Best American Essays 2013

I was thrilled to find out that my essay “Pigeons” was just selected by Cheryl Strayed for the Best American Essays 2013 anthology. This was especially gratifying given how many editors initially rejected the essay. I kept submitting it because the...

“All of Us, We All Are Arameans”

If you would like to download a copy of my new novella-length essay, “All of Us, We All Are Arameans,” which Ploughshares just published as part of its Ploughshares Solos series, here is the link: “All of Us, We All Are Arameans”. I wish I...

Websites featuring Breaking and Entering

You know, a lot of newspapers may have gone bankrupt or stopped printing book reviews, but think of all the book-lovers’ websites that never used to exist. These sites reach thousands–and sometimes tens of thousands–of readers. How is that not good...

Civil Rights in Israel

Here’s a link to an essay I wrote about a truly upsetting incident that happened when I was visiting Israel last summer. (Might I add that I am very proud of the multitalented Sam Apple, who once, long ago, was my student here in Ann Arbor and now is a wonderful...

Grub Street National Book Prize

I still can’t believe it–Breaking and Entering just won the Grub Street National Book Prize. I’m a huge fan of Margot Livesey, who judged the award, and this means I’ll get to visit all my friends in Boston when I give a reading and a craft...