Lee Gutkind

Lee Gutkind is an American writer, speaker, and literary innovator, founder of the literary magazine Creative Nonfiction, the first and the largest literary journal to publish narrative/creative nonfiction exclusively. Disparagingly spotlighted in Vanity Fair Magazine in 1997 as "the Godfather behind creative nonfiction",[3][4] Gutkind has been its most active advocate and practitioner both as editor and writer.

Lee Gutkind
Photo of Lee Gutkind
Born (1945-01-03) January 3, 1945
OccupationWriter
LanguageEnglish
NationalityAmerican
EducationUniversity of Pittsburgh
Home townPittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
GenreCreative nonfiction[1]
ChildrenSam Gutkind[2]
Website
leegutkind.com

Gutkind has written or edited more than 30 books, covering a wide range of subjects from motorcycle subculture to child and adolescent mental illness and organ transplantation.[5]

Currently he is Distinguished Writer in Residence at the Consortium for Science Policy and Outcomes and Professor at the School of Life Sciences at Arizona State University.[5]

Early life and career beginnings

Gutkind was born in 1945 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and educated at the University of Pittsburgh, from which he graduated in 1968.[5] After high school and service in the United States Coast Guard, he worked his way through the University of Pittsburgh as a truck driver, traveling shoe salesman and public relations account executive, traveling throughout the country promoting the Helium Centennial for the U.S. Department of the Interior.

After his first book was published, Bike Fever, which profiled the motorcycle subculture, he joined Pitt’s Department of English where he became the first tenured professor at the university without an advanced degree. Gutkind has termed his approach to writing about nonfiction subjects the "literature of reality."[6]

Career

When Gutkind began pioneering creative nonfiction, few if any university creative writing programs offered courses or degrees, but he saw creative nonfiction as a way of connecting students with the real world through what he called "the literature of reality", most directly represented by the memoir.[7] Gutkind helped found MFA programs in narrative and creative nonfiction at Pitt and subsequently at Goucher College in Maryland.

Gutkind is founder and editor of Creative Nonfiction, the first and largest literary magazine devoted to nonfiction narrative.[8] He is also editor of Best Creative Nonfiction, an annual anthology of creative nonfiction. At Arizona State University, he founded the ThinkWritePublish program,[5] supported by The National Science Foundation (Science in Society) and the Templeton Foundation (True Stories About Science and Religion).

Gutkind has widely lectured on his writing techniques to a wide range audiences and organizations, including the National Academy of Science, Earth Justice, the Institute for Learning, the Council on Healthcare Economics and Policy at Princeton University, as well as foreign audiences.

Gutkind founded the creative nonfiction program and MFA degree at the University of Pittsburgh, the first in the world. He helped found the low residency MFA program in creative nonfiction at Goucher College, and was director of the Mid-Atlantic Creative Nonfiction Writers’ Conference at Goucher for 11 years. He was the director and founder of the 412 Creative Nonfiction Literary Festival for four years, a citywide literary event that provides professional development to students and city residents and fosters the strength of the local writing community. Gutkind also served as the Virginia G. Piper Distinguished Writer in Residence at Arizona State University in 2007-2008.

Awards and recognition

Lee Gutkind's list of honorary achievements include: The Steve Allan Individual Award, by United Mental Health, Inc; Chancellor's Award for Public Service; Meritorious Service Award by American Council on Transplantation; Howard Blakeslee Award by the American Heart Association for "outstanding journalism; Golden Eagle Award by CINE, for the film A Place Just Right; Recipient of National Endowment of the Arts Creative Writing Fellowship. In 2004, Gutkind was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Letters from Chatham College.

