A Menagerie of Losers
Short stories and memoir have the power to capture the complexities of identity, resilience, and the human experience. This is the heart of A Menagerie of Losers, the MFA thesis by Tim Ott, who will be defending his work on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m. in the Gruening Building, Room 202 at the University of ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ Fairbanks.
A Menagerie of Losers is an exploration of narrative, memory, and personal history. Ott, a writer with a background in Russian studies and global teaching experience, crafts stories that reflect his deep engagement with culture, language, and place. His work traverses a range of emotions and experiences, offering readers a poignant, sometimes humorous, and always insightful glimpse into lives shaped by adversity and transformation.
Ott’s journey to creative writing has been as dynamic as his stories. Born in North Dakota and raised in Osage, Iowa, he earned a B.A. from St. Olaf College in Minnesota, majoring in Russian, before completing an M.A. in Slavic Languages and Literature at the University of Washington. His diverse experiences—teaching English in China and Russia, serving in the Peace Corps in Rwanda, and working in the Northwest Outward Bound School—have given him a unique perspective that informs his storytelling. When he is not writing, Ott enjoys hiking, boating, searching for wildlife, listening to live music, running, and cooking lefse with his mother.
Beyond his own writing, Ott has contributed to the literary and academic community in numerous ways. His experiences in education and international service reflect a dedication to storytelling, cultural exchange, and mentorship. Whether teaching, working in the restaurant industry, or embarking on outdoor adventures, he brings a keen observational eye to his work, elevating the everyday into art.
The MFA in Creative Writing at ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ offers a rich environment for emerging writers to refine their craft, set against the stunning backdrop of ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ. The Department of English supports students in their creative and scholarly endeavors, fostering a community where storytelling flourishes. Join us as we celebrate Tim Ott’s thesis defense and his contributions to the literary world.