Philip Schultz

Philip Schultz is an acclaimed American poet and educator, best known for his Pulitzer Prize-winning collection Failure (2007). Born on January 6, 1945, in Rochester, New York, Schultz faced significant challenges growing up, including undiagnosed dyslexia, which delayed his ability to read until he was 11 years old. Despite these obstacles, he pursued a career in writing, earning a BA from San Francisco State University and an MFA from the University of Iowa Writers' Workshop. Schultz is also the founder and director of The Writers Studio, a creative writing school based in New York City .

Throughout his career, Schultz has authored several poetry collections, including Like Wings (1978), Deep Within the Ravine (1984), The Holy Worm of Praise (2002), Living in the Past (2004), The God of Loneliness: Selected and New Poems (2010), and Luxury (2018). His works often explore themes of personal history, family, and the immigrant experience. In addition to his poetry, Schultz has written two memoirs: My Dyslexia (2011), which delves into his struggles with the learning disability, and Comforts of the Abyss: The Art of Persona Writing (2022), offering insights into his creative process and the art of writing through different personas .

Schultz's reflections on his journey as a writer and his experiences with dyslexia are encapsulated in his quotes. One notable statement is: “Dyslexia lends itself to original thinking, not rote formulas, because you can't do the formulas—you think up your own method based on intuition and instincts” . This perspective highlights how his challenges have shaped his unique approach to writing and creativity. Another poignant quote is: “To pay for my father's funeral I borrowed money from people he already owed money to. One called him a nobody. No, I said, he was a failure. You can't remember a nobody's name, that's why they're called nobodies. Failures are unforgettable” . This reflects the profound impact of his father's life and struggles on Schultz's work and worldview.BrainyQuote+1+1A-Z Quotes+4A-Z Quotes+4Goodreads+4