I was a bit of a delinquent growing up, a very poor student - I nearly failed several grades before dropping out of high school and getting a G.E.D. But I still read a lot. Thrillers and war novels, mostly, along with the occasional literary novel from my parents' bookshelf. Philipp Meyer bitebookshelfdelinquent share on social
Each time a high-wage job is lost, a family is turned upside down. And that affects the communities where they live. Philipp Meyer affectcommunityfamily Change image and share on social
My first published novel, 'American Rust,' took three and a half years of full-time work to write. But I wrote two apprentice novels before that. Philipp Meyer americanapprenticefull Change image and share on social
My ideal is to write most of the day, then go running, find friends and socialise all evening; my mind recharges with human contact. Philipp Meyer contactdayeven Change image and share on social
I try to begin writing as close to a dreamlike state as I can get. Philipp Meyer beginclosedreamlike Change image and share on social
Cornell changed my life; getting in there was one of my pinnacle moments. Philipp Meyer changecornelllife Change image and share on social
When I dropped out of high school at age 16, I didn't know I was going to become a writer - I just knew I'd never been happy in school, and I had this strong suspicion I'd be happy doing other things. Philipp Meyer agedrophappy Change image and share on social
What art and books do at their best is investigate why we are the way we are. Philipp Meyer artbookinvestigate Change image and share on social
I wanted to think about our creation myth; you know, what is the fundamental story that defines America. And it certainly is the West. Philipp Meyer americacreationdefine Change image and share on social
If you've grown up with guns, the thought that someone might take them away makes your stomach churn. They make you feel safe. If you didn't grow up with guns, if you don't know how to use them, then the thought that someone else has them makes your stomach churn. Philipp Meyer churnfeelgrow share on social