Bio

Elizabeth Tallent previously taught literature and creative writing at the University of California at Irvine, the Iowa Writers Workshop, and at the University of California, Davis. She is the author of a novel, Museum Pieces, and three collections of short stories, In Constant Flight, Time with Children, and Honey, and a study of John Updike's fiction, Married Men and Magic Tricks. Her work has appeared in The New Yorker, Esquire, Harper's, Grand Street, The Paris Review, and The Threepenny Review, and in The Best American Short Stories and O. Henry Award collections. Her story "Tabriz" received 2008 Pushcart Prize Award. In 2007 she was awarded Stanford's Phi Beta Kappa Teaching Award, and in 2008 she received the Northern California Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa's Excellence in Teaching Award, recognizing "the extraordinary gifts, diligence, and amplitude of spirit that mark the best in teaching." In 2009 she was honored with Stanford's Dean's Award for Distinguished Teaching." Her short story "Never Come Back" appeared in the PEN/O. Henry Prize Stories 2011.

Academic Appointments

  • Emeritus (Active) Professor, English

Administrative Appointments

  • Professor of English, Stanford University (1994 - Present)
  • Visiting Writer, University of Iowa (1989 - 1989)
  • Professor of English, University of California, Davis (1988 - 1994)
  • Visiting Writer, University of California, Irvine (1986 - 1986)

Honors & Awards

  • Phi Beta Kappa Teaching Award, Stanford University (2007)
  • Excellence in Teaching Award, Phi Beta Kappa Association of Northern California (2008)
  • Pushcart Prize Award for short story “Tabriz,”, Pushcart (2008)
  • Dean’s Award for Teaching, Stanford University (2009)
  • Henry Prize Stories 2011: The Best Stories of the Year, The Anchor Books Publisher and the PEN American Center (2011)
  • Pushcart Prize Award for short story “Never Come Back,”, Pushcart (2011)
  • “The Wilderness,” Chosen for inclusion in The Best American Short Stories, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (2013)

Boards, Advisory Committees, Professional Organizations

  • Member, Creative Writing Program Admissions, Stanford University
  • Creative Writing Program Associate Professor search committee, Stanford University
  • Member, Committee for Undergraduate Admissions and Financial Aid, Stanford University
  • Member, Sexual Violence Advisory Board, Stanford University
  • Sexual Harassment Advisor, Stanford University (2010 - 2010)
  • Search Committee, Hume Writing Center Director, Stanford University
  • Member, Reappointment Committee for Prof. Michele Elam, Stanford University
  • Member, VPUE Committee on Critical Engagement, Stanford University

Program Affiliations

  • Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies

Professional Education

  • B.A, Illinois State University, Anthropology (1975)

Contact

  • Academic
    tallent@stanford.edu
    University - Faculty Department: English Position: Professor (650) 725-0755 (fax)
    University - Emeritus faculty Department: English Position: Emeritus Faculty, Acad Council (650) 725-0755 (fax)

Additional Info

  • Mail Code: 2087

Links

2024-25 Courses

All Publications

  • Mendocino Fire Mendocino Fire Tallent, E. Harper. 2015
  • Little X The Threepenny Review Tallent, E. 2013
  • The Wilderness The Threepenny Review Tallent, E. 2013
  • Cuidad Juarez Mississippi Review: Thirty Years Tallent, E. 2012: 384–394
  • The Wilderness The Threepenny Review Tallent, E. 2012
  • Caressing Repetitions: Your Face Tomorrow by Javier Marias The Threepenny Review Tallent, E. 2011
  • Thinking about The Road The Threepenny Review Tallent, E. 2011
  • Never Come Back The Threepenny Review Tallent, E. 2010
  • Once, with Attention The Threepenny Review Tallent, E. 2010
  • The Wrong Son The Threepenny Review Tallent, E. 2009
  • Bitter Greens The Sincerest Form of Flattery: Contemporary Women Writers on Forerunners in Fiction Tallent, E. edited by Wenth, J. K., Lunstrum, K. S. Lewis-Clark Press. 2008
  • Tabriz Pushcart Prize XXXIII: Best of the Small Presses Tallent, E. Pushcart Press. 2008
  • Colloquium on “Fear,” contributor The Threepenny Review Tallent, E. 2008
  • Eros 101 Do Me: Tales of Sex & Love from Tin House Tallent, E. Portland: Tin House Books. 2007
  • Colloquium on the films of Pedro Amoldovar, contributor The Threepenny Review Tallent, E. 2007
  • Tabriz The Threepenny Review Tallent, E. 2007
  • Eros 101 The Best of Tin House Tallent, E. 2006
  • ‘Flushed, Frenzied, Relentless Me’: D. H. Lawrence, The Threepenny Review Tallent, E. 2006
  • Eros 101 Tin House Tallent, E. 2004; 5 (4): 66 – 84
  • The Lover as OED Field: Contemporary Poetry and Poetics Tallent, E. 2002
  • Chrysanthemums and Satori Critical Responses to John Updike’s Rabbit Books Tallent, E. edited by Bellis, J. D. Greenwood Press. 2002
  • Diminutives Field: Contemporary Poetry and Poetics Tallent, E. 2002
  • Woman Weighing Pearls Boulevard Tallent, E. 2001; 17 (1 & 2): 33 - 48
  • Mystery Caller The Threepenny Review Tallent, E. 2001
  • Code ZZYVYA Tallent, E. 2001; XVII (1): 115-127
  • Give Tin House Tallent, E. 2001; 2 (4): 73-74
  • 'KID GENTLE' PLOUGHSHARES Tallent, E. 1993; 19 (2-3): 201-223

