The Peak

Chelsea Harlan, author of “When Foamhenge Was Still Where It Was” from Volume 72.2, reads her poem out loud.

Irène Mathieu, featured in Volume 68.2, published her fourth collection of poetry, milk tongue, on June 13th, 2023. Here, she responds to questions about the book and her writing process. Can you tell me the story of this book: When did you start working on it? What were some of your preoccupations as […]

Yuan Changming, author of “Lesson One in Chinese Character/s: a Bilinguacultural Poem about Heart” from Volume 72.2, reads his poem out loud.

David Siew Hii, our editorial fellow in poetry for issue 72.2, interviewed every poet in the issue. To better center their voices,they removed their questions, giving them more space to talk about poetry and life. The document that follows is a curated, compressed version of that conversation. Read Yuan’s poem “Lesson One in Chinese Character/s: […]

Lauren Camp reads her poem “Cell Theory” from Shenandoah Issue 72.2, Spring 2023.

Luisa Caycedo-Kimura, author of “Queridas tías” from Volume 72.2, reads her poem out loud.

Tanya Žilinskas, author of “The Winter Guests” from Volume 72.2, recounts her inspiration for her story revealing the behind-the-scenes of the setting of Mount Imola and the main character’s intentions. Shirley Jackson’s short story “The Summer People” revolves around an aging couple, Mr. and Mrs. Allison, who decide to stay on at their […]

Tom Sokolowski, author of “Feeding Hour” from Volume 72.2, explores the importance of endings as a means to inspire imagination from readers. He discusses pieces with memorable endings and argues that the key to an ending that will stick with a reader is a crucial image in the final scene that leaves the readers in […]

Mirinae Lee, author of “Bring Down the House” from Volume 70.1, published her debut novel, 8 Lives of a Century-Old Trickster, on June 13th, 2023. Here, she responds to questions about the book and her writing process. Can you tell me the story of your forthcoming book? When did you start working on […]

David Siew Hii, our editorial fellow in poetry for issue 72.2, interviews Patrycja Humienik

Samuel Rafael Barber, author of “A Guide for Boys: Adventures and Other Ventures into Human Capital (Ages 6+)” from Volume 72.2, gives us insight into the origins of and voice behind this novel excerpt. We didn’t have this book when we were Boys, so I had to write it. Read this book to […]

Michelle Lerner, author of “Sanctuary from Ring” from Volume 72.2, shares the origin story of the book, its relationship to loss, and reaches out a hand to the rest of us In 1993, when I was twenty-two years old, I lost someone whom I’d loved intensely. In the aftermath, I experienced a grief that would […]

Luisa Caycedo-Kimura writes about home, family, and moving to a cold new place.

A conversation with Hannah Fischer about her nonfiction piece “The Elephant’s Tiptoe.”

Jane Satterfield talks about her new book, The Badass Brontës.

Ann Wilberton writes about joy and the hopeful art of tinkering.

Quinn Adikes reflects on writing as collaging.

Karen Heuler discusses her three new books and offers advice on writing your truth.

Lucien Darjeun Meadows considers ultrarunner’s relationships to the trails in an essay on his poem, “Mile 11—”

Poet Josh Luckenbach talks spells and villanelles.

Mildred Barya reflects on visiting Gorée Island, bearing witness at the Door of No Return, and writing ancestral trauma.

CJ Scruton reflects on the origins of their poems “Self-Portraits in Jurassic Park” and “In Transfemme Quarantine” as well as the act of misremembering.

Poets and longtime friends Jodie Hollander and Mildred Barya discuss writing their forthcoming collections.

A song suggestion and insight into Volume 72.1 poem “Albino Redwoods” by Leona Sevick.

Doris W. Cheng explores the connections between politics, love, and invisibility as the first chapters of her novel take shape.

Nonfiction writer Donna Hemans and poet Carolyn Oliver discuss “home” as inspiration, writing sensory, and their future work.

The author of “Anyone Can Have a Good Time” reflects on gardens, legacy, memory, and returning home in a conversation with August Donovan.

Juhea Kim shares how Korean history and her family legacy serve as the foundation for her newly released novel, Beasts of a Little Land.

Shell St. James, author of The Mermaid of Agawam Bay, reflects on her childhood by the sea and encourages readers to open themselves up to magic.

Athena Dixon talks about the deeply personal roots of her nonfiction piece “Distillation.”