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Ben Purkert

Creative Writing Professor at Sarah Lawrence College

Ben Purkert is an accomplished writer and educator who currently serves as a Creative Writing Professor in the MFA program at Sarah Lawrence College.14 Here's an overview of his background and achievements:

Academic and Professional Background

Ben Purkert holds degrees from prestigious institutions:

  • Harvard University
  • New York University (NYU), where he was a New York Times Fellow15

Literary Accomplishments

Poetry: Ben is an acclaimed poet. His poetry collection "For the Love of Endings" (Four Way Books, 2018) was named one of Adroit's Best Poetry Books of the Year.1

Fiction: He has recently expanded into fiction writing. His debut novel "The Men Can't Be Saved" was published by Overlook Press.16

Publications: His writing has appeared in numerous renowned publications, including:

  • The New Yorker
  • The Nation
  • Slate
  • Poetry
  • Ploughshares
  • Kenyon Review
  • Tin House1

Teaching Career

Ben Purkert is currently teaching in the MFA program at Sarah Lawrence College.14 He's known for his expertise in creative writing and has recently joined The Writing Institute at Sarah Lawrence College as an instructor.23

Professional Experience

Before his academic career, Ben worked in advertising as a copywriter. This experience informs some of the themes in his novel, which explores branding and artificiality in modern society.1

Ben Purkert is described as an unassuming yet confident individual, known for his exact, smart, and thoughtful writing style.1 His diverse experiences as a poet, novelist, creative writing instructor, and former advertising professional contribute to his unique perspective as an educator and writer.

Highlights

Dec 30 · linkedin

2023 was a loud year for me. I posted a lot about my book, gave a bunch of readings and interviews, etc. It's been thrilling! And tiring! Thanks for putting up with the noise. I'm hoping 2024 is quieter and more peaceful, in every sense.

This is the last big event I'll be doing for a while. It's virtual, free, open to all, and if you register (link in bio), you'll have a good chance of winning a copy of my novel to gift to a friend (or sworn enemy).

If you haven't yet had a chance to join for an event, well, maybe this is the one 💙🔥 winter.rutgers.edu/bp

Dec 13 · linkedin

A truly wild thing to share: THE MEN CAN'T BE SAVED is one of Vanity Fair's Top 20 Books of 2023!!

I'm so grateful to folks who've supported the book, shown up at readings, forced it upon their book club lol. It's been a great ride.

Related Questions

What inspired Ben Purkert to transition from poetry to fiction?
How does Ben Purkert incorporate his personal experiences into his teaching?
What are some notable works by Ben Purkert?
How does Ben Purkert's background in advertising influence his writing?
What is the focus of Ben Purkert's course "Winning at the Finish Line"?
Ben Purkert
Ben Purkert, photo 1
Ben Purkert, photo 2
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Experience

Creative Writing Professor at Sarah Lawrence College (September 2023 - Present)
Senior Writer and Strategy Director at Clarke Design (March 2017 - Present)

Education

- Bachelor of Arts (BA) in English Language and Literature/Letters from Harvard University (2003 - 2007) - Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Creative Writing from New York University (2010 - 2012)

Location

Jersey City, New Jersey, United States