    View details for Web of Science ID A1993ND07900014

  • 'REBEL POWERS' - BAUSCH,R (Book Review) NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW Book Review Authored by: Tallent, E. 1993: 9-9

    View details for Web of Science ID A1993LB21200007

  • The Minute I Saw You Honey Tallent, E. New York; Knopf. 1993
  • Get It Back for Me Honey Tallent, E. New York: Knopf. 1993
  • Get It Back for Me Lear’s Tallent, E. 1993
  • Honey Honey Tallent, E. New York: Knopf. 1993
  • Honey Tallent, E. New York: Knopf. 1993
  • James Was Here The Los Angeles Times Magazine Tallent, E. 1993
  • Cuidad Juarez Honey Tallent, E. New York: Knopf. 1993
  • Prowler Honey Tallent, E. New York, Knopf. 1993
  • Black Dress Honey Tallent, E. New York: Knopf. 1993
  • 'DRIVING FORCE' - FRANCIS,D (Book Review) NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW Book Review Authored by: Tallent, E. 1992: 32-32

    View details for Web of Science ID A1992JR86200020

  • 'GHOST WOMAN' - THORNTON,L (Book Review) NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW Book Review Authored by: Tallent, E. 1992: 18-18

    View details for Web of Science ID A1992JF08700022

  • 'ALMANAC OF THE DEAD' - SILKO,LM (Book Review) NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW Book Review Authored by: Tallent, E. 1991: 6-6

    View details for Web of Science ID A1991GV31800009

  • 'DOCTOR SLEEP' - BELL,MS (Book Review) NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW Book Review Authored by: Tallent, E. 1991: 11-11

    View details for Web of Science ID A1991EQ09900011

  • A Model World and Other Stories - Michael Chabon The Los Angeles Times Book Review Tallent, E. 1991; 3 (8)
  • Michael Epoch Tallent, E. 1991; 41 (1): 11-27
  • No One’s a Mystery The Norton Introduction to Literature Tallent, E. edited by Bain New York: W.W. Norton. 1991
  • No One’s a Mystery The Sound of Writing Tallent, E. edited by Cheuse, A., Marshall, C. New York: Doubleday Anchor. 1991
  • Black Dress ZYZZYVA Tallent, E. 1991; VII (1): 56-67
  • Absence - Handke, Peter The New York Times Book Review Tallent, E. 1990; 17 (8)
  • This Is about the Body, the Mind, the Soul, the World, Time, and Fate - Williams, Diane Los Angeles Times Book Review Tallent, E. 1990; 11
  • Honey The Best of the West 3 Tallent, E. edited by Thomas, J., Thomas, D. Salt Lake City: Peregrine Smith Books. 1990: 141–63
  • Keats The Company of Dogs Tallent, E. edited by Rosen, M. J. New York: Doubleday. 1990
  • Prowler The Best American Short Stories 1990 Tallent, E. edited by Ford, R., Ravenel, S. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company. 1990: 267–280
  • Ceremonie de Cloture Tallent, E., Translated by Dumay, M. France: Actes Sud. 1990
  • At the Gates of the Animal Kingdom - Hempel, Amy Los Angeles Times Book Review Tallent, E. 1990; 11
  • A Collector’s Santa Fe: Artist James Harvard’s Favorite Sources for Native American Arts Architectural Digest Tallent, E. 1990: 102-110
  • Wing The Taos Review Tallent, E. 1990; 2: 24-40
  • THE 'NEUMILLER STORIES' - WOIWODE,L (Book Review) NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW Book Review Authored by: Tallent, E. 1989: 7-7

