Small Beer Press is proud to announce that Minneapolis-based poet and writer A. DeNiro’s passionate and political debut fiction collection, Skinny Dipping in the Lake of the Dead , (July 1, 2006 · $16 · 1-931520-17-8) is on the 2006 Longlist for the Second Annual Frank O’Connor International Short Story Award. Author of a collection reminiscent of debuts by George Saunders and Aimee Bender, praised by leading short story writers Jonathan Lethem and Hannah Tinti, DeNiro, 32, was surprised and delighted: “It’s a thrill to be in such good company, for a prize that is doing a lot to foster appreciation and awareness of the short story throughout the world.” DeNiro’s appearance on the Frank O’Connor International Short Story Award is the latest piece of good news for Small Beer Press, who…