Andrew F. Altschul

Andrew F. Altschul is an Associate Professor of English and Director of the Center for Literary Arts at San José State University. He holds a BA in Psychology from Brown University (1991) and an MFA in Creative Writing from University of California, Irvine (1997). A former Wallace Stegner Fellow and Jones Lecturer at Stanford University (2002–2008), he has also taught at the University of San Francisco, Mills College, and the University of Missouri-St. Louis. His research interests center on creative writing, literary fiction, and narrative techniques, with a focus on exploring dystopian themes, psychological complexity, and social critiques through his novels and short stories.

Altschul's notable publications include the novels Deus Ex Machina (2011), Lady Lazarus (2008), and The Gringa, which was a finalist for the Colorado Book Award. His short fiction has appeared in esteemed anthologies such as the O. Henry Prize Stories and Best New American Voices. He has received fellowships from the Rockefeller Foundation Bellagio Center and the Ucross Foundation.

As Director of the Center for Literary Arts, Altschul promotes literary innovation and community engagement through workshops, readings, and collaborations with writers and artists. His creative works blend sharp social commentary with intricate character development, often examining moral dilemmas and human resilience in turbulent contexts.