Lydia Peelle was born in Boston, received her MFA from the University of Virgina, and now lives in Nashville, Tennessee. Her stories have earned her the O. Henry Prize as well as two Pushcart Prizes. She has twice been featured in the Best New American Voices anthologies. Her first collection of short stories Reasons for and Advantages of Breathing was published in the summer of 2009. The amazing debut collection features eight stories that weave together past and present while exploring our modern American detachment from our land, our history, and ourselves (read a full review here). Ms. Peelle recently spoke with us via email about her stories, our failing connection with the natural world, and writing in the shadow of the Southern literary tradition. Continue reading “An Interview with Lydia Peelle”