FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oct. 1, 1999 #156
Contact: Heather Haas
(816) 235-1601*
haash@umkc.edu
 

Kathleen George Captures Everyday Drama in Collection of Short Stories to be Published by UMKC's BkMk Press

Kansas City, Mo. -- The Man in the Buick and Other Stories, the first collection of short stories by Kathleen George, will be published this month by BkMk Press (Book Mark Press) at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. The characters inhabiting these stories are haunted by the past and by irreconcilable, contradictory longings as they struggle toward wisdom and balance.

"Kathleen George understands the powerful pull of outlaw love," writes author Molly Giles in her endorsement of The Man in the Buick. "Her characters are modest, earnest and sensible, but when they fall in love, they throw caution to the wind. They chase ghosts, woo addicts, long for their devout Mexican housemaids, leave their perfect husbands for their neighbor's surly gardeners."

Writer Ann Hood compares George's subtle transitions to those of Alice Munro. In addition, Booklist recommends the collection: "These masterfully shaped stories mark George as a writer to watch."

George's stories have appeared in such publications as Alaska Quarterly Review, North American Review and Mademoiselle. She is an associate professor of theatre arts at the University of Pittsburgh and the author of two nonfiction books,

Rhythm in Drama and Playwriting: The First Workshop. She has been a resident at the MacDowell and Ragdale colonies and received grants from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts.

BkMk Press was founded in 1971 and joined UMKC in 1983. The press, which receives support from the University, publishes poetry, fiction and creative nonfiction by contemporary authors. Financial assistance for this project was provided by the Missouri Arts Council, a state agency.

For media review copies or more information about The Man in the Buick, call (816) 235-2558*.

* Individuals with speech or hearing impairments may call Relay Missouri at (800) 735-2966 (TT) or (800) 735-2466 (voice).

###