TONY TULATHIMUTTE
Writer
The Whiting and O. Henry–winning writer of "Private Citizens" turned the literary world on its head last year with the release of "Rejection," which maps our modern, digitally mediated discontents.
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO SEE MORE OF IN YOUR INDUSTRY? LESS OF? It would be nice to see more of an even playing field with debut books—fewer seven-figure jackpots at the expense of other threadbare advances. I would like to see health insurance for writers happen somehow. Also, you should always buy from indie booksellers unless it’s absolutely not an option.
WHAT’S SOMETHING PEOPLE GET WRONG ABOUT YOU? My last name. You get four letters in and then it just breaks your will.
“"Suffering, shame, humiliation, and a one-pan roasted salmon and broccoli recipe that will knock your socks off."”
DESCRIBE A RECENT CROSSROADS AT WHICH YOU FOUND YOURSELF. Recently, I had to decide whether to be a loose-jeans guy. My friends tell me it’s what Zoomers are wearing, but I’m doing it precisely because I’m middle-aged. I’ve bought a trial pair of Levi’s 555 Relaxed Straight Jeans and am going to wear them until I get made fun of. Then it’s back to the millennial 501s I guess.
WHAT’S YOUR TRADEMARK? Suffering, shame, humiliation, and a one-pan roasted salmon and broccoli recipe that will knock your socks off.
WHEN YOU WERE LITTLE, WHAT WERE YOU KNOWN FOR? I was generally not known at all, but I was probably best known in second grade for being accused of dealing drugs after I offered another kid an Altoid. This was at the height of the D.A.R.E. era. They made me go to the principal’s office and presented me with the Altoid in a baggie and everything. Curiously strong indeed!
in your life?
