Everyone Remain Calm

by Megan Stielstra

'Quirky, Sedaris - style musings with unexpected theatrical trimmings.'' - Time Out Chicago These days, reality can be hard to swallow. How do we get to the end of day, let alone the end of the week? Some people drink, others get therapy, but all of us - hidden in the secret places in the backs of our minds - have fantasies. These are what we wish for, fight for, live for. Maybe yours is a pretty girl. Maybe it's a better job. Maybe its the love that'll swoop down makes everything seem okay. It's the fantasies that'll save us, but still - they're a dangerous thing. That pretty girl may not be so pretty tomorrow; that perfect job may not really exist; and what happens to love when you're so lost in a fantasy you can't see what's right in front of your face? The stories in Everyone Remain Calm explore the lines between fantasy and reality - how we move between the two in a crazy attempt to make our lives better. It's a hard journey - we get anxious, panicked, fearful, lost - our pulse quickens, shoulders tighten. We forget to breathe. These stories are a reminder.

Genres: Short Stories, Fiction

268 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

Megan Stielstra is the author of the essay collection Once I Was Cool. Her work is included in The Best American Essays 2013, Poets & Writers, The Rumpus, PANK, Other Voices, f Magazine, Make Magazine, Joyland, Pindeldyboz, Swink, and elsewhere, and her story collection, Everyone Remain Calm, was a Chicago Tribune Favorite of 2011. She’s the Literary Director of the critically-acclaimed 2nd Story storytelling series and has told stories for all sorts of theaters, festivals, and bars including the Goodman, Steppenwolf, Museum of Contemporary Art, Neo-Futurarium, Chicago Public Radio, and regularly for The Paper Machete live news magazine at The Green Mill. Currently, she teaches writing and performance at Columbia College Chicago and serves as the Associate Director of The Center For Innovation in Teaching Excellence. She also teaches creative nonfiction at Northwestern University and fiction at the University of Chicago, and is a 3Arts Teaching Artist Award Finalist for her work with 2nd Story, helping people of all ages get their stories on the page.

Reviews

[Meghan Burke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having only read her essays before it was odd to read a mix of essays and short stories. Didn’t love them at first but she charmed me again, as always. I adore Stielstra, and not just because we’re Michigan Meg(h)and who teach college and lived in the same area of Chicago for some of the same years. I swear.

[Christi Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

"After Wade Dell Dallas put his fist in my eye on our third date, my father went after him with a .375 Holland and Holland Magnum."

As the first line of the first story in Megan Stielstra's EVERYONE REMAIN CALM, the quote above says as much about her writing as it does the stories within: powerful, at times raw, and full of characters who are not easily forgotten. I love this collection, for so many reasons. Stielstra's writing immediately pulls you in and holds you to the last moment in each story, some of which are heart-wrenching in that we see the ugly, vulnerable, desperate side of humanity. But, Stielstra doesn't let you linger too long there. She ends each story at just the right time, after the characters have hovered on the edge of chaos or danger - of giving up or giving in - and then retreated, to take a breath.

The eBook format, and the length of the stories, is a perfect fit for reading on a coffee break or perhaps during that commute to work. I read in short successions, taking in one story at a time and then letting each ruminate before I moved on to the next one. I look forward to reading more from Ms. Stielstra.

[C · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 or 3.75 stars (rounding up to four because she is awesome...)

Probably my least favorite of Stielstra's work so far (I apparently am reading her in reverse order...) but that isn't saying a whole lot as I just adore her writing.

I felt a little whiplash in this one as I was expecting more essays (and I think that a few of these are?) rather than fiction. I was a tiny bit put off for the first couple of stories but once I got into the meat of the book, I was once again in love - particularly loved "Missed Connection," "This teacher talks too fast," and "All so goddamn great."

I would personally suggest starting with her other books but if you have read everything else by Stielstra, this is still very much worth it. Just be ready for a slightly different voice than you might be used to...

[Clifford · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recently read this author's essay collection, and in a sense I felt like I was re-reading it when I was reading these stories. The protagonists here--young women who drink a lot and go to loud concerts and bars and have tragic breakups--seem a lot like the impression I have of the author from the essays. Which is not a flaw, exactly, just not very interesting TO ME. I can imagine a demographic who could really relate. So: good, just not my thing.

[Monica Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

Megan Stielstra, if you’re reading this: please write more books. I will read them all—essays, stories, memoir, a novel. No rush.

[Brenda H · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

These stories are fantastic. I've seen Megan read / perform numerous times so there were a couple I was already familiar with but there were also new ones that I just lovelovelooooooved. She's got a very unique voice while at the same time voicing some universal truths. Fantastic writing / fantastic reading.

[Anna Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous, fabulous, wonderful. I couldn't believe it was over when I got to the end-- I kind of wanted more stories to magically appear until my kindle blew up from awesomeness. Or something. The stories are tight, engaging and absorbing, and the voice is strong and real. Look out, everyone with an e reader, 'cause I'm about to recommend the shit outta this collection!

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Keep your eye out for work from this exciting debut in the next issue of nthWORD.

[Stephanie]

Okay guys, this lady is amazing! I can't wait to read her book. She is a 2nd Story super star, and an incredible woman.

How cool that I know an author?!

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the magic realism. Troubled by the same story being used both in this short story collection and in Stielstra's collection of supposedly true essays.

[Rachel León]

Megan Stielstra is such a sharp and interesting writer. I loved this book.