please ...
"Let's Deconstruct a Story" featuring Sheila Kohler
15 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Hi Everyone,We're a little late with this episode and it's all my fault! As I mentioned in my May 1st blog post (sign up here for updates), fo...
"Let's Deconstruct a Story" featuring Cara Blue Adams
01 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Hi Everyone,I'm thrilled to host Cara Blue Adams today on the podcast. We talked about her stellar short story, "Vision," available from...
"Let's Deconstruct a Story" featuring Leigh Newman
01 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Hi Everyone,We had so much fun discussing Leigh Newman's short story, "An Extravaganza in Two Acts," available here from Electric Litera...
"Let's Deconstruct a Story" featuring Jai Chakrabarti
01 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Hi Everyone!Welcome to Let's Deconstruct a Story! This month I'm talking to Jai Chakrabarti about his wonderful story, "A Small Sacrifice...
"Let's Deconstruct a Story" featuring Katherine Vaz
01 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Hi Everyone!Welcome to Let's Deconstruct a Story! This month I'm talking to Katherine Vaz about her wonderful story, "Our Lady of the Art...
"Let's Deconstruct a Story" featuring Bonnie Jo Campbell
31 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Hi Everyone, I had the best conversation with Bonnie Jo Campbell. Can't wait to share it with you! Please read "Boar Taint" in The...
"Let's Deconstruct a Story" featuring George Singleton
01 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Hi!I am so happy to share my podcast interview with the esteemed Southern writer George Singleton. We delved into some serious subjects: the legacy of...
"Let's Deconstruct a Story" featuring Chad B. Anderson
15 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Chad B. Anderson's story "The Kelley Street Disappearances" has been lodged in my brain for almost a decade, so I decided to track him d...
"Let's Deconstruct a Story" featuring Jason Ockert
01 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Hi Everyone,I'm happy to welcome Jason Ockert to show! We discussed his story, "The Peoplemachines" in StorySouth Spring 2023. It blew m...
"Let's Deconstruct a Story" featuring Caroline Kim
01 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Hi Everyone!I'm thrilled to welcome Caroline Kim on the podcast today! We will be reviewing her story "Motherhood" which is available fo...
"Let's Deconstruct a Story" featuring Anna Caritj
01 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Hi Everyone,I'm thrilled to host fiction writer, Anna Caritj this month on "Let's Deconstruct a Story." The Sewanee Review has graci...
"Let's Deconstruct a Story" featuring Robin Luce Martin
01 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Hi Everyone,Robin and I have been good friends and writing buddies since we met at a writer's conference in 2008. Since then, she has won numerous...
"Let's Deconstruct a Story" featuring Meghan Louise Wagner
01 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Hi Everyone, This month I'm thrilled to welcome Meghan Louise Wagner to the podcast! First, because I love the story. Secondly, because I am from NE ...
"Let's Deconstruct a Story" featuring Julie Ann Stewart
01 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Hi Everyone,So glad to be back after a short hiatus!I’m grateful to the Grosse Pointe Public Library for allowing me to use their recording studio f...
"Let's Deconstruct a Story" featuring Toni Ann Johnson
01 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Hi Everyone!I'm really looking forward to sharing this discussion with Toni Ann Johnson. I loved this collection! We will be talking about the story "...
"Let's Deconstruct a Story" featuring George Saunders
01 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Well, I'm not going to lie. It was one of the top ten thrills of my life speaking with George Saunders. I was so excited, I thought I might pass out p...
"Let's Deconstruct a Story" featuring Peter Ho Davies
30 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Hi Everyone, "Let's Deconstruct a Story" is a podcast where we read and discuss one short story with the author. Today I'll be talking about ...
"Let's Deconstruct a Story" featuring Jacob M. Appel
31 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
"Let's Deconstruct a Story" is a podcast where we read and discuss one short story with the author. This week I am talking to Jacob M. Appel about his...
"Let's Deconstruct a Story" featuring Selena Anderson
15 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
"Let's Deconstruct a Story" is a podcast where we read and discuss one short story with the author. This week I am talking to Selena Anderson about he...
"Let's Deconstruct a Story" featuring Lydia Conklin
31 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
"Let's Deconstruct a Story" is a podcast where we read and discuss one short story with the author.In this episode, Lydia Conklin and Lillian Li will ...
Let's Deconstruct a Story featuring Maurine Ogbaa
14 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
"Let's Deconstruct a Story" is a podcast where we read and discuss one short story with the author. For this episode, please read "Goodbye" by Maurine...
