As Dzanc has published three books by Robert Lopez, including his most recent, All Back Full, it was exciting to see him have a story collection come out last year, and Good People from Bellevue Literary Press is a fantastic collection (and if you get a chance to see him read, ie, perform, take that chance. He has answered some questions about his collection here for National Short Story Month.
EWN: Your short story collection, Good People, was published in 2016. What story within the collection had the earliest publication history outside of being in the collection, and what was that history?
Robert: There were two stories written in 1996 or 1997. One was published in Failbetter probably around 2002, maybe, and one in the Indiana Review in 2006.
EWN: How did the publication of this particular collection come about? Were you solicited by the publisher, win a contest, agent submission, etc.?
Robert: The publisher and editor in chief, Erika Goldman, and I were friends for a few years before I told her I had a manuscript. She was interested in reading it, liked it, published it.
EWN: Where do short stories fit within your life as an author? Primary form to work with, or something you write when an idea hits, or …?
Robert: I would say stories are a favorite form. I write more stories than anything else, certainly. Although, when I’m working on a novel then that is my favorite form.
EWN: Where do short stories fit within your life as a reader?
Robert: I prefer them. Read and teach them. Unless I’m reading and teaching a novel.
EWN: How will you be celebrating National Short Story Month this May?
Robert: I will set fires both here and abroad.
EWN: Thank you very much for your time!
Robert: Thank you.
Robert Lopez is the author of three novels and two story collections, of which the most recent are All Back Full and Good People. He teaches at Pratt Institute, The New School, Columbia University, and the Solstice Low-Residency MFA Program of Pine Manor College.
Comments