Michael Upchurch

From Fiction to Criticism: The Formative Years

Upchurch began his career as a novelist, publishing Jamboree (Knopf, 1981) and Passive Intruder (Norton, 1995). His fiction, characterized by lyrical prose and psychological depth, laid the groundwork for his transition to criticism. By 1998, he joined The Seattle Times as a staff book critic, where he developed a reputation for incisive analyses of contemporary literature. During this period, he championed Pacific Northwest writers while reviewing works by global authors like Haruki Murakami and A.S. Byatt.

“Weegee wasn’t much concerned with his work’s artistic merit or implicit social commentary. ‘I have no time for messages in my pictures,’ he insisted. To his admirers, though, he saw and said more than he ever cared to admit.”

Expanding Horizons: Arts Journalism and Freelance Work

In 2008, Upchurch shifted to covering theater, visual arts, and film for The Seattle Times, producing features on regional institutions like the Seattle Art Museum and Intiman Theatre. His 2014 departure from the paper marked a new phase: freelance contributions to The New York Times, The Boston Globe, and Cascade PBS. This era saw him blending narrative nonfiction techniques with critical rigor, particularly in profiles of authors and deep dives into cultural history.

Key Articles: Signature Works Analyzed

• “When the Towers Came Down and the Pentagon Burned” (The Boston Globe)

Upchurch’s review of Mitchell Zuckoff’s Fall and Rise: The Story of 9/11 exemplifies his ability to contextualize historical narratives. He dissects Zuckoff’s minute-by-minute account of the attacks, highlighting its reliance on firsthand testimonies and archival research. The analysis emphasizes how the book captures the collective disorientation of the day while avoiding political commentary—a approach Upchurch praises for its “unflinching clarity.” His critique also notes the ethical challenges of documenting trauma, making this piece a masterclass in balancing empathy with critical distance.

• “John Lanchester’s ‘The Wall’ Offers a Chilling Vision of the Future” (The Seattle Times)

In this review, Upchurch examines Lanchester’s dystopian novel about climate migration and border militarization. He contrasts the book’s “movie-script ready” action sequences with its thematic ambiguity, arguing that its refusal to offer easy solutions mirrors real-world paralysis on climate policy. Upchurch’s analysis weaves in references to Lanchester’s earlier works like Capital, demonstrating his knack for situating authors within their broader oeuvre.

• “Dave Eggers’ ‘The Monk of Mokha’ and the American Dream” (Cascade PBS)

This profile of Mokhtar Alkhanshali, a Yemeni-American coffee entrepreneur, showcases Upchurch’s skill in tracing the intersections of identity and ambition. He highlights Eggers’ immersive reporting style while questioning how “optimistic narratives” intersect with geopolitical realities. The piece doubles as a meditation on storytelling itself, with Upchurch noting Eggers’ deliberate avoidance of sensationalism in favor of nuanced portraiture.

Beat Analysis: Pitching to Michael Upchurch

Focus on Author-Driven Narratives

Upchurch gravitates toward stories that explore creators’ motivations and creative processes. Pitches should emphasize unique angles on writers, artists, or cultural movements, particularly those with ties to the Pacific Northwest. For example, his Boston Globe piece on Weegee’s photography demonstrated his interest in artists who challenge conventional narratives.

Highlight Underappreciated Cultural Histories

He frequently excavates overlooked artistic legacies, as seen in his coverage of mid-20th century photographers or regional theater traditions. Successful pitches might involve rediscovered archives, anniversaries of significant works, or interviews with legacy artists.

Avoid Click-Driven Topics

Upchurch rarely covers viral trends or celebrity-focused content. A rejected pitch might involve a TikTok-famous author without substantive literary merit. Instead, focus on projects with demonstrated cultural impact, like his analysis of Eggers’ documentation of Yemen’s coffee trade.

Awards and Recognition

While Upchurch’s accolades are often tied to institutional roles rather than individual awards, his 30-year tenure at major outlets underscores his influence. His work has been anthologized in collections like Rereadings (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2005), affirming his status as a critical voice in literary journalism.