John Francis Istel Non-Member Joined 2015

Writer, editor, educator

Fiction Poetry Nonfiction

While Brooklyn-based writer John Francis Istel awaits his newest story to appear in Valparaiso Fiction Review (Fall 2026), he studies how to be a kid again from regular playdates with his toddler grandson, very necessary lessons after years working as the adult in the room at Medgar Evers College and NYU, where he received an MFA, and in the NYC public school system from which he retired recently. His first real job was as an arts editor and theater writer, contributing to The Atlantic, Elle, The Village Voice, and elsewhere. His poetry and fiction have appeared in many publications. His story "The Metaphor Game" won a flash contest judged by Jonathan Lethem, can be heard online in a reading by Bryan Cox, and was published in A Public Space. Recent work has appeared in Brilliant Flash Fiction and OxMag.

Location:

Brooklyn, NY

Birthdate:

20 August