Vanity Fair called Gutkind "the Godfather" behind the creative nonfiction movement, although, according to Lee's own admission, this was meant in a disparaging manner,[4][9] while Harper’s Magazine noted that he is "the leading figure behind the creative nonfiction movement."[10]

List of publications

Written
Title Description Publisher Year ISBN
You Can't Make This Stuff UpA writer's guide to reading & writing creative nonfiction.Da Capo Lifelong Books2012ISBN 978-0-7382-1554-9
An Immense New Power to Heal: The Promise of Personalized Medicine Co-authored with Pagan Kennedy, this book delves into the personal side of medicine, offering the physician’s perspective and the patient’s experience through intimate narratives and case studies. In Fact Books 2012 ISBN

978-1937163068

Truckin' with SamA memoir chronicling several years of Gutkind's experiences traveling across the United States and the world with his son Sam, who appears later in the book as a co-author.State University of New York Press2010ISBN 978-1-4384-3259-5
Almost Human: Making Robots ThinkDocuments four years of observation at the Carnegie-Mellon University Robotics Institute, as they imagine, design, build, and test robots. Some scenes also take place at NASA and in the Atacama Desert in Chile.W. W. Norton2007ISBN 978-0-393-05867-3
Forever Fat: Essays by the GodfatherA memoir.University of Nebraska Press2004ISBN 0-8032-2194-0
The Best Seat in Baseball, But You Have to Stand: The Game as Umpires See ItA reprint of the original 1973 book from Dial Press.University of Southern Illinois Press1999ISBN 978-0-8093-2195-7
The Veterinarian's Touch: Profiles of Life Among the AnimalsVarious profiles of veterinarians.Owl Books1998ISBN 978-0-8050-5811-6
The Art of Creative Nonfiction: The Literature of RealityA writer's guide to the craft of creative nonfiction.John Wiley & Sons1996ISBN 0-471-11356-5
Creative Nonfiction: How to Live it and Write ItA guide to teach young writers how to use creative nonfictionChicago Review Press1996ISBN 1-55652-266-5
Stuck in Time: The Tragedy of Childhood Mental IllnessAn examination of the American health care system.Henry Holt and Company1994ISBN 0-8050-1469-1
One Children's Place: Inside a Children's HospitalAn examination of the American health care system.A Plume Book by Penguin1992ISBN 978-0-452-26687-2
Many Sleepless Nights: The World of Organ TransplantationAn inside look at the world of organ transplantation.W. W. Norton & Co.1990ISBN 978-0-8229-5905-2
The People of Penn's Woods WestEssays about rural America.University of Pittsburgh Press1984ISBN 978-0-8229-5360-9
God's HelicopterA novel.Slow Loris Press1983ISBN 978-0-941038-09-6
The Best Seat in Baseball, But You Have to Stand: The Game As Umpires See ItAn inside look at the life of major league umpires.Dial Press1975ISBN 978-0-8093-2195-7
Bike Fever: An Examination of the Motorcycle SubcultureLee's first book.Avon Books, Inc.1973ISBN 978-0-695-80380-3

Edited
Title Description Publisher Year ISBN
Show Me All Your Scars: True Stories of Living With Mental Illness Introduction by Patrick J. Kennedy, and foreword by Dr. Karen Wolk Feinstein. In Fact Books 2016 ISBN

978-1937163259

What I Didn’t Know: True Stories of Becoming a Teacher In these twenty personal narratives, teachers provide us with a fascinating insight into a profession that touches us all. In Fact Books 2016 ISBN

978-1937163273

Same Time Next Week: True Stories of Working Through Mental Illness These dramatic narratives communicate clearly the rewards of helping patients move forward with their lives, often through a combination of medication, talk therapy, and common sense. Collectively, these true stories highlight the need for empathy and compassion. In Fact Books 2015 ISBN

978-1937163198

Oh, Baby: True Stories About Conception, Adoption, Surrogacy, Pregnancy, Labor, and Love Co-edited with Alice Bradley. Introduction by Lisa Belkin. In Fact Books 2015 ISBN

978-1937163211

The Rightful Place of Science: Creative Nonfiction Contributing authors: Michael Zirulnik; Lee Gutkind; David Guston; Elizabeth Popp Berman; Adam Briggle; Roberta Chevrette; Gwen Ottinger; Angela Records; Meera Lee Sethi; Sara Wehlchel; Rachel Zurer; Ross Carper; Sonja Schmid Consortium for Science, Policy, & Outcomes 2015 ASIN

B01FGPKIO6

For the Love of Baseball: A Celebration of the Game That Connects Us All Co-edited by Andrew Blauner. Introduction by Yogi Berra.

