Other Writings

I love to write fiction ... but I also write essays, articles, even poems, and the occasional play. Here are a few things I've published lately.

How does history become compelling fiction? published on BlackPast.org March 6, 2013.

What can't a film like Lincoln do--that a historical novel can? published in the Chicago Tribune, February 24, 2012.

"Is Django Unchained shackled to Hollywood's past?" published in the Wall Street Journal's Speakeasy, December 20, 2012.

"An Ode to the King of Writerly Tools" published in The New York Times, November 13, 2012.

"The Paradox of Pluck: How Did Historical Fiction Become the New Feminist History?" published in the Los Angeles Review of Books, 30 September 2012.

"What, To a Novelist, Is the Fourth of July?" published in the Huffington Post, 3 July 2012.

"Sarah's Key, Mary's Secrets, and Truth That's Stranger Than Fiction," published by the Jewish Book Council, 28 June 2012.

"Funny, You Don't Book Jewish," published by The Daily Forward, 26 June 2012.

"A Black Spy in the Confederate White House," published in Disunion, The New York Times, 21 June 2012.

"Take the Juneteenth Challenge," published in The Huffington Post, 19 June 2012.

"The Mouthfeel of Fiction," published in Culinate, 5 June 2012.

"Sex Tips for Authors (Or, What Authors Trade Instead of Sex Tips)" published by Powell's Books, May 18, 2012.

"Fear of a Red Tractor" published by Powell's Books, May 17, 2012.

Judging a Book by Its Brazilian published by Powell's Books, May 16, 2012.

Hot-Wiring Nancy Pearl's Sedan published by Powell's Books, May 15, 2012.

How a Novel Happens published by Powell's Books, May 14, 2012.

"Richmond's Medical Miracle," published in Disunion, The New York Times, 23 November 2011.

"The Other Major Anderson," published in Disunion, The New York Times, 18 June 2011.

"The North of the South," published in Disunion, The New York Times, 24 January 2011.