Q&A With WriteByNight Consultant Michael Bible

Michael Bible (New York, NY) is the author of novels The Ancient Hours, Empire of Light, and Sophia on Melville House Books. His work can be seen in The Oxford American, The Baffler, Paris Review Daily, New York Tyrant, BBC Radio, The Guardian, Joyland, and LA Review of Books.

Where are you from?

I was born in North Carolina and live in NYC.

Where did you study?

Sewanee for undergrad. University of Mississippi for MFA.

How did you get your start as a writer?

I won a fiction contest put on by a national sports magazine with a short story about a kid who hates sports.

Who are some of your influences?

Carson McCullers, Samuel Beckett, Sam Shepard, Barry Hannah, Chantal Akerman, Arthur Russell, Cy Twombly, Frank Stanford, John Coltrane, Milton Avery, Buster Keaton, Roy Andersson, Joan Mitchell, William Blake, Li Po, Richard Brautigan, James Tate, Everette Maddox, Hong Sang-soo, William Eggleston, Levon Helm, Jane Rule Burdine, Joanna Hogg, Aretha Franklin, Jesus Christ, Elvis Presley, and William Faulkner.

What is your favorite word and why?

Asinine. It sounds like what it means.

What’s the last book you read and what did you think of it?

I reread William Maxwell’s So Long, See You Tomorrow and loved it.

Any words of wisdom for aspiring writers?

Don’t be in a rush to get published. Writing should be a joy in itself. Work each day on getting better.

Interested in working with Michael? Request a free consult now

“A+. Michael was a pleasure to talk to and gave me actionable next steps.”

— Matt M.

“Michael was terrific! I really enjoyed it and it’s already got my wheels turning.”

— Kelly G.

“I’m so motivated. Michael’s words really fueled my fire to keep working hard.”

— Christy B.

“The session helped to reignite my fervor for completing my novel. I’m feeling jazzed!”

— Sean B.