"Let's Deconstruct a Story with Rion Amilcar Scott
01 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
"Let's Deconstruct a Story" is a podcast where we read and discuss one short story with the author.For this episode please read or listen to the audio...
"Let's Deconstruct a Story" featuring Ellen Birkett Morris
31 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Hi Everyone,I'm thrilled to welcome Ellen Birkett Morris to the show today. Please read her story, "Inheritance" (available at www.kellyfordon.com) be...
"Let's Deconstruct a Story" featuring Sara Majka
30 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Hi Everyone,I'm excited to share my interview with Sara Majka about the title short story, "Cities I've Never Lived In." Here's a brief description of...
Poet, Ken Meisel, reads from his new collection, The Consent Of A Distance” Kelsay Press, January 2022.
14 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Even though I am mostly working on "Let's Deconstruct a Story" these days, every now and then I still like to feature a stellar Michigan poet! Today's...
"Let's Deconstruct a Story" featuring Lily King
01 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Lily King discusses the title story from her collection "Five Tuesdays in Winter." The story is available at most local libraries and should be read ...
"Let's Deconstruct a Story" featuring Caitlin Horrocks
01 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Caitlin Horrocks discusses her story "On the Oregon Trail" from her short story collection, Life Among the Terranauts.The story is available and shoul...
"Let's Deconstruct a Story" featuring Alix Ohlin
15 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
“Let’s Deconstruct a Story” is a podcast for the story nerds--those who know that examining the components of a good story is the key to writing...
"Let's Deconstruct a Story" featuring Natalie Serber
31 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
**Note use of strong language and adult content.**Please read Natalie's story, "Children are Magic" first at www.kellyfordon.com/blog.Natalie Serber ...
Let's Deconstruct a Story featuring Sejal Shah
15 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome!“Let’s Deconstruct a Story” is a podcast for the story nerds!This is a podcast for aspiring writers who know that examining the componen...
Let's Deconstruct a Story featuring Clifford Garstang
30 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome!“Let’s Deconstruct a Story” is a podcast for the story nerds!This is a podcast for aspiring writers who know that examining the componen...
Let's Deconstruct a Story featuring Noley Reid
14 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Kelly Fordon talks to Noley Reid about her story "Coming Back" on Split Lip Magazine available here or at www.kellyfordon.com/blog.Noley Reid’s thir...
Let's Deconstruct a Story featuring Jeff Vande Zande
31 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Jeff Vande Zande discusses his story, "Load," with host, Kelly Fordon. "Load" was first published in Fiction Circus: http://fictioncircus.com/story....
Let's Deconstruct a Story featuring Wendy Rawlings
15 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Wendy Rawlings discusses her story, "Coffins for Kids," with host, Kelly Fordon. "Coffins for Kids" was first published in The Kenyon Review https://s...
Let's Deconstruct a Story featuring Susan Perabo
30 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Kelly Fordon and Susan Perabo discuss Susan's story, This is Not That Story. The story is available in The Sun Magazine and linked on Kelly Fordon's b...
Ellen Birkett Morris reads from her chapbook, Abide.
22 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Abide by Ellen Birkett Morrispublished July 2021Seven Kitchens Press. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers o...
Let's Deconstruct a Story featuring Treena Thibodeau
14 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to "Let's Deconstruct a Story" where we read a story and then "deconstruct" it with the author. In order to get the most out of our interview,...
Let's Deconstruct a Story featuring Wandeka Gayle
01 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to "Let's Deconstruct a Story!" This week I'm talking to Wandeka Gayle about a story called "Prodigal" from her new collection, "Motherland an...
Let's Deconstruct a Story featuring Esperanza Cintrón
27 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Kelly Fordon talks to Esperanza Cintrón about her award-winning collection, Shades, Detroit Love Stories, a collection of interconnected short storie...
Let's Deconstruct a Story featuring Joseph Harris
01 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Joseph Harris and Kelly Fordon discuss the first book from Harris's thrilling interconnected narrative, You’re in the Wrong Place. Charles Baxter st...
Let's Deconstruct a Story featuring Rachel Swearingen
28 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Please read Rachel's story, Advice for the Haunted, on my website before listening to us "deconstructing" it. https://kellyfordon.com/2020/10/31/rache...
Poet, Laura Van Prooyen, reads from her new collection, "Frances of the Wider Field."
15 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Laura Van Prooyen’s collections of poetry are Frances of the Wider Field (Lily Poetry Review Books 2021), Our House Was on Fire, nominated by Philip...
Let's Deconstruct a Story featuring John McNally
06 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
#letsdeconstructastory is all about unpacking short stories to see how they work on a cellular level. It's a place for writers to geek out about the w...