Amy Fusselman

Amy Fusselman is an American author, who writes fiction and nonfiction, including essays and novels. Her work centers on social issues to explore complex family dynamics and the absurdity of everyday life. She often writes in a humorous style, blending prose and poetry. Fusselman's creative writing combines unconventional fragmented structure with circular narratives, allowing for leaps across time and subject without traditional linear transitions.

Education Fusselman received her Bachelor of Arts in English from Ohio State University and earned a Master of Arts in creative writing from Boston University.

Career Through the 1990s, Fusselman published Bunnyrabbit, an experimental zine.

Fusselman's hybrid writing integrates prose, poetry, and essay. McSweeney's published her first hardcover book, The Pharmacist's Mate, in 2001 and Penguin Books published a softcover edition in 2002. This was later followed by 8 (2007), Savage Park (2015), Idiophone (2018), and The Means (2022). "Cloud Six" (2026), Fusselman's absurdist novel, is a story about the afterlife in the lowest tier of heaven.

Her freelance writing has been published in The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The Atlantic. Her column "Family Practice", for McSweeney's Internet Tendency, observes intersections between parenting, play, risk-taking and work.

In addition to writing, Fusselman taught creative writing (fiction and nonfiction) at New York University School of Professional Studies from 2020 to 2022.

Personal life Fusselman lives with her family in New York City.

Fusselman contributes to programs at Girls Write Now, which matches young women from disadvantaged backgrounds with professional women writers. In 2014 Fusselman gave the keynote address, Owning Your Work: Speaking with Strength and Courage, during their annual Chapters event.

Publications