Picture a New York City storyteller who spins tales of class, connection, and quiet rebellion—meet Lee Conell! A literary fiction gem, Conell’s sharp wit and empathetic lens have made her a standout with her debut novel The Party Upstairs and the acclaimed short story collection Subcortical. Her stories dig into the human heart, blending humor with poignant truths.
Born and raised in the vibrant chaos of NYC, Conell’s work pulses with the city’s energy, exploring the lives of those navigating its social divides. From her award-winning prose to her role as an educator, Conell’s journey is as compelling as the worlds she crafts.
The Making of Lee Conell
Growing up as the daughter of a building superintendent in New York City, Lee Conell was steeped in stories of tenants and urban life, which later fueled her fiction. Her childhood, filled with the hum of answering machine complaints, sparked her imagination. She honed her craft at SUNY New Paltz, where she published in The New York Times’ ‘Modern Love’ column as a junior, and later earned her MFA at Vanderbilt University. There, mentors like Lorrie Moore praised her as a rare talent, shaping her path as a writer who captures the beauty in everyday struggles.
Lee Conell’s Unforgettable Stories
Conell’s debut novel, The Party Upstairs (2020), is a witty, slow-burning tale of class and privilege set in a gentrifying Upper West Side co-op. Following a superintendent’s daughter, Ruby, and her father, Martin, over a single day, it dissects the tensions of socioeconomic divides with humor and heart. Critics, including Kirkus, lauded its sharp empathy and dark comedy, and it snagged the prestigious Wallant Award.
Her short story collection, Subcortical (2017), is a masterclass in exploring the human psyche. Stories like ‘The Lock Factory,’ which won the Chicago Tribune’s Nelson Algren Award, weave science, history, and emotion into subversive narratives. From haunted islands to quirky medical studies, Conell’s tales are both hilarious and profound, earning the Story Prize Spotlight Award. Her work, published in Kenyon Review, Guernica, and Oxford American, showcases a style that’s lucid, character-driven, and unafraid to tackle big themes like identity and connection.
Conell’s writing stands out for its blend of humor and heartbreak, often focusing on the ‘in-between’ spaces—liminal places like lock factories or fancy hotels where characters grapple with who they are. Her fascination with science and weird facts adds a unique layer, making her stories feel fresh and unexpected.
Why Lee Conell Matters
Lee Conell’s impact lies in her ability to humanize the complexities of class and identity, making readers laugh and reflect in equal measure. Her stories resonate with those who feel caught between worlds, offering a voice to the overlooked. As an educator at Vanderbilt and a mentor for Southern Word, she empowers young writers, particularly from underserved communities, to find their own voices. Her fellowships, from the National Endowment for the Arts to the Japan-United States Friendship Commission, highlight her growing influence in literary circles.
Conell’s work is a reminder that fiction can bridge divides, fostering empathy in a polarized world. Her fresh take on literary fiction has earned her a dedicated following, and her future projects promise to keep pushing boundaries.
- Key Works: The Party Upstairs (2020), Subcortical (2017)
- Awards: Wallant Award, Story Prize Spotlight Award, Nelson Algren Award
- Education: MFA from Vanderbilt University
Ready to dive into Lee Conell’s witty, soulful world? Grab The Party Upstairs or Subcortical and get lost in her unforgettable literary fiction!