The Magic Kingdom

Stanley Elkin (1930-1995) was an award-winning author of novels, short stories, and essays. Born in the Bronx, Elkin received his BA and PhD from the University of Illinois and in 1960 became a professor of English at Washington University in St. Louis where he taught until his death. His critically acclaimed works include the National Book Critics Circle Award-winners George Mills (1982) and Mrs. Ted Bliss (1995), as well as the National Book Award finalists The Dick Gibson Show (1972), Searches and Seizures (1974), and The MacGuffin (1991). His book of novellas, Van Gogh's Room at Arles, was a finalist for the PEN Faulkner Award. Many of his novels are available or forthcoming in new editions from Dalkey Archive Press.

Rick Moody is the author of six novels, including The Ice Storm; three collections of short stories, including Demonology; and three works of non-fiction. He writes regularly about music for Salmagundi magazine and teaches at Tufts University, in the greater Boston/Cambridge area.