Published in 2013 by This Land Press, edited by Jeff Martin, and lauded by The Paris Review as “the literary equivalent of a high-wire act,” Imaginary Oklahoma is a collection of flash fiction stories about Oklahoma by writers who may or may not have ever been here. In 46 stories to commemorate the 46th state, some of today's most important writers, each paired with an artist, provide their take on "the Oklahoma of the imagination."
We're proud to bring some of these stories to The Pickup—some with This Land Press’ accompanying podcast episodes—to help you dream your own Oklahoma dreams.
KANSAS
Okay, okay, I’ll go. I never had a fruit as my state vegetable.
(No one drinks.)
TEXAS
Oh, come on—are you seriously telling me you’re not gonna drink for that one?
OKLAHOMA
You can look it up; my state legislature has clearly proven that a watermelon can be classified as either a fruit or vegetable. It’s related to the cucumber.
TEXAS
Yeah, your state legislators are related to their cousins, more like.
OKLAHOMA
That doesn’t even make sense. You know anyone who’s not related to their cousins?
TEXAS
You know what I mean. Okay. I never made anybody think of a heart-warming musical. (KANSAS and OKLAHOMA both drink.)
OKLAHOMA
I never made it illegal to sell your own eye. (TEXAS drinks.)