Over the years, the Picador Guest Professorship has welcomed many writers to Leipzig to teach, exchange ideas, and connect with students and the city in their own ways. Here you can read some of their memories and impressions – what inspired them during their time in Germany, and what stayed with them long after.
I learned so much about generosity and imagination from my students. They are truly some of the kindest souls I have met as an educator. The beautiful city of Leipzig brought peace and introspection, a moment to reset mind, body, and spirit in preparation for the work ahead. I will always remember my amazing colleagues and student assistant, the sweet smell of lavender and privet, and the fresh strawberries from street vendors in their strawberry themed stalls.
Phillip B. Williams, Picador Guest Professor of summer 2025
My time in Leipzig was so enriching and fascinating. The city is warm and welcoming and bursting with life. I loved working with the students at the university, and meeting the many remarkable scholars in the American Studies department.
Daniel Gumbiner, Picador Guest Professor of winter 2024/25
The vibrant arts community in Leipzig, and my wondrous students, and brilliant colleagues, were an endless source of energy and inspiration to me while I served as the Picador Guest Professor. It was deeply meaningful to get to work alongside some of Germany’s foremost American literature scholars in a place with such immense publishing, music, and design history.
Rita Bullwinkel, Picador Guest Professor of summer 2024
The Picador Professorship came to me at a fallow time in my creative life, and the experience revived and energized what I had surrendered as a dead novel. As I near the completion of that work, I am incredibly indebted to the gift that was the Picador Professorship.
Salvador Plascencia, Picador Guest Professor of summer 2023
I loved learning alongside my UL students. I was introducing them to American literary sports cultures, and things that I’d taken for granted as an American reader and fan we interrogated in ways that were fruitful for them and me both. The day they asked if we could go play catch after class—suddenly we all understood baseball in a new way!
Emily Nemens, Picador Guest Professor of winter 2022/23
The undergraduate students who were in my creative writing class were not afraid to take risks with their writings, and the graduate students were rigorous in their exploration of experimental Asian American poetry and history. After the teaching, I so appreciated the gift of having a month to just work on my own writing during my stay in Leipzig.
Don Mee Choi, Picador Guest Professor of winter 2021/22
The Picador Professorship changed my life. I still think about it even though it’s been several years. I had enough time to teach, travel, and write, and ease into my new surroundings without feeling overwhelmed. It was the perfect balance of responsibility and freedom and my students were lovely.
Morgan Jerkins, Picador Guest Professor of winter 2019/20
There’s a vitality to the artistic and intellectual scene in the city that is infectious and that stoked my own creative fires. Though, in the end, the most inspiring aspect of my lectureship was the teaching: I’ve never encountered more engaged, curious, and intellectually rigorous students—not to mention a classroom community that felt genuinely close, kind-hearted, and dedicated to each other’s growth.
Josh Weil, Picador Guest Professor of summer 2019
I have fond memories of my time as Picador Guest Professor—from biking around Leipzig, to the writers and scholars I met, to the lovely students, and the way they would knock their knuckles on the table when class was finished.
Justin Torres, Picador Guest Professor of summer 2016
I have had no better experience in my writing and teaching life than the Picador Guest Professorship. By providing me the chance to discuss literature and writing with a group of such smart, passionate, sensitive, and worldly students, the program broadened my horizons beyond the United States–centric literary bubble. Whatever I may have given to the wonderful students during my semester in Leipzig, they — and the city I fell in love with — gave back to me tenfold.
Michael Lowenthal, Picador Guest Professor of winter 2014/15
The position was very fulfilling and my creative writing students were dynamic, imaginative, and full of heart. Leipzig is wondrous.
Nathalie Handal, Picador Guest Professor in the winter semester 2010/11
I remember riding my bike through the streets of Leipzig, exploring as many neighborhoods as I could. I met so many delightful people; at my yoga class, at the market, and especially the warm and wonderful Leipzig people connected to the program. It was a spirit-opening experience for me. Thank you.
John Haskell, Picador Guest Professor of winter 2007/08
I look back on my time at Leipzig University as one of the richest and most productive in my creative life. It gave me the chance to spend time in a wonderfully creative and supportive community, which I’ll always be incredibly grateful to have had the chance to be a part of.
Tristan Hughes, Picador Guest Professor of winter 2006/07