Chris is a Wisconsin native who’s lived in Michigan, North Carolina, Minnesota, Florida, Alabama, Texas, and Louisiana. He’s a former professor of creative writing, and taught at the University of Alabama, Loyola University New Orleans, and the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and currently teaches with the Wisconsin Prison Humanities Project. He is the former editor of Black Warrior Review, New Orleans Review, Midwest Review, and Wisconsin People & Ideas. He has a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls and an MFA degree from the University of Alabama. He is the author of three books, and co-editor of the anthology Ice Fishing for Alligators.

Talk with Chris about: books, New Orleans, and unconventional career paths.

Fun fact: He’s a student and teacher of Brazilian jiu jitsu.