Editing, Journalism & Nonfiction
These days I’m the arts editor at the New Haven Independent, where I mostly write and edit arts stories and the occasional environmental story. I’ve also done editing work for DataHaven, a regional public policy thinktank.
Pre-New Haven Independent, I worked for a variety of public policy organizations and academic presses, among them the U.S. Institute of Peace, the Peterson Institute for International Economics, and Columbia University Press. While getting my masters degree in public policy from Columbia’s School of International and Public Affairs, I was senior editor of its Journal of International Affairs.
Some of my favorite pieces I’ve written for the Independent include a piece about regenerative architecture on a tiny island off the Connecticut coast, an op-ed about opening schools during the COVID-19 pandemic, a writeup of an art exhibit about gun violence, coverage of a St. Patrick’s Day parade that got into maybe what it means to be Irish-American these days, and an analysis of the legality of sanctuary cities (of which New Haven is proudly one) that let me dust off my policy hat.
One of my favorite pieces I’ve written ever is “A Kinder and More Caring Future?” which appeared in Reckoning, vol. 2. It combines journalism, memoir, and a little creative writing to talk about how we might be able to adapt to the gargantuan challenges of climate change with hope, and even a little humor.
Music
I play violin/fiddle, banjo, trombone, and bass in as many musical styles as I can manage. Much of my musical energy these days is channeled into The Moon Shells, a band that takes inspiration from Appalachia, Louisiana, West Africa, and elsewhere to try to make something new.
Around New Haven, I play in Dr. Caterwaul’s Cadre of Clairvoyant Claptraps, a stubbornly genre-hopping band that plays music from around the world as well as original compositions. I play jazz manouche on a regular basis with the Hot Club of Black Rock and Vardo Swing. I play violin with Bivolita Klezmer and trombone and violin with the Harris Brothers Balkan Brass Band. Several years ago I had the distinct pleasure of playing with the New Haven Improvisers Collective in a conduction run by Butch Morris.
Outside of New Haven I often play Appalachian fiddle music. In addition to the Moon Shells, I play with Harry Bolick and the Mississippi Travelers.
I teach fiddle and banjo. I have a small number of private students in the New Haven area, and I’ve taught classes and led workshops at the Augusta Heritage Center in Elkins, WV, the Ashokan Center in Olivebridge, NY, Banjo Camp North and Jam Camp North in Charlton, MA, the Dance Flurry in Saratoga Springs, NY, Spice on Snow in Montpelier, VT, and other regional festivals.
Over the years I’ve been on albums with An Historic, Bivolita Klezmer, Ken Bloom, Harry Bolick, Drew Bunting, Dr. Caterwaul’s Cadre of Clairvoyant Claptraps, Great Lakes, Max Greene, Mercy Choir, No Line North, and others.
Fiction
I’ve written four published novels: Spaceman Blues: A Love Song (2007), Liberation: Being the Adventures of the Slick Six After the Collapse of the United States of America (2008), Lost Everything—which won the Philip K. Dick Award in 2012—and The Family Hightower (2014).
In 2011 I wrote the libretto for Red Giant, an operetta composed by Adam Matlock, based on a story by Matlock. The opera was commissioned by the Baltimore-based company Rhymes With Opera and was fully staged in its 2013-14 season.
From 2014 to 2019, I was on the writing team for Bookburners, an ongoing serialized story created by Max Gladstone and including fellow writers Margaret Dunlap, Mur Lafferty, and Andrea Phillips. Bookburners is published by Serial Box.
I’ve also published short fiction in Glimmer Train, Interfictions, The Revelator, the anthology Welcome to Dystopia, and the Sunday Morning Transport, among other places.
I’m represented by Cameron McClure at the Donald Maass Literary Agency.
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