Ben Fountain

Ben Fountain is one of those writers that makes you feel okay for not having published your groundbreaking novel before 40 years of age. He published his first book at 48—a heavily researched selection of short stories called Brief Encounters with Che Guevara—and published 2012's best-selling Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk at 53. Simon Beaufoy (Slumdog Millionaire screenwriter dude) plans to adapt that book, which is about the stark disconnect between the American and Iraqi experience of the second Iraq War, into a movie. His humor recalls Twain and Vonnegut, and he's a charming and thoughtful public speaker, sort of like Jimmy Carter after a couple cups of coffee. He'll read as part of the 2016-17 Seattle Arts & Lectures Literary Arts season.