Background
Matthew Sharpe was born on October 17, 1962, in New York City, but grew up in a small town in Connecticut.
Sharpe attended Oberlin College.
Sharpe studied fiction writing at Columbia University.
journalist novelist writer author
Matthew Sharpe was born on October 17, 1962, in New York City, but grew up in a small town in Connecticut.
Sharpe studied fiction writing at Columbia University, where he received a master’s degree. He also studied at Columbia University.
Fiction writer Matthew Sharpe wrote his first short story when he was only ten. He remembers deciding that he would grow up to become a writer “so long as it got a lot easier.” Since it did not, Sharpe stopped writing for a lengthy period. One night, however, while reading Sam Shepard’s play La Tunisia in London, he became inspired. Since then he has published short stories and articles in several magazines. His first collection, Stories from the Tube, brought Sharpe significant critical attention.
Since graduation, he has worked with writing students in various organizations, has taught adults through the Gotham Writers’ Workshop, and is writer-in-residence for Teachers & Writers OnLine. With Daniel Judah Sklar he cofounded DRAMA PM, a playwriting and performance workshop for high school students. He teaches creative writing at Wesleyan University.
Based on images and themes from television commercials, Stories from the Tube drew mixed reviews. Many critics enjoyed its witty and imaginative juxtapositions. Sharpe has written nonfiction for such publications as Elle, Details, Conde Nast Traveler, and New York Newsday and has published short stories in such journals as Zoetrope, Harper’s, and Southwest Review.
Quotations: “Creative writing is good for people like me who are shy and often become tongue-tied in conversation. It’s good for anyone who urgently needs to express a thought or feeling and it’s good for people who like to play around. It’s a responsible way of being irresponsible, and vice versa.”
Quotes from others about the person
"Sharpe’s stories are wildly effective - and often touching - collisions of the banal and the surreal.” - Mark Rozzo
"Sharpe’s writing, masterly in its invention, manipulation, description, and dialog, ranging from comedy to tragedy.” - Joanna M. Burkhardt, library Journal reviewer