Alejandro Varela’s work has appeared in the Boston, Yale, and Georgia Reviews, 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 Award, and longlisted for the Aspen Literary Prize, the Story Prize, and the Jean Stein Award. His most recent novel, Middle Spoon, was published by Viking in September. Varela holds a master’s in public health from the University of Washington.

NB: Other than the amazing diversity, what do/did you love most about living in Queens (or Queens in general)? How has Queens changed over the years?

AV: The parts of Queens that I knew best in

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