The Peak: Books

Contributor Emma Sloley talks to us about the release of her new novel, The Island of Last Things. Emma’s story “Sugartown” appears in our 75th anniversary issue.

We’re thrilled to help celebrate the forthcoming launch of Mubanga Kalimamukwento’s novel The Shipikisha Club, out from Dzanc Books in March 2026, by collaborating on the reveal of the cover, designed by Michelle D’Urbano.

In this Q&A, Nadia Alexis talks about her new collection of poetry and photography, Beyond the Watershed, which focuses on various experiences of a Haitian American daughter and her Haitian immigrant mother.

Four of Shenandoah’s editors talk books that have inspired them, books they wish they had read, and books they think more people should read.

In the following interview, Amy Lee Lillard, author of “I am Not a Woman I’m a God,” featured in Volume 73.1 of Shenandoah, talks about her new book, Exile in Guyville, which comes out May 21. Read “I am Not a Woman I’m a God” here. Can you tell me the story […]

In the Q&A below, Lisa Ampleman, discusses her new book Mom in Space which was released in January 2024 and includes “Lunar Deceptions,” featured in Volume 72.2 of Shenandoah. Mom in Space is a complicated love letter to both the intergalactic and the terrestrial. Using the lens of spaceflight, Lisa Ampleman explores subjects ranging […]

In this Q&A, Isaac Yuen discusses the creation of his debut nature essay collection, titled Utter, Earth: Advice on Living in a More-Than-Human World. You can read Yuen’s piece, “Our Museum of the Future,” featured in Volume 68.1 of Shenandoah here. Can you tell me the story of this book: When did you […]

Sara Marchant, author of “Haunted” in Volume 70.2 of Shenandoah, published her debut full-length novel, Becoming Delilah, on August 15, 2023. Here, she speaks with nonfiction editor DW McKinney about the book and writing about early girlhood and womanhood. What was your inspiration for Becoming Delilah? It’s based on my 2018 novella […]

Willie Lin discusses the process of writing and putting together her book, Conversation Among Stones, which was published in November 2023. Her piece, “Object Lesson,” was featured in Volume 68.2 of Shenandoah. Read “Object Lesson” here. Can you tell me the story of this book: When did you start working on it? What were some […]

Erin Hoover, the poet behind Barnburner, featured in the Fall 2021 edition of Shenandoah, answers questions about her new collection entitled No Spare People.

Manini Nayar, writer of “Triptych, With Interruptions,” featured in the Fall 2019 edition of Shenandoah, shares her thoughts on the power of immigrant stories and her experience writing Being Here, in the essay below. Read “Triptych, With Interruptions” here. Notes on Revisiting the ‘Immigrant’ in Immigrant Writing In writing my collection of stories, […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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

Farah Ali talks about her new story collection and offers a glimpse into the publication process.

John Kinsella on his new poetry collection Insomnia

Jeannine Pitas on a new english translation of Selva Casal’s No vivimos en vano

Brian Komei Dempster on his new book Seize

Contributor Mike Soto on his new poetry collection A Grave Is Given Supper