Benjamin I Parzybok (born 1970) is an American novelist. His
debut novel
A debut novel is the first novel a novelist publishes. Debut novels are often the author's first opportunity to make an impact on the publishing industry, and thus the success or failure of a debut novel can affect the ability of the author to pu ...
, ''Couch'', written in a six-month period while the author was living in Ecuador,
[Goodwin, G. (2009)] was published in 2008 by
Small Beer Press
Small Beer Press is a publisher of fantasy and literary fiction, based in Northampton, Massachusetts. It was founded by Gavin Grant and Kelly Link in 2000 and publishes novels, collections, and anthologies. It also publishes the zine '' Lady Chu ...
.
Benjamin Parzybok is the creator of ''Gumball Poetry'', a (now defunct) journal published through gumball machines, the Psychic Book Project and the Black Magic Insurance Agency, a citywide mystery/treasure hunt. His projects have twice been selected as Best of Portland for the Willamette Week: "Best Guy Who Walks His Talk" and "Best Quarter's Worth of Culture."
Besides freelancing, his most recent start up is Walker Tracker, a walking community for pedometer enthusiasts.
He received a BA in creative writing from the Evergreen State College, Olympia, WA. He has lived in Brooklyn, Central America, Taiwan, R.O.C., Ecuador, up and down the Pacific Northwest, and now lives in Portland, Oregon, with the writer Laura Moulton and their two children. He is also the cousin of
Lucas Parzybok, who has also successfully published a book.
[Small Beer Pres]
"Benjamin Parzybok"
Parzybok has cited influences including
Haruki Murakami
is a Japanese writer. His novels, essays, and short stories have been best-sellers in Japan and internationally, with his work translated into 50 languages and having sold millions of copies outside Japan. He has received numerous awards for hi ...
,
Ursula Le Guin
Ursula Kroeber Le Guin ( ; Kroeber; October 21, 1929 – January 22, 2018) was an American author. She is best known for her works of speculative fiction, including science fiction works set in her Hainish universe, and the ''Earthsea'' fantas ...
, and
David Eddings
David Carroll Eddings (July 7, 1931 – June 2, 2009) was an American fantasy writer. With his wife Leigh, he authored several best-selling epic fantasy novel series, including ''The Belgariad'' (1982–84), '' The Malloreon'' (1987–91), '' The ...
.
Footnotes
References
* Baker, Jeff. (2008, November 13)
"Benjamin Parzybok and the Art of Couch Moving" ''The Oregonian''.
* Constant, Paul. (2008, November 13). "One Couch to Rule Them All." ''The Stranger'', p. 29.
* Goodwin, Geoffrey H. (2009, January).
"An Interview With Benjamin Parzybok" ''Bookslut''.
* Roberts, Dmae. (2008, November 12
Audio interview: "Dmae Roberts talks with Benjamin Parzybok about Couch: A Novel" on KBOO.fm ''KBOO.fm''.
* Tan, Charles A. (2009, February 17)
''Bibliophile Stalker''.
* Small Beer Pres
* Booktou
listing for Benjamin Parzybok
Living people
1970 births
Writers from Portland, Oregon
Evergreen State College alumni
American male writers
American expatriates in Ecuador
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