{"product_id":"joytime-killbox-9781942683919","title":"Joytime Killbox","description":"\u003ch2\u003eJoytime Killbox: A Dark Literary Short Story Collection\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJoytime Killbox\u003c\/strong\u003e presents nine interconnected short stories that examine the darker corners of human experience through clumsy encounters, personal impotence, and the dangerous pull of transgression. Brian Wood's debut collection offers readers a raw, character-driven exploration of contemporary life's uncomfortable truths.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat's Inside This Collection\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis literary fiction collection weaves together nine distinct narratives connected by recurring themes of human frailty and moral boundaries. Each story stands alone while contributing to a larger examination of how people navigate desire, failure, and the temptation to cross lines they know they shouldn't. The collection focuses on moments where characters confront their own limitations and the consequences of their choices.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eAbout Author Brian Wood\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBrian Wood brings substantial literary credentials to this debut collection. After working as a ghostwriter on five published books, \u003cem\u003eJoytime Killbox\u003c\/em\u003e marks his first work published under his own name. Wood holds an MFA in Creative Writing from San Jose State University, where his work earned him the Ludwig Scholarship for Excellence in Creative Writing and the prestigious James Phelan Award for Short Fiction and Familiar Essays.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe collection was a finalist for the BOA Editions Short Fiction Prize, demonstrating its recognition within the independent literary press community. Wood has served as Managing Editor of \u003cem\u003eReed Magazine\u003c\/em\u003e and Fiction Editor for \u003cem\u003ePOST\u003c\/em\u003e. He currently works as a writing instructor at Writers \u0026amp; Books in Rochester, NY, and co-hosts the \u003cem\u003eTwo Month Review\u003c\/em\u003e podcast produced by Open Letter Press.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eFor Readers Who Appreciate\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis collection appeals to readers who seek literary short fiction that doesn't shy away from uncomfortable subjects. The stories examine human weakness and moral ambiguity through a contemporary lens, making this an ideal selection for those who appreciate character-driven narratives that challenge rather than comfort.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003ePublished by an independent press and available in paperback format, \u003cem\u003eJoytime Killbox\u003c\/em\u003e represents the kind of literary risk-taking that larger publishers often avoid. The collection offers sophisticated storytelling for readers who value the short story form and writers who have honed their craft through formal training and editorial experience.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eWood, Brian:\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e - Brian Wood has worked as a ghostwriter on five published books. This is his first collection published under his own name. He has served as the Managing Editor of \u003cem\u003eReed Magazine\u003c\/em\u003e and the Fiction Editor for \u003cem\u003ePOST\u003c\/em\u003e. He holds an MFA in Creative Writing from San Jose State University, and his work earned him a Ludwig Scholarship for Excellence in Creative Writing, as well as the James Phelan Award for Short Fiction and Familiar Essays. Most recently, his story collection was a finalist for the BOA Editions Short Fiction Prize. He lives in Rochester, NY, where he is a writing instructor at Writers \u0026amp; Books and the co-host of the \u003cem\u003eTwo Month Review\u003c\/em\u003e podcast produced by Open Letter Press.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"BOA Editions","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50493266755858,"sku":"9781942683919","price":12.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_227b7e98-a549-43cc-9e9f-68e2a5075180.jpg?v=1730641020","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/joytime-killbox-9781942683919","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}