United by the authors’ fervent love of the game, each chapter in this book reminds us of the unique role baseball plays in our national history and collective imagination.

 Skyhorse Publishing 2014 ISBN

978-1510702738

Southern Sin: True Stories of the Sultry South and Women Behaving Badly Co-edited with Beth Ann Fennelly. Introduction by Dorothy Allison. In Fact Books 2014 ISBN

978-1937163105

True Stories Well Told: From the First 20 Years of Creative Nonfiction Magazine Co-edited with Hattie Fletcher. Introduction by Susan Orlean. In Fact Books 2014 ISBN

978-1937163167

Writing Away the Stigma: Ten Courageous Writers Tell True Stories About Depression, Bipolar Disorder, ADHD, OCD, PTSD and More In this collection, ten writers confront the stigma of mental illness head-on, bravely telling stories of devastating depressions, persistent traumas, overwhelming compulsions, and more. In Fact Books 2014 ISBN

978-0692221297

Creating Nonfiction: Lessons From the Voice of the Genre Co-edited with Robyn Jodlowski. Contributing authors: Roy Peter Clark, Megan Foss, Steven Harvey, Lisa Knopp, Bret Lott, Hilary Masters, Susan Messer, Natalia Rachel Singer In Fact Books 2013 ASIN

B00F0RWY7U

I Wasn’t Strong Like This When I Started Out: True Stories of Becoming a Nurse True stories of becoming a nurse. In Fact Books 2013 ISBN

978-1937163129

True crime: Real-life Stories of Abduction, Addiction, Obsession, Murder, Grave-robbing, and More In Fact Books 2013 ISBN

978-1937163143

Great Baseball Stories: Essays, Ruminations, and Nostalgic Reminiscences on Our National Pastime Co-edited with Andrew Blauner, with foreword by Yogi Berra. Skyhorse Publishing 2012 ISBN

978-1616086039

At the End of Life: True Stories About How We Die Foreword by Francine Prose. In Fact Books 2012 ISBN

978-1937163044

Becoming a Doctor: From Student to Specialist, Doctor-Writers Share Their Experiences. Personal narratives from those who have gone through the process of becoming a doctor. W.W. Norton & Co. 2011 ISBN

