Picture a storyteller who spins raw, restless tales about bodies, identity, and the blurry edges of human experience—meet Jess Arndt! This American writer, known for their bold and witty prose, has carved a unique space in contemporary literature with their debut collection, Large Animals. With a voice that’s equal parts sharp, funny, and vulnerable, Arndt invites readers into worlds where gender, nature, and selfhood collide in delightfully unexpected ways.
From Los Angeles to off-the-grid Washington State, Arndt’s work challenges conventions, earning praise from critics like Maggie Nelson, who called Large Animals 'outlaw literature.' Ready to dive into their singular storytelling? Let’s explore the life, works, and impact of this literary trailblazer.
The Making of Jess Arndt
Born in Washington State, Jess Arndt grew up with a love for stories that sparked adventure and probed identity, drawing inspiration from books like The Velveteen Rabbit and Jack London’s wild tales. Their early years were marked by a hunger for literature that mirrored their own experiences, especially as a queer and gender-nonconforming individual in the 1980s and ’90s. Arndt’s path to writing took shape through voracious reading and writing, eventually leading them to an MFA at Bard College’s Milton Avery Graduate School of the Arts. There, they honed their craft, blending fiction and transgenre experiments that would define their career.
Before their breakout, Arndt co-founded New Herring Press, a platform for prose and polemics, and contributed to prestigious journals like Fence, BOMB, and Parkett. These early steps showcased their fearless voice, setting the stage for a debut that would turn heads in the literary world.
Jess Arndt’s Unforgettable Stories
Arndt’s debut, Large Animals (2017, Catapult Press), is a collection of twelve short stories that dance between the real and the surreal, exploring bodies as 'swarmy, queasy places.' From a bartender mistaken for 'Jeff' by Lily Tomlin in 'Jeff' to a couple battling a mysterious STD in 'Together,' Arndt’s narratives are restless, vivid, and often hilarious. The collection, shortlisted for the California Book Prize and longlisted for The Story Prize, captures the messiness of identity with a style that’s both accessible and avant-garde.
Beyond Large Animals, Arndt’s stories like 'Deep Desert' and 'Serape' appear in Liberating the Canon: An Anthology of Innovative Literature, pushing boundaries with their playful take on gender and form. Their prose, rich with verbs like 'slurred' and 'unshrivel,' pulses with movement, reflecting narrators who wrestle with love, desire, and their place in the world. Arndt’s work also includes collaborations, such as a manifesto for The Knife’s Shaking the Habitual tour, blending music and literature in genre-defying ways.
What sets Arndt apart is their ability to make the personal universal. Their stories don’t just tell—they feel. Whether it’s a narrator morphing into a walrus or grappling with gender ambiguity, Arndt’s writing invites readers to embrace the fluidity of being human, all with a wink and a nod.
Why Jess Arndt Matters
Jess Arndt’s impact lies in their fearless exploration of identity and the body, offering a fresh lens on what it means to be human in a world obsessed with labels. As a gender-nonconforming and LGBTQ artist, Arndt’s work resonates with readers seeking stories that defy norms, making space for the queer, the undefined, and the transgressive. Their influence extends beyond books, inspiring writers through New Herring Press and teaching stints at places like Rutgers University, where students adored their kind, witty approach.
In a literary landscape often dominated by convention, Arndt’s voice is a beacon for those craving raw, innovative storytelling. Their ability to blend humor with weighty themes ensures their work lingers, challenging readers to rethink boundaries—both personal and societal.
- Born: Washington State
- Key Work: Large Animals (2017)
- Awards: 2013 Graywolf SLS Fellow, 2010 NYFA Fiction Fellow
- Notable Press: Fence, BOMB, Granta
Snag Large Animals and dive into Jess Arndt’s wild, witty world of boundary-breaking fiction!