About Lisa Firke and “Hit Those Keys”
I grew up in Princeton, New Jersey, which perhaps accounts for a certain bookworm-geek chic, though the influence of family and friends should not be discounted.
I am married to Don Firke (rhymes with “quirky”), collector of Bullwinkle memorabilia, Jeopardy! contestant and head of the Latin School of Chicago. We are the parents of two remarkable teens and the ‘pets’ of two very silly dogs.
In the B.C. era (Before Chaos/Children), I wrought iron, set type, founded two literary magazines, and held the post of Tutor-in-Writing and Fellow at Yale University.
A.D. (Among Distractions), I share my ideas about writing, design, the conditions necessary for creativity, and running a small web biz at Wild Keys.
Selected Publications
Short Stories & Poems
“Winging It” and “Wing Nuts” in THE
FIRST LINE, with “Winging It” also anthologized in The Best of The First Line.
“The Way Back” and “To Paint Trudy” in CICADA.
“Night of the Living Dead Metaphors” and “Distractions” in STRANGE HORIZONS.
Fresh Ink
Several of the ‘Blockbusters & Balancing Acts’ essays are included in the 2008 edition of The New Writer's Handbook, edited by Philip Martin and just out from Scarletta Press.