Two younger writers have new books which have more in common than at first glance: both are character-driven narratives in which enjoyment for the reader belies the talent of the authors. National Book Award nominee Bynum gets under the skin with her seventh-grade teacher Ms. Hempel, while one-time talk show host Evison debuts with William Miller, messed-up son of a bodybuilder. The Stranger books editor Paul Constant draws out these skilled writers.
Sarah Shun-lien Bynum
Sarah Shun-lien Bynum's first novel, Madeline is Sleeping, was a finalist for the National Book Award and winner of the Kafka Prize for fiction by an American woman. Her work has appeared in several journals and anthologies, including Tin House and The Best American Short Stories. Her new book Ms. Hempel Chronicles (Harcourt) is a "dazzling, masterful" (Kirkus) story of a seventh-grade teacher and the characters that surround her.
Jonathan Evison
Bainbridge Island, WA 
visit website
Jonathan Evison has worked a wide array of jobs from syndicated talk radio host to rotten tomato sorter. In the former role, his comedy show "Shaken Not Stirred" was nominated for two Peabody Awards. He has received two Silver Microphones, and two Communicators and was frequently nominated for the Soundie Award. His debut novel All About Lulu (Soft Skull) traces the story of two star-crossed lovers: a weak-eyed vegetarian in a family of bodybuilders and his troubled step-sister.
Paul Constant
Paul Constant is the editor for The Stranger. His writing has been published in Utne Reader, The Progressive, and in alternative weeklies across the country.