Alejandro Varela (he/him) is based in New York. His work has appeared in the Boston, Yale, and Georgia Reviews, The Point Magazine, Harper’s, and The Offing, among other publications. His debut novel, The Town of Babylon (Astra House, 2022) was a finalist for the National Book Award. His short story collection, The People Who Report More Stress (Astra, 2023), was a finalist for the International Latino Book Awards, and longlisted for the Aspen Literary Prize, the Story Prize, and the Jean Stein Awards. Middle Spoon, his forthcoming novel, will be published by Viking (September 2025). Varela is an editor-at-large of Apogee Journal, and he holds a masters in public health from the University of Washington.

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

Twitter: @drovarela
Instagram: @drovarela

Author photo by Allison Michael Orenstein

 

Instagram

This is the cover of my next book, MIDDLE SPOON, out September (2025) from @vikingbooks. It's not the book I'd set out to write, but it's the one I needed to. And I couldn't be prouder of it. My hope is that it'll induce dialog, empathy, and fits of
I spent a great few days in Denver @americanbooksellers Winter Institute. There's no way around it: independent booksellers are the best. I was there to introduce my upcoming novel, MIDDLE SPOON, which @vikingbooks is publishing in September. Thanks
Coming soon.
A Last Supper of Queer Apostles is one of the best books I've read all year. It was an honor to support this important work of unclassifiable genius. Thank you, @angorapenguin for reaching out. Bravo, Gwendolyn Harper for this sumptuous translation a
For the @washingtonpost , I looked at a decade's worth of fiction in honor of the @nationalbookfoundation 's 75th anniversary. I spent months reading dozens and dozens of books. Goddess bless @bklynlibrary for allowing me to take home so many and to
BABYLON, in Italian. Grazie, @nneditore, per aver dato al mio romanzo una casa italiana. Thank you @stefanovalenti_ for your beautiful work and note (penultimate slide). Thanks, @vazquezwithaz ,@notdonewithmychanges, @2seasagency & @marleen.seege
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