My first letter of acceptance, to UMass - Amherst, came with an offer of a fellowship and a note from John Edgar Wideman. Alexander Chee acceptanceamherstedgar Change image and share on social
Liz Benedict, a teacher of mine at Iowa, is the person who introduced me to James Salter's work. Alexander Chee benedictintroduceiowa Change image and share on social
At first, teaching was more or less a straightforward way of making a living and having access to institutional resources while writing - aka libraries. And that was not inconsiderable. But it didn't in any way touch the writing. Maybe it would push the writing aside sometimes, but mostly it was fine. Alexander Chee accessakafine share on social
My mother's family has been in Maine for over 300 years on the same farm. They have a King George III deed. Alexander Chee deedfamilyfarm Change image and share on social
Fate and history have a similar feeling. They are weird mirrors to each other. Alexander Chee fatefelthistory Change image and share on social
Acadia was founded in 1916 by Woodrow Wilson as the first Eastern national park, aided by rich men, often with middle initials, the 'rusticators,' as they were known then, the first of our wealthy out-of-state visitors. Alexander Chee acadiaaideastern share on social
I had been in a professional boys' choir, and as a boy soprano, you're aware that your voice has an expiration date. Alexander Chee awareboychoir Change image and share on social
When I'm identified as a fiction writer at parties, the question comes pretty quickly. 'Did you go to school for it?' someone asks. 'Yes,' I say. 'Where?' they ask, because I don't usually offer it. 'I went to the Iowa Writers' Workshop,' I say. Alexander Chee askfictionidentify share on social
If you compromise, and then you succeed, that's another kind of feeling. But if you compromise and fail, it's two failures at least. Alexander Chee compromisefailfailure Change image and share on social
Lilliet Berne, La Generale, newly returned to Paris after a year spent away, the Falcon soprano whose voice was so delicate it was rumored she endangered it even by speaking, her silences as famous as her performances. Alexander Chee bernedelicateendanger share on social