Joseph Bizup

Joseph Bizup is an American author best known for his novel The Perpetual Now, which tells the story of one of the survivors of the nuclear bombing of Hiroshima. His work often explores the impact of war and loss, as well as different aspects of human connection.

Bizup was born in Pennsylvania in 1975, and grew up in Morgantown, West Virginia. He graduated from West Virginia University in 1997, and went on to earn a Master of Fine Arts in creative writing from the Vermont College of Fine Arts and a Master of Public Administration degree from Harvard University Kennedy School of Government.

Most of Bizup's writing has focused on themes of loss, survival, and resilience, often taking place in a post-war world such as his novel The Perpetual Now. His other books include The Somebodies, which was a Junior Library Guild selection, a novel in verse called The Wolves of Florence, and his most recent work, Little Big Far Away, which is a contemporary fantasy about an old-soul thief who discovers a secret about a lost world.

Bizup also writes and publishes short fiction, and has had stories featured in publications such as The Sun, PANK, The Missouri Review, and others. His short story "Displaced", which appeared in The Washington Post, was awarded honorable mention in the 2013 PEN/Robert J. Dau Short Story Prize for Emerging Writers.

In addition to his writing, Bizup is active in the non-profit sector, having served in volunteer roles with organizations such as Wounded Warrior Project, Habitat for Humanity, and the National Alliance on Mental Illness. He currently works with West Virginia public schools to create and teach writing and art workshops to foster higher levels of creativity, self-expression and critical thinking in the state’s youth.

Bizup is an active traveler and lover of nature, and it is these elements that often find their way into his writing. He has lived and worked in locations all over the world, including Japan and his beloved Appalachia, where his ties to its people and culture remain strong.

Joseph Bizup is an award-winning author whose writing captures deep human emotion and explores the areas of human connection and resilience in a post-war world. His works often focus on loss, heroism, and hope, and his short stories have been honored with numerous awards. Bizup is also an active volunteer and traveler, making him a well-rounded and inspiring author.