Manna America (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9798257308970)

"Like a Rod Serling for the 21st Century, M.C. Schmidt hooks us with his often comically outlandish premises only to draw us into tightly wrought fictions that are tantalizingly, if uncomfortably, relevant. Manna America packs a novel's worth of ideas into each story while keeping an unwavering aim on the beating human heart of any reader smart enough to pick it up."

-Luke Geddes, author of Heart of Junk

"Schmidt is one of the best short story writers out there. Combining a wry sense of humor, humanity, striking imagination and unique intelligence, this collection will be stimulating reading for one and all."

-Karl Wenclas, Editor-in-Chief, New Pop Lit

"These short stories effortlessly pull you into a world where miracles happen in the midst of everyday madness. The tales are varied with a mix of settings and a gallery of quirky characters, combining sharp-edged observations with compassion and humour. Whether addressing political hypocrisy, school-yard bullying, castration or the emergence of a deity, M.C. Schmidt has a knack for knowing how to keep the reader guessing and hankering for more. Impressive stuff."

-Mark Burrow, author of Coo

"Manna America, M.C. Schmidt's new collection of short stories, is an incisive, funny, unflinching dissection of modern-day humanity and its many contradictions. Thrown into hilariously absurd scenarios, the characters of Manna America fumble through, determined yet often misguided, and always with plenty of flair. Schmidt never gives up on them despite their foibles, and his understanding of the human condition is profound. Written with a precise authorial hand, the stories are buoyant with humor that counters the weight of individual folly and societal pressures. Manna America is a sharp, delightful collection from a master of short fiction."

-Maura Yzmore, author of Dangling