Notes and Links to Julie Buntin’s Work
Julie Buntin’s new novel, Famous Men, is out as of July 14. Her debut, Marlena, was a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle’s John Leonard Prize and longlisted for the Center for Fiction’s First Novel Prize. It was a Barnes & Noble Discover Great New Writers Pick and was released in ten territories worldwide and named a best book of the year by over a dozen outlets, including The Washington Post, NPR, and Kirkus Reviews. In September, Norton will publish her collaborative nonfiction project, Notes to New Mothers, co-edited with Rebecca Dinerstein Knight.
Previously, Buntin was an editor and director of writing programs at Catapult. She has taught creative writing at NYU, Columbia University, Marymount Manhattan College, the Yale Writers’ Workshop, Lighthouse Writers Workshop’s Lit Fest, and elsewhere. Now, she writes and teaches in Ann Arbor, where she is an assistant professor at the University of Michigan.
Buy Famous Men
Julie Buntin's Website
Elle Magazine: “An Exclusive First Look at Julie Buntin’s Famous Men, One of the Most Anticipated Novels of 2026"
New York Times Review of Famous Men
At about 3:00, Julie shares feedback she has received about Famous Men
At about 4:20, Julie gives publishing and purchasing information for her novel
At about 5:30, Julie highlights book tour events
At about 6:10, Julie talks about her upbringing in Michigan
At about 7:40, Julie traces her childhood connections to reading and literary culture
At about 10:40, Julie shouts out Mr. Young, her “formative” 10th grade English teacher and talks about her early reading and burgeoning literary interests
At about 12:20, Pete fanboys over Tobias Wolff in asking Julie’s thoughts on the “public intellectual” and connections to her novel, Famous Men
At about 15:40, Julie highlights Lorrie Moore, Toni Morrison, Elizabeth Bishop, Elena Ferrante, and Stephen King, among others, as formational for her own writing
At about 19:10, Julie compliments current writers whose work she enjoys, including Raven Leilani, Emma Cline, and Claire Messoud
At about 20:40, Julie responds to Pete’s question about the texts that resonate with her students, including Tinkers by Paul Harding
At about 23:25, Pete unloads his traumatic writing workshop experience, and Julie gives background on the evolution of the writing workshop
At about 27:30, Pete shares the novel’s epigraphs and asks Julie about seeds for the book
At about 32:30, The two discuss the book’s opening and reflect on where to open a/the book
At about 34:00, The two discuss an inciting incident and flashforward and the main male character’s writing and many relationships with women
At about 35:00, The two discuss sexism experienced by Will as a girl
At about 36:05, Julie reflects on the “secret summers” Will had as a teenager
At about 38:55, The two discuss the “shame” Will feels and the connection to her writing and need to express herself
At about 41:20, The two discuss the power of truth (or the lack of power), especially for young women, as seen in the way that young Will is often disbelieved
At about 42:25, Pete highlights a winning craft point, and Julie highlights how Nathaniel would have started the book-she muses on how to write this part
At about 43:30, The two discuss a huge breach of trust in Will’s household, as Julie muses on Will’s mindset before and after the gross behavior from a family member
At about 46:40, Pete and Julie discuss Will’s leaving to New York City and her first experience with a reading and meeting Nathaniel
At about 50:05, Julie responds to Pete’s questions about her treatment of a “ghost character”
At about 52:40, Pete highlights a “fraught” scene
At about 53:40, The two discuss the writing slump of Nathaniel and connections to impotence in the book and in the writing world and who gets to carry one’s legacy despite a dr
At about 55:00, Julie discusses Nathaniel as a composite character
At about 56:00, Julie talks about an important photo and how it affects the relationship between Will and Nathaniel
At about 58:30, Julie expands on the idea of Nathaniel’s fame, as seen by his inner world and the outer world
At about 1:01:40, Famous men and “missing” fathers are discussed, as well
At about 1:02:45, Julie reflects on the heart condition that Will has and somatic/anxiety links
At about 1:03:50, Julie responds to Pete’s musings about Will being stunted or fed in her growth as a writer and person through being with Nathaniel
At about 1:08:30, Julie ponders Pete’s question regarding what to do with the creation of flawed creators
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