Awkward Two, a collection of 33 micro-short stories by 25 incredible writers, will be released to the public on September 27, 2010. (You can pre-order it right here.) Who are these incredible writers? Let’s meet ‘em! We sent the same 9 questions to all the writers. Here are their answers.

John Harrower

One thing you should know before reading Awkward Two: John Harrower’s story, “Greed,” is disturbing. It caused quite a bit of debate among the Awkward editors. We almost didn’t accept it because it was so disturbing, but then we decided that rejecting a story because it genuinely affected us is a very poor reason to reject a story. Our debate had nothing to do with the quality of writing – the story is incredibly imaginative and well-written. It just, well, disturbed us.

At this point, the story has become a personal favorite, and I’m so glad we didn’t make the foolish decision to bag it. It ends with a sentence that is, in my book, on par with “He loved Big Brother” in its shock value. I think it’s going to blow people’s minds and make them feel a little icky in a really delicious way.

I don’t know much about John Harrower because he lives way over yonder in Scotland. An Amazon search turns up a memoir by John Harrower, an indentured servant from the Virginia colony in 1773. I’m pretty certain this is a different John Harrower. I can say this with confidence, though: the modern John Harrower has been a lovely person to work with in all our dealings, and if he has other stories in him as good as “Greed,” he’s going to go a long way in the writing biz.

The Interview Portion

1) Who are you and why are you here?
My name is John Harrower. I came here to spill some words on you. Sorry if they stain.

2) Why do you write?
If I didn’t write the ideas would still come but would become stale and stunted, trapped in my brain. And who needs a head full of expired plans?

3) What’s the best thing you’ve ever written?
The suicide note from my failed attempt. No, I jest of course. I’m proud of my creative nonfiction essay exploring the duality of the Scottish mindset between “radgeness” and “soundness”.

4) What do you do when you aren’t writing?
I read. I talk to people and listen. I play guitar. I work. I create. I swim in the internet seas. Sometimes I just waste days sleeping. I dream.

5) Name two books that have blown your mind.
House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski made me think about the limitations we oppose on ourselves in writing in certain ways. And that says nothing about the gripping plot and the superb, chameleonic writing style. Lanark by Alasdair Gray had a huge impact on me. I one day want to be able to write a story and end up with something a miniscule amount as good as Lanark is.

6) What do you like to write about?
I like to write about hearts bending and breaking, technology rising up and pushing us forward and Things Going Wrong.

7) Complete this sentence: If the world could know one thing about me, it’s that I …
Once won an award for cunnilingus.

8) Are we doomed?
No more than usual.

9) Anything else?
Isobel Mosley, if you’re reading this, I want my Playstation One back.