Archive - The Querent

Backstory: An essay from my archives

Jul 4 •

June 2025

“How do you know what to read?”

A question from a student in 1993 that I could keep answering.

Jun 27 •

Activity Report: 10 People Recall The Same Event Differently And You Were All Of Them

Some reflections on my conversations with Ocean Vuong, Sarah Schulman, Mike Curato and Melissa Febos about their new books.

Jun 15 •

Live with Jami Attenberg

A recording from Alexander Chee and Jami Attenberg's live video

Jun 7 •

and

21:24

Two Summer Classes: On Essay Collections And Description

Some opportunities to study with me ahead, plus a new favorite flower painter.

Jun 2 •

May 2025

American Letters 6 - Animals At Night

May 16 •

Some thoughts on teaching setting, The Great Gatsby, and writing about where we are from.

May 5 •

April 2025

A Big Breath Of Love Amid The Terror

Some thoughts on recent travels and a few of my imaginary friends, aka the books keeping me company as the season turns.

Apr 18 •

On Encouragement

A Tarot reading for a creative nonfiction class reading The Querent.

Apr 7 •

March 2025

American Letters 5: Swim To Shore

An old lesson from his father returns.

Mar 24 •

Some Postcards I Never Sent

“You can’t wait for the world to be perfect to write. You’d be waiting forever.”

Mar 12 •

February 2025

Writing Prompt: On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous, by Ocean Vuong

Notes On A Restless Form

Feb 24 •

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