Dustin Staggs over at the Arkansas Democrat Gazette just put out a nice little story on the next issue of The Arkansas International literary magazine. Issue 18 will include a lot of Arkansas authors and poets, including a little seen 1957 short by the late great Charles Portis, author of True Grit. I guess when it’s in the papers I don’t have to play coy! The Arkansas International asked me to adapt his piece into a bit of a comic! Who, What, Where, When was a satirical news column Portis wrote during his time with The Arkansas Traveler. It’s a collection of comedic news items of small town life.  

I will say scrawling “illustrated by Gustav Carlson” next to “written by Charles Portis” still causes a flare of imposter syndrome when I think about it. But making the damn thing was supremely rewarding. Can’t wait to see it, and can’t wait to see all the other assuredly wonderful work The Arkansas International put together for this issue.

There will be a launch party at Ozark Folkways on April 18 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Unfortunately I’ll be out of state for it, but it’s sure to be a good time. And I’m really excited to see the publication in full print! Event info here.