SOURCE: Interview by Amy Penn, originally published in INTERVIEW Magazine, Brant Publications, January, 1988, pp. 94-5, 101.

In the following interview, Lish discusses aspects of his career as an editor, teacher, and writer.

[Penn]: Where have you taught writing?

[Lish]: I' ve taught at Yale, Columbia and NYU. Now I only teach privately. I run workshops in the spring and fall, two at a time—one meets on Tuesday nights, the other on Thursday nights—from six to twelve o'clock.

Who are some of the writers who have studied with you?

Amy Hempel and Anderson Ferrei are two who are well known. I can tell you two names you will certainly know as the years wear on: Mark Richard and Yannick Murphy. I predict the highest returns for two others: Jennifer Allen and Ted Pejovich. While making predictions, I'll say that William Tester will be knocking you flat presently. One...