Ed Park, an esteemed literary fiction novelist and one of the founding editors of “The Believer,” is a unique voice in contemporary literature. His journey into the literary world is marked by a deep engagement with underappreciated narratives and a passion for exploring the multifaceted aspects of identity and history.
See all Ed Park Books In Order
Born in the United States, Ed’s early years were characterized by an avid love for reading, a trait that shaped his understanding of literature and its vast possibilities. This passion led him to Columbia University’s prestigious MFA program in the 1990s, a period during which he noted the scarcity of voices that reflected his background. This observation ignited a desire in Ed to broaden the literary landscape, championing novels that veered from the mainstream.
In 2008, Ed made a striking debut with “Personal Days,” published on Amazon Publishing. This novel, hailed by The New York Times as the layoff narrative of the times, received critical acclaim, earning nominations for the PEN Hemingway Award and the John Sargent Sr. First Novel Prize. It was also recognized as a Top Ten Fiction Book by “Time” and a Top Ten Pop Culture Moment by “The Atlantic.”
Ed’s contribution to the literary world extends beyond his novels. As an editor at the “Voice Literary Supplement” and a teacher of creative writing at Columbia University, Ed has influenced a generation of writers and readers. He curates the “Invisible Library,” an online collection of fictional books appearing in other books, showcasing his keen interest in the meta aspects of storytelling.
Despite his busy schedule, Ed finds time for creative pursuits, including making bootleg covers of 1980s new wave songs and crafting anagrams and acrostics for his Twitter feed. His essays offer insightful examinations of connections between diverse subjects, from Borges to the magical logic of children’s books.
“Same Bed Different Dreams,” his sweeping novel, reflects his interest in Korean history, a subject he explored in-depth during his time at Columbia under the guidance of Gari Ledyard. This novel presents an alternate secret history of Korea, weaving together multiple narratives and blending reality with American pop culture and Korean history.
Throughout his career, Ed Park has remained committed to elevating diverse narratives and expanding the definition of literature. His work, marked by humor, inventiveness, and a deep understanding of the human experience, continues to captivate and inspire readers worldwide.
Standalone Novels in Order of Publication
| Personal Days | (2008) |
| Same Bed Different Dreams | (2023) |
Non-Fiction Books in Order of Publication
Anthologies in Order of Publication
| Read Hard: Five Years of Great Writing from the Believer | (2009) |
| Buffalo Noir | (2013) |
| Dark City Lights: New York Stories (Have a NYC) | (2015) |
Ed Park Author Profile
| Born | Buffalo, New York, The United States |
| Genre | Literature & Fiction, Science Fiction, Fiction |
| Influences | Powell, Nabokov, Wodehouse, Portis, Keeler, Adler, Ingalls |