Benjamin Percy

Percy was born in Eugene, Oregon, and in his early life lived briefly in Hawaii. His family moved to Tumalo, Oregon when Percy was in the fourth grade and Percy attended a private school in Sunriver, Oregon. From an early age he demonstrated interest and aptitude in writing, but considered archeology a more practical career and spent several summers doing related work as an intern, then began study in that field at Brown University. Eventually finding archeology less satisfying than anticipated, and at the urging of his girlfriend (now wife) Lisa, Percy changed course and focused on writing as a career. Upon graduating from Brown, he attended Southern Illinois University, earning his Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing, with a teaching fellowship. Percy thereafter wrote short stories prolifically and his submissions to literary journals and magazines were soon accepted for publication. In addition to writing for publication, Percy teaches writing. After teaching at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, Marquette University, and Iowa State University, Percy joined the faculty at St. Olaf College as Writer-in-Residence in fall 2012. He has also taught at multiple conventions and residencies, youth and adult alike.