Matthew O'Brien

Family Connect


A notice from the Nevada Homeless Alliance:

Family Connect is an annual resource fair for homeless or low-income families living in Southern Nevada. The 2013 event, scheduled for May 15th at the East Las Vegas Community Senior Center, will see upwards of 300 families with children, and include the participation of over 50 service organizations. Prior to exiting the event, each family is escorted through the Giveaways Section to obtain food and personal care items that may be difficult for them to obtain without assistance. Please see below list of items needed for this section. All items should be new or gently used only.

Children’s summer clothing, hats and shoes
Adult’s summer clothing, hats and shoes
Toys
Packaged Underwear
Blankets/sheets/comforters
First Aid Kits
Diapers/formula
Canned food
Bus Tickets-Day Use for RTC buses
Shampoos/Conditioners
Brushes/Combs
Soaps/Hand Sanitizers
Toothbrushes/Toothpastes
Feminine Hygiene
Sun Screen/Lotion

Please contact Michele Smith for drop-off and pick-up information. Email: fortheleastofthese@cox.net Phone: 702-324-6850.

*Please allow 24 hours for a return call or email

**Contributions to the Nevada Homeless Alliance are tax deductible as provided by law. If you have any questions about the value of your contribution, kindly contact your tax advisor. For donation receipts, please contact Stacy Sutton with the Nevada Homeless Alliance at NHAvoice@aol.com, or by calling 702-743-1487.

Posted: 4/6/2013 at 12:16:00 PM | Updated: 4/6/2013 at 12:19:00 PM | Add Comments | More Options

Nevada Homeless Alliance


I was recently named a board member of the Nevada Homeless Alliance, a nonprofit organization that helps the homeless by creating partnerships and promoting collaboration between service providers. My responsibilities include making sure the NHA remains focused on its mission, serving as an ambassador for the nonprofit and the homeless, and raising funds and awareness. Of course, I’m particularly interested in helping the people in the underground flood channels.

A lot of you have expressed interest in helping the hundreds of people in the tunnels and the thousands of other homeless in the valley. In this new role, I should have more answers, suggestions and opportunities for you.

Stay tuned!

Posted: 2/28/2013 at 11:33:00 AM | Updated: 2/28/2013 at 11:35:00 AM | Add Comments | More Options

CBC Radio


A long but worthwhile radio piece on the tunnels courtesy of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation:

http://www.cbc.ca/thecurrent/2012/11/05/living-in-vegas-tunnels/

Posted: 11/6/2012 at 10:30:00 PM | Updated: 11/6/2012 at 10:30:00 PM | Add Comments | More Options

Vice magazine slideshow


I’ve been Facebook friends with Giles Clarke for almost a year and have been moved by his photos, which are taken with his iPhone. Here’s a slideshow he shot of people living in the underground flood channels of Vegas:

http://www.vice.com/read/giles-clarke-ventures-into-the-neon-underground

Posted: 10/16/2012 at 10:25:00 AM | Updated: 10/16/2012 at 10:25:00 AM | Add Comments | More Options

Blue Angel Motel


My Week at the Blue Angel garners a mention in this rundown of bizarre statues and public art in Las Vegas:

http://lasvegas.cbslocal.com/top-lists/top-bizarre-statues-or-public-art-in-las-vegas/

Posted: 10/7/2012 at 10:25:00 AM | Updated: 10/7/2012 at 10:25:00 AM | Add Comments | More Options

Postdiluvian


Some of you have wondered what happens to the people in the tunnels when it rains. I addressed that question recently on KNPR:

http://www.knpr.org/son/archive/detail2.cfm?SegmentID=9178&ProgramID=2577

Posted: 8/30/2012 at 10:58:00 AM | Updated: 8/30/2012 at 11:01:00 AM | Add Comments | More Options

Your chance to be in a movie!

I’ve been working with filmmaker Florent Tillon on this project and he definitely has a unique perspective on Vegas, and Josh Ellis and Jarret Keene are two of the best writers in town. I plan to be there:

https://www.facebook.com/events/305030619593002/

Posted: 7/24/2012 at 1:33:00 PM | Updated: 7/27/2012 at 11:06:00 PM | Add Comments | More Options

French TV review of BTN

It’s good to know there’s at least one major TV station in the world (France 24) that devotes time to book reviews. It’s also good to know that this particular critic seemed to enjoy Beneath the Neon, which was recently translated into French.

http://www.france24.com/en/20120419-matthew-o-brien-beneath-the-neon-en-culture

Posted: 5/3/2012 at 12:26:00 PM | Updated: 5/13/2012 at 10:23:00 PM | Add Comments | More Options

‘Books By the Bed’

The website for the book We Wanted to Be Writers has a regular feature called “Books By the Bed,” which asks authors what they’re reading or planning to read. Here are the books by my bed:

http://wewantedtobewriters.com/2012/04/books-by-matthew-obriens-bed/
Posted: 4/29/2012 at 11:27:00 AM | Updated: 4/29/2012 at 11:27:00 AM | Add Comments | More Options

Going to UNLV

As some of you know, I applied to grad school (MFA creative writing) late last year and early this year. I ended up getting into UNLV and the University of Washington. Washington has an outstanding program, but UNLV, which also has a strong program, made the most sense financially, logistically and, in some cases, personally. So, it looks like I’ll start taking graduate classes and teaching undergrad courses at UNLV in late August.

I have mixed feelings about staying in Vegas another few years, but I’m certainly excited about this opportunity and challenge. I’ll keep you all updated, of course.

Posted: 4/23/2012 at 1:31:00 PM | Updated: 4/23/2012 at 1:33:00 PM | Add Comments | More Options

Huntington Press sale

Huntington Press is having a spring-clearance sale, with great deals on many of its titles, including a package price for Beneath the Neon and My Week at the Blue Angel. Check out all the deals here:

http://www.shoplva.com/collections/bargain-bin/

Posted: 4/6/2012 at 10:17:00 AM | Updated: 4/6/2012 at 10:18:00 AM | Add Comments | More Options

Documentary film project

French filmmaker Florent Tillon is aiming the lens at Las Vegas this summer. If you want to learn more about his project, and perhaps donate to it, visit http://www.touscoprod.com/project/produce?id=173.

Posted: 3/26/2012 at 1:44:00 PM | Updated: 3/26/2012 at 1:46:00 PM | Add Comments | More Options

GSU Magazine piece

I attended Georgia State University from 1988 to ’91 and again in ’96, and GSU Magazine recently profiled me. Thanks to writer Marcus Key and editor William Inman for this piece!

http://www.gsu.edu/magazine/860.html

Posted: 3/8/2012 at 12:32:00 PM | Updated: 3/8/2012 at 12:33:00 PM | Add Comments | More Options

Got work?

I’m trying to kick up some work for the spring and summer (until I, hopefully, start grad school in the fall). If you know of any freelance writing, editing or media consulting work, please let me know. Thanks!

Posted: 3/5/2012 at 2:11:00 PM | Updated: 3/5/2012 at 2:19:00 PM | Add Comments | More Options

A French-language review

My books are apparently about to be published in French or, perhaps, already have been. And this reviewer seems (it’s in French) to like the translations.

This is the first I’ve seen of the book covers, which are different from the English-language covers. Less warm, but perhaps more artistic. Still trying to decide if I like them.

As you can probably sense, my experience with the French publisher has been strange. More on this later, I’m sure.

http://laccoudoir.com/essais-documents/blue-angel-motel-sous-les-neons-matthew-obrien-2651/

Posted: 3/3/2012 at 9:43:00 PM | Updated: 3/3/2012 at 9:44:00 PM | Add Comments | More Options

The Browser interview

The literary website the Browser asked me to pick my five favorite Las Vegas books, focusing mostly on nonfiction titles. Here are my choices:

http://thebrowser.com/interviews/matthew-o’brien-on-las-vegas

Posted: 1/18/2012 at 11:08:00 AM | Updated: 1/18/2012 at 11:08:00 AM | Add Comments | More Options

Grad school update

So, I applied to six MFA creative writing programs: Iowa, Texas, UC Irvine, UNLV, Washington and Arizona. In the spring, I’ll know where I got in and what funding is available, and I’ll go from there. Very excited about the prospects!

I’ll keep you updated, of course.

Posted: 1/11/2012 at 2:12:00 PM | Updated: 1/11/2012 at 2:13:00 PM | Add Comments | More Options

Fade Sag Crumble makes top-10 list

A month after The Guardian included Fade Sag Crumble on its Ten of the Best Books Set in Las Vegas list, Chuck Twardy of the Las Vegas Weekly named it one of the top-ten books of 2011. Yeah, it’s number 10, but still …

http://www.lasvegasweekly.com/news/2011/dec/29/2011-year-review-books-strip-and-sports/

Posted: 1/1/2012 at 2:14:00 PM | Updated: 1/1/2012 at 2:17:00 PM | Add Comments | More Options

Quick Christmas follow-up

Spent a few hours in the underground flood channels on Christmas Day, giving out bottled water, clothes, gift cards, toiletries and other items, with the help of a former tunnel resident. The people we encountered were, as usual, polite and appreciative. Thanks to Ted at Lynn’s World consignment store, my sister Cathy, my friends David and Molly and my Facebook friend Karine Projean for their generous donations!

Posted: 12/27/2011 at 12:32:00 PM | Updated: 12/27/2011 at 12:33:00 PM | Add Comments | More Options

Christmas in the tunnels

I’m going to be in Vegas for the holidays and am planning a Christmas Day trip into the underground flood channels. Want to give out knit caps, socks, books, flashlights, AA and AAA batteries, blankets, canned goods, gift cards (Target, McDonald’s, Walmart), etc. If you’d like to contribute new or gently used items, please let me know.

Thanks and happy holidays!

Posted: 12/19/2011 at 1:18:00 PM | Updated: 12/19/2011 at 1:19:00 PM | Add Comments | More Options

Free shipping and no taxes!

If you’d like a copy of my books Beneath the Neon or My Week at the Blue Angel (www.beneaththeneon.com) or Fade Sag Crumble (www.fadesagcrumble.com), a new collection I contributed to, for yourself or to give as a gift, message me or send me an e-mail. I can sign or personalize the books and ship them for the list price: $20 for Beneath the Neon and $15 for My Week at the Blue Angel and Fade Sag Crumble.

Thanks!

Posted: 12/5/2011 at 10:55:00 AM | Updated: 12/5/2011 at 10:57:00 AM | Add Comments | More Options

KNPR interview

I was on KNPR this morning, with attorney/writer Dayvid Figler and CityLife Editor Scott Dickensheets, talking about the 40th anniversary of Hunter S. Thompson’s Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.

http://www.knpr.org/son/archive/detail2.cfm?SegmentID=8391&ProgramID=2378

Posted: 12/1/2011 at 9:30:00 PM | Updated: 12/1/2011 at 9:31:00 PM | Add Comments | More Options

HP’s holiday catalog

My publisher’s 2011 holiday catalog:

http://www.lasvegasadvisor.com/catalog2011.pdf

Posted: 11/24/2011 at 6:50:00 PM | Updated: 11/24/2011 at 6:52:00 PM | Add Comments | More Options

Fade Sag Crumble in The Guardian

Malcolm Burgess, writing for The Guardian, included Fade Sag Crumble in his Ten of the Best Books Set in Las Vegas list. True, he left out some worthy titles (e.g., How I Got Cultured and Lay the Favorite). And I disagree with some of his selections (The Desert Rose and The Cold Six Thousand). But it’s a nice acknowledgement, nonetheless, for the collection.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2011/nov/16/top-10-books-las-vegas

Posted: 11/21/2011 at 11:47:00 AM | Updated: 11/21/2011 at 11:48:00 AM | Add Comments | More Options

Fade Sag Crumble book info

More info on the book I contributed to, Fade Sag Crumble: Ten Las Vegas Writers Confront Decay.

http://fadesagcrumble.com/

Posted: 10/30/2011 at 1:01:00 PM | Updated: 10/30/2011 at 1:02:00 PM | Add Comments | More Options