Professional Overview
Boris Fishman (born 1979) is a noted American writer and literary academic associated with the Los Angeles Review of Books (LARB). His primary professional domain is writing and teaching, with a strong focus on creative writing and literature. He is not identified as holding an editorial or directorial position at LARB but is recognized as an influential literary figure whose work is frequently covered and discussed by the publication.
Fishman’s literary reputation largely stems from his authorship of several novels, notably:
- A Replacement Life (2014), which won the VCU Cabell First Novelist Award, establishing him as a significant voice in post-Soviet immigrant literature.
- Don’t Let My Baby Do Rodeo (2016).
- The Unwanted (2025), described as a somber third novel and powerful allegory reflecting on human surrender, which has garnered considerable attention in the literary community and is highlighted in LARB’s recent coverage.
Current Academic Roles and Teaching Responsibilities
Fishman currently serves as a professor of literature and creative writing, having held academic appointments including:
- Teaching creative writing at the University of Austin as of 2025.
- Previous faculty positions include the University of Montana MFA Program in Creative Writing (up to at least 2022).
He is actively engaged in educating emerging writers and contributes to academic discourse on literature, especially focused on immigrant narratives and post-Soviet experience as reflected in his own creative works.
Relationship with Los Angeles Review of Books
While not an editor or staff member at LARB, Fishman maintains strong professional ties with the publication primarily through:
- Frequent inclusion of his work featured and reviewed in LARB’s platform.
- Participation in interviews and author-focused articles published by LARB.
- His novels being a subject of critical essays and literary analysis available on LARB.
Other Boris individuals connected to LARB, such as Boris Dralyuk — a former editor-in-chief and literary translator — are separate from Fishman and hold distinct professional profiles.
Notable Achievements and Authorial Focus
- Fishman is the second Soviet-born American author of significant note discussed in literary circles.
- His writing explores themes of identity, immigration, psychological displacement, and survival, often reflecting his own immigrant experience.
- His third novel, The Unwanted (2025), is particularly recognized for its thematic depth and allegorical power concerning conflict and human endurance.
- Aside from novel-writing, Fishman has experience working in various editorial and research roles, including past positions such as hiking guide, farm laborer, market researcher, editor, and fact-checker, indicating a diverse professional background.
Professional Interests and Insights
Fishman’s engagements indicate a strong dedication to:
- Narratives of post-Soviet immigration and identity.
- Teaching and mentoring in creative writing environments.
- Producing literary works that address contemporary social and historical issues with a nuanced and personal approach.
- Balancing artistic integrity with pragmatic considerations in writing and literary production.
Contact and Company Context
The Los Angeles Review of Books, established in 2011 and based in Los Angeles, California, is a multimedia literary and cultural arts magazine dedicated to rigorous writing on literature and the arts. Contact points for LARB are standardized and usually follow the format: [first]@lareviewofbooks.org, indicating potential email conventions for outreach.
No direct contact information or current managerial role linking Fishman with formal leadership at LARB is evident, emphasizing his role primarily as a contributing author and academic rather than an internal executive or editorial staff member.
This profile synthesizes Boris Fishman’s connection to LARB and his broader professional identity within American literary and academic circles, highlighting details essential for engaging with his work and understanding his professional context within the literary ecosystem.
