Alexander Chee+

How To Make Something Happen

Plot and the Bad Decision Olympics

Letter From Scotland

Some thoughts on going deeper, and writers’ residencies, from a glen near Edinburgh.

The Story Thus Far

In which the author goes to the Bread Loaf Centennial, attends at least 60 readings in 10 days, and celebrates his birthday. And thinks about resilience targeting and community.

On Helping My Mom Move

A few thoughts from the adventure of moving my mom from Maine to California.

Single Gay Uncle - A Short Story In Two Parts

Part 2: Romantic Old Soul. How long then, to burn here, for whatever it is he hasn’t learned?

Single Gay Uncle - A Short Story In Two Parts

Part 1

This Spatial Dimension To My Thoughts

On the Umberto Eco Library and Deepfaking Sam Altman

A Dream About Libraries

What if you could live in one?

Oh L'Amour

One night in the fall of 1986, after I'd just come out.

American Letters 7: How To Turn Yourself Into A Character

One long-form answer to a reader's question.

Another Victory For Your Unconscious

In which I visit my mother, have a dream about George Michael, and am surprised by my recent reading habits during a crisis.

Apparitions

A friend asked me recently what was holding me together.

Homecomings

I was invited to go back to my high school to talk about my work and was asked about despair. The students surprised me and I surprised myself.

On Reading Winter In Sokcho

A late winter in Vermont report from this reader.

On Waiting For Spring

The Essay In The Age Of AI, Writing After Chat GPT, The Novel, Plus Some Favorite Poems, Stories And Essays

When Had I Last Been In Baltimore

In which I go to AWP, then go to NYC, pay a visit to Hunter College, talk kdramas, and write a review.

West Palm Beach International

On air traffic, war, AI, and Florida. My AWP details as well.

Hey Lovers

Some books, some math, some good news tabs--and a rebus Valentine too.

How To Destroy Loneliness

Last night I did something I don’t ever do much when visiting New York which is to go out in our neighborhood here in Hell’s Kitchen.

In Your Arms I Would Start A War

A Heated Rivalry Notebook

You Again, He Said To Himself

A visit to mom. Some just finished, currently reading, reading next thoughts. And a reunion with an old friend, which is a reunion with an old self.

"What Do You Do With Your Stories?"

A report from the end of the term, including some thoughts on teaching students to send work out as well as what magazines are even for.

The Clothes You Were

"They were always getting ready for a world that would never be ready for them."

He Loves New York So Much

On Missing New York, Mamdani, And Recent Events

The Cataclysm You Are Already Living Through

1. Sometimes, while my husband is driving us, I stick my phone up to or even out the window when the landscape moves me.

Like The Unfair Death Of Someone You Love

Following the trail of some old quotes in my thoughts about war, politics and art.

Have You Read All These Books?

Some thoughts on speculative fiction, realism, reading for pleasure, the literary internet, and teaching writing.

I Woke Up In New York With Someone Else’s Lipstick Still On My Cheek.

Some adventures with books in September, including the one I'm writing.

Questions Answered: What It Was Like

Some questions from my class on Description and Setting.

Activity Report: The Earrings of Madame de...

In which I will go to San Francisco for a screening at the invitation of Zyzzyva Magazine and LitQuake.

Questions Answered: The How To Write An Essay Collection Q&A

The questions sent to me by chat or email after my two part class on essay collections.