Selected journalism-adjacent articles
I’ve covered books for Shondaland, innovative social programs for Food Bank News, more books for Electric Literature, three school districts for The Raleigh News & Observer, and more books for INDY Week.
Keen observers will notice that I love a good interview. Profiles, Q&As, features, I’m up for anything that lets me ask interesting people as many questions as they’ll allow.
Kaveh Akbar Delivers a Wholly Unique Debut Novel
In his first novel, Martyr!, poet and educator Kaveh Akbar takes on addiction, religion, and displacement with a tender touch. Originally published on Shondaland.
John Darnielle’s New Thriller, ‘Devil House,’ Digs into the Uneasy Tensions between Humanity and the Headlines
“Telling any story at all has stakes, you know, whether it’s true or not.” Shelbi Polk interviews John Darnielle for Indy Week ahead of the release of his novel, Devil House.
Kelly Link’s Mastery in ‘White Cat, Black Dog’ Takes on a New Form
Inspired by traditional lore and fairy tales, Link’s latest short story collection will surely transport readers to new realms. Shelbi Polk interviews Kelly Link for Shondaland.
The 14-Year Making of ‘Wednesday’s Child’
The acclaimed writer Yiyun Li discusses her new short story collection with Shelbi Polk for Shondaland.
‘Chain-Gang All-Stars’ Is a Searing Indictment of the Prison Industrial Complex
Author Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah discusses how he arrived at the interesting premise of his first novel. Interview by Shelbi Polk for Shondaland.
Jhumpa Lahiri Continues to Explore the Nature of Being an Outsider
Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jhumpa Lahiri discusses her new short story collection, “Roman Stories,” with Shelbi Polk for Shondaland.
In a New Memoir, the Travels of Frances Mayes Reach from the Triangle to Tuscany, and Back Again
Frances Mayes’ romantic 1996 memoir, “Under the Tuscan Sun,” about buying and renovating a rickety but venerable Italian villa, kicked off a writing career that has continued with gusto into her eighties. Shelbi Polk interviews Mayes for Indy Week.