Stephen Cicirelli – Writer | Editor | Educator

"His stories are impressive in their scope
and number of emotional punches."

- Kathy Fish,
Author of Wild Life

Stephen Cicirelli holds a BA in English literature and philosophy from Saint Joseph’s University and an MFA in fiction from Columbia University. At Columbia, he studied with philosopher Mark C. Taylor and with writers Mary Gordon, Gary Shteyngart, Jonathan Dee, and Sam Lipsyte. For two years, following his MFA, Stephen did graduate work in theology and philosophy at Drew University before deciding that a PhD may not be for him. His writing has appeared in The Brooklyn Rail, Okay Donkey, Ponder Review, Quick Fiction, 100-Word Story, Eunoia Review, Flash: The International Short-Short Story Magazine, and elsewhere. His work is also featured in the anthology Nothing Short Of (Outpost19 Books). He is a Best Small Fiction award nominee.

Currently, Stephen teaches literature and creative writing at Saint Peter’s University, where he has been a faculty member for more than ten years. In 2020, he founded a tutoring and editing company, which keeps him busy when he’s not writing or in the classroom. One of Stephen’s intellectual heroes is Søren Kierkegaard (whom he studied in graduate school). If the past is any indication, he’ll likely make the mistake of trying to learn Danish, so he can read Kierkegaard in his original language. Stephen also likes to run and collect watches. He and his partner live in New Jersey.