Lee Montgomery

Senior Fellow at the Attic Institute of Arts and Letters

Lee Montgomery is the author of The Things Between Us, A Memoir (Free Press, August 2006), Whose World Is This? Stories (University of Iowa Press, September 2007), and Searching for Emily: Illustrated (Nothing Moments Press, October 2007). The Things Between Us received the 2007 Oregon Book Award in creative nonfiction and Whose World Is This? received the 2007 John Simmons Iowa Short Fiction Award and was a finalist for the Ken Kesey Award in Fiction in 2008. Montgomery received her MFA from the Iowa Writer's Workshop. Her work has appeared in publications such as the New York Times magazine, Glimmer Train, Black Clock, Iowa Review, Denver Quarterly, Tin House, Story Magazine, Glimmer Train, Alaska Quarterly, the Santa Monica Review and the Antioch Review, among many others.

Upcoming Classes

Sorry, nothing scheduled at this time.

The Attic Experience

"Thank you so much for Shanna Germain's Steampunk class. I salute the Attic Institute for hosting a genre fiction workshop. I appreciate the opportunity to better learn how to write the kinds of stories I love to read. I also wanted to mention that Shanna is a terrific instructor. Not only is her critique sharp and perceptive, she knows the craft of writing and is able to impart that knowledge fluently. She also has a vast understanding of the market for speculative fiction. Perhaps even more importantly, she's able to create the kind of positive atmosphere that allows meaningful discussion of the work under review to take place. I feel refreshed and motivated after taking her class, as well as more knowledgeable, and have no doubt that my fellow Steampunk participants feel the same as I do."

Barb Siples

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.