    View details for Web of Science ID A1989CC90900006

  • 'AFFLICTION' - BANKS,R (Book Review) NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW Book Review Authored by: Tallent, E. 1989: 7-7

    View details for Web of Science ID A1989AN95200004

  • Cuidad Juarez Mississippi Review Tallent, E. 1989; 18 (1): 7-20
  • Tiempo con ninos Tallent, E., Translated by Ripoll, J. G. Madrid: Alfaguara Lieteraturas. 1989
  • Honey Grand Street Tallent, E. 1989; 9 (1): 30-50
  • Prowler The New Yorker Tallent, E. 1989: 43-50
  • THE 'GIRL FROM CARDIGAN' - NORRIS,L (Book Review) NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW Book Review Authored by: Tallent, E. 1988: 9-9

    View details for Web of Science ID A1988N392000005

  • The Coming Triumph of the Free World - De Marinis, Rick Los Angeles Times Tallent, E. 1988; B-1 (1)
  • Migrants Editors’ Choice Tallent, E. edited by Murphy, G. E. Jr. New York: Bantam. 1988
  • Inconstances Tallent, E., Translated by Dumay, M. France: Actes Sud. 1988
  • 'SPIRIT SEIZURES' - PRITCHARD,M (Book Review) NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW Book Review Authored by: Tallent, E. 1987: 11-11

    View details for Web of Science ID A1987K854900007

  • 'UNASSIGNED TERRITORY' - NUNN,K (Book Review) NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW Book Review Authored by: Tallent, E. 1987: 7-8

    View details for Web of Science ID A1987H897000011

  • Favor Best American Short Stories 1987 Tallent, E. edited by Beattie, A. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company. 1987
  • The Fence Party Time with Children Tallent, E. New York: Knopf. 1987: 17–26
  • Hannah’s Example Time with Children Tallent, E. New York: Knopf. 1987: 81–94
  • Two Ghosts of Us Time with Children Tallent, E. New York: Knopf. 1987: 45–54
  • First Light - Baxter, C Los Angeles Times Tallent, E. 1987; B-3 (1)
  • Time with Children Tallent, E. New York: Knopf. 1987
  • Hannah’s Example The New Yorker Tallent, E. 1987: 28-34
  • Faux Pas Time with Children Tallent, E. New York: Knopf. 1987: 107–16
  • Faux Pas The New Yorker Tallent, E. 1987: 36-39
  • The Forgiveness Trick Time with Children Tallent, E. New York: Knopf. 1987: 32–35
  • Grant of Easement Time with Children Tallent, E. New York: Knopf. 1987: 3–16
  • Sweet Disposition Time with Children Tallent, E. New York: Knopf. 1987: 55–69
  • No One’s a Mystery Time with Children Tallent, E. New York: Knopf. 1987: 41–44
  • Time with Children Time with Children Tallent, E. New York: Knopf. 1987: 27–40
  • Black Holes Time with Children Tallent, E. New York: Knopf. 1987: 117–30
  • Migrants Time with Children Tallent, E. New York: Knopf. 1987: 95–106
  • Favor Time with Children Tallent, E. New York: Knopf. 1987: 131–44
  • 'TO SKIN A CAT' - MCGUANE,T (Book Review) NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW Book Review Authored by: Tallent, E. 1986: 13-14

    View details for Web of Science ID A1986E331600012

  • 'LIFE ON THIS PLANET' AND OTHER STORIES - COHEN,M (Book Review) NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW Book Review Authored by: Tallent, E. 1986: 10-10

