Pia Ehrhardt

Birthday May 6, 1957
Location New Orleans
Occupation writer
Website http://www.piaze.com

Books by Pia Ehrhardt
  • by Pia Z. Ehrhardt
    MacAdam/Cage Publishing, 2007.

  • W. W. Norton & Company, 2007.

  • by Tara L. Masih
    Rose Metal Press, 2009.

  • by Sonny Brewer
    MacAdam Cage, 2006.
    • About Me

    I'm a fiction writer, a contributing editor to Narrative Magazine, and a court watcher down at Tulane and Broad. I have one short story collection out - FAMOUS FATHERS & OTHER STORIES - and a novel on the way. My stories have been in Mississippi Review, McSweeneys 14 and 16, Narrative Magazine, Oxford American, and have been performed at Symphony Space and on KQED. I received the 2005 Narrative Prize and a 2007 Bread Loaf Fellowship.

    Why do you write?

    I want to understand why people/characters do the things they do. Forgiveness, for me, is easier in fiction than in real life. And I love sentences and the work they do.

    Any favorite authors? Books?

    William Maxwell - So Long, See You Tomorrow; Mary Robison - Why Did I Ever; Graham Greene - The End of the Affair; and short story collections by Jim Shepard, William Trevor, Deborah Eisenberg, Amy Hempel, Mary Robison (again), Frederick Barthelme, Antonya Nelson, Charles D'Ambrosio, and many many more.

    Pia Ehrhardt's Wall

    Michael D. Brown, Dec 28

    Pia, thanks for all the great stories over the years, and a special thank you for the links to Hem. It’s like a soundtrack for the new year for me.

    Corey Zeller, Oct 09

    Pia:

    You’re beautiful and I love you…I’ve barely met you but I’m positive that you’re the best kind of person…

    Corey

    Steven Tagle, Oct 06

    Hi Pia, I loved your story, “A Man,” in Spork 4.3. It’s great to find more of your writing on this site! I’m looking forward to reading your short story collection.

    Pia Ehrhardt, Aug 13

    Hi Jamey - I’m never sure how to post on my own wall, if anyone will know about it, but thank you for having your students read the SF story. That makes me feel great. Just found out the story’s going to be included in Janet Burroway’s/Eliz. Stuckey-French’s bible’s next edition. My middle name is Zaninelli - Italian - and I married a German. Ciao!

    Jamey Genna, Aug 07

    I read your story in New Sudden Fiction. My high school students love it, too. Love it. Love it. How’d you get such a unique name-your own, I mean.

    Darryl Price, Jul 13

    Every time I try to leave a message for you it doesn’t seem to get posted. I’m trying again. You are a wonderful presence here and everywhere. Thank you for your many good works and deeds. Much appreciated.

    Lauren Becker, Jun 03

    Hi Pia: Just wanted to thank you for reading my stuff and for your thoughtful words. And thank you for putting your own wonderful writing up. I suspect I’m not the only one here who revisits your stories regularly! Lauren

    Rachel Yoder, May 27

    Hey Pia! Thanks so much for taking the time to read my little stories and leave comments both kind and helpful. In answer to your question, yes, these little bits are part of something larger…or at least that’s the plan today. I enjoy reading your stories, too! Nice to “meet” you here.

    Ru Freeman, May 13

    I know! I will. I must…..

    Brandon Hobson, May 13

    Thanks so much for the nice words, Pia. I love your work. Salutes to you!
    B.

    Ethel Rohan, May 03

    I was so excited to read your story “Following The Notes” in the NEW SUDDEN FICTION collection. As always, it was a terrific read. The tension between the narrator and father, the father and mother, and the triangle of father, mother, and daughter was palpable. I felt such a pang at the end, at the daughter’s efforts to bring some light to the father’s misery/his sense of being “dumped.” It brought back so many memories. I had that sense of truth, that “yes, that’s just how it was” that’s as painful as it is illuminating. Thank you.

    Maria Robinson, Mar 24

    Thank you, Pia, for your comments on Red! You made my day!

    James Robison, Mar 24

    Your words about my story, Mars, made my day—a day otherwise bleak in just about every other aspect. So thank you.

    Molly Gaudry, Jan 29

    Hi Pia,

    Yes, I only wish there were more schools like ours. It’s sad to see so many “regular” schools cutting back on the arts. Even at mine, the creative writing dept. is not as valued as the musical theatre or acting depts., mostly because creative depts. spend money and the performing make it. Money. *Sigh*

    M.

    Tim Jones-Yelvington, Jan 29

    I also wanted to tell you that “Intermediate Goals” was one of my favorite stories I’ve read in quite awhile. I’m surprised more people don’t mention it their reviews of “Famous Fathers.” Or maybe I have atypical taste? The character voice is so strong. And the absurdity of walking around in a bear costume, getting hooked on both the anonymity and the attention of that. And then that heartbreaking moment where the narrator finally says something in her own words, but her ex doesn’t realize, because this moment of honesty is so unusual for her, almost like the boy who cried wolf …you give good ending.

    Tim Jones-Yelvington, Jan 27

    Hey Pia, Thank you for your generous words about “Painted Faces.” I think I learned a lot about my own story reading your response. It was kind of a weird head trip to hear from you as I literally just finished reading “Famous Fathers and other Stories” this morning, and your voice and your characters are very much on my mind.

    Lauren Becker, Jan 25

    Hi Pia: Thanks for your kind words re: “Erase.” Just read “Ambulance” and was blown away. Add me to your long list of fans …

    Victoria Skurnick, Jan 15

    Pia - Very best luck with your novels. I wrote to one of the writers you mention, but I cannot find info for Peter Landon. You might urge him to get in touch with me, if you know how to reach him. With or without MacAdam Cage, you’ll be great. Victoria

    Meakin Armstrong, Jan 08

    Pia, thanks so much for your comments. Coming from you, they meant a lot. Happy New Year!

    Corey Zeller, Dec 14

    Pia:

    Thanks for the kind words.

    I hope someone writes a great love poem for you sometime soon.

    scott cohen, Dec 02

    Hi Pia,

    Famous Fathers and Other Stories cracked me up. I like your use of “all” followed by an adjective. I confess to using it in one of my essays.

    I’m a fellow Narrative-ite. And I too was born on May 6th. So was Bob Seger.

    Corey Zeller, Oct 26

    Great picture!

    It looks like the pretty woman playing the flute is trying to hypnotize that baby.

    Joseph Young, Sep 08

    Hi, Pia! I’m good. Busy writing et al. And You? Do you happen to be in NYC? I’m going up Wednesday with my friend Jen who’s going to read with Tao Lin, somewhere in Brooklyn.

    Matthew Simmons, Aug 29

    Oh, man. I just got here, and already I’m being hazed.

    Comment noted and corrected. Hi, Pia.

    Gail Siegel, Aug 27

    Hail to thee, dear Pia! Thanks and praise for inviting me in. Seriously mon ami — this place is spacious and beautiful and exciting. Plus, I am loving those photos of you and your sisters. I wish I could zoom in. Or zoom back. I guess that’s what stories

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