Emily Choate | writer

Some artists hold unique power when it comes to seeing us through dark times. For me, one of those artists is Patti Smith. Thanks to Maria Browning and Chapter 16 for running this piece of mine, despite the cancellation of this year’s Big Ears Festival, where Smith was slated to appear. In the piece, I get to write about the particular space Smith occupies in our culture (and in my life), as well as some thoughts on Smith’s most recent book, Year of the Monkey. My essay is up today at Chapter 16.

I’m delighted to share my latest review for Chapter 16, this one of Louise Erdrich’s new novel, The Night Watchman. Her novels are always a pleasure, as well as a challenge to the spirit. I didn’t want this one to end. You can read my review here.

I am thrilled to have short fiction published in the newest issue of Mississippi Review! Seeing my story so well-presented means the world to me. (And this issue’s lineup—Tiana Clark, Hanif Abdurraqib, Maggie Smith, Amina Gautier, Nick White, and a good gaggle more—is killer.) Below you can find an image of the opening page of my story, called “Teetotalers.” You can order the issue at the Mississippi Review website.

Because I haven’t had many personal essays published, I’m extra thrilled to share this new piece! It roams over some holiday ground, prompted by my lifelong pull toward Dylan Thomas’ “A Child’s Christmas in Wales.” Here are some lines: “Thomas may depict a holiday world full of snowy adventures and warm abundance, but its ghostly periphery hums with ancient voices, burns with pagan fires. All town-fed children sense the undomesticated forces that may draw them away from the family hearth and spirit them off, lost to the wild winter’s night.” The essay is up today at the ever-festive Chapter 16!

I really enjoyed reviewing Step into the Circle: Writers in Modern Appalachia, which was co-edited by novelist Amy Greene. In this book, Appalachian writers profile each other, and the profiles are augmented by great photography. The result is insightful and generous of spirit. You can read my review today at Chapter 16.

It’s the best kind of challenge to review an ambitious novel. And the best pleasure to review one that you love. My review of Ta-Nehisi Coates’ debut novel, The Water Dancer, is up today at the ambitious and lovely Chapter 16. You can read it here.

I’m pleased to share my review of Elizabeth Chiles Shelburne’s debut novel, Holding On To Nothing. It’s always great to see familiar Appalachian literary tropes made into something fresh. My review is up today at the always-refreshing Chapter 16.