    View details for Web of Science ID A1986AZE3400008

  • Time with Children The New Yorker Tallent, E. 1986: 26-32
  • Lightly The Esquire Fiction Reader Tallent, E. edited by Hills, R., Jenks, T. Green Harbor, MA: Wampeter Press. 1986
  • The Lover of Horses and Other Stories - Gallagher, Tess Los Angeles Times Tallent, E. 1986
  • The Forgiveness Trick The New Yorker Tallent, E. 1986: 32-35
  • Two Ghosts of Us Grand Street Tallent, E. 1986: 7-15
  • Migrants Paris Review Tallent, E. 1986: 219-229
  • Black Holes The Graywolf Annual 2 Tallent, E. edited by Walker, S. Port Townsend, WA: Graywolf Press. 1986
  • Favor The New Yorker Tallent, E. 1986: 46-52
  • No One’s a Mystery Sudden Fiction Tallent, E. edited by Shapard, R., Thomas, J. Salt Lake City: G.M. Smith. 1986
  • Exalted Play-lexander Girard’s International Folk art Architectural Digest Tallent, E. 1986: 86
  • The Fence Party The New Yorker Tallent, E. 1985: 36-40
  • Half a Mussel Shell The Graywolf Annual I Tallent, E. edited by Walker, S. Port Townsend, WA: Graywolf Press. 1985
  • GARDENS, ANCIENT ACRES, HISTORIC NEW-MEXICO RANCHLANDS ARCHITECTURAL DIGEST Tallent, E. 1985; 42 (9): 168-?

    View details for Web of Science ID A1985ANF0300014

  • Black Holes The New Yorker Tallent, E. 1985: 30-35
  • Museum Pieces Tallent, E. New York: Knopf. 1985
  • Sweet Disposition The New Yorker Tallent, E. 1985: 28-39
  • Lightly Esquire Tallent, E. 1985: 36-40
  • No One’s a Mystery Harper’s Tallent, E. 1985: 28-29
  • Grant of Easement The New Yorker Tallent, E. 1984: 32-36
  • Why I Love Country Music Writers of the Purple Sage: An Anthology of Recent Western Writing Tallent, E. edited by Martin, R., Barash, M. New York: Viking. 1984
  • The Evolution of Birds of Paradise Prize Stories, 1984: The O. Henry Awards Tallent, E. edited by Abrahams, W. New York: Doubleday. 1984
  • Comings and Goings In Constant Flight Tallent, E. New York: Knopf. 1983: 60–69
  • In Constant Flight Tallent, E. New York: Knopf. 1983
  • Asteroids In Constant Flight Tallent, E. New York: Knopf. 1983: 14–26
  • Ice In Constant Flight Tallent, E. New York: Knopf. 1983: 3–13
  • The Evolution of Birds of Paradise The New Yorker Tallent, E. 1983: 30-36
  • Why I Love Country Music In Constant Flight Tallent, E. New York: Knopf. 1983: 85–96
  • Refugees In Constant Flight Tallent, E. New York: Knopf. 1983: 27–40
  • In Constant Flight In Constant Flight Tallent, E. New York: Knopf. 1983: 127–44
  • Bridges In Constant Flight Tallent, E. New York: Knopf. 1983: 111–26
  • Keats In Constant Flight Tallent, E. 1983: 41-59
  • The Evolution of Birds of Paradise In Constant Flight Tallent, E. New York: Knopf. 1983: 145–59
  • Bridges The New Yorker Tallent, E. 1982
  • In Constant Flight The New Yorker Tallent, E. 1982: 48-55
  • 'COMINGS AND GOINGS' NORTH AMERICAN REVIEW Tallent, E. 1982; 267 (3): 40-43

    View details for Web of Science ID A1982PH98400017

  • Chrysanthemums and Satori Married Men and Magic Tricks: John Updike’s Erotic Heroes Tallent, E. Berkeley: Creative Arts Book Company. 1982
  • Married Men and Magic Tricks: John Updike’s Erotic Heroes Tallent, E. Berkeley: Creative Arts Book Company. 1982
  • Refugees The New Yorker Tallent, E. 1982: 28-35
  • Asteroids The New Yorker Tallent, E. 1981; 27: 42-28
  • Ice The Best American Short Stories Tallent, E. edited by Calisher, H. Boston: Houghton Mifflin. 1981
  • Why I Love Country Music The Pushcart Prize VI Tallent, E. edited by Henderson, B. Wainscott, NY: Pushcart Press. 1981: 247–57
  • Why I Love Country Music The Threepenny Review Tallent, E. 1980: 16-18
  • Ice The New Yorker Tallent, E. 1980: 42-46