Picture a storyteller who weaves the wild beauty of coastal California into tales of heartbreak and healing—meet Crissy Van Meter! This Los Angeles-based contemporary fiction writer captured readers’ hearts with her debut novel, Creatures, a lyrical exploration of childhood trauma, forgiveness, and the ties that bind us to family and place. With a knack for crafting complex characters and evocative settings, Van Meter’s work resonates with anyone who’s ever navigated the messy, beautiful currents of human relationships.
As a creative writing teacher at Sarah Lawrence College and the founder of the literary project Five Quarterly, Van Meter doesn’t just tell stories—she nurtures the next generation of voices, making her a cornerstone of modern literary culture.
The Making of Crissy Van Meter
Growing up in Southern California, Crissy Van Meter was shaped by the rugged charm of coastal landscapes, from the Balboa Peninsula to the fictional Winter Island of her novel. Her early love for storytelling bloomed through Disney fan fiction in elementary school and bad poetry in high school, hinting at the creative spark that would define her career. After earning a BA from San Diego State and an MFA in Creative Writing from the New School, Van Meter honed her craft in Los Angeles, where she also served as a surf editor for ESPN. Her diverse experiences—part beachcomber, part literary innovator—infuse her writing with a unique blend of grit and grace.
Crissy Van Meter’s Unforgettable Stories
Van Meter’s debut novel, Creatures (2020), is a standout in contemporary fiction, set on the fictional Winter Island off Southern California. The story follows Evangeline (Evie), a woman grappling with a turbulent childhood marked by a neglectful mother and a charming but drug-dealing father. Through nonlinear storytelling, Van Meter weaves past, present, and future, exploring themes of abandonment, love, and resilience against a vivid marine backdrop. Critics praised its poetic tone and atmospheric prose, with NPR naming it a Book of the Year.
Beyond Creatures, Van Meter’s writing appears in outlets like Vice, Guernica, and Catapult, showcasing her versatility in essays and short fiction. Her style—lyrical, raw, and deeply tied to nature—draws comparisons to authors like Lydia Millet, blending human emotion with environmental imagery. Currently, she’s working on a new novel inspired by geology, promising another dive into the intersections of place and psyche.
Van Meter’s storytelling isn’t just about words; it’s about capturing the ebb and flow of life. Her use of sea metaphors and fragmented narratives mirrors the unpredictability of memory and grief, making her work both intimate and universal.
Why Crissy Van Meter Matters
Crissy Van Meter’s impact extends beyond her pages. Through Creatures, she’s redefined how contemporary fiction tackles trauma, offering a lens on forgiveness that’s neither tidy nor predictable. Her work resonates with readers who see themselves in Evie’s struggle to reconcile a painful past with a hopeful future. As a teacher at Sarah Lawrence College and founder of Five Quarterly, Van Meter champions emerging writers, fostering a literary community that values raw, authentic voices.
In a world where stories often gloss over complexity, Van Meter’s willingness to embrace the messy truths of family, love, and loss makes her a vital voice in modern literature. Her coastal California settings also highlight the fragility of our natural world, subtly weaving environmental consciousness into her narratives.
About Crissy Van Meter
- Key Work: Creatures (2020), a Belletrist Book Pick and NPR Book of the Year.
- Education: MFA in Creative Writing from the New School.
- Roles: Teaches at Sarah Lawrence College, founded Five Quarterly, and serves as Head of Books for TeaTime Pictures.
- Awards: Creatures was a finalist for the WILLA Literary Award and longlisted for the VCU Cabell First Novelist Award.
Snag Creatures and dive into Crissy Van Meter’s lyrical world of tides, trauma, and triumph! Whether you’re a fan of contemporary fiction or just love a good story, her evocative prose will pull you in like the Pacific’s strongest currents.