Dye Hard Interview with Pravasan Pillay: Humour Me

Pravasan Pillay was born in 1978 in Durban. He has published a chapbook of poetry, Glumlazi (2009), and a collection of comedic short stories Shaggy (2011), co-written with Anton Krueger. Pillay's poetry and short stories have appeared in numerous books and journals and on websites. His short story 'Mr Essop' appears in The Edge of Things, an anthology of South African short fiction published by Dye Hard Press.His humour pieces have appeared in A Look Away Magazine, Mail & Guardian and McSweeney's. He is the editor and co-founder of the small press Tearoom Books. Pillay has worked as a freelance journalist, philosophy lecturer, production and project manager, and copy editor. He currently lives in Sweden and works as the international editor of a Swedish trade magazine. Read more HERE.

Max Moodley: 0061

Victoria Williams: 0109

Since she arrived never have I had so many I love yous. Never have I been so plagued with them. Until finally she utters them reproachfully, pre-empting my silence.

Deliria by Gary Cummiskey

Review Of The Edge Of Things And Interview With Arja Salafranca And Contributors

Janet van Eeden of LitNet reviews The Edge of Things, and chats to Arja Salafranca and other contributors about their stories.

Anton, Shaggy

Victoria Williams: 0108

Got rolls of brown paper all over the desk, along with cans of spray adhesive, paintbrushes – all sizes, sheets of newspaper covering the floor in one corner of the room, an umbrella opened out next to the radiator letting off steam, and two scented candles burning a sickly crème-brulee odour into the paintwork. Did I mention the stacks of books, knee to waist high, and the dust – oh the dust. But not just dust, dust with fingerprints. Anyway, Waistcoat comes in here and looks around at me in the acrid mist, conducting Handel’s Water Music with a pencil, and he says, ‘Congratulations V, it looks like you’re actually accomplishing something in here.'

Landscape Two by Gary Cummiskey

Shaggy by Anton Krueger and Pravasan Pillay

Shaggy:14 Rather Amusing Rambles

by Anton Krueger and Pravasan Pillay

Published by BK Publishing

“But listen to me rambling on! I’m sure you must be dying to rush home to feed your cat.”

14 monologues by creeps, losers and an idiot.

Prepare yourself for a cast of some of the most manipulative, ingratiating, disillusioned, egotistical, inauthentic, spiteful narcissists operating in
contemporary South Africa. Within these pages you will encounter fourteen first-hand shaggy stories told by a rogues gallery of scheming misanthropes whose speeches are full of sound and fury, signifying very little. These hilarious blowhards will make you snigger, cringe and wish your cousin had rather given you Spud 5 for your birthday.

Price: R135
To order a copy write to: andrea@alookaway.co.za

Or purchase online at Red Pepper Books.

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Victoria Williams: 0107

She had ended up back in maroon; just like the colour of her school uniform.

Houses Of Joy by Gary Cummiskey

Invitation To The Jo'burg Launch Of The Edge Of Things

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Victoria Williams: 0106

So sick of hearing, and what will you do, what will you do?
Ask me what am I doing,
And I will tell you.

Collage by Gary Cummiskey

It's Like Sweden, Man

KRAMER: Jerry, look how tense you are. You need to take a soak.

JERRY: I'm not taking a soak in that human bacteria vat you got goin' there.

KRAMER: Come on, I'm telling you, it's great. I opened up all the windows. The air is cold, the tub is boiling hot. It's like Sweden, man. Sweden!

Max Moodley: 0058