Professional Profile
Name: Brian Evenson
Current Affiliation: Los Angeles Review of Books (Contributor/Author)
Location: Los Angeles, California
Academic Position: Faculty member, School of Critical Studies, California Institute of the Arts (CalArts); teaches in the Creative Writing MFA Program and the Aesthetics and Politics MA Program.
Academic and Professional Background
Brian Evenson is an accomplished American academic and author specializing in literary and popular fiction, with a significant profile at Lareviewofbooks.org as a contributor and featured author. He holds a B.A. from Brigham Young University (BYU) and both an M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Washington. Previously, he has held academic positions at Oklahoma State University, Syracuse University, University of Denver, and notably served as a Professor of Literary Arts at Brown University (2003–2015) before his current role at CalArts.
Literary Contributions and Expertise
Brian Evenson has published over a dozen books of fiction, including story collections, novels, novellas, and translations. His work spans both literary fiction and genre fiction, notably incorporating horror, weird fiction, detective fiction, science fiction, and continental philosophy. His fiction compositions often merge minimalist literary style with dark humor and philosophical themes, fostering tension between human knowledge limits and existential dread.
Notable Works:
- Good Night, Sleep Tight (2024, Coffee House Press) – A recent collection exploring themes of artificial intelligence, motherhood, and post-human conditions.
- Song for the Unraveling of the World (2019) – Winner of the 2020 World Fantasy Award and Shirley Jackson Award; finalist for the Los Angeles Times Ray Bradbury Prize.
- Last Days (2009) – American Library Association’s Best Horror Novel of 2009.
- The Open Curtain (2006) – Finalist for the Edgar and International Horror Guild Awards.
- The Warren (2016) – Shirley Jackson Award nominee.
- A Collapse of Horses (2016), Immobility (2012), The Wavering Knife (2004), Windeye (2012) among others.
He frequently publishes under the pen name B.K. Evenson for some works, particularly in genre fiction.
Awards and Recognition
- Three O. Henry Prizes awarded for short stories.
- National Endowment for the Arts Creative Writer's Fellowship (1995).
- Edgar Award finalist (2007, The Open Curtain).
- International Horror Guild Award winner and nominee.
- American Library Association Best Horror Novel (2010, Last Days).
- Shirley Jackson Award winner (2019, Song for the Unraveling of the World).
- Guggenheim Fellowship recipient (2017).
- Numerous World Fantasy Award nominations with at least one win.
His literary stature is internationally recognized, with translations of his work into multiple languages (French, Italian, Greek, Japanese, Spanish, Turkish).
Writing Style and Thematic Focus
Evenson’s writing is characterized by:
- Integration of continental philosophy (especially Deleuze & Guattari, Julia Kristeva, Heidegger, and Alphonso Lingis) without overt philosophical didacticism.
- Exploration of existential horror, the limits of knowledge, human isolation, and the consequences of technological and ecological change.
- Use of dark humor and literary minimalism, balanced with emotional openness and experimental sentence structures.
- Recurring examination of his Mormon heritage from a critical and nuanced perspective.
- Juxtaposition of genre conventions (horror, science fiction, noir) with literary experimentation, blending diverse narrative modes within his collections to create a complex reader experience.
- Stories involving artificial humans/post-humans, motherhood, and esoteric themes related to identity and transformation are prominent in recent publications.
Industry and Cultural Position
- Evenson’s works have influenced and conversed with other notable authors of horror and speculative fiction, including Peter Straub, Ramsey Campbell, Robert Aickman, and has had discussions regarding literary connections with figures such as Franz Kafka.
- Recognized as a key figure in blending literary and genre fiction, pushing the boundaries of both.
- Active in literary communities through interviews, essays, and editorial contributions at Lareviewofbooks.org and other outlets.
- Recently published Good Night, Sleep Tight (2024), a collection that critically addresses themes of artificial intelligence, ecological dread, and family dynamics, which has been featured and discussed in multiple interviews and critical forums.
- Engaged in ongoing contributions to major literary reviews and podcasts, reinforcing his status as both a writer and a thoughtful literary critic.
Relevant Professional Insights
- Maintains a conscious balance between literary experimentation and accessibility, positioning his work to appeal to readers across literary and genre boundaries.
- His understanding of the evolving landscape of publishing and reader expectations informs a strategic approach to the themes and structures of his collections.
- His academic role at CalArts offers potential pathways for collaboration or engagement revolving around literary innovation, teaching, and cultural discourse.
- Recent discussions and interviews emphasize his focus on technological impacts on humanity (AI and post-humanism) and familial relationships, providing contemporary cultural relevance to his work.
- Evenson is working on a sequel to Last Days titled Phantom Limb, expected after 2025, indicating ongoing productivity and relevance.
Contact and Organizational Details
Organization: Los Angeles Review of Books
Address: The Granada Buildings, 672 S. La Fayette Park Place, Suite 30, Los Angeles, CA 90057
General Contact Email: info@lareviewofbooks.org
Editorial Contact Email: editorial@lareviewofbooks.org
Advertising Contact Email: adsales@lareviewofbooks.org
Brian Evenson’s direct contact details are not publicly listed; however, he is actively engaged through the Los Angeles Review of Books and CalArts, which may provide official channels for professional outreach.
This profile consolidates Brian Evenson’s position as a critically acclaimed author and academic with deep connections to the Los Angeles Review of Books. His work’s intersection of literary fiction, horror, and philosophy—along with his ongoing teaching role—situates him as an influential voice in contemporary literature and cultural studies.
