Thomas Fahy

Thomas Fahy is a Professor of English and Creative Writing at Long Island University, where he also serves as Director of English Graduate Studies. He is affiliated with the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and leads the undergraduate fiction journal Loomings. His academic and creative work spans American Literature, Cultural Studies, Horror, Food Studies, Disability Studies, and Fat Studies.

• B.A., University of California at Davis
• M.A., Ph.D., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

His research explores the intersections of identity, marginalization, and popular culture, particularly through the lens of horror and 20th-century American theatre. He examines how media reflects societal anxieties around race, gender, class, and the environment. His recent publications include Dining with Madmen (2019) and Understanding Tracy Letts (2021), both of which analyze cultural commentary in horror and drama. His novels Sleepless and The Unspoken have received national recognition for young adult readers.

The 15 most recent publications reflect a strong trend in interdisciplinary cultural criticism, with recurring themes of identity, trauma, consumerism, and social justice. His scholarly works combine literary analysis with insights from disability studies, gender theory, and environmental criticism, while his fiction often centers on psychological suspense and marginalized experiences. He frequently engages with television and film, analyzing auteurs like David Chase, Alan Ball, and Aaron Sorkin.

• Newton Award for Excellence in Teaching (2014)
• American Library Association Award for Reluctant Young Readers for 'Sleepless' (2009)
• American Library Association Award for Reluctant Young Readers for 'The Unspoken' (2008)

Thomas Fahy actively mentors students and supports emerging writers through the Ivory Tower Writing Scholarship, which funds undergraduate creative writing pursuits. He has launched a national student-run fiction journal and guided graduates into prestigious MFA programs. He has received external funding and recognition for his teaching and public engagement. Fahy is a member of Phi Beta Kappa and several academic associations, including the Modern Language Association and the American Studies Association. He also performs as a classical pianist at major venues like Carnegie Hall.