Book reviews and author interviews that read between the lines.
I’ve worked in editorial at Simon & Schuster, as a reader for various literary journals, and helped Paramount decide which books would make good films. Now I review books and interview authors in a monthly column for the Brooklyn neighborhood newspaper The Red Hook Star-Revue, The Gay & Lesbian Review, and various literary journals. I am a member of the National Books Critic Circle.
Book Reviews and Author Interviews for The Red Hook Star-Revue
I’ve had a monthly newspaper column, “Quinn on Books,” since 2020. I gravitate toward New York-centric titles, traditionally marginalized writers, and books from small presses and independent bookstores. I also interview local authors.
This Brooklyn neighborhood paper prints 9,000 copies monthly to serve readers in Red Hook, Carroll Gardens, the Columbia Waterfront District, and the Gowanus. Check out my latest column below, then dig through back issues.
Review of New York Nico’s Guide to NYC, by Nicolas Heller, with Jason Diamond; photography by Jeremy Cohen
Published by The Red Hook Star-Revue (December 2024)
I interviewed New York Times-bestselling author and bookseller Emma Straub about her novel, This Time Tomorrow, and her Brooklyn bookstore Books Are Magic—I took all the photographs, too!
Book Reviews for The Gay & Lesbian Review
This bimonthly magazine of history, culture, and politics targets an educated LGBTQ+ reader. I’ve reviewed books on art, design, and drag, as well as essay collections, memoirs, and poetry. Check out my latest review below, then explore past issues.
Review of The Importance of Being Furnished, by R. Tripp Evans
Published by The G&LR (January–February 2025)
Book Reviews for Literary Journals
Fiction
“Turn, Turn, Turn”: Review of Marcovaldo, by Italo Calvino (The Common)
“The River Was Deep”: Review of Lava Falls, by Lucy Jane Bledsoe (Gertrude Press)
Nonfiction
“Mending History”: Review of A Quilt for David, by Steven Reigns (Gertrude Press)
“The Spiritual Forebear of Lana Del Rey”: Review of A Voice of the Warm, by Barry Alfonso (Gertrude Press)
“Gals and Gales”: Review of Zephyrian Spools, by Dalia Neis (Gertrude Press)
“Many Voices, One Song”: Review of Transcending, edited by Kevin Manders and Elizabeth Marston (Gertrude Press)
“Master Class in American History”: Review of I Like to Watch, by Emily Nussbaum (The Adroit Journal)
Memoir
“The Girl from Josephina”: Review of Big Freedia, by Big Freedia, with Nicole Balin (Gertrude Press)
“Just Dandy”: Review of I’ve Seen the Future, and I’m Not Going, by Peter McGough (Drizzle Review)
“Time Passages”: Review of Year of the Monkey, by Patti Smith (The Adroit Journal)
“Dial-Up Access—to the Past”: Review of People I’ve Met from the Internet, by Stephen Van Dyck (Gertrude Press)
“Deathbed Revelations”: Review of All We Knew But Couldn’t Say, by Joanne Vannicola (Gertrude Press)
“Autumn Closing In”: Review of Night Moves, by Jessica Hopper (The Adroit Journal)
“It’s Her Story Now”: Review of Self-ish, by Chloe Schwenke (Gertrude Press)
Poetry
Review of Live in Suspense, by David Groff (Colorado Review)
“Into Every Life, a Little Rain Must Fall”: Review of Come Thunder, by Barbara Helfgott Hyett (Heavy Feather Review)
“I Drive, Therefore I Am”: Review of Today in the Taxi, by Sean Singer (Heavy Feather Review)
“Midlife Crisis”: Review of Ghost Hour, by Laura Cronk (The Literary Review)
“Disappeared, Disregarded, Dead”: Review of Rest of US, by Richard Hamilton (Gertrude Press)
“What the Living Do”: Review of One Illuminated Letter of Being, by Donald Platt (Green Mountains Review)
“Live Through This”: Review of Girls Like Us, by Elizabeth Hazen (The Literary Review)
“Great Plains Evenings”: Review of Prairie Architecture, by Monica Barron (Gertrude Press)
“How to Live”: Review of Flourish, by Dora Malech (The Literary Review)
“A Serious Piece of American Music”: Review of The Miracles, by Amy Lemmon (Green Mountains Review)
“Within You, Without You”: Review of Hard Some, by Hailey Higdon (Gertrude Press)
“All Mixed Up, for a Reason”: Review of For Every Girl, by Kate Gray (Gertrude Press)
“Michael has been a truly invaluable team member...giving thoughtful feedback on at least a dozen stories and essays weekly. He meets a piece where it’s at and sees its merit while evaluating weaknesses and possible improvements that the editing process might address. He produces a high volume of work without slacking on care and quality.”
Book Reviews and Author Interviews for Publishers Weekly
This weekly trade publication focuses on the book publishing business for an audience of publishers, booksellers, librarians, literary agents, and authors. From 2018–2023, I wrote reviews (without bylines) that reflect expertise in three areas: gardening, LGBTQ+ topics (gender studies, history, memoir), and literary nonfiction. I also interviewed authors.
Interview with Svenja O’Donnell, author of Inge’s War
Published by Publishers Weekly (February 2020)
Interview with Walt Odets, author of Out of the Shadows
Published by Publishers Weekly (April 2019)
“Michael’s friendly, professional, and diligent attitude makes him a pleasure to work with, and his stylish and thoughtful submissions are a pleasure both to edit and read—I always look forward to getting back [submissions] from him, knowing that their clean prose style and careful organization will make my job exceptionally easy, and also that I’ll encounter lively and original insights and turns of phrase.”