Alex Behr | Attic Institute

Alex Behr

Teaching Fellow at the Attic Institute of Arts and Letters

Alex Behr is the author of Planet Grim: Stories (7.13 Books). Her second short fiction collection is forthcoming in 2026. Behr received a Regional Arts and Culture Council Arts3C grant to produce the short film Grief Stick, directed and edited by Brian Padian. Through poetry, videos, and music, it explores the sudden death of Alex’s fiancé. It’s accompanied by a chapbook of the same name (Picture Frame Press). She is the co-author of Cold Plum Wine (Picture Frame Press). Her writing has appeared widely, including in Tin House, Salon, Oregon Humanities, Gravity of the Thing, Vol. 1 Brooklyn, Portland Review, Lumina, Propeller, Oregon ArtsWatch, and Painted Bride Quarterly.

Upcoming Classes

The "Story Renovation" Workshop w Alex Behr | Feb 9 - Mar 2

The Attic Experience

I just finished Merridawn Duckler's short story class, and I want to tell you something you probably know--she's a fantastic instructor. I teach homeless and transitional youth and know how difficult it can be to keep everyone on the same page (so to speak) and engaged and feeling inspired about their own work. Merridawn achieved this seemingly effortlessly. The structure of the class allowed everyone to grow as a writer no matter where they started from. I would definitely take this class again and recommend it to other.

Joy Cartier

The Classic Book for Writers, Updated and Revised

EVERY WRITER HAS A THOUSAND FACES

"This book has been in print forever because what it offers works for people." — Chuck Palahniuk, author of Fight Club

"Finally, an anti-bullsht book on creativity!"* — James Marcus, former editor of Harper's

"Does for the creative process what Strunk and White did for our approach to grammar and style. Indispensible." — Marjorie Sandor, National Jewish Book Award winner

"Buoyant...unorthodox...A provocative and anti-intuitive manual for making fresh art." — Kirkus Review

"Biespiel offers a number of best practices—not just for writing...but for living a creative life." — The Rumpus

A Statement of Our Values

The Attic Institute of Arts and Letters opposes the legitimation of bigotry, hate, and misinformation. As a studio for writers, we do not tolerate harassment or discrimination of any kind. We embrace and celebrate our shared pursuit of literature and languages as essential to crossing the boundaries of difference. To that end, we seek to maintain a creative environment in which every employee, faculty member, and student feels safe, respected, and comfortable — even while acknowledging that poems, stories, and essays delve into uncomfortable subjects. We accept the workshop as a place to question ourselves and to empathize with complex identities. We understand that to know the world is to write the world. Therefore, we reaffirm our commitment to literary pursuits and shared understanding by affirming diversity and open inquiry.