Mitchell Waldman
Mitchell Waldman is a genre-crossing author whose fiction delves into the fragile intersections of identity, alienation, and the surreal. His latest novel, The Visitor, has been called a surreal and emotionally resonant novel that blurs the line between speculative fiction and psychological introspection. Waldman’s previous works include the short story collections Brothers, Fathers, and Other Strangers—noted for its emotional range and thematic complexity—and Petty Offenses and Crimes of the Heart, featuring stories where quiet betrayals and ordinary misfortunes sharpen into existential truths. His fiction and poetry have appeared in numerous literary journals and anthologies, showcasing a voice that blends raw realism, surrealist undertones, and subtle social critique.
A former legal editor with over 35 years in the publishing field, Waldman brings structural precision and reflective nuance to his writing. He studied literature with acclaimed authors Mark Costello and Paul Friedman, and holds a J.D. from Southern Illinois University. He currently serves as Fiction Editor at Blue Lake Review, where he champions narratives that confront the complexities of the human condition.
Born in Chicago and now based in Rochester, New York, he shares a literary life with his partner Diana Waldman—a poet (author of A Woman’s Song), journalist, Poetry Editor for Blue Lake Review, and co-editor with Mitchell of two anthologies of poetry and fiction. They have six children and six grandchildren.