Jessica L. Anthony

Jessica L. Anthony is a Lecturer in the English Department at Bates College, where she teaches courses such as Creative Nonfiction Writing, Advanced Fiction Writing, and Shaking It Out: Writing and Critiquing Personal Narratives. She holds the academic rank of Lecturer and focuses on creative writing, fiction, and narrative techniques.

Anthony’s literary contributions include four novels, most notably THE MOST (longlisted for the National Book Award in Fiction) and ENTER THE AARDVARK (a New England Book Award finalist). Her works have been translated into multiple languages and praised in major publications like The New York Times Book Review and The Guardian. Additionally, her short story The Death of Mustango Salvaje is being adapted into a limited TV series by A24.

Her accolades include the Amanda Davis Highwire Fiction Award, the Creative Capital Award for Literature, and residencies at prestigious institutions like the MacDowell Colony and the Bogliasco Foundation. She has also served as the 41st Bridge Guard in Literature in Štúrovo, Slovakia.

In her teaching, Anthony emphasizes innovative approaches to storytelling, blending creative practice with critical analysis. Her courses encourage students to explore memoir, lyric essays, and trangressive narratives, reflecting her belief in 'making the most of what you have,' as articulated by John McPhee.