In their introduction to this issue, Randy Rosenthal and Laura Isaacman, editors of The Coffin Factory, say Justin Taylor is "one of the best—if not the best—short story writers under 40", and has been able to "capture the tone of a generation crippled by privilege and opportunity".Here, in a nod to Barry Hannah's story "Water Liars". two graduate students attempt to conquer writers' block by exploring their sexual histories and boundaries.About the Author:Justin Taylor is the author of the novel The Gospel of Anarchy and the story collection Everything Here Is the Best Thing Ever. He teaches at the Pratt Institute and Columbia University. He lives in Brooklyn, and online at http://www.justindtaylor.net/.About Recommended Reading:Great authors inspire us. But what about the stories that inspire them? Recommended Reading, the latest project from Electric Literature, publishes one story every week, each chosen by a great author or editor. In this age of distraction, we uncover writing that's worth slowing down and spending some time with. And in doing so, we help give great writers, literary magazines, and independent presses the recognition (and readership) they deserve.About the Guest Editor:We believe that quality literature and art are essential for the existence of an intelligent society. The Coffin Factory aims to perpetuate an intellectually engaged culture, appealing to readers who can discern substance from gimmick, and who know that literature is the finest of art forms.We publish phenomenal fiction, essays, and art three times a year; past contributors include Roberto Bolaño, Milan Kundera, Joyce Carol Oates, Lydia Davis, Aimee Bender, César Aira, Charles Simic, T.C. Boyle, Enrique Vila-Matas, José Saramago, Edwidge Danticat, Sergio Chejfec, Andrés Neuman, James Franco, Lara Vapnyar, and Rabindranath Tagore.
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