978-0393334555

Twelve Breaths a Minute: End of Life EssaysTwenty-three original, personal narratives that examine the way we as a society care for the dying.Southern Methodist University Press2011ISBN 978-0-87074-571-3
Becoming a Doctor: From Student to Specialist, Doctor-Writers Share Their Experiences(CNF description) Physicians recount personal stories from their lives in white coats in this inspired anthology by new and known writers. These original stories reveal the inner lives of the men and women who are often rendered invisible by their white coats.W.W. Norton2010ISBN 978-0-393-33455-5
The Best Creative Nonfiction, Vol. 3A third special issue of Creative Nonfiction that features twenty-five essays that originally appeared in alternative publications, blogs, literary journals, and other publications.W.W. Norton2009ISBN 978-0-393-33025-0
The Best Creative Nonfiction, Vol. 2A second special issue of Creative Nonfiction that features twenty-nine essays that originally appeared in alternative publications, blogs, literary journals, and other publications.W.W. Norton2008ISBN 978-0-393-33024-3
Anatomy of BaseballTwenty new and classic essays about the American past time.SMU Press2008ISBN 978-0-87074-522-5
Keep It Real: Everything You Need to Know About Researching and Writing Creative NonfictionProvides writers with the working parameters of the creative nonfiction genreW.W. Norton2008ISBN 978-0-393-06561-9
Silence Kills: Speaking Out and Saving LivesTwelve new essays written by physicians, patients, and family members. Explores the communication breakdown in the current American health care systemSMU Press2007ISBN 978-0-87074-518-8
The Best Creative Nonfiction, Vol. 1A special issue of Creative Nonfiction that features twenty-seven essays that originally appeared in alternative publications, blogs, literary journals, and other publications.W.W. Norton2007ISBN 978-0-393-33003-8
Hurricanes and Carnivals: Essays by Chicanos, Pochos, Pachucos, Mexicanos, and ExpatriatesOriginally published as Issue 23 of Creative Nonfiction, this book features fifteen essays that push the boundaries between fact and fiction.The University of Arizona Press2007ISBN 978-0-8165-2625-3
Our Roots are Deep with Passion: `Creative Nonfiction` Collects New Essays by Italian American WritersTwenty-one essays written by established and emerging writers that explore the unique intersections of language, tradition, cuisine, and culture that characterize the diverse experience of Americans of Italian heritage.Other Press2006ISBN 978-1-59051-242-5
Rage & Reconciliation: Inspiring a Health Care RevolutionOriginally published as issue 21 of Creative Nonfiction, the book includes new essays and an 80- minute CD containing three essays read by professional actors and a panel discussion of the ethical dimensions of the issues raised. Produced in conjunction with Pittsburgh's Jewish Healthcare Foundation, writers tackle health care in America, including problems of patient rights and professional responsibility.SMU Press2005ISBN 0-87074-503-4
In Fact: The Best of Creative NonfictionTwenty-five essays, all originally appearing in Creative Nonfiction, republished in honor of the journal's tenth anniversary.W.W. Norton2005ISBN 0-393-32665-9
On Nature: Great Writers on the Great OutdoorsTwenty original and previously published essaysJeremy P. Tarcher2002ISBN 1-58542-173-1
Healing: 20 Prominent Authors Write About Inspirational Moments of Achieving Health and Gaining InsightTwenty original and previously published essaysJeremy P. Tarcher2001ISBN 1-58542-079-4
Lessons in Persuasion: Creative Nonfiction/Pittsburgh ConnectionsEighteen essays written by writers with ties to the city of Pittsburgh.University of Pittsburgh Press2000ISBN 0-8229-5715-9
Connecting: Twenty Prominent Authors Write About the Relationships That Shape Our LivesTwenty original and previously published essaysJeremy P. Tarcher/Putnam1998ISBN 0-87477-904-9
A View from the Divide: Creative Nonfiction on Health and ScienceSeventeen essays that attempt to demonstrate the many ways in which aspects of the scientific world—from biology, medicine, physics, and astronomy—can be captured and dramatized for a humanities-oriented readership.University of Pittsburgh Press1998ISBN 978-0-8229-5685-3

References
  1. Norman, Tony (May 24, 2017). "Point Park hosts the 2017 Creative Nonfiction Writers' Conference". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved April 1, 2019. Mr. Gutkind, founder of the locally based Creative Nonfiction Foundation
  2. Grant, Tim (October 16, 2017). "Bitcoin ATMs start to show up in Pittsburgh convenience stores". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved April 1, 2019. Sam’s father, Lee Gutkind
  3. "The godfather of creative non-fiction - Lee Gutkind". ABC. 21 April 2009.
  4. "What's the Story #10 | Creative Nonfiction". www.creativenonfiction.org. Retrieved 2019-10-21.
  5. "Lee Gutkind | School of Life Sciences". sols.asu.edu. Retrieved 2019-10-21.
  6. Lee Gutkind's Official Website
  7. "Bookslut | An Interview with Lee Gutkind". www.bookslut.com. Retrieved 2019-10-21.
  8. "How to Write True Stories about Science and Society: The 'Godfather of Creative Nonfiction' Joins Drexel for Workshop". DrexelNow. Retrieved 2019-10-21.
  9. 3qreview (2017-12-31). "The Godfather Speaks". 3QR: The Three Quarter Review. Retrieved 2019-10-21.
  10. Walker, Andrea (2009-07-27). "Inspirations". ISSN 0028-792X. Retrieved 2019-10-21.
  • Contemporary Authors Online. The Gale Group, 2007. PEN (Permanent Entry Number): 0000040630.
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