Alia Volz

Sunday feature in The New York Times

By: aliasgone September 3, 2015March 5, 2019

FactMounted patrol, NPS, nyt, nytonwork, park service, riding, volunteer, volunteerism1 Comment

On Thursday at noon, I ditch the San Francisco courthouse where I work as a Spanish interpreter and high-tail it home to swap my conservative suit for breeches and dusty paddock boots. I arm myself with allergy pills, nasal spray and a puff from an asthma inhaler. Patches on my windbreaker and baseball cap identify…

“In Any Light, By Any Name” in The Utne Reader

By: aliasgone April 10, 2015March 4, 2019

Uncategorized2 Comments

Utne Reader – Spring 2015 Originally published in Tin House – Winter 2014 My parents meet on a blind date in 1976. Richard with his leather cowboy hat and hand-painted jean jacket, Meridy with her purple turban and kohled eyes. He reads her aura; she reads his tarot cards. The first time they make love…

“Turpentine” in Covered w/ Fur

By: aliasgone April 2, 2015March 5, 2019

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This cat Fritzel was odd. She wasn’t pretty like Angel or Bon Bon, and she wasn’t smart either. Just one of those weird, piebald cats with personality issues. Maybe I didn’t like this cat so much. But once you have a cat, you keep it until it dies. When Fritzel was a kitten, she charged…

Near Unison

By: aliasgone February 19, 2015February 19, 2015

Fiction, Flash2 Comments

Literary Orphans – “Ella” Issue – February 18, 2015 “Interpreter,” I announce, entering the examination room. “Sorry to keep you waiting.” “Oh good, you’re here,” says Dr. Lichter, without looking up from the file in her lap. “We got through most of it, but find out what Mrs. Magaña wants to ask.” I hang my…

My Mother the Ganja Dealer

By: aliasgone January 1, 2015February 19, 2015

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Narratively – Outsiders Week – December 31, 2014 “MAIL CONTAINS DRUG, YOUNG WOMEN SEIZED” reads an August 22, 1969 headline in the Milwaukee Journal. Below, in grainy black and white, floats Meridy Domnitz’s mug shot. At twenty, my mother looks more pathetic than criminal. Her frizzy hair has gone renegade from a sideways ponytail and…

Essay in Tin House – Winter 2014

By: aliasgone December 10, 2014February 19, 2015

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I’m thrilled to have an essay in the gorgeous “Winter Reading” issue of Tin House, the sharpest journal in the west. This issue includes new work by the legendary Ursula K. Le Guin, Joy Williams, and Josh Weil, among other fine writers. I could not be more pleased. I encourage you to pick up Tin House at your…

THE SUNDAY RUMPUS ESSAY: PROCESSING CHILDREN

By: aliasgone October 19, 2014February 19, 2015

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My essay about children in immigration court is live this morning, featuring original illustrations by artist Chris Koehler. BY ALIA VOLZ October 19th, 2014 The courtroom smells of talcum powder. On this afternoon’s docket, we have thirty-four children. Thirty-four out of 35,000 or 57,000 or 90,000 kids who have crossed our borders without permission since…

Straight, No Chaser returns to Vesuvio

By: aliasgone October 12, 2014February 19, 2015

ReadingsBeth Lisick, Edan Lepucki, Jack Boulware, Josh Mohr, Kem Nunn, Litquake, Rosie SchaapLeave a Comment

Straight, No Chaser: Writers at the Bar In what has become a Litquake tradition, hallowed North Beach watering hole Vesuvio Café opens its doors for an edgy and hilarious evening reading. This is a rare opportunity to glimpse authors performing new work in their natural habitat. Emceed by Alia Volz. Featuring Jack Boulware …

SF Weekly interview

By: aliasgone September 2, 2014February 19, 2015

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The Write Stuff: Alia Volz on Not Settling and Being Difficult to Manipulate Posted By Evan Karp on Thu, Aug 28, 2014 at 8:00 AM The Write Stuff is a series of interview profiles conducted by Litseen, where authors give exclusive readings from their work. What is art? Is it necessary? Why? I used to…

Runner-up at the MOTH’s 2014 SF GRANDslam Championship!

By: aliasgone July 3, 2014February 19, 2015