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.
“I ate perhaps 1000 calories of Fig Newmans,” said Nicolas Cage on Gmail chat to his agent who was currently in Ada, Oklahoma for her younger brother’s wedding. “And 400 calories of Tate’s cookies. In a time of severe depression.”
“I ate a least 1000 calories of fries,” said Nicolas Cage’s agent.
“As people around me smoked marijuana,” said Nicolas Cage.
“Waffle fries,” said Nicolas Cage’s agent.
“I also ate a bar panini,” said Nicolas Cage.
“Did you smoke pot?” said Nicolas Cage’s agent.
“No,” said Nicolas Cage. “Well, sometimes.”
“Bar Panini?” said Nicolas Cage’s agent. “You mean, like a Luna Bar?”
“No,” said Nicolas Cage. “A panini that I bought in a bar. There’s a bar here ... their thing is that they sell these paninis. I doubt they have paninis in Oklahoma.”
Nicolas Cage’s agent wasn’t responding.
“Are you looking up ‘panini’ right now?” said Nicolas Cage. “It’s, like, a sandwich or something. It’s Italian I think. It’s two things of flat bread with ham in between. Mine had ham, I think it’s usually ham.”
