Cover Photo: Maxine Hong Kingston and Morgan Parker/Photos: Paul Mandebaum and Rachel Eliza Griffiths
Maxine Hong Kingston and Morgan Parker/Photos: Paul Mandebaum and Rachel Eliza Griffiths

Writing Prompt: Who Are Your Literary Heroes?

They say “Never meet your heroes”, but it makes for a great story.

In Catapult magazine this month, writers Alexis Cheung and Naima Coster have shared stories of meeting and working with women they look up to in the literary world.  What makes someone a literary hero, and what is it like when you meet one?  What questions do you ask? What do you say beyond “thank you, I love your work”? 

Your mission this week: Write about one of your own literary heroes—someone you have met, or someone you would love to meet. If you would like, publish your answers on Community so we can read them!

Mallory Soto is Catapult Magazine’s Assistant Editor.