Alejandro Varela (he/him) is a writer based in New York. His debut novel, The Town of Babylon (2022), was published by Astra House and was a finalist for the National Book Award. His work has appeared in The Point Magazine, Georgia Review, Boston Review, Harper’s, and The Offing, among others outlets. Varela is an editor-at-large of Apogee Journal. He has a Master’s Degree in Public Health.

Alejandro is represented by Robert Guinsler at Sterling Lord Literistic, Inc.

Twitter: @drovarela
Instagram: @drovarela

Author photo by Allison Michael Orenstein

 

Instagram

Woke up a bit under the weather, possibly the cumulative effect of weekslong travel and the heightened emotions that accompany said travel and the launching of a book. Grateful for the good fortune nonetheless. Stopped by my two local bookstores an
Launch of THE PEOPLE WHO REPORT MORE STRESS was a blast. Thanks to all the ppl who came, especially @justin_torres_books & @charlesricegonzalez for getting up there with me. Thanks to @ptknitwear for putting together a great event. And thanks @as
@loma_poetry thank you for capturing this moment and linking us all. Salvadoran Voltron. United. Thanks @adamriding for these beauties. Thanks @tucsonfestivalofbooks for providing the location.
I've been chosen for the Gap's new gay denim Latine campaign. Their spring collection. Jkjkjk I'm headed to LA... Authors Mona Simpson, Manuel Muñoz, Alejandro Varela, and Justin Torres discuss the foundational work of Chicano literature Bl
Thank you @penamerica for recognizing my work and for putting me in this company of writers. Thrilled to be considered for the PEN AMERICA OPEN BOOK AWARD. Second slide author photo (portrait of mustachioed, mestizo guy smiling in blue shirt against
The new one has arrived. The People Who Report More Stress, out April 4! These stories are of various ages. One is six years old; one is five months. They're all about class jumping and the disorientation of landing in the unfamiliar. They're neuroti
As the year-end lists of accomplishments roll in, I'd like to take a moment to acknowledge a major change in my life. In one short year, I pivoted from curmudgeon who judged ppl for over-sharing to reluctant narcissist who has more selfies in his pho
For @bombmag, I gave a sample of my favorite cultural moments of this year. Very cool to join these other fantastic writers. 🙏 to @sophiekovel. 🔗 in bio. Text 1: Influences: Literature For BOMB’s latest year-end list, we asked Alejandr
My first published work was @newrepublic on the occasion of World AIDS Day '14. Some details have changed but the message remains. Our inequities have historical and economic roots. Leveling the playing field week lighten the disease burden in societ
Wild, fun, special, and a bit exhausting: the night and the book ride thus far. Thanks to the @nationalbookfoundation and all the judges for including me. Thanks to Keanu for introducing the fiction category. It's vaulted into my top 5 favorite Keanu
So grateful my work is getting recognition now, before the onset of significant hair loss. Hanging on by a thread. This may be the year of finasteride. Hbd to me. Photo credit to the great @allisonmichaelorenstein. Thanks. Description: beautiful mes
The Disappearance of Guy @catapult, edited by @mattortile, supported by @nicolesjchung. Love the art by @sirinthada. Description: screenshot of web page. Art work above text. Drawn image of two people meeting on steps, shadows, reds and blues. Text
Coming to a bookstore near you. Photo description: picture of pink book over a white background. Text: the Town of Babylon, Alejandro Varela. Book art: person in white shirt and blue pants floating over a grid of houses. Illustrated by @igorbastid
10 books nominated for the National Book Awards, Fiction. My debut, The Town of Babylon, is one of them. Very cool is one way of putting it. As is, holy sh*t. Thank you @nationalbookfoundation for giving my parents something to brag about to complete
The People Who Report More Stress, out April 4, 2023. Pre-order link in bio. This book has 13 stories. One story is from 2016, one is from last month. Can't wait to share them. In fact, I consider myself a short story writer, but since "collecti
Inaugural meeting of we don't know what yet. Not pictured: my economy size spray bottle of rubbing alcohol. It's giving... hypochondriac in the midst of a burgeoning pandemic on the heels of an everlasting one. Description: a selfie by three beauti
A great night @bookclubbar for @debutsandredos, organized by @just_islemcelroy and with @ztkhalid, who was a spectacular Jeremy. Great to meet @hrweb and to hear their amazing work spoken aloud. Pictures of us holding our books with bookshelves beh
Told my mother about the billboard, and she drove us right back to the Babylon train station and forced a photoshoot. Opposite me is a platform full of waiting passengers who had the time of their lives. This smile on my face is equal parts amused an
Appreciation post. Thank you to the folks who keep supporting me through this awkward and unnatural (for me) period of self-promotion. It's not over yet, but almost. (Just in time for the next book.) Thanks, @cheemobile and Cherry Grove and @astrahou