Chris is a Wisconsin native who’s lived in Michigan, North Carolina, Minnesota, Florida, Alabama, Texas, and Louisiana. He’s a former professor of creative writing and taught at the University of Alabama, Loyola University New Orleans, Xavier University, and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He currently teaches for the Wisconsin Prison Humanities Project. He is the former editor of Black Warrior Review, New Orleans Review, Midwest Review, and Wisconsin People & Ideas. He has a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls and an MFA degree from the University of Alabama. He is the author of three books and co-editor of the anthology Ice Fishing for Alligators. His work has been cited in Best American Essays, and reprinted in Best American Mystery Stories and Best American Poetry.

Talk with Chris about: books, New Orleans, and unconventional career paths.

Fun fact: He’s a student and teacher of Brazilian jiu jitsu.

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