Andrew Lipstein

How did you become a writer?

In college I took a creative writing course, and found myself obsessed with a short story I was writing, turning it into a novel over the course of a few weeks. It was terrible, as were the next few novels I wrote. But over time I got better.

Name your writing influences (writers, books, teachers, etc.).

I try not to be influenced by other narrative arts, especially while I'm writing. If anything, I look to other writers to feel free to do what I want. Before I wrote Last Resort I read Edward St. Aubyn's Patrick Melrose novels, and felt free to write how I wanted to, with my sense of humor, more for myself than I had before.

When and where do you write?

Wherever I can find the time. I have a full-time job and a child.

What are you working on now?

I've just finished the copyedits on my second novel, The Vegan (out in July from FSG), and the first draft of my third novel.

Have you ever suffered from writer’s block?

I don't believe so? If I don't feel moved to write I don't, it's a waste of time if all I'll do is produce terrible writing.

What’s the best writing advice you’ve ever received?

Put yourself in a position to enjoy writing. You won't write well otherwise.

What’s your advice to new writers?

The above.

Andrew Lipstein is a writer based in Brooklyn. His debut novel, Last Resort, came out in 2022 with FSG in the US, and W&N in the UK. His second novel, The Vegan, also with FSG and W&N, will be published in the summer of 2023.