Grow Your Writing with Spencer
Spencer Fleury (he/him) has worked as a sailor, copywriter, computer programmer and record store clerk, among other disreputable professions, He is the author of the novels How I’m Spending My Afterlife (Woodhall Press, 2021) and The Shitbird (Stanchion Books, 2026), and the short story collection I Blame Myself But Also You and other stories (Malarkey Books, 2024). His work has appeared in venues including The Smart Set, Utne Reader, Apalachee Review, Ascent, Blunderbuss, The Collapsar, and Big Muddy, and his story “Fantastic Atlas” was nominated for a Pushcart Prize. He holds a Ph.D. in geography and has taught at the University of South Florida and at St. Petersburg (Florida) College. He lives, writes, and works in San Francisco.
Website: www.SpencerFleury.com
Socials: @spencerfleuryauthor (Instagram), @spencerfleury.bsky.social (BlueSky)
Work with Spencer
Apply to join the mentor’s small group of writers that they will lead through our unique 12 week mentoring and workshopping program.
Decide if Spencer is Right for You with Our Mentor Interview
What excites you most about writing?
“So much excites me about writing: clarifying my own thoughts; bringing invented realities to life on the page; the power and beauty a single well-written sentence can deliver. Writing has sharpened my own perception of the world around me. It’s made me more curious about things that once seemed mundane. And it’s given me a deeper understanding of who I am,” Spencer said.
What mindset does a writer need to grow?
“An openness to the new, and the awareness that one is never finished growing as an artist unless they decide to be.”
What three words best describe you as a mentor?
“Open-minded, patient, and supportive.”
What makes a good writing mentor?
“Good mentors guide instead of dictate. When I mentor a writer, I let them tell me where they want to go, both by reading their work and in conversation, and then I try to help them discover the path that leads there. I don’t try to teach people how to write. Instead, I try to teach them how to learn to write.”
What is your style of feedback?
“I’m direct and clear but never harsh or mean. I love to point out what’s working well and explore why it works. When things on the page aren’t clicking, I like to take a collaborative approach to figure out why.”
What was the most recent "standout" book you read?
“Joshua Mohr’s Saint the Terrifying. Full of chaos, passion, beauty and punk rock.”