Date of Birth: December 14, 1951
Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius
Biography
Amy Hempel is an acclaimed American short story writer known for her minimalist and poignant style. Born in Chicago, Illinois, Hempel moved to California at a young age and later attended San Jose State University. She initially pursued journalism but found her true calling in fiction writing. Hempel gained widespread recognition with her debut collection, “Reasons to Live” (1985), which established her as a unique voice in contemporary literature. Over the years, she has published several more collections, including “At the Gates of the Animal Kingdom” (1990), “Tumble Home” (1997), and “The Dog of the Marriage” (2005). Her stories often explore themes of loss, grief, and the human condition, delivered in a concise yet powerful manner. Hempel has also had a significant impact as a teacher, mentoring many young writers in institutions such as Harvard University, Princeton University, and Bennington College. Her work has been widely anthologized and translated into multiple languages, solidifying her reputation as one of the most important short story writers of her generation.
5 Interesting Facts about Amy Hempel
1. Amy Hempel’s debut collection, “Reasons to Live,” was published when she was 34 years old.
2. She is a founding board member of the literary journal “StoryQuarterly.”
3. Hempel has received numerous accolades, including a Guggenheim Fellowship and the PEN/Malamud Award for Excellence in Short Fiction.
4. She is an animal rights advocate and often incorporates themes of animal welfare into her work.
5. Hempel’s writing style is heavily influenced by her mentor, the late Gordon Lish, who edited her first collection.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Amy Hempel
1. “The trick is to teach yourself to read in small sips as well as in long swallows.”
2. “I leave out the parts that people skip.”
3. “I think of the story as a letter to someone.”
4. “I am not drawn to writing about people who are doing just fine.”
5. “The more minimal the art, the more maximum the explanation.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
Highest net worth achieved: Approximately $1-2 million
Children
Amy Hempel does not have any children.
Relevant Links
2. [Amy Hempel’s Works on Goodreads](https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/25160.Amy_Hempel
4. [Amy Hempel’s Profile on Poets & Writers](https://www.pw.org/directory/writers/amy_hempel
5. [Amy Hempel’s Amazon Author Page](https://www.amazon.com/Amy-Hempel/e/B001